Intangible role of the guitarist in a band

[loveguitar]

After playing some time with a few bands, I have got many feedback. But out of these feedback, most of it isn't music related. Eg. "not enough movement to create the rock and roll atmosphere", "signal to vocalist on when to enter the song", "the feel of the band is not there", "rapport with the audience" etc

Being focus in the music itself, I find it quite difficult to improve on these intangible role of a guitarist in a band. For some of you who have experience in band performance, can you provide some advise/opinion on the topic??
Thanks

[tseegert]

If you're speaking about stage presence, the answer, like always is practice. Not practicing stage presence, but the music. Once you get comfortable enough to play without having to put every ounce of your being into executing the music, you can begin to embelish the music with on-stage antics, while continuing to play the correct notes.
Seems most roads start at practice when it comes to music...
As for the other things you mentioned, the singer should know when to come in, if he doesnt, he needs more pratice. If the feel "isn't there", analyze what is missing, maybe start by looking at what actually is "there". Is the beat strong/weak? Is the bass line droning/interesting? Are the guitars expressive and interesting? Maybe it's as simple as the equipment a band uses a lot of the time. An exceptionally large number of bands would probably sound ALOT better with better gear. But, on the same token, a very good, tight musical band playing on mediocre equipment will ALWAYS sound better than mediocre musicians playing on very good equipment.
Hope this helps... even a little
Troy

[Bizarro]

Try recording rehearsals and ask for specific examples. Stage presence is a tough one. One big thing is to look like you're having a good time, even if you aren't! :) Plus you need to be able to look at people while playing. It's not easy, and great performers like SRV and EVH got there by constantly playing in front of people and trying to improve.

For my cover band most of the stuff is not very challenging after performing it for several years. But I can always work on my stage skills and crowd interaction. It helps to go watch some good bands play and try figure out why people like to see them perform. Copy as much as you can! :)

[sugarbee]

yeah, it's pretty much a trial and error/experience thing. But I really think, and this is a personal opinion, nothing more, that if you look after playing the music well and you're into it and there's a good musical vibe, the other stuff will either look after itself or become less important. And like our good friend Bizzaro mentioned, just get yourself out there and see what other bands are doing or not doing. That way you can gauge the crowd's reaction and decide what is important to your band in a larger sense. It takes time, but it will probably come naturally after a while

[loveguitar]

Fair enough. But sometimes I just can't be too myself if I want to perform on stage. The fact is that we are not an establshed band. So when we go for gigs, we have to please the crowd. If the crowd loves modern rock, we can't be like eagles in the hell freeze over concert sitting and playing acoustic ( Eagles are great by the way) We just have to, like what was said, show that we feel really good and rock our body and guitar.

In other words, we have to be versatile. I guess it's really practice and learning from others. And a very important point brought out also, to be 110% in playing the music, so that we can spare that extra 10% for some stage presence movements.

Thanks for all the opinions and advise :)

[phantom]

echo all of the above.

i'd say it's not only the guitarists job to "keep the band together" live and to do a good show. everybody in the band should have something like a "third-eye and ear" to make sure that everything is in it's place. if a member has trouble with some parts he could get cues by anyone else in the band. like a musicwise and a performancewise awareness besides each other. playing for the audience, but one short look in the eye of the drummer and you know that the chorus is doubled... things like that.
you could try to rehearse without looking at each other - only when really necessary.
you could pick out a few people in the audience that seem friendly and "eye-communicate" with them every now and then to not loose the contact to the audience.

[Malcolm]

About a year ago I saw a band (name unkown) performing on the boardwalk in Seabrook, TX. At that point I was not singing along on the chorus, because I did not think my voice was good enough.

What struck me was that every member of the band was singing and "having a good time" That having a good time is contagenous and the audiance picks up on it. ................. I now sing the chorus and try to look like I'm having a good time.

My point--- if you force it, it does not work ---- just start having a good time.

[Los Boleros]

Being focus in the music itself, I find it quite difficult to improve on these intangible role of a guitarist in a band.Thanks
I know what you mean, I think that your question is not just geared toward the guitar player but rather the leader of the band. I am the leader of the band Los Boleros. I try not to make cues seem so obviouse so I handle it by being extremely animated. When the back up vocals are up I step up to the mic to sing. when done singing I step back away from the mic and play. I am never near the mic unless its time to sing. When I solo I go into my own world but when I come out I address the audience by making solid contact and lifting an arm with my last note. When its time for a sax solo, I back up next to the percussions and leave the front open for him to step up. The band knows that when I put my hand down it means drop the dynamics down to a whisper. There are occasionaly times when we are playing when I look over to the other side of the stage and the bass and guitar players have that blank stare like a deer in the headlights, and that's when I know I have to do something drastic like take over and do a solo or sing the lead vocals myself just to control any dammage. For the most part the band has gotten quite used to all the gestures and I hardly ever have to say much on stage.

[Gunnan]

My 2 cents ( I have never played a show FYI )
Just be yourself man, we all make faces, raise our shoulders, groove to the beat and move our heads. I guess if your steve vai or someone of the sort then you might wanna practice what your planning on doing onstage to please your audiance, but if your just playing in a local band for fun be yourself. I doubt hendrix or SRV ever planned there expressions while playing and I love watching those guys, they make me feel free just listening.

[oRg]

Heavy Metal players kinda have it easier than most musicians as far as stage presence goes. Alot of guitarists can just head band with their eyes opened and concentrating on the fretboard...lol. I know that's what I do if there's a part I'm not comfortable with. I haven'y played in front of large groups of people. At most I've played in front of about 20-30 people. If I didn't head bang then I didn't even look at the crowd. I just stared at the back wall or stared at another band member then continued to head bang...lol.