Improving Stage Presence - For Individuals and Bands [2020]

[@marcos061059]

The problem I have, being in bar bands, is that the stages are usually so small you can't move around very much.

[@Yeetus223]

Go wireless and run into the crowd. Cheap wireless systems do mess with your tone. But the bass can get away with it.

[@ricochetsixtyten]

Maybe its time to move on up.

[@ZzzzzzzxxxzzzYZ4]

I've still got bumps from those tiny stages, everyone trying to move around and the other guitarist bashing me with their headstock.

[@beingtodd8126]

That was always my problem as well. I suggest trying to use the space as best possible. Any amount of movement while you are stationary or even swapping adds interest.

[@TheBassPlayer100]

@@Yeetus223that used to be cool when wireless systems were new. Now it just annoys people.

[@shadyrhoads1015]

Well, I found that a singer can look right over the top of the crowds head, and to the individuals in the crowd, it looks like you're looking right at them. If there is 20 in the spot, you're looking at 20 individuals think you are looking directly at them. Plus, it helps the singer if he has problems making eye contact

[@vicjames2743]

Being introverted I’m going to use this advice to get better. I’m not afraid to be in front of people and I have pretty good guitar chops Thanks for sharing this !!!

[@paulie6446]

Never mind cameras.. the good old full length bedroom mirror was my training tool from a young age, lol...I made my mark😉✌️

[@beingtodd8126]

Yes indeed. Never forget that

[@emach07]

Video footage changed my life. I had no idea I looked like a statue and played even in bars for years before I got into original stuff and someone video taped us. I was depressed for a week or so after seeing that and then pulled myself up from the bootstraps and never stopped working at it. The mirror does help but getting on a stage in front of a bunch of people with your band, adrenalin, weird stage mixes when you can barley hear yourself (and God knows what else lol) is an entirely different situation. I guess if you're a natural the mirror might just cut it. But I wouldn't be here for help if that was the case

[@FirstnameLastname-cx6go]

9:05 "Look at these guys..." YEAH! ROCKIN'! - starts jumping -

[@CVGuitar]

4:55 If you look right over the audience's heads, it looks to the crowd like you're looking at them

[@edwinwise6751]

I video every practice and gig on an I pad and critique it the next day. The 1st time i recorded our gig , it was an eye opener… we were nowhere near as good as we thought we were and we cringing at how we came off even though the crowds acted like we were great

[@Tregod]

Yeah that's how it usually goes haha!! They don't know the difference

[@mcwilliams4546]

I’ve learned not to judge our performance by crowd reaction. Sounds crazy, but 9 out of 10 audience members don’t know mistakes and inconsistencies when they hear them.

[@stratplayr6997]

Lots of great tips, even for the seasoned musician. I think the only thing that's missing from this video is a section on your personal appearance (i.e.: how to dress appropriately & good grooming). Part of being professional is looking the part. You don't need to wear a suit and tie to a bar gig; but ripped jeans, greasy ball caps and worn out t-shirts don't give off the best impression. Treat your gig as a job, as essentially that's what it is.

[@jboling513]

I'm a weekend warrior and I couldn't agree more. If you're part of the entertainment (and getting paid) you shouldn't look like you just walked out of the crowd once you finished your wings. And good lord wear sleeves and no cargo shorts.

[@rickbullock9695]

Agreed. It's a job. Not a party.

[@captainblue2344]

Agreed! It matters. Being nonchalant about appearance is basically flipping the bird to the audience and ignoring their eyeballs which is how they are experiencing the music not just the audio.

[@diegodeleontanner7909]

Great tips, I wish I could also share this with my Band it is Hard to communicate improvements within the Band. Maybe some advices on this or a video!

[@jhavajoe3792]

I kinda like the 2 "maniacs." They were moving pretty good and inspiring at that age. Looked like they were having fun. An audience may be ageist ( upward climb already). But entertainment at a Bingo gathering, they'd Dig it!

