my stage presence... help.

[tbmills]

i need some help...

i have a problem with my stage presence. i look weird when i play. i seem to have blank expression on my face almost always, and when i improvise, i look like i am thinking too much instead of feeling it. this shouldnt matter, but it does. i want to be able to know that in the pictures people take at our shows i look normal and comfortable behind my kit. ive noticed that my favorite pros all look good and normal while playing...

any suggestions? tips? similar experiences?

[aydee]

I shouldn't be the one to talk, cause my stage presence doesn't light up any christmas trees, but I got some great advice from a great performer once who said " if you really love and feel every note you play, that love always shines through to the listener."

[aydee]

Stage fright can actually motivate you to overcome it. Lots of famous actors had severe stage fright.

PS- mods have a bit pf a problem with the Fword, bud. Lots of 12 yrs old lurking here too..

[tbmills]

...if you play something like metal music or hard rock...

hardly, and thats part of the problem. i have been playing 4 hour cover sets for a few years now with mates that i have a hard time respecting as musicians. this summer however, i have been invited to join an original "new"grass band (1 1/2 hour sets) for their summer tour around the southeast. i have alot more fun with these guys, maybe itll show through...

oh, i dont really have any stage fright...

[bobdadruma]

The first thing that you have to do is stop thinking about what you look like! You can't fake stage presence! The audience will now if you are trying to put on a fashion models pose! Do simple things like when you reach for a cymbal look out at the audience and smile as you hit it. Look at other members of your band as if you are signaling each other. Sing along with the song now and then. Look down at your snare for a while and bob your head slightly as if you are in deep concentration. Keep slowly scanning your gaze in different directions. Don't clench your jaw! Let your mouth relax and stay open slightly.

The most important thing of all is this. You must become one with the audience! You must feel deep inside that the audience is your closest friend! You must feel that the people out there like you and you like them more! If you feel good then your aura will project positively all around you!

Just watch Papa Jo! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrKShqNkcnI
Doesn't he make you feel like you are his best friend?

[diosdude]

Get a friend to videotape your performance, that way you can see what the audience sees.

[Average]

The first thing that you have to do is stop thinking about what you look like! You can't fake stage presence! The audience will now if you are trying to put on a fashion models pose! Do simple things like when you reach for a cymbal look out at the audience and smile as you hit it. Look at other members of your band as if you are signaling each other. Sing along with the song now and then. Look down at your snare for a while and bob your head slightly as if you are in deep concentration. Keep slowly scanning your gaze in different directions. Don't clench your jaw! Let your mouth relax and stay open slightly.

The most important thing of all is this. You must become one with the audience! You must feel deep inside that the audience is your closest friend! You must feel that the people out there like you and you like them more! If you feel good then your aura will project positively all around you!

Just watch Papa Jo! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrKShqNkcnI
Doesn't he make you feel like you are his best friend?

This is pretty good advice. The other thing to do is to pay close attention to the soloist. It is a conversation. If the soloist throws something out, see if you can figure out a complimentary idea. Help the soloist build and resolve tension. He/she will really appreciate it because the solo will be better. The whole band will be better. You'll enjoy yourself more and so will the audience. The last thing you want to be is bored on stage.

[synergy]

When I look back at my first few shows- I chuckle a little,

I had 5 cymbals all out infront of me so that no-one could see me!

I am now down to 3 cymbals that I use all the time but I have them low so that I can see the audience.

I make sure I am making eye contact with as many people watching as I can.

As with stage presence I just try to enjoy what I'm doing and try not to overthink what I'm doing-

Hopefully, that comes through in my presence onstage

[DrumEatDrum]

I had a similar problem when I was 21. I thought I looked like I was into the music, but when I saw a video of myself, the expression on my face said "I don't want to be here" and I looked like I was trying to crawl under my snare stand. Not at all what I thought I was projecting.

So I worked on it. On stage, I thought about what my head was doing, what my facial muscles were doing.

A little later, I joined a band where the whole band rehearsed in front of a giant mirror. We weren't trying to be a cheesey visual band, but we were aware that people go to SEE a show, and not just HEAR one.

[bobdadruma]

I once read a quote that I think came from Pat Boone that went like this "People Hear What They See" There is a great deal of truth in that statement.

[jwildman]

You got to get the spirit of drumming in you. Move around while you play, headbang and stuff like that. Before you play listen to the song Bulls On Parade by Rage. Grab some sticks and try to air play to that. That always gets me jammin.

