Tips & Tricks
Looking Pro Takes a Few Muscles
There is a recent trend for folks on stage to not look at or talk to the audience, and never, ever smile at anybody. Maybe it is supposed to look cool, but I think it really only shows a lack of interest and enthusiasm from the artist. Man, if I am in the audience, I don't want to see some disconnected guy up on stage lost in his own little world. I want him to play to ME, respond to ME, be happy he is on stage because I took the time and payed a GAZILLION dollars to come see him.
When an artist is up on stage, regardless of the venue size, it is important to look at and interact with the audience. Otherwise you look like a complete rookie, so absorbed by getting the notes right that you have no time for the crowd. So here are three easy tricks to look more pro, AND gain more fans:
- LOOK AT THE AUDIENCE. If this causes you grief or makes you nervous, try this: pick out one person in the audience that appeals to you (they have cool hair, you like their jacket, they're hot, whatever!) and play your songs and solos to that one person. This is especially handy during the first few tunes of the night when you might be a little nervous—the USUAL cause for not looking at the people that came to see you.
- TALK TO THE AUDIENCE. When they applaud your solo, stumble up to the mic and say thanks or at least mouth the words. A little chit chat goes a long way to creating a bond that makes the audience not only like you, but want to come back and see you again.
- SMILE! Face facts. It's just NOT that hard to smile once in a while. After all, the only reason we are up on stage is because we are doing what we love to do. So look happy about for heavens sake! Try smiling at that one person you picked out, or the whole crowd as one, or your band mates. They will appreciate it too.
Okay, so now before you can say anything, I already know the most common argument against this idea of smiling and talking. Players tell me they are lost in their own world of note making, and they lose themselves in this and that's why their playing is so... blah, blah, blah... Pick you genre (rock, jazz, classical), get out your videos, and watch the REALLY good players. Not only can they run around stage at top speed and still hit their 64-note runs, but they can sing and play and still manage to work the crowd with words and smiles. Admit it, doesn't it look a whole lot more fun than just standing there? Thought so...
