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What do you think about while you are gigging.
- Thread starter 86general
- Start date
When I played six-nights-a-week I could daydream about anything due to just knowing the material so well (unless it was a new tune). Nowadays, though, I concentrate on what I'm playing, and always watch and listen to everyone else, making sure I'm with the program. Ya never know when something might change and there's a signal you might miss. Often I watch the guitarist's hand when I'm not sure about any chords.
I often fade in and out of awareness of my playing, which is quite dangerous. Sometimes I'm really not that focused without making (big) mistakes, but then all of sudden I get focused again and that usually when I make the most mistakes. Or when I make play one wrong note, resulting in a lot more soon after.
I'm not very experienced with gigging, so I still have to consciously look up at the crowd. Usually I look more at my band members than at the audience, just to check if everything's going as it should.
There are always a few moments where I'm feeling really good, like last night when I was shrouded in smoke from the smoke machine, although at one point I could harldy see what I was doing..
I'm not very experienced with gigging, so I still have to consciously look up at the crowd. Usually I look more at my band members than at the audience, just to check if everything's going as it should.
There are always a few moments where I'm feeling really good, like last night when I was shrouded in smoke from the smoke machine, although at one point I could harldy see what I was doing..
When I think about the experience I have had with other musicians, I love how self deprecating yet relaxed bass players can be.
And yes, I do think about which girl I should be playing for. Then I miss a note and think "she's not interested anymore..." As if she was before.
During a song I am relaxed usually playing with my eyes closed once i am in the zone.
99% of the time behind sunglasses I don't think about much of anything. It is funny we have started a song and I get into the zone and when I open them there is a ton of people on the dance floor that wasn't there when I closed them
99% of the time behind sunglasses I don't think about much of anything. It is funny we have started a song and I get into the zone and when I open them there is a ton of people on the dance floor that wasn't there when I closed them
- Jan 12, 2011
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- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
Fat Steve
The poodle bites, the poodle chews it.
Most of the time I'm thinking "People would pay to have my problems. Life is good".
And boobs of course. Being in original bands I don't tend to leave the venue with any cash, but I do get to store some good material for the ole spank bank!
And boobs of course. Being in original bands I don't tend to leave the venue with any cash, but I do get to store some good material for the ole spank bank!
1) Look like you're having fun. Smile at the audience. Move a bit. The John Entwistle scowl/shoes nailed to the floor pose only takes you so far.
2) Don't play too loudly. You're the bass player, not the lead guitarist.
3) Don't overplay. Same reason as #2. Lock in with the drummer. That's your job.
4) When you're singing, stay in tune, remember your lyrics, and don't try anything unexpected. Remember that you're also playing bass - stay in tune and in time. (Now I have all my tab and lyrics on an iPad mounted on my mike stand, which greatly reduces the risk of brain farts)
5) Don't check out TOO many babes in the audience - especially if your wife is there. Guaranteed trouble on the way home.
6) DO YOUR JOB. You want the band to be asked back to the club.
2) Don't play too loudly. You're the bass player, not the lead guitarist.
3) Don't overplay. Same reason as #2. Lock in with the drummer. That's your job.
4) When you're singing, stay in tune, remember your lyrics, and don't try anything unexpected. Remember that you're also playing bass - stay in tune and in time. (Now I have all my tab and lyrics on an iPad mounted on my mike stand, which greatly reduces the risk of brain farts)
5) Don't check out TOO many babes in the audience - especially if your wife is there. Guaranteed trouble on the way home.
6) DO YOUR JOB. You want the band to be asked back to the club.
When I'm improvising walking bass lines and grooves, I usually get lost and just play. If it's a simple pre-written bassline, I'll usually think about what I have to play, depending on the type of song though.
Great thread! I'm usually just enjoying myself, and being annoyed at how long it takes most guitar players to transition into the next tune. I have one shift I pick up occasionally and the guitarist in that band cannot go into the next song without tuning. So annoying!
I usually think about laying a solid groove. Then today I played an outdoor thing in north Georgia, and all I could think about was how to avoid all the damned hornets flying around in the band shell.
It depends how comfortable I am with the set. Sometimes I'm concentrating on the song and playing it correctly. Sometimes it funny people in the crowd. Honestly...I'm ADD so it can be pretty much anything at any second during the set. Amortization schedules, truck specifications for a customer, who invented liquid soap and why?
It can be anything.
It can be anything.
depends 100% on the gig.
jamband stuff i'm focused on hearing what else is going on. orchestral work i'm reading and focused on listening, watching. top 40 / crappy bar gigs... yeah, my mind will wander.
jamband stuff i'm focused on hearing what else is going on. orchestral work i'm reading and focused on listening, watching. top 40 / crappy bar gigs... yeah, my mind will wander.
