How can I improve my stage presence?

This topic has 12 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 3 months ago by aiband.

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- October 2, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Mandz
Member

I’ve been told that the only thing missing from my band is that we don’t have much stage presence at gigs.

I’m not naturally comfortable moving around on stage as I find it hard to play well whilst moving. I don’t have a problem with playing and not looking at the guitar (except for large position shifts) so that’s not an issue for me. I make sure i look out at the crowd a lot so that also is not an issue.

The reason I ask is that we got through to the final round in a local competition, so we won our heat beating out some bands who I thought were better than us, but the judge at the end said that we need to move around more and “use your hair more”. Since I’m the only one with long hair, I assume he’s talking about me (the other judge said he could see us playing at a stadium tomorrow :woot: )

I’m the kind of guy who goes to gigs to watch people play their music well. I’m not really interested in the “show” aspect of it, but I’m aware that I am the exception rather than the rule so it’s not something I’m entirely comfortable with personally.

So does anyone have any ideas about:
a) stage moves
b) how to get comfortable playing widdly-widdly stuff whilst still moving around

Any advice, informed or otherwise, would be greatly appreciated.

Viewing 12 replies - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

Replies

- October 2, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Sean Conklin
Member

Hey Mandz,

Sounds like you have a tight band from what the judges said. Have any recordings?

Hmmm I guess if I were in your shoes, and simply wanted to get more comfortable on the stage, I’d practice doing so on my own. You’ve gotta start doing some bedroom rockin! Blast some music and practice some moves in your room. But yeah, moving around a lot while playing is a lot easier said than done, so it might take some consistent practice before you get in the groove of it.

All that said, I’m a bit like you, wherein I don’t care too much about stage showiness. As long as the music rocks I’m happy.
- October 2, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Aewrik
Member

Look at some live performances from Iron Maiden and you’ll have plenty of inspiration on stage presence : p

The problem I faced when playing live (and standing at all), is that the guitar has a tendency to swing around more than when sitting down and playing. I noticed it also became much more difficult to change positions when standing, since the guitar moves around so much. I haven’t found a good solution, and I haven’t exactly practiced standing enough to eliminate the need for one, but I do have an emergency solution that works for:
I usually press the guitar against my body with the right hand when playing. You shouldn’t move around much while soloing and stuff, and you usually don’t move the right hand much when playing riffs and chords. The right arm’ll look a little stiff, but as long as you move around, noone will notice : )
- October 3, 2008 at 12:46 am
billmeedog
Member

Hey Aewrik,

Honestly, I’d try to avoid ANYTHING that didn’t come naturally to you! Seriously, I’ve been playing in performing/gigging original & cover (mostly cover) rock-bands since 1984, and I’ve done about 2000 shows. I was always shy growing up, so being overtly “showy” was NEVER gonna work for me. However, that being said, I’ve ALWAYS been addicted to the groove (sounds like a Mr. Big song title, eh?!? – lol!) Like I’m the guy at the concerts (shows that I’m watching, NOT performing at!) who you’d SWEAR must be the drummer in his band, because all I ever do is play “air-drums!” (Now mind you, I’m not that complete idiot of an “air-drummer” who winds-up to do every huge Danny Carey (Tool) fill and nearly punches everyone within reach in the head! NO – NO- NO! I’m the more subtle “air-drummer” who can’t help but “bob-my-head” and tap-out the groove on my chest or legs!!! The reason I’m explaining this is that I’ve managed to take my involuntary obsession with the groove at shows and turn it into “time-keeping-less-animated-Angus Young” sort of a stage persona. Do you see what I mean? I don’t “rehearse moves!” I just let the music, (specifically the rhythm) “take me away.”

I wouldn’t worry about those judges man! Practice your craft, and “keep-it-real” and you’ll never have any regrets!

I hope this helps. Best-of-Luck!!!

