Accuracy vs showmanship

[Sarah5string]

When playing live... would you rather stand still and be more accurate (but less interesting to look at from the crowd) or be lively and energetic and a crowdpleaser but in turn sacrifice your accuracy?

[Marcus]

for years i've fullfilled a role in a tribute band where the bassist has a "Mr. Cool" stage persona

People are always saying I look miserable

[Merton]

[quote name='Sarah5string' post='263083' date='Aug 15 2008, 02:13 PM']When playing live... would you rather stand still and be more accurate (but less interesting to look at from the crowd) or be lively and energetic and a crowdpleaser but in turn sacrifice your accuracy?[/quote]
Depends what I'm playing. I try to pull silly faces whatever I do tho

[Bilbo]

Accuracy every tmie!

[Stylon Pilson]

It varies for me, but as a general rule I am willing to sacrifice a little bit of accuracy for the sake of enjoying myself.

S.P.

[Merton]

It depends how much accuracy I'm forsaking I guess. If it means missing crucial notes then no, accuracy every time. If it means being slightly sloppy and messing up passing notes whilst flailing around in mid air, it's cool

[crez5150]

I think it depends on the band and what your trying to accomplish live.... In my originals act I try to be very precise but with a degree of movement on stage i.e. rockin out with the guys... but with the function band definitely total show boating and the like which does sometimes leave room for error..... but the punters love it!!!!

[Bilbo]

Does anyone actually fall for those 'rock' poses anymore? I was watching someone on T4 earlier and they were staggering around looking drunk like the Stones do and I just thought 'thats a sixty year old pose'.

I guess its all new to the kids?

[jmesa]

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='263089' date='Aug 15 2008, 02:17 PM']Accuracy every tmie![/quote]

lol

[The Funk]

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='263089' date='Aug 15 2008, 02:17 PM']Accuracy every tmie![/quote]

Accuracy for me too. But I've recently discovered I can play most of the things I play with the bass behind my head or between my legs. I've been forbidden from ever doing that onstage by everyone who knows.

[LukeFRC]

i tend to want to move as the music takes me. But if i cant play my actuall line its a bit daft, you know- just for the sake of trying to look a certain way. dont think about it, juat move with the drums. In my experience my timing doenst really get worse as you are normally moving in time with the music.

[LukeFRC]

whatever you do make sure you make eye contact with your audience sometimes! you are playing to paying folk not your shoes or your fretboard

[alexclaber]

Showmanship!

With practice you'll be able to achieve both - but if you don't try acting the goat then you'll never get the hang of being an accurate bassist and a crazy fool simultaneously.

Alex

[lowdown]

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='263116' date='Aug 15 2008, 02:41 PM']whatever you do make sure you make eye contact with your audience sometimes! you are playing to paying folk not your shoes or your fretboard[/quote]


Where does that leave Stevie Wonder..?

Garry

[The Funk]

[quote name='alexclaber' post='263120' date='Aug 15 2008, 02:43 PM']With practice you'll be able to achieve both[/quote]

I agree. I'm working on the showmanship side of things now after years of working on my playing.

[coasterbass]

Does anyone else actually have room to move about on stage?

I spend my life wedged with my headstock under a cymbal and my picking hand being pestered by a badly placed table decoration, whilst our halfcut frontman tries not to fall headfirst over the cables on top of everyone. Some gigs I wonder if I should trade in my wireless set for a 1 foot jack lead!?!

If there was room to 'look cool' other than the occasional gurn then I'd be all for it.

[The Funk]

[quote name='coasterbass' post='263124' date='Aug 15 2008, 02:46 PM']Does anyone else actually have room to move about on stage?[/quote]

Very good point. Not at most venues.

[alexclaber]

[quote name='coasterbass' post='263124' date='Aug 15 2008, 02:46 PM']Does anyone else actually have room to move about on stage?[/quote]

Now that I'm the singer as well the bassist I get to claim the whole centre of the stage from drum riser to monitors, which leads to numerous opportunities to get tangled in my own lead, fall off the riser, hit my guitarist with my headstock (ah, the joys of a 36" scale beast). Last gig I fell over the stairs leading up to the drums (bizarre pub) - am now trying to find it on the youtube video...

Alex

[WILD FROG SHOT]

Err just do both...generally

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='263116' date='Aug 15 2008, 02:41 PM']whatever you do make sure you make eye contact with your audience sometimes! you are playing to paying folk not your shoes or your fretboard[/quote]


I am most definitely playing for my pedal board, but then again we are kinda shoe-gazey...

[Mr. Foxen]

With one guitarist who generally plays facing the side wall and the singer wandering about down the front, lastgig I found myself pretty much alone in the middle of the stage. Self concious hit me a bit, fudged some easy parts. Turned into a total poser for the drone parts, holding my bass up so it feeds back though.

[cheddatom]

I always went for accuracy, but I got so many comments saying that I looked boring that I decided to compromise and try to move around a bit more. It's quite difficult when you're not used to it!

[alexclaber]

Ah, I remember it now, don't know what they were fussing about:



(The following song is a new one - nice groove but rather messy at the moment..)

Alex

[Galilee]

I do lead vocals as well as bass, so any accuracy in my playing is more by luck than judgement.

[WILD FROG SHOT]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='263142' date='Aug 15 2008, 03:11 PM']Turned into a total poser for the drone parts, holding my bass up so it feeds back though.[/quote]

It really shouldn't be any other way...

...you could alway spend time gazing at Statick's eyes thru his hair

[wateroftyne]

I'd rather watch someone with a bit of life about them who makes the odd flub, than someone who stands stock-still and hits every note just right.

As Alex says, it's possible to do both.

(not for me, mind.)