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This isn't as much of a vocal question as it is a performance question: when my guitarist is taking a solo, what should I do in terms of "on stage antics"? I've seen a lot of different things, but my first instinct is to step back, headbang with the bassist, and let the guitarist have his moment of glory. Is this a good idea, or will the crowd get bored of this?
I never know what to do either haha. Most singers ive seen live have either walked off stage or if your James LaBrie, played tambourine!
You know what, thats just the problem... stop worrying about "antics". For crying out loud, just be yourself. Try just standing still, look to the audience, make eye contact with people, smile a lot, close your eyes, enjoy the solo... thats a much safer bet then jumping round like you have ants in your pants and looking stupid.
Its a lot more professional to just stand still and be cool. You dont "have" to do anything.
Good advice Rob, and good question Copius! I was in a band not long ago where there were a LOT of LONG solos, and with no other instruments to keep me busy I wasn't always sure what to do either. I actually ended up renting a bunch of videos to see what other singers do, and Austin is right most just walk off the stage, or to the side. Some (like James LaBrie) play tambourine or some other percussion, and then there's Freddie Mercury who prances around and climbs on top of things and plays air guitar! LOL. My best advice would be to find something that looks natural and works for you. If your not the prancing/climbing/air guitar type, then you're just going to embarass yourself trying to pull it off. ;-)
Feel it. Maybe you go back to the drummer, maybe you run back stage and take a swig of water. Just feel the song and change it up!!!
Great question!
I agree with Rob's advice, do whatever you feel is natural. I think it depends somewhat on what kind of music you play. If you're in a country band it will look a bit strange if you have a headbang with the bass player, whereas in a heavy metal band I would have thought it almost compulsory! Remember, the singer generally has the job of being the frontman and lifting the crowd. Some can get away with 'performing' (see afore-mentioned F.Mercury) others give the crowd the eye (à la Liam Gallagher) but the best frontmen are always those who exaggerate their real selves.
So, be yourself, but a bit bigger, and most of all, have fun. The audience can soon tell if you're faking!
Right lidbass... honesty is key. The audience can "sense" it if your not just being yourself. You have to realize that being your self is enough... everyone has some charisma and if you put your heart out and appear to be sincere, that will capture the audience... the audience is sophisticated in this regard. In our society, we have a lot of experience with visual stimuli/entertainment from TV & Movies. What people really gravitate too is honesty... I think in large part, this is why the Grunge movement took off and left some of the "80s Metal" prancers behind ... the audience shifted to wanting to see less pretention and more sincerity... too bad they left the good singers behind as well...
Chris Cornell, and Andrew Wood. Rest my case (Yeah I know Soundgarden was more metal in the beginning and that AW played in a hair metal band). The grunge guys were great on stage, just watch a few Soundgarden videos on Youtube. They were full of energy. Be yourself and have fun, that's all.
It depends on how "personable" the soloing guitarist is. If he/she is charismatic and the audience is enjoying the solo, step back and let him have the spotlight for a bit. If they're just standing there looking at their fingers, do some moves.
Nothing used to tick me off worse than another player in the band trying to "steal" away the audience's attention during my solos (yup, I'm a guitarist). When it was their turn to shine, I stayed where I was and just grooved. When it was my turn... well we were wireless in the big shows ...
My $.25
Wow, I only have two cents to offer. Obviously the name of the game here is honesty, but, as Tom said don't take away from their moment. I started out singing in musicals around the community, and we always had to come up with actions when we weren't the focus of the moment. The key was performing an action that still kept the spotlight on the solo, or the important line. Be available, be honest, but be supportive. Ok, that was more like three cents, so sue me (sue me, what can you do me... anyone?)
When I played big gigs, the solo was my moment to breath and relax a bit, when you are the front man you are active that any chance to shift that focus is a welcomed one! Everyone has said it, honesty shows! Freddie Mercury had it in his own way and Morrisey in his, both great, both honest.
In my current acoustic incarnation, I play some percursion and can always keep busy on-stage.
Rod
I've been wanting to address this post for a few weeks but "logging-in" has become hit-or-miss" at best.
There are 2 sides to this issue. But, the answer to both is **ASK**!!!
Ask the "soloist" what they want done...if anything. Some get severely distracted if you do ANYTHING that wasn't rehearsed....others welcome the distraction...but AWAY from them.
Personally, I've had nights where no one could steal the show from me and I've had other nights where I didn't feel good and would rather do my solo back near the drummer while the other guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist got together out in front and took the focus away from me. I needed "less pressure" at that time in order to do the solo right due to it's difficulty.