[@AtomMotherHeart]

THE WHO - Live at Kilburn Won't Get fooled again. Pete Townshend in that song does everything....Windmill, Power Slide, Wrap-the-cable, slip-leg-jump, chest-knee-jump.

[@CVGuitar]

Great video Todd!

[@venelle.powell]

You are awesome. Thank you for the Six Quadrant idea!!! 💡 😊

[@imdanielvalentino]

Dude this video awesome! Thank you!

[@bruceripepi867]

I was skeptical until you said I should not look like a DOOFUS. Exactly the advice I need!

[@AnamaGlobal]

You're a great teacher sir. 🙏🏿

[@michaelweinman9051]

5 stars love this!

[@Steff_kjns]

But what if my specific music does in fact require violently spinning, rolling and waving?

[@beingtodd8126]

This is a great point. I am currently involved in playing in jazz setting. Of course, that wouldn't be appropriate. But, engaging with the audience is never style specific. Connecting with eye contact is always a great way to build rapport.

[@punishmentdue73]

I got to see one of my all-time favorite bands a few years ago while they were on tour. Although they played the music perfectly, the only thing that I truly remember is how they didn't move throughout the show. The singer did some crowd-inclusion stuff. But, the rest of the band came out on stage, went to their spots, and never moved from them.

[@shader26]

For me, all this is great for my cover band, but when I see bands like allman brothers or Daryl Trucks, they are obviously just very into their music and playing naturally (also long solos are totally ok there) there are many ways to engage an audience but also in those cases the audience knows what to expect and is there to listen. They do still do small things, like step up when doing a solo, step back when done, etc. I think this is a great video that many (including my band) need to work on. We have been playing a good deal,more gigs lately and notice also along with being able to relax on stage, suddenly some of these points were starting to happen naturally. We started not taking it so seriously, and our enjoyment and happiness to be playing showed which helped a lot. I saved the video and plan on writing down some of these points as a kind of prestige checklist. I will say too, bands ought to practice these things a bit (maybe a little less than they will do on stage but same ideas). We went from a band where every musician was in their own little world to also connecting with each other, simply smiling and nodding, etc. and also the audience.

[@marctestarossa]

I love your advice. The sound quality is poor, but what you say could definitely help me quite a bit on my way to become a better performer. Only the 6 quadrant thing made me wtf, because I'm a wise guy and immediately thought "Wait, there can't be 6 quadrants anywhere because quadrant literally means one quarter of space"

[@pizzarand]

One of the best videos on the subject

[@johnhart6161]

Briliant stuff thanku

[@onicax]

Adore your crazy advice 😜😍😘🎢🎢🎢🎢

[@TheBalls55]

Just watch Paul Stanley and his fancy footwork and head shaking lol

[@MasonDavis]

Yeah Todd! Guitar is LOUD in that first few seconds.

[@beingtodd8126]

Guitar is good. Loud guitar is better. Makes your fillings rattle. Fuels the soul.

[@sergeytolkachev]

Very helpful, thnx

[@funnysecksnumber6998]

still dont know what to do. how do i move with the bass? its not like the guitar where you can do whatever the hell kinda movement you like, shits heavy and throws you around if you get cocky.

[@pedrocucaracha]

Well, I can answer that. What defines a bass player in a word? COOL. You act COOL. You don’t jump around, but opening your legs a little, moving a little with the rhythm (easy to do) in your own space and smiling a little like “it’s all going to be alright” does the trick. You give the sense of CONFIDENCE to the audience. They see you, and they see “this band will be solid”. Nothing is worse than a hesitant bassist. You need to be cool always, calmed as Hindu cow. Savoring the music. And you need to SHOW it. You steal the show by NOT trying to steal the show. A good joke or praise words or cool anecdotes about your bandmates during a break work as well. Trust me, people will notice you and you will do your band a huge favor.

[@michaelrodriguez3253]

1B likes for you Todd, thanks so much.

