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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2015 22:51:53 GMT
Well, not sure how many here have been in bands or how much they have if they have, but I'm always looking for ideas to help my stage "presence" or 'show" as well as being needful of advice on how to get my way without being an overbearing bitch to work for  So anything you know about the trade, do tell I have a plan, and those who have heard it say it's a good one. It's a pretty standard musician plan to be honest, but i invented it myself without influence from others so it's all mine  I want to make sure it works to it's fullest effect, and thus every little piece of knowledge i can beg borrow or steal will be thought about |
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Post by yettoblaster on Nov 6, 2015 2:02:05 GMT
Jeez, I dunno. From what I've seen so far I can't suggest much that would improve anything.
I've been a sideman for so long now (I eschew "stage presence") that I forget whatever I did as a front person.
"Working" the microphone needs to become intuitive I think, so you can forget about it and connect with the audience on some level.
I'm concentrating on the joy of it lately. Can't "act" joyful. Doesn't work for me. But I do try to let go as a sideman, play to the song or whatever the music seems to be aching for (what I would want to hear if I was sitting out there, or dancing), etc.
Having finally found a bunch of guys who aren't all self-indulgent and ego-maniacs has me counting my blessings and just able to " go for it," when we play.
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Post by Grand Toad on Nov 6, 2015 2:08:55 GMT
Having finally found a bunch of guys who aren't all self-indulgent and ego-maniacs has me counting my blessings and just able to " go for it," when we play. I was just thinking about being in a band today. If I could find a group of guys like that I'd be really happy. It's impossible to find a bass player, and a drummer here, who doesn't act like they've been hit in the head with a baseball bat a few too many times. |
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Post by Colchar on Nov 6, 2015 2:11:51 GMT
Having finally found a bunch of guys who aren't all self-indulgent and ego-maniacs has me counting my blessings and just able to " go for it," when we play. I was just thinking about being in a band today. If I could find a group of guys like that I'd be really happy. It's impossible to find a bass player, and a drummer here, who doesn't act like they've been hit in the head with a baseball bat a few too many times. It is impossible to find a drummer anywhere who doesn't act like he's been hit in the head with a baseball bat a few too many times! |
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Post by Grand Toad on Nov 6, 2015 2:21:40 GMT
I know guitar players get a bad rap for being egotistical, and flaky, but damn drummers!
I know a guy that got knocked out by John Bonham at a bar in Hollywood in 1977. All he did was tapped him on the shoulder, and Bonham coldcocked him.
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12watt
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Post by 12watt on Nov 6, 2015 8:42:45 GMT
Watch videos of yourself and look at any pictures taken with a critical eye. Most of the best performers seem to converse in song rather than give a speech (if you get my drift). I noticed that I tend to pull the same face my grandmother did when concentrating on her knitting. I am trying to address that.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2015 13:21:10 GMT
Jeez, I dunno. From what I've seen so far I can't suggest much that would improve anything. I've been a sideman for so long now (I eschew "stage presence") that I forget whatever I did as a front person. "Working" the microphone needs to become intuitive I think, so you can forget about it and connect with the audience on some level.I'm concentrating on the joy of it lately. Can't "act" joyful. Doesn't work for me. But I do try to let go as a sideman, play to the song or whatever the music seems to be aching for (what I would want to hear if I was sitting out there, or dancing), etc. Having finally found a bunch of guys who aren't all self-indulgent and ego-maniacs has me counting my blessings and just able to " go for it," when we play. I think you hit two of the nails on the head. other things i've read say the audience wants an experience..... being insecure on the mic, not connecting, and not enjoying it... those would be three things that would disconnect the audience from the "experience" good ones, thank you and i think that it's important that the whole band looks like they are enjoying it. they aren't always looking at the front person so you're on the right track as a side man as well |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2015 13:24:30 GMT
