Sitting down at gigs...

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glocke1

Apr 30, 2002
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#1
Lately I'm wondering why this is such a faux paus.

At rehearsals, I like to keep a stool or bench nearby to sit at...It's not that I get tired from standing, I just get more relaxed that way and frankly can groove better sitting down.

The one time I tried doing it a gig the looks I got from other band members were not very pleasant so I resumed a standing position.
 
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#3
I've either sat in a folding chair or had a stool handy at gigs and rehearsals for over 20 years. Nobody has ever said anything about it one way or the other.

I figure all the drummers and keyboardists we've had can sit, so why can't I?

We also use music on music stands.
 
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#4
For me, when seeing a band, it's more acceptable if it's consistent across the band. I find it more acceptable in an open mic setting than at an actual show.

The main issue I can see is that if you're at a rock show, it's just not that fun to watch musicians who are sitting stationary.

Oddly, I don't have this expectation when watching an orchestra perform a symphony. But then, I also don't expect the rock musicians to be dressed like they're in an orchestra.
 
#5
Well...... I rather feel that rehearsal is time to sharpen up the performance. In other words the perception of your personal comfort makes no never mind..... However when performing the rule book has been set by many before us. An audience is not there to admire your chops. That audience is there to be entertained. And these days when everyone has a personal entertainment device in their pockets, you had better keep them engaged. When you are sitting at a performance and your name is not James Taylor unfortunately the perception is that you have better things to do than entertain those that paid good money to watch you.... Probably why your mates were cutting eyes at you.
 
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#6
I sit on all my gigs, but my gigs are all jazz gigs, and there's different dynamic involved. I do use a stool which brings my head up to where it would be if I were standing; so while being tucked somewhere behind the piano, I can be seen.
 
#7
glocke1 said:
Lately I'm wondering why this is such a faux paus.

At rehearsals, I like to keep a stool or bench nearby to sit at...It's not that I get tired from standing, I just get more relaxed that way and frankly can groove better sitting down.

The one time I tried doing it a gig the looks I got from other band members were not very pleasant so I resumed a standing position.
Click to expand...

What kind of band?
What kinds of venues?

If you are pplaying hippie songs in retirement homes, go for it.

If you are playing any kind of rock, soul, funk or R&B in clubs, no way. Never ever.
 
#10
I typically practice with a stool as well but stand during performance. Oh, I've thought about bringing the stool for performances but haven't yet... I guess it would be more 'appropriate' for 'entertainment' sake if we had a sit down / acoustic situation or if part of the performance.

I find it more disruptive if I practice and bring a fretless :roflmao: The keyboardist usually gets his panties all up in his tights/ LOL
 
#12
Totally depends on the music played.
When you're grooving and want people to dance, sitting is not an option. If I was playing something groovy and people dance, I simply could not sit.
I also played a few gigs as stand in where they actually looked for a sit in (they all brought chairs and nobody told me), where I played standing up on the first occasion and brought a chair on the second - This was late afternoon acoustic stuff to entertain, nothing for dancing.

I've also played in a project where the position of the musicians on stage was part of it all. We started out seating and
everyone got up when It came to the part where the acoustic background style stopped and the dance bit started.
 
#13
May of 2016 I injured my back to the point where I couldn't walk for about two weeks.
It's been a long slow recovery.
If it's a one set show, and I'm having a good day, maybe I can stand.
Everything else I have to do seated.

For some few months there I couldn't load in or load out, and my band mates didnall that.
I remain really grateful that everyone I worked is understanding and helpful.
 
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#16
I would like to tell all that people that say that playing sat down is not cool to go and watch to Robert Fripp and shut up.
It is about the music, not about if the guy is using a chair or not. I rather see a guy playing sitting down that one of those guys that use the instrument hanging at the level of their knees. But then again, if they do their job right, they can do whatever they want, use a mask, play sitting down,play with their feets... But this is just my opinion

I like to play standing, some stuff is harder that way but some other is easier. On rehersals I usually do both since, sometimes, I like to do things on the most umcorfotable way (unless it could harm me) just to overcome the "challenge"
 
#19
baTassi said:
I would like to tell all that people that say that playing sat down is not cool to go and watch to Robert Fripp and shut up.
It is about the music, not about if the guy is using a chair or not. I rather see a guy playing sitting down that one of those guys that use the instrument hanging at the level of their knees. But then again, if they do their job right, they can do whatever they want, use a mask, play sitting down,play with their feets... But this is just my opinion

I like to play standing, some stuff is harder that way but some other is easier. On rehersals I usually do both since, sometimes, I like to do things on the most umcorfotable way (unless it could harm me) just to overcome the "challenge"
Click to expand...
Look I hear you. When I was at the pinnacle of my rock career I too had had principals...... I now have the vantage point of hindsight and the average Joe that is paying his hard earned buck for cover charge to watch his local guitar hero expects to be entertained. He’s not endeared by the chops. And I’m sorry but a fellow wailing away on a stool lends the appearance of someone that would rather be elsewhere doing something else. People are fickle. Entertain them or they won’t pay the cover next time.
 
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