[@lyndanelson1119]

Great job Todd!

[@castel7]

Great and simple, thanks !!

[@mayor2b]

I liked the Gladiator "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?" remark. You're very funny. Good for you. And, yes I'm very entertained so I subscribed and liked your video.

[@TheLaunchPadQLD]

I just ❤ This video!!!

[@TheBassPlayer100]

All good points. I’m old and to see me now you’d never guess I was the lead singer and bass player in a hugely successful regional band with record companies coming to our shows. Here’s the thing - audiences listen with their eyes. You bitch and moan all you want about “it’s about the music mannnn” but it’s not. The only people who care if you miss a note or a cue are the other musicians sitting there scowling with their arms crossed because they wish they were on stage killing it. They’re not your audience. Regular folks listen with their eyes. Don’t shake your head when you miss a note and no one will notice unless you call attention to it. People want to see a rock star - they want to see something they don’t get to see in their regular lives going to the bank or the gas station or to work. Dress the part and look like a pro. For the duration of your onstage set - be the rock star. Always rehearse your songs so everyone starts at the same time and more importantly END your songs tight and together. The last thing they remember about a tune is the ENDING. What you do in the middle of the song doesn’t matter so much as long as you end tight and together. Rehearse your sets - boom boom boom one after another like you are playing a show. If you fuck up keep going just like a show. So when it happens during a show, and it will, your muscle memory takes over and no one will notice except the scowling musicians in the audience. If you are having a good time on stage, the audience will take that cue and have a good time. Now I’m gonna take a nap.

[@MotownGuitarJoe]

Six quadrants? Is that like a square circle? (Quad = 4) Seriously though, nice video. Thanks🙂

[@WoockerSocket2]

Really great points and so helpful! Great memes too

[@bbarrett71]

P-O-W-E-R-S-L-I-D-E!!!!!!!!!

[@ToddBarrow]

Love this!

[@hamnchee]

If there's 6 quadrants they're not quadrants. Now I don't know what to do with my arms because the trust is broken.

[@frannyp46]

Great video.Only John Entwistle could give this a thumbs down.

[@Psychodermia]

What if you're in a band with a lead drummer? 😐

[@bvandijk]

Good video, but 6 Quadrants, seriously ?? 🤣

[@FirstnameLastname-cx6go]

5:50 It was Conway Twitty. You're emulating Conway Twitty.

[@sarahsokal]

Tips on being alone on a huge stage plz ?lol

[@MrRobinThornton]

Moving to the music gives the permission to move to the music. If you're not moving, why would they?

[@bmint]

If your not living life on the edge you are taking up too much space

[@markplimsoll]

Great points, especially for the USA's repressed culture. Marlen Montano on bass dances the best! Our WASP Pilgrims outlawed song and dance, and we still suck at dancing. Luckily, those WASPs (after exterminating 60 million brown people), imported dark skinned people who remembered song and dance. Check out Marlen!

[@mikkikas6821]

What about elderly SOLO entertainment??? You offer nothing about us😢 I'm 78, but look 49 and my voice is very young, too. I play a variety of music and instruments. And I'm female, not male. I find that unless you're a 20 year old sex goddess, you're not taken serious. Nothing but eye candy with a voice, or not. So what can I do to get people to take me seriously, insteadvof looking at me as if im just a poor elderly dementia mentality with hallucinating dreams? Ive been playing since highschool, classical guitar style, vocalist, harmonicas, and Celtic instrument as well. I was in a Celtic band for 12 years, but moving to another state 8 years ago, not recognized worth anything but telling people what i do puts me in the catagory of a poor elderly woman with a bad case of dementia causing them to give me pity looks. I'm a very L-O-N -G way from being dementia. So what can I do? I'm in a catagory you have forgotten.

[@longsnapper5381]

LOL those would be sextants.......

[@kiryucovers]

Eddy: "pfft"

[@ronperry9904]

Or your a natural. I’m not