Watch videos of yourself and look at any pictures taken with a critical eye. Most of the best performers seem to converse in song rather than give a speech (if you get my drift). I noticed that I tend to pull the same face my grandmother did when concentrating on her knitting. I am trying to address that. i do that, to the point people think i'm far more narcissistic than i am lol. I have even done things like have a boudoire photoshoot done to knock off some of my shyness and nervousness about how i look etc. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2015 16:37:49 GMT
I've been googling things.... and other than keep your monologues short and to the point, and be yourself, every tip seems to mean "be confident" though there is more to it than that. |
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Post by yettoblaster on Nov 7, 2015 0:04:38 GMT
... keep your monologues short... ..."be confident" ... Some other things I remember from my time at the front in the club wars: No two songs in a row in the same key, and no two minor key songs in a row, or you risk losing the house. We like to jump right on the next song a few times, both to keep dancers out there on the floor (we play a LOT more dance tunes with some energy than we do "ballads"), and when you do stop to talk there's a higher likelyhood you won't instantly lose them to bathroom breaks, etc. So our ratio tends to be maybe two or three dance tunes in a row (the next one practically stepping on the ending chord of the last one, maybe a ii-V-1 into the new key), to get the room energy up: then it's probably OK to do an abbreviated announcement or intro. WE set the pace! Then, we observe what the energy is out there: are people connecting happily with their friends, or are they ready to dance some more right away? 'Course, we're playing dance music of the funk and soul genre at bar&grill type places. Sometimes a dinner jazz set first, before the dance music takes hold. Never know what they're gonna like, so we play a variety. Sometimes they only seem to dance to funk tunes, not the rock&roll. Sometimes they appreciate the Steely Dan covers, but REALLY respond to Van Morrison tunes, or Lowrider! We'll do requests. I actually LOVE playing Mustang Sally (in the pocket: Wilson Pickett style). Suzie Q has been asked for too! We did it off the top of our heads and it went over big. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 0:09:54 GMT
very good. thanks. i've read some of that before. the ear get's tired listening to two songs in the same key.... but i hadn't heard the no two minor keys in a row that could be a problem for me as i have a lot of minor key originals...... oh well, i've been writing more uptempo stuff adn i don't plan on doing nothing but originals for a long while.... so thanks a bunch |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 0:17:50 GMT
Having finally found a bunch of guys who aren't all self-indulgent and ego-maniacs has me counting my blessings and just able to " go for it," when we play. I was just thinking about being in a band today. If I could find a group of guys like that I'd be really happy. It's impossible to find a bass player, and a drummer here, who doesn't act like they've been hit in the head with a baseball bat a few too many times. no reason not to be in a band but all the drummers who are cool and good both, are usually out playing for money in 3 different bands lol |
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Post by Grand Toad on Nov 7, 2015 2:29:04 GMT
My friend, Jim, who committed suicide last year was a great drummer, but nuts as a fruitcake.
I'd play with my nephew, the metal drummer, but he's in a great metal band. The guy can play anything. He's nut too, but in a good way. He may well hit the big time. He's done some big festivals out here. He does tend to drink a lot to much.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 2:34:30 GMT
sorry to hear about your friend. finding people to play with ain't easy. But i bet it would be easier for you than it has been for me lol. but playing wtih a group is the most rewarding thing i've ever done except one |
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Post by Schidney on Nov 7, 2015 3:22:49 GMT
Well for what it's worth. I never gave it a thought, never contrived anything. When the drummer clicked the 1 2 3 4 sticks I was off on a mad tangent boldly exploring new hitherto unseen parts of the stage. When I saw the vids of a show I was often quite shocked at what a bloody loony I was...& how sober I was into the bargain. EEK!
Yep. No doubt about it. Stone bonker mad man.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2015 23:31:02 GMT
LOL cool Sid great sideman stuff I gotta interact with the crowd and most of the time, i'm stuck in front of the mic. I wont' often be able to run off into hte rafters lol |
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