[mcbike]

It helps to wear sunglasses when you play if you can get away with it. especially at outdoor gigs because you can look at people and they can't see you plus you look like a cool drummer. I also like to wear hat so I can block the lights if they are in my face. I saw a bunch of pictures of me playing with my eyes all squinted up because of the stage lights.

There are some venues I play that are just awkward with like people sitting down at tables in front of the stage and I just like to stare over their heads to the back of the room.

you have to try to keep a smile or half smile on your face all the time and look like you are enjoying what you are doing, unless it's metal or hardcore. try to bring the audience into what you are doing. try to get them clapping along if you have a break in the song or somebody is doing an intro. sing along on the choruses too it will.

another thing that will help you at shows if you have breaks between sets is to go talk to people in the audience try to make friends with people. I used to hate doing this but it really helps if you can meet people every time you play. If anybody says good show make sure you get their name and introduce yourself. try to remember their names too because if you do it will mean alot to them. There are a bunch of tricks to remembering peoples names.

It makes it alot easier in the second set if you can connect with people in the crowd.

[Pretzel Logic]

Just watch Papa Jo! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrKShqNkcnI
Doesn't he make you feel like you are his best friend?

Haha, I'd never seen that before. Another master of stage presence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NQ08V37g8c

I could watch/listen to this man read the phone book for several hours.

[bobdadruma]

Haha, I'd never seen that before. Another master of stage presence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NQ08V37g8c

I could watch/listen to this man read the phone book for several hours. Exactly! People like this are the dictionary meaning of Stage Presence! You can't help but liking them. You would follow these folks off of a cliff!

[Spreggy]

Throw yourself into the music! This takes practice too, just like any other facet of playing. Here's a good example of throwing yourself ass over teakettle into the music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrRrrXYTdGE

[TheGroceryman]

Throw yourself into the music! This takes practice too, just like any other facet of playing. Here's a good example of throwing yourself ass over teakettle into the music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrRrrXYTdGE

how....how....how.... did he do that.......

[bobdadruma]

how....how....how.... did he do that.......
He just had a good day I guess! LOL!

[805Drummer]

Throw yourself into the music! This takes practice too, just like any other facet of playing. Here's a good example of throwing yourself ass over teakettle into the music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrRrrXYTdGE

Hahahahahahahaha that was hilariously awesome! It almost looked like he was just flailing his arms all over the place, and they just happened to land on the drums.

[Baddstuff]

it all depends on just how important that is for you and what you're trying to achieve. I can think of four drummers I've seen that don't have a whole lot of stage presence, aside from their chops of course, ha ha.
Dennis Chambers, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl and Virgil Donati just to name a few.They all pretty much just play drums, no stick twirling or Tommy Lee-like showmanship. Chambers chews his gum, smiles and kicks all kinds of butt. Works for me! :)

[larryace]

TB, If you want to sound better, listen to recordings of yourself, if you want to look better, look at videos of yourself. Simple as that. You just have to have the guts to confront yourself and make changes. I'm sure it will reveal things that you may not realize, because you can't look at yourself when you're playing. I haven't done this yet, but I did just recently score a video recorder, so I'm gonna put it to good use. I don't want to look like a tool either ha ha

[Spreggy]

it all depends on just how important that is for you and what you're trying to achieve. I can think of four drummers I've seen that don't have a whole lot of stage presence, aside from their chops of course, ha ha.
Dennis Chambers, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl and Virgil Donati just to name a few.They all pretty much just play drums, no stick twirling or Tommy Lee-like showmanship. Chambers chews his gum, smiles and kicks all kinds of butt. Works for me! :)

Don't forget Neil Peart, the stonefaced drummer. I always get a kick how at RUSH shows the screens are up and they'll zoom in on Alex and he's wincing and leaning, and Geddy will be smiling and rockin' and then they'll zoom into Neil's face and it looks like he's watching tv. I'll still gladly watch him play for 3 hours straight though.

I don't think stage presence requires anything contrived like stick twirling, just active participation with the music. I catch myself in the deer-in-the-headlights glare straight out, and force myself out of it because it does look kinda lame. You can look at playing as this is how drummers dance, and have some fun with it.

Being engaged and connecting with your band mates can help prevent the "forgotten drummer in the back" feeling you can have when your band is too busy posing out front to remember you.

[DrumEatDrum]

Don't forget Neil Peart, the stonefaced drummer. I always get a kick how at RUSH shows the screens are up and they'll zoom in on Alex and he's wincing and leaning, and Geddy will be smiling and rockin' and then they'll zoom into Neil's face and it looks like he's watching tv. I'll still gladly watch him play for 3 hours straight though.