Choreography doesn't always have to mean "every move". It can be a framework that you can rely on to be there if you need to "lean on it". Knowing your material and who has difficulties with certain parts in essential to avoid a "crash-and-burn" AND being aware of that "subtle glance" from one of the band members that can tell a whole story...the problem and solution...in a split second.
KNOWING that you have that "safety valve".....that your stage is setup "like home" can give you a level of comfort that can really elevate your show. So....my "spare change" to the question of "what should I do during a solo" is simply to ASK ahead of time and try to cover all the bases like broken strings, power outages, dead amps or effects and ill performers and rehearse those possibilities as much as the material you play. Most people can play great on a Saturday night when everything is going great...it's the ones that have to pull-it-off on a Wednesday night with things going wrong and the pressure of some critical booking agencies and club owners in the audience on the first set that show what they're made of.
Just my "spare change"....
You could always do what Russel Allen does and reach around the guitarist's head from behind and cover his eyes. "How dare he steal my thunder!!??!?!?"
What do the rest of the musicians do when the guitarist is soloing? The point is that you're a musician also... why is it that the rest of the band participates but the vocalist has to "find something to do"? Not that you have to vamp (that would be stealing thunder), but you don't have to disappear either. What do you do at practice, when the jam gets awesome and no one cares who's listening? Go to the kitchen till they call? I harmonize, clap, stomp my feet, encourage the soloist... that is to say, I use my instrument (voice and body) just like everyone else is. If the rest of the band plans for it, do the same. If they wing it, do the same. If the drummer, keyboard and bass can merge well when the guitarist is soloing, then so can the singer. IMHO.
What do the rest of the musicians do when the guitarist is soloing? The point is that you're a
While the other guys still do what they use to do when I'm singing, a singer that does not play any instruments on stage except for his voice does not have a thing to do during a solo.
Drums, bassguitar, keyboards... are still playing during a guitar solo (well at least usually they do) so they don't look too lost :-)
Personally, I feel a lot better on stage when I'm playing a guitar.
...Drums, bassguitar, keyboards... are still playing during a guitar solo ...
Personally, I feel a lot better on stage when I'm playing a guitar.
Well, of course it all depends on the style of music and performance. There's a time to stand back in awe and show respect, and theres a time to interact with each band member.
I know the other instruments are still playing, but how? That is, are they playing what was recorded/practiced, note for note, or are they jamming until the soloist is done? If the solo is the same, every performance, then yeah, you don't have any room to improvise or participate. Get out of the way and wait your turn. On the other hand, if live is..., well, alive..., then join in! Use your instrument (your voice!), but also your brain. There are folks in the audience that are participating vicariously through the front-man (you), so you've got a lot of influence on the emotion of the performance.
In the end, I think you need to be in the moment. If the soloist is relating to the audience, and they're reacting, don't distract. When it's obvious that the interaction is waning, start interacting with the soloist (echo guitar licks, or make up a pattern on the spot and see if the soloist reacts). That can help to squeeze out more from the soloist and also provide a bridge back to the main theme. Whatever you do, don't mentally check out. If you're in front, then it's your responsibility to make sure the audience stays plugged in and entertained, so you have to make a judgement call as to whether the other guy is making a connection or needs help. Just remember, on stage you can do things you can't do 'in public' and someone is going to appreciate it.
As to feeling better with a guitar in your hands, let me tell you that I totally relate and let me share what my father told me; he asked me one day, "why do you keep singing behind that crutch?" The guitar had become a substitute for a podium, or shuffling my feet, or shoving my hands down my pockets. He then told me "Sometimes we don't respect what comes so easily. Just because singing didn't come as a struggle for you, doesn't mean it's worth less than the other instruments." So if you're holding something to make you feel more comfortable on stage, you need to throw away the crutch.
Keep your eyes and attention on the solo- maybe get into it a little, move with it as if you were in the audience, appreciating the soloist. That directs the audience the same way. It's respectful and takes the focus off of you, putting it where it should be, on the solo. The attention, etc will refocus on you when you start back up.
What I do anytime the guitar, pedal steel, or fiddle or keyboard takes a solo, I "give them the solo", period. It is there time, the singer will get his/her time back, but now it is your musician's turn. I make reference to them, ask for the audience to appluad them and stand back and admire what they are doing. Really, it will make them apprecaite you as a vocalist. When the smile back at me, I know I have shown them as best I can, to just give them their spot!
