Playing without looking

[waynepunkdude]

I think I've nailed it, I limited myself to one glance per song last night and I did it.

Has anyone else overcome fingerboard staring syndrome?

[essexbasscat]

Mostly. Currently in the process of transferring it to fretless. Success rate is improving, but not completely there yet.

THought about this topic for a bit recently - good one.

T

[Jerry_B]

Yep. If you know a song well it tends to happen more and more. Also handy when playing an unlined fretless

[Bidd]

Actually I've been thinking about this a lot recently during rehearsal. I've been trying to do our songs without looking (they are pretty simple basslines though) but have then got a problem as to were to look during a gig.

[waynepunkdude]

at the lady with the biggest boobs

[Clarky]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='758997' date='Feb 27 2010, 12:00 PM']at the lady with the biggest boobs[/quote]
I can do this with or without a bass in my hands

[OldGit]

Ha ha
Beware of that one now you are no longer staring at your fretboard ... Look for the biggest/meanest bloke in the room. He'll be her big brother/partner/minder/father/pimp/all of the above. Imagine him customising your bass with his boot, or your head ....


Look somewhere in the crowd (bearing the above advise in mind) or the exit sign at the back of the venue or the heads of the bar staff ...

The more you look towards the audience the better your band will look

[leonshelley01]

It's something I'm working on as I look ridiculous trying to do backing vocals while looking at my fretboard!

[OldGit]

[quote name='leonshelley01' post='759010' date='Feb 27 2010, 12:10 PM']It's something I'm working on as I look ridiculous trying to do backing vocals while looking at my fretboard![/quote]

probably singing off mic too

[leonshelley01]

[quote name='OldGit' post='759015' date='Feb 27 2010, 12:12 PM']probably singing off mic too[/quote]
That may be a good thing!

[Maverick]

I do vocals for one band so have had to learn this quite sharpish, although I still have to sneak a peak in between lyrics for some of the harder basslines I have. My other band though I only do backing vocals for though, so I've never really been forced to learn to with them, though I probably could I guess.

Thing is, when I'm playing a gig I always feel awkward not looking at my fretboard, as I never really know where else to look!

Ooh look, there's one man and his dog watching us, hmm, there's the guitarist, drummer, singer - aaah, fretboard, much more interesting!

[Sibob]

I think a lot of it is being at home and comfortable with a bass, if you're used to where on the neck the notes are you'll hit them without looking. If you're then playing a bass where the notes are in a different place, due to more frets, bigger/smaller body etc etc, then you're fighting an uphill battle, especially if you're swapping mid-set.

Si

[MythSte]

I have to activly make myself do it, but once i've taken the proverbial plunge i seem to be quite okay. Its just taking that first step into giving it a go at a gig thats hard IMO.

[Doddy]

As I've said before,I don't think that consciously avoiding looking at the
'board is a good idea-you are really just limiting yourself. As you play more
you will naturally become more aware of the 'board and stop looking at it as
much-it comes with familiarity. Everyone looks as the 'board at times.
Purposely looking away is just another variable that you don't need.

[Sibob]

[quote name='Doddy' post='759121' date='Feb 27 2010, 02:17 PM']As I've said before,I don't think that consciously avoiding looking at the
'board is a good idea-you are really just limiting yourself. As you play more
you will naturally become more aware of the 'board and stop looking at it as
much-it comes with familiarity. Everyone looks as the 'board at times.
Purposely looking away is just another variable that you don't need.[/quote]

+1

Si

[Huw Foster]

On some function gigs I can sometimes play a whole set without looking at the fretboard. I end up staring at the floor just behind the singers instead.

[bubinga5]

I often play in the dark so i cant see the instrument...i prob look a bit odd but its a great way of training your ear...

your ears are your eyes as someone famous said?

[OldGit]

[quote name='Doddy' post='759121' date='Feb 27 2010, 02:17 PM']As I've said before,I don't think that consciously avoiding looking at the
'board is a good idea-you are really just limiting yourself. As you play more
you will naturally become more aware of the 'board and stop looking at it as
much-it comes with familiarity. Everyone looks as the 'board at times.
Purposely looking away is just another variable that you don't need.[/quote]


It depends....
You are there to entertain.
What passes for entertainment in your genre may determine whether shoe/board gazing is considered the height of cool or totally detaches you from your audience.
Eye contact (ad relating to your audience members) is generally much more important than flash licks but, hey, look at yoru neck for the flash stuff and then lift your eyes when you are plying something easier.

Old Git's Top Tip:
For right handed players, stand to the left of the drummer.
Look at your neck then look up a bit and there's the front person and the drummer and, just beyond the front person there's the audience.. Just a little change in your angle of looking and you can chack your fingers on your board too..

Edited February 27, 2010 by OldGit

[Cat Burrito]

I too agree with Doddy. I look less the more comfortable I am with a song. It's never a problem unless you are so far hunched over your fretboard that you ignore the audience and the band.

[Marvin]

[quote name='Doddy' post='759121' date='Feb 27 2010, 02:17 PM']As I've said before,I don't think that consciously avoiding looking at the
'board is a good idea-you are really just limiting yourself. As you play more
you will naturally become more aware of the 'board and stop looking at it as
much-it comes with familiarity. Everyone looks as the 'board at times.
Purposely looking away is just another variable that you don't need.[/quote]
Doddy wins, hands down.

[jezzaboy]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='758997' date='Feb 27 2010, 12:00 PM']at the lady with the biggest boobs[/quote]


That`s the only reason I play in a band! Yes I am that shallow.

Another thing I`m bad for is if I am playing a song I know well, I tend to drift off and watch the Sky sports which is usually on the telly with the volume down. I was watching some horse racing from Dubia the other week.

Jez

Edited February 27, 2010 by jezzaboy

[4-string-thing]

I used to be in a band with a lovely girl singer, used to spend most of the gig looking at her behind.... Not the worst job I'll ever have!

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='jezzaboy' post='759240' date='Feb 27 2010, 04:57 PM']That`s the only reason I play in a band! Yes I am that shallow.

Another thing I`m bad for is if I am playing a song I know well, I tend to drift off and watch the Sky sports which is usually on the telly with the volume down. I was watching some horse racing from Dubia the other week.

Jez [/quote]

The amount of times I have played a gig whilst watching the football then stopped playing when something has happened in the footy.

Anyone want to hire me for a function band?

[Pete Academy]

[attachment=43709:sleep_bass.jpg]

[Marvin]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='759310' date='Feb 27 2010, 06:28 PM'][attachment=43709:sleep_bass.jpg][/quote]

WAKEY WAKEY!