I don't think stage presence requires anything contrived like stick twirling, just active participation with the music. I catch myself in the deer-in-the-headlights glare straight out, and force myself out of it because it does look kinda lame. You can look at playing as this is how drummers dance, and have some fun with it.

Being engaged and connecting with your band mates can help prevent the "forgotten drummer in the back" feeling you can have when your band is too busy posing out front to remember you.

I 100% agree that stage presence is all not about stick twirling. "Active participation in the music" is a much better description.

But funny you mention Neil Peart, because he used to have more stage presence. He used to twirl, he used to throw sticks in the air, and other wise interact with the crowd. Watch the Grace Under Pressure DVD, he actual smiles at one point. LOL.

But yes, he's turned into Mr. Stone face.

[dairyairman]

i didn't realize how big a deal stage presence is until i got into a band that has actual fans who watch you and care about how you look. i tend to play with my eyes closed, which makes me look ridiculous on stage. i've had to make conscious effort to overcome that. people tell me i look too serious also. lately i've been trying to look more like i'm having fun, which i am. i've been trying to be more interactive in general. the crowd really notices stuff like that, especially the girls, and i swear it's almost more important to them than the music.

[Monica McCoy]

Watch and learn...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nAWjNlwMfo

[bobdadruma]

Watch and learn...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nAWjNlwMfo Ah.... The Old Korean Drummer Trick!..... I was waiting for him to appear! He has become the poster child for stage presence!..... Good Answer!

[Chalcedony]

hmmm, this is probably bad advice, haha, but when I play live, I try to loosen up, and absorb the atmosphere. I like to move around, try to express my freedom,.. its difficult to explain. I like to stand up, walk around between songs, take things a little less seriously, smile at the moments that make me happy. I used to just focus on getting the playing right, but now I like to watch the other members, interact with the outside world a bit more instead of being inside the drummers cockpit.

Instead of trying to balance myself and get everything even and tight like every other drummer seems to do (lol!), I like to lose myself, and lean around and lose my balance on purpose, and sometimes i'll grab a tom and like, fall on the floor, and then grab a cymbal with my elbow, or maybe even eat it if im hungry. Another great trick is stopping in the middle of a song and watching your band turn around in panic... only joking.

The bottom line is, don't worry about what others think, and don't bother following the rules, because there aren't any.

I am very strange though. So ignore all that, and good luck!

[JT1]

I feel like i need to work on my stage presence too but hey you know sometimes if you are making something quite complicated look easy, that is stage presence! lol. One idea for you to help you loosen up, when playing a slow/ mid-tempo beat, alternate your hi-hat strokes between your left and right hands it can be real fun if the grove is slow enough too. Here is an example, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABZID8n4X60 (0:47-0:51) it can really loosen you up and help you to relax and play comfortably. When you watch a player you can tell if they are tense or relaxed and playing relaxed is what makes the world of difference! I always used to have a face like sucking lemons when i was concentrating lol now i try to enjoy myself as much as i can rather than look like i'm concentrating too hard! Good luck.

[Meat the beat]

Mate just relax & enjoy it....

[drummydude]

Watch and learn...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nAWjNlwMfo

That was funny. I'll bet Keith Moon had a major influence on this guy.

[dale w miller]

The first thing that you have to do is stop thinking about what you look like! You can't fake stage presence! The audience will now if you are trying to put on a fashion models pose! Do simple things like when you reach for a cymbal look out at the audience and smile as you hit it. Look at other members of your band as if you are signaling each other. Sing along with the song now and then. Look down at your snare for a while and bob your head slightly as if you are in deep concentration. Keep slowly scanning your gaze in different directions. Don't clench your jaw! Let your mouth relax and stay open slightly.

The most important thing of all is this. You must become one with the audience! You must feel deep inside that the audience is your closest friend! You must feel that the people out there like you and you like them more! If you feel good then your aura will project positively all around you!

Just watch Papa Jo! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrKShqNkcnI
Doesn't he make you feel like you are his best friend?

This is tough, because there are moments where if you take Papa a moment too far you will look like an 80's Metal Poser. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdDxz2bkfhE&feature=related

It has to be natural. Who are you? Are you a goofy person? Are you serious?

Is your personality being expressed in the right act? Can you imagine Papa Joe playing in early Metallica?

tbmills--- Being relaxed on stage is definitely key but you may just be stiff in your feel all the time. I would possibly suggest placing a mirror in front of you while you are practicing by yourself. Something tells me your sound is probably effected by this stage presence you are describing as well. Your over all body motions are probably not very relaxed & fluid and I would not be surprised if that effects you sonically in your feel. This is just a guess mind you having not heard you play. Either way, good look and cheers for noticing. You wouldn't believe how many people that don't.