Jac
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Kevin Richards
www.rockthestagenyc.com
If he's one of those guys who have concrete legs and don't move the stage is yours move up and down interact with the audience do what ever you want and if he does move get him to go to the centre stage the crowd love it and you well....... be you and if you really want some tips watch a Dave Lee Roth Video the master ceremony the person who put the Front in Front-man the man who invented showmanship and sailed it across the world and rocked it yep D.L.R (does it show that i think he's the best?) 
You're the frontman. But...without our betrothed bandmates, it's just Karaoke! I always pay homage to my lead man when he's shredding a solo.
There is no set stance...whatever moves me, but typically I will go out of my way to bring attention to him and pump the crowd without taking over the solo. Jump on the drum riser - throw your body around with the music - bang your head with your other players - shake your money maker - or simply stand there with confidence.
Hey, if ya' trip or ya' fall down coz your bashing about - play off every moment like ya' meant to do it that way and above all have fun. The audience can't always tell when you make mistakes, but they seem to have a natural ability to sniff out self doubt.
Know your songs and their dynamics and interact with your musicians and audience as much as possible. It'll be easier to flow and move with the music if you have your entire band's performance commited to memory...i.e. guitar tages, drum fills, bass runs. Some will tell you to just wing it, but life promotes that preparation and understanding will make for a more solid result. Relax and let your extreme self take over, when on stage. Just put him back into your pocket, when the performance is over...no one likes an unapproachable ego freak.
Watch some DVDs of your favorite bands over the past 4-5 decades Queen, Whitesnake, Iron Maiden, Van Halen - any group that has a prolific performer fronting the band...doesn't always mean they're great singers...but great frontmen. Of course, hands down, if ya' can do both then you're in like Flynn! Who the heck is Flynn anyway?
Peace Out,
b
Last edited by MONEYSHOT (2009-04-23 06:59:32)
This is a great discussion! I sing in what I call a Classic Metal and Hard Rock tribute band. Among many other things we cover several Iron Maiden and Metallica songs. These all have very long solo sections so I can really relate! As it has been stated; there are many ways of dealing with your solo/rest periods. Most every song I sing is a real screamer so I usually welcome the chance to give my voice a short rest. I usually think of my hero front man handled solos. Bon Scott of AC/DC would back up with the rhythm section and allow Angus to have the stage. Obviously most of us don't have a guitarist as animated as Angus but Bon always did look pretty cool just standing back there dancing and banging his head. Here's some inspiration !.... Enjoy!... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsEHH0cDwHw
Take Care, John
www.myspace.com/metaldazeband
I think both "RaumKlang & Shunyun" had great suggestions...
I think having something in your hands, like a guitar, tambouring, maraccas, etc., is a great help as RaumKlang said, but I also agree with Shunyun, it can become a crutch you can hide behind.
But, look at most of the major country singers, they all wear cowboy hats and they all play guitar; mostly... If you look closely, they hardly if ever are actually "playing" their guitars, most likely they are "faking it," or the sound man has totally turned their guitar off... Why, cause a guitar looks "cool" to hold... A crutch, maybe, but for country today, it all comes down to "image."
Anyway, my point is, as a singer, you too can take a hint from the country singers, get a cheap guitar, and fake it.... learn G C D and just play them over and over, during solos, when your NOT singing... The crowd, most likely, won't know your not "really" playing, 'cause they'll be focused on the soloist players, and you'll feel more comfortable during those long solos. You will also feel more "involved" in the whole band experience.
Just remember to remind the sound guy to turn your guitar off, or don't even bother plugging in! 
Ray: The answer is simple, you never upstage anyone in your group during their solo, that is taboo let alone unprofessional. Step back into the woodwork and allow their performance to proceed. This is what is done on tour. Remember your not a solo act but a group!!!
The first thing that I suggest is to allow the soloist be the "SOLOIST". It's his or her time to be up front. I, myself try to get out of the limelight. Don't stand in front of the soloist. Try not to look bored when the solo is going on. Don't try to draw attention to yourself while the solo is going on. Adding a percussion instrument like a tambourine, when it fits, can help fill in the void where the soloist goes from playing rhythm to a solo. Act like you're into the solo yourself (even if you're not.)Stage presence is about making the whole show better, not just yourself.
Some great advice here from many people. All valid too. I would say do whatever feels comfortable for you because if you try to be something you're not, it will look worse than if you do nothing at all. Try some subtle 'moves' in front of a mirror or on video and see how it looks. Try to find something to do that looks kinda cool but you're natural with. My $.25
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