• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Stand - or Sit.

Sit or Stand?

  • Total voters
    74
#2
I always sit down and play. I physically cannot stand for long periods of time and a bass weighing me down just makes it worse (and no, it has nothing to do with the strap).

But I'm worried about this. I'll be playing my first gig in a month and it's a rock setting. I don't know if I'll be able to stand, but I'm going to look kind of funny sitting. It's just not good for the band's energy, but what can I do. :hmm:
 
#3
Maybe you could stand for some songs and then take a break and sit as needed. Is it something you could practice and improve your endurance? I.e the more you stand when practising the more you will be able to stand. Of course, if you have a physical problem that means you cant stand well thats a different matter and just enjoy yourself sitting down :) Most people will be too busy watching the singer to really notice that you are seated anyway I guess.

Steve
 
#4
stephanie said:
I always sit down and play. I physically cannot stand for long periods of time and a bass weighing me down just makes it worse (and no, it has nothing to do with the strap).

But I'm worried about this. I'll be playing my first gig in a month and it's a rock setting. I don't know if I'll be able to stand, but I'm going to look kind of funny sitting. It's just not good for the band's energy, but what can I do. :hmm:
Click to expand...
You could buy a stool and mount a piece of cardboard in front of it and paint fake "legs" on the cardboard. That way, even when you are sitting, it will look like you are standing to the audience (in a dark room).

Okay...maybe not....:D
 
#5
stephanie said:
I always sit down and play. I physically cannot stand for long periods of time and a bass weighing me down just makes it worse (and no, it has nothing to do with the strap).

But I'm worried about this. I'll be playing my first gig in a month and it's a rock setting. I don't know if I'll be able to stand, but I'm going to look kind of funny sitting. It's just not good for the band's energy, but what can I do. :hmm:
Click to expand...
Maybe you could get a very high chair/stool or whatever, the kind that upright bassists use sometimes. It wouldn't look stupid.
 
#6
stephanie said:
I always sit down and play. I physically cannot stand for long periods of time and a bass weighing me down just makes it worse (and no, it has nothing to do with the strap).

But I'm worried about this. I'll be playing my first gig in a month and it's a rock setting. I don't know if I'll be able to stand, but I'm going to look kind of funny sitting. It's just not good for the band's energy, but what can I do. :hmm:
Click to expand...
Depending on the venue, you could stand for as long as you can and then perhaps "sit" on the edge of the stage in front of the monitors (or on the monitors) and rock out down there for a while, this wouldn't look so out of place and may come across as part of the show (ie if you have a slow number in the middle of the set). Alternatively, you could use a wireless and pull up a stool at the bar during the set and keep playing..that would look pretty cool!

If you only have to sit down for a song everyone once in a while, its probably not going to be a problem as people will just see it as part of the show (ie if you sit on your amp of something). I was at a show the other night where one of the singers had to sit on a chair the whole show because she had a sore ankle...didnt really detract from the show!
 
#7
No doubt. When you play music that can be danced in any way you MUST stand up (unless your instrument is played sitting -drummer, bandoneon in tango, etc.-). The live look of the band is very inportant and it has to be in accordance with the music you play. Maybe it's prejudice but I thing sitting guitar or bass players give this erudite "music for musicians" look to a band (even though they don't precisely play it). On the other hand, sitting musicians has become a must for unplugged shows, but I tend to think this is a MTV imposed aesthetic, because, as an example, KISS' Unplugged is one of the most danceable rock albums I have, it moves you to dance, so why play sitting?

ANDRUCA
 
#13
andruca said:
No doubt. When you play music that can be danced in any way you MUST stand up (unless your instrument is played sitting -drummer, bandoneon in tango, etc.-). The live look of the band is very inportant and it has to be in accordance with the music you play. Maybe it's prejudice but I thing sitting guitar or bass players give this erudite "music for musicians" look to a band (even though they don't precisely play it). On the other hand, sitting musicians has become a must for unplugged shows, but I tend to think this is a MTV imposed aesthetic, because, as an example, KISS' Unplugged is one of the most danceable rock albums I have, it moves you to dance, so why play sitting?
ANDRUCA
Click to expand...

But, are you even looking at the band when you're dancing? :cool:

When I came into the geezerly jazz band I'm currently with, they offered me a stool. I declined. I've been a front man for years, and sitting down is very uncomfortable, especially when playing EUB. Months later, they still bring a stool for me to every gig, and I always decline. I'm already on the backline, pretty well hidden for the most part, especially with a music stand in front of me. I agree with your post, and I suppose I might actually be hurting the fashion show aspect of the band's performance. Screw it, just do what's comfortable, and let your playing do the talking, no?
 
#14
IMHO, based on the stage images in my own head, sitting is only good for very smallish,,, very personal feeling venues,,, for mellow, or old-school blues...

Anything w/ any amount of energy DEMANDS you stand!!!

Hell, I even during my personal practice sessions, I stand...
 
#17
I think sitting goes with the gig really. If you are doing some thrash metal gig for 5 hours you will want to sit, but it wont fit in well. If you are doing a folk country kinda style thing, you sit down. I always try to sit down, but the rest of the band stands up, so you feel left out.
 
#18
SMASH said:
Last few times I saw Fripp he stood, albeit once hiding completely behind giant stacks. He's a strange one.
Click to expand...
Per his own words, he's been sitting on every gig since '69... if he's not lying. :D He sits quite high up though, with just a little bending of the knees... for easy rack/pedal access one would assume. See the attachment.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back