[Jeremy Bender]

Yup...the presence is shown through by the personality of the guy and the performance situation. Here's early stuff with the drummer out front (where he should be). The band is in top form here and they're having a great time and it shows... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY_wrB0S_Ck&feature=related

[bobdadruma]

This is tough, because there are moments where if you take Papa a moment too far you will look like an 80's Metal Poser. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdDxz2bkfhE&feature=related
Im sorry, But I don't get what you mean by your comment. Please elaborate further. You are comparing a Music video that contained edited poses to a live performance by a true master. I like music videos too. I also like the Cherry Pie video! But there is a difference between a live performance and a video where music was being played while musicians were acting! Video editing and numerous takes do not take the place of a live stage presence! Apples to Oranges my friend!

[dale w miller]

Im sorry, But I don't get what you mean by your comment. Please elaborate further. You are comparing a Music video that contained edited poses to a live performance by a true master. I like music videos too. I also like the Cherry Pie video! But there is a difference between a live performance and a video where music was being played while musicians were acting! Video editing and numerous takes do not take the place of a live stage presence! Apples to Oranges my friend!Here, take a live version then.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76XRgs0VkfA&feature=related

Honestly, I am not going to watch it in detail because truth being told if you like them you wouldn't get my point any way.

Bottom line is, what any one does on stage it has to be natural to one's personality or it appears contrived & cheesy.

[jon e rotten]

I always thought I was really looking cool behind my kit, but then i saw a video of myself and i looked like a corpse. If that wasn't bad enough, everytime I made a litte mistake or hit a rim you could tell i was yelling a certain four letter word. It was actually pretty funny, but I'm not sure it is a very good stage presence.

[arthurk1]

Just play your butt of and the crowd can tell if you are into it. I naturally smile alot, and the times I played in metal bands I had to try and not smile, but that was stupid of me. Now when I play every single time I am done more than one person says "I can really tell you enjoy playing the drums"!!!! Of course it helps if you kill while playing!

[Vipercussionist]

i need some help...

i have a problem with my stage presence. i look weird when i play. i seem to have blank expression on my face almost always, and when i improvise, i look like i am thinking too much instead of feeling it. this shouldnt matter, but it does. i want to be able to know that in the pictures people take at our shows i look normal and comfortable behind my kit. ive noticed that my favorite pros all look good and normal while playing...

any suggestions? tips? similar experiences?
Take a look at Neil Peart, he always looks preoccupied or like he'd rather be ANYWHERE else but there, I wouldn't worry about it, just PLAY good!! You're in good company.

[The Colonel]

Bottom line is, what any one does on stage it has to be natural to one's personality or it appears contrived & cheesy.

Absolutely.

And for the record - Are you guys serious? That Tommy Igoe youtube video that was brought up...That was horrible. He looks like a total douchebag behind the kit. I'm glad I've never once seen or heard his music live because that was horrible both visually and audibly... The sunglasses...the facial expressions ("You know I'm really getting into it because now I'm making an 'I-mean-business' face...just awful)

I am so glad with my upbringing and musical tastes where I can watch that and think [honestly] "This is ******** horrible".

If you need to try with your stage presence... it's not gonna happen. I've never once been nervous for a performance. I was nervous in front of my district/All-State/All-New England auditions the first time, but after that it was "Oh, hey [same judges every year]" - Same with shows...If you're still getting nervous going out there and playing, then you need to go out and ask out more girls, or go practice until you are confident you'll be the best drummer/musician in the room - or strive for that at least.

I set up my drums.
I absorb the space: the room, the crowd, the girls, the guys (so I know which girls I can talk to!), maybe play a game of pool if they have a table, joke around with my bandmates/their girlfriends, and just enjoy myself - because I'm *OUT* - I've gone OUT to a bar/venue/whatever to have fun - if I'm playing - sweet:

When I finally get up and sit behind the drums - I will briefly warm up, make sure the drums' lugs haven't detuned from vibrations - make sure everything is where I want it and how I want it to sound and then

I will destroy the drums and leave every drummer before and after us feeling like they need to hit the shed and make sure that the bartender and sound guy and cocktail waitresses and everyone else in that room will think "that's the best ******* drummer I've ever seen" when I am done. That is my goal - (and there are ways to do that without soloing all night - I could play shoe-gaze all night and still accomplish that).

