How much do you react/emote/groove to your OWN playing ? (Online gear demonstrators loving themselves …)

[loopfinding]

a lot of head bobbing and body moving, but no weird faces or closed eyes. i'm either looking at my hands or staring off somewhere. i'll smile or laugh if something someone does is funny or amusing.

i make sure to breathe deeply and slowly, which is not weird in a loud environment but can be a little awkward in a quiet one. it sounds dramatic but it's more just about physical regulation (like photographers who exhale when they press the shutter).

 

[telemnemonics]

I do smile and laugh when I drop a clam, but thats about it.
Looking in the mirror?
Causes brain damage!

 

[bender66]

I'm caught off guard enough to get distracted with continuing. It's a check/balance thing.

 

[telekaster1999]

I drool sometimes, not sure if it has anything to do with my playing though.

 

[KeithDavies 100]

I try to make a conscious effort not to to look mad or frowny when I’m playing. Why? I’ve seen videos and still photos of me in various bands and settings and I always look really pissed off or otherwise in a bad mood. And it wasn’t how I was feeling, but rather, concentrating on what I was playing. Or maybe being irritated with my band mates. No matter. But now I try to look less grumpy.

Yup - this is me.

Jools Holland recounts that people used to tell him to smile more when he's performing, and he said he found that difficult because he's concentrating on playing. That made sense to me.

Someone did once video a band of mine - just one song, covering Brown Sugar. The sound and playing were okay, but the thing that struck me was just how static we were. Though it did sound good there was otherwise so little energy to it. After thought I figured I should make a deliberate effort to move a little more, somehow.

 

[elihu]

I play to a mirror a lot. But it’s because I’m trying to get rid of some of the mannerisms mentioned, like head bobbing or looking mad or frowning. One thing I’ve learned is that getting my voice up front, to where its focus is between my mouth and nose is easier when I’m smiling. This also helps to keep me from singing flat.

And moving a little is a good idea.

 

[Recce]

I know I close my eyes sometimes and enjoy the song and how it sounds. If you don’t enjoy playing maybe switch to making macrame or something.

 

[thunderbyrd]

I can't emote because I'm always trying to remember what I'm doing and what to do next. So a look of profound confusion, I guess.

But as soon as I get that all sorted out I'm going to add some ballet moves. Swan Lake, baby.

 

[Toto'sDad]

I play to a mirror a lot. But it’s because I’m trying to get rid of some of the mannerisms mentioned, like head bobbing or looking mad or frowning. One thing I’ve learned is that getting my voice up front, to where its focus is between my mouth and nose is easier when I’m smiling. This also helps to keep me from singing flat.

And moving a little is a good idea.

 

[elihu]

I don’t see your point TD…

That’s Joe…

And I’m me.

Apples and oranges.

 

[MilwMark]

Does this all have to be so joyless and grim?

Y’all know everyone hates Yes and Steely Dan right?

My guess is the folks who emote have spent more time on stage. M Ever do theater? Compare the size of the gestures, faces and voices to film.

Have some fun. Move around. Furious concentration isn’t pulling anyone in.

 

[TheCheapGuitarist]

I do when I'm in front of a mirror because I'm so damn sexy.

 

[sax4blues]

I have zero guitar face game. If I’m singing I can be energetic.

 

[Toto'sDad]

I don’t see your point TD…

That’s Joe…

And I’m me.

Apples and oranges.

If you like moving around when you're singing, I just thought you might pick up a few pointers from Joe! No bad intended at all.

 

[TheCheapGuitarist]

I'm not sure if this counts but if I get out of a shower and there's a full length mirror on the wall, I will get myself partially "enthused" and walk in front of it just to impress myself.

 

[USian Pie]

My default guitar face is an unpleasant intense frown while staring death at the fingerboard.

Nobody wants to watch that.

I read Victor Wooten's book The Lesson last summer and it had a huge effect on my playing. If I am really listening to what I'm playing -- not just focusing on moving fingers correctly -- I should be into it. If I'm listening and not enjoying it, why should anyone else?

Breaking eye contact with the fingerboard helps remind me to use my ears, not my eyes and hands. Hearing is the correct sense for music. Vision and touch are checkpoints.

Eddie Van Halen made playing guitar look so darn fun. I used to wonder why he smiled all the time. Then I figured it out: Every day he woke up and realized, "Hey... I'm Eddie Van Halen!"

 

[Buckaroo65]

I swear I don’t make faces when I play, my wife says I do. Then she starts to make faces at me and I can’t play. It’s just a long, slow downward spiral around here…

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

Darn, now I really want that top…

GAS = garment acquisition syndrome.

Pax/
Dean

 

[middy]

I’m not so much reacting to my own playing as to what my muse is playing through me. Either get into it, or get into the audience, preferably both. Otherwise you’re probably boring.

 

[Cam]

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