~Bill Meehan~
- October 3, 2008 at 10:44 am
arc_of_descent
Member

I thought I’d just chime in here with some real life examples. Watch John Petrucci on G3 and notice how he almost doesn’t move? Andy Timmons is one weird mover too! 😀

This argument could go either way. Best thing is to practice your “stage presence” enough to get comfortable, and then let the music and your mood lead the way.

—
Rohan
- October 3, 2008 at 3:12 pm
billmeedog
Member

@billmeedog 4995 wrote:

Hey Aewrik,

Honestly, I’d try to avoid ANYTHING that didn’t come naturally to you! Seriously, I’ve been playing in performing/gigging original & cover (mostly cover) rock-bands since 1984, and I’ve done about 2000 shows. I was always shy growing up, so being overtly “showy” was NEVER gonna work for me. However, that being said, I’ve ALWAYS been addicted to the groove (sounds like a Mr. Big song title, eh?!? – lol!) Like I’m the guy at the concerts (shows that I’m watching, NOT performing at!) who you’d SWEAR must be the drummer in his band, because all I ever do is play “air-drums!” (Now mind you, I’m not that complete idiot of an “air-drummer” who winds-up to do every huge Danny Carey (Tool) fill and nearly punches everyone within reach in the head! NO – NO- NO! I’m the more subtle “air-drummer” who can’t help but “bob-my-head” and tap-out the groove on my chest or legs!!! The reason I’m explaining this is that I’ve managed to take my involuntary obsession with the groove at shows and turn it into “time-keeping-less-animated-Angus Young” sort of a stage persona. Do you see what I mean? I don’t “rehearse moves!” I just let the music, (specifically the rhythm) “take me away.”

I wouldn’t worry about those judges man! Practice your craft, and “keep-it-real” and you’ll never have any regrets!

I hope this helps. Best-of-Luck!!!

~Bill Meehan~

Hey Mandz,

I’m sorry, but I addressed my reply to Aewrik by accident. Sorry to you too Aewrik! Anyways, I hope that my points were well-taken regardless of who they were addressed to!!! Peace!

~Bill Meehan
- October 4, 2008 at 1:18 am
AJ_Lenzie
Member

The only question i would ask to help you out is…what genre would you consider yourself/band?
- October 4, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Mandz
Member

We are a pop-rock band. kind of like a bad Bryan Adams or Bon Jovi, but a bit more punk.
- October 4, 2008 at 5:33 pm
AJ_Lenzie
Member

This is going to sound cheesy, but watch an old 80s hair metal video. thats kind of what you need to do…just have a good time, if your having a good time you will instantly become more active with the audience and they to you.
- October 4, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Tom Quayle
Member

This has proven to be a bit of a problem for me in the past. When I was in the Guitar Idol final this year one or two of the judges commented on my lack of stage presence and how I didn’t interact with the crowd. I found this rather confusing in the context of a musical, improvised performance. When have you ever seen a fusion or jazz musician doing a power slide or throwing picks into the audience? The people I did react with were the other members of the band, something which in my humble opinion is far more important for a good show than dancing around on stage and something the judges never mentioned. If the judges know their stuff (which by the ‘move your hair more’ comment I’m not so sure about!) I’m sure they’ll recognize a good band over a poor band who have great stage moves! I know which I’d rather see!
Good music over pyrotechnics and stage antics for me anyday! However, if you have to go crazy on stage to win over the judges I think Sean and Aj both offer very wise advice.

Good luck with the competition!

All the best

Tom
- October 5, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Sean Conklin
Member

@Tom Quayle 5020 wrote:

If the judges know their stuff (which by the ‘move your hair more’ comment I’m not so sure about!)

No way, did they really say that? haha that’s totally lame if so.
- October 7, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Bill
Member

@Sean Conklin 5033 wrote:

No way, did they really say that? haha that’s totally lame if so.

agreed 100%
- January 15, 2011 at 4:51 am
aiband
Member

This thread looks pretty old, but you ought to try Alex Boye’s stage presence DVD. He’s a pretty popular singer from the UK, now living in the US. I bought his DVD and it helped me a lot. He’s at http://www.mystagepresence.com

If you get it, let me know what you think.