That's my mentality when I'm playing a spot. And it's not a forced thing - it's just how I am. I was almost a professional baseball player and I was nationally ranked in a few other sports. I am as competitive as they come - and I don't make any apologies for it. That's what you have to think [inside] - afterwards - when people come up to me I say "Thank you very much" and mean it very much. I love when people enjoy my playing - I practiced long and hard on my craft so when people are nice - you better appreciate it. Any time I say to a musician "Great job - that was really something" or anything like that - and they give you the condescending attitude - that's it - You're on my [poop] list.


As far as specifics go for stage presence...I dunno - Are you really enjoying the music? If not - what the * are you doing? If you are - then are you allowing yourself to get away from the mental spot of "what am I doing? what should I be doing? what do I look like?" etc...

I've never *once* wondered about what I look like playing - because I honestly DO*NOT*CARE. I do what I do - and mostly during shows - but because I love what I'm doing - and because I know how to support/build/take-over a song - the motions and presence come naturally.


I'll be honest - I've yet to see a video on here in the My Playing section where I am at all intrigued by anyone's stage presence. There is almost no presence whatsoever. Then I'll go out and see a band in Silverlake and the drummer's been playing for 1 year - there's about 200 people packed in this tiny venue - and the drummer is holding court because every note he/she plays seems like the most important thing to this person. THAT'S ******* stage presence. It's not about sunglasses, or stick-twirling, or any of that garbage - it's about committing yourself to the performance. You could play nothing but U2 8th-note songs all night and still captivate your audience if you believe in everything you're doing!

Are you into what you're playing? Really? Are you sure? You shouldn't worry about what you're playing then, if you are. If you need to still count out where you are, then you need to just keep practicing with the band....

If you haven't figured out who you are yet [in life] - keep searching - and eventually you'll find it.

I've got a band playing here at my spot on my birthday (May 17th, yeah!) because these guys - even though they're only 17 years old each(!) played here a few months ago and absolutely KILLED IT - their stage presence was great - and their live show is better than their recordings because they can play their instruments and when they lose themselves in the moment they are rock stars...Of course - between songs, they sound like a bunch of 17 year old kids trying to sound cool in front of a crowd of mostly 20/30 somethings at 3am on a Saturday, but when the music is going? fuggedaboudit! I had a bunch of women from 25 up to their mid 30's asking me about the band (in the "Hey I wanna get my freak on" way) and when I said "They're 17" the women were all like "NOOOOO!!!!" - because these guys carried themselves like "we are the ****"

If you got it you got it. If you don't got it - fake it till you get it. And if you can't fake it - we're all gonna try to keep our focus on the lead guitarist or singer - and if that ain't happening - I'm gonna go hang outside with the smokers (I don't smoke) and wait for the next band...

[dale w miller]

If you need to try with your stage presence... it's not gonna happen.

Any time I say to a musician "Great job - that was really something" or anything like that - and they give you the condescending attitude - that's it - You're on my [poop] list.


As far as specifics go for stage presence...I dunno - Are you really enjoying the music? If not - what the * are you doing? If you are - then are you allowing yourself to get away from the mental spot of "what am I doing? what should I be doing? what do I look like?" etc...

I've never *once* wondered about what I look like playing - because I honestly DO*NOT*CARE. I do what I do - and mostly during shows - but because I love what I'm doing - and because I know how to support/build/take-over a song - the motions and presence come naturally.

I think you and I need to hang out next time I am in LA.

If you got it you got it. If you don't got it - fake it till you get it. And if you can't fake it - we're all gonna try to keep our focus on the lead guitarist or singer - and if that ain't happening - I'm gonna go hang outside with the smokers (I don't smoke) and wait for the next band... I think the faking part is the only part I don't agree with. The lead singer from Creed is faking it and it is quite apparent.

[The Colonel]

I was just trying to finish my post with a small ounce of hope.

[Spreggy]

I was just trying to finish my post with a small ounce of hope.

LOL Colonel, good post! First you're like "Hey that Igoe acting like a pompus ass yada yada", and then you lay down this post about how you're the coolest pompus ass on the block. Awesome post, seriously, I like your attitude.

Besides, if you check out his Groove Essentials videos, that is the guy's personality, an over-the-top, self-absorbed, outspoken Hey-i'm-cool kinda guy. The reason he is a good example of stage presence is he brings himself to the music 100%, like "This is me, deal with it". And that's what I recommend.

[tbmills]

im in love this new band im in. i have been in cover band after cover band lately and its just a job, but in this band i am at home. i saw some recent pics and i look like an having fun. i think all i needed was to play some fun songs without a douchebag up front.