Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

[Fender_Punk]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

Going crazy shouldn't take precedence over playing accurately, but the opposite is also true. Do as much crazy sh!t as you can while playing the song accurately. This is a lot easier to do when your the rhythm guitarist.

Also, climbing/jumping off things is really fun, and gets the audience excited

 

[wildstar]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

Whether or not you like the music, check out Killswitch Engage's DVD, Set This World Ablaze. Heck, here are some YouTube clips from the DVD:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AUIwehsqiKk&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tqgoVhnI2c0&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AlfCaJR_0gk&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QhciW6eZW7s

Absolutely insane audience connection. Though I don't recommend the flipping off, licking guitar neck thing unless you really know your crowd... These guys know how to make sure everyone has a blast and feels like they had their own special moment of connection with the band. Eye contact, smiles, pointing, singing along even if you're not at the mic, and whatnot.

And a beer before the set helps. I have a hard time relaxing without a little help.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

Going crazy shouldn't take precedence over playing accurately, but the opposite is also true. Do as much crazy sh!t as you can while playing the song accurately. This is a lot easier to do when your the rhythm guitarist.

Also, climbing/jumping off things is really fun, and gets the audience excited

From my experience, over doing it with jumps and climbing won't get people exited unless you are playing to teenagers, or are a well known band already.

Also there is a thing as quiet energy, and confidence and intensity will get it done.

Example :
http://youtube.com/watch?v=a0sdo3F_lWc

 

[Bender]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

another way to gain the attention is instead of making eye contact close your eyes and move to the music, show them you can groove. Show emotion when you're doing a lead break and sway around a bit during rhythm work. when they see you grooving they tend to start moving as well.
Connect with the other players. Play close to the base player or drummer, move around on stage, you don't have to jump , kick and run , just move around and be noticed. Make it fun and everyone will enjoy it.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

Charisma !! A little bit goes a long way. Not sure how to get it if you don't have it? Some people have that certain stage presences. I guess it starts with confidence. Stay loose,But focused. Feel the music and vent it outward. If the music makes you feel like jumping ,Spinning etc.? Do it ! Just don't go overboard on the stage antics to the point where you look silly. That's worse than standing there stiff looking at your fretboard.:boggled:

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

Charisma !! A little bit goes a long way. Not sure how to get it if you don't have it? Some people have that certain stage presences. I guess it starts with confidence. Stay loose,But focused. Feel the music and vent it outward. If the music makes you feel like jumping ,Spinning etc.? Do it ! Just don't go overboard on the stage antics to the point where you look silly. That's worse than standing there stiff looking at your fretboard.:boggled:

Even worse, is to jump around a bit too much and biff it right on the stage. Cred goes to zero in a flash.

Here's the quiet confidence with some movement done right. X Proof that the music will always be the feature with great bands...IMHO

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

We're lucky enough to all have radio packs... the vocals, bass, and me and the other guitarist. The singer and me are generally the first to go into the crowd.. they love it! We only do classic rock covers... but when you're in amongst them playing Whole lotta Rosie, Sweet Child, Rock and Roll, Armed And Ready, Alright now etc etc.. the singer will find people to join in on chorus's.... I'll take my guitar off in Rock and Roll and let the singer play the rhythm whilst the other guitarist plays the solo, then swap back.... during ZZ's Sharp dressed man, Bass player sings, singer moves onto the drums and drummer plays bass. All these things just seem to get the crowd going.. we just laugh even if it doesn't quite go to plan... and to be honest I'm not a really confident person or guitarist. There have been times when I KNOW some of the guys in the crowd are players... some semi pro, but you just put that to the back of your mind and enjoy what you've rehearsed.

The main thing is for the band to enjoy it, if the crowd see that, then they generally do too!

 

[Rowan]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

Whether or not you like the music, check out Killswitch Engage's DVD, Set This World Ablaze. Heck, here are some YouTube clips from the DVD:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AUIwehsqiKk&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tqgoVhnI2c0&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AlfCaJR_0gk&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QhciW6eZW7s

Absolutely insane audience connection. Though I don't recommend the flipping off, licking guitar neck thing unless you really know your crowd... These guys know how to make sure everyone has a blast and feels like they had their own special moment of connection with the band. Eye contact, smiles, pointing, singing along even if you're not at the mic, and whatnot.

And a beer before the set helps. I have a hard time relaxing without a little help.

OH man I haven't heard element of one in a long time thanks bro! And Jessie sang it better I think, even though Howard is **** good. :cool2:

Their guitar player is a big reason why they have such a good stage show. Dude's just funny. But if you notice they all have good movement. Some good ideas are popping up your instrument high up at certain parts and switches sides of the stage. Then again, if you don't have a wireless things can become very bad very soon. :15:

 

[Robbyk]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

Ever watch Tenacious D and the pick of destiny?
Ok put that aside, I like to do a few things. One I will look for some girls who are into it and play eye games with them. For the rest I like to kinda do certian moves such as if i do a oldie I move with the oldie sway, blues I do a stevie ray or hendrix thing. They seem to work, we play 3 times a week. Besides I do lead guitar and piano and vocals, so I can get away with flirting and all........:friday:

 

[vladmarr]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

Check this band out. they get the crowd going and they don't look "staged" but they are having fun.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=f2qjXhtK0vQ&feature=related
i like it when the bass player lifts his bass straight up. simple yet effective

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

In one of my last bands, the lead singer was SO awkward that he would say things like "uhhh, we're going to play a song now" before a song and "uhh, thanks I guess," after one. And my personal favorite "uh, we're The Knoblockers I guess, so, uhh, thanks for coming out tonight." Always gotta have that UHHH in there.

I usually get the most pumped up when the crowd is into it. Playing to people who are drinking booze helps. Most of my gigs have been in stuffy coffee shops where everyone is caffienated and ultra-focused on the band, sitting down, and being all judgemental. The setting where you play can make a big difference. If I did some retarded punk jumps, even though the band was a ska band, we would've been laughed off the stage. But I could probably pull of some punk jumps in the jazz/funk group I'm playing in now

 

[wildstar]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

OH man I haven't heard element of one in a long time thanks bro! And Jessie sang it better I think, even though Howard is **** good. :cool2::

:beerchug:

I love them both. It's like asking someone to choose between a Tele or a Les Paul... or wine or beer. Life's too short - enjoy both!!!

 

[emilio]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

ever played an air guitar?

 

[Animal]

Re: Performing Getting to the Audience? For the gigging guitarists on the forum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pophXFPSmc0&feature=related