Do You Smile?

[Quinto Governor II]

Sorry don't known how I posted before I was finished. As I was saying, I think the importance of smiling is overstated and taken out of context. If I was fortunate to play in a salsa band then you can believe I would be smiling a lot. Why, because I would be watching the dancers and getting a lot of enjoyment out of seeing them react to our playing. In that context I would definitely smile. When I'm playing with my band if I notice someone looking at me, most times I will give a quick smile to let them know that I appreciate their attentiveness, then I'm back to my normal posture. As for smiling during a solo I enjoy a solo more if the performer looks intense, rather than smiling. It gives me a sense that the performer is letting me into a very intimate conversation or experience that he is having. It seem to me this smile rule is applied to congueros more so than any other musicians. Is this some subconscious thing based on the association or drums with a spiritual belief, and that if the drummer smiles it puts the audience at ease. Maybe I'm paranoid or something. Anyone else every thought anything similar?

[mainedrummer]

Once I was playing behind a kit and a friend of the guitar player video taped us. Later on when I watched the tape I was amazed at the contortions my face went through while playing, from intense concentration to complete enjoyment with a couple of grimaces when something didn't come out quite right. Since then I've become more of a smiler because I'm PLAYING and what greater fun can there be? The change is subtle but I feel like I have a different interaction with the other players and the audience when I’m grinning.

[neftali.rosado]

Hi,

Guys I do not smile @ all when I play, I am always focussed on listening to the other instruments in the band. I smile on occasion usually during the Mona or a deadly solo. I have been told on several occasions that I should try smiling to have fun. Even though I'm not smiling it does not mean that I'm not having fun. I guess after reading what everyone has said I will try smiling because there is always someone watching.

Saludos,

Neftali Rosado Jr. (Talo)

[zumbi]

peace!
i read john coltrane saying he love to see musician smile and he feel it is a plus even if he laments he can't do it.
i feel one must be true to him/herself in all occasion, expecially while playing music.
whether a musician smiles or not he/she better be relaxed: i don't really love to see somebody struggling with him/herself (expecially if the music is supposed to make me feel good and dance).
one love

[Raymond]

Smiling? Well is hard for me. Like some say here, I am concentrated and trying to be in a relaxed mode to be aware of what is going on. Is been hard. When playing on TV, keeping with the cameras and to smile, has been hard for me to do.

Some people say ithat smiling while playing s to show that you are enjoying what you are doing. I am serious and put very strange faces like a "tongue in cheek" face when I am grooving. Ocassionally, I smile and might even do a "little dancing" but that is rare.

Dancers and other "showmen" are supposed to smile while they are doing their craft on stage. However, I've never been able to do it.

Is half and half, some great musicians smile and some don't.

Saludos!

[blango]

This is such an odd string to me.

Drumming has been, for literally thousands of years, a social tool for two basic functions: to protect the clan, ie warn enemies, inspire ones people to fight, and to create community through common ritual - dance, song, religion, etc.

Smiling is one of the ways we communicate a common feeling so we all bond and feel protected and all warm and fuzzy.

But where is the violence, i ask. Where is the anger, the fear, the panic in peoples playing these days??

We need more violence people :laugh:

Seriously, wipe the smile off of your face, and play the dang tubs with some intensity and ferocity - all the top players do.

If your into easy list'nin, buy a violin.

[zumbi]

very interesting point, blango.
we assume that, when performing for a paying audience or playing in a social situation among family and friends, we have no enemy to scare away. of course if we "chant down babylon" as in a byinghi groundation (or as i have to do, from time to time with my babylonian neighboors) the fiercy attitude fits perfectly.
peace&blessings

[Mike]

Hey Blango,
U are absolutely right, fiery rhythms require a certain degree of aggressiveness. On the other hand, I´m not letting out aggressions when I´m deep into playing, it´s just musical intensity that makes me NOT smile. It´s more a matter of physical concentration and a relaxed, clear, if not peaceful mind at the same time (or the other way round, physical relaxation with rather intense thoughts and absolute determinedness) - otherwise you can´t really play WITH others or you´ll play against them...

On the long run, this thread IS BORING... Let everyone have one´s own shade of smiling. Whoever cares...

My final thought, maybe less than 2 cents worth :;):



Edited By Mike on 1181159580

[CongaTick]

I agree. Who cares.

[afrocubarico]

Hello all,
Actually I think this is an interesting thread after all. Not too long ago I attended a live Latin Jazz show here in NYC. The band was a well known group performing at a popular spot. However, almost all of these guys, with the exception of the singer, looked like they were completely bored out of their minds and did not want to perform!

Now, if I noticed this I'm sure others did too. The impression that could have easily been interpreted here was that these guys just had no interest in performing that night. In show business this is not a good thing. As musicians part of our job is to entertain people and help them forget the everyday struggles of life.

I think that how you carry yourself on stage and the excitement and passion you display is critical. So yes, I think smiling and positive body language are important. Remember, you not only want your audiences to have a good time but you also want the club owner/manager to bring you back. Just my two cents.

afrocubarico

[spiritdrum]

Hello,

I am not a smiler and frequently get comments. I'd like to smile more, but find that I must focus on my breathing because I tend to get distracted easily.

I tend to play at rumbas and its hard enough getting the guts to sit on a drum, being the only women 99% of the time. So when I do sit down, I get focus so as not to be too nervous.

Also, the time that I may play at a drum circle, I find it in my best interest to not smile. Otherwise, I will have people all over me giving me grief.

peace,

Lisa

[bongosnotbombs]

Aha, hey Lisa, what's up it's me Geordie!
I was wondering when you would get on this forum

[109-1176549166]

From keenly observing really popular performers--including world-class musicians (in a solo or band scenario)--and from my own personal experience, paying audiences really appreciate it when a performer exhibits both fun (including a smile) and intensity.

Depending on the music being played (certainly not with some serious or morbid music), exhibiting fun (assuming that the musician is performing well) is often infectious not just to the audience but to the musician himself/herself. The audience quickly end up having fun themselves, which in turn causes the performer to have more fun himself/herself. Therefore, exhibiting fun adds even more to the entertainment factor.

Exhibiting intensity, on the other, conveys passion. Conveying passion, in turn, tends to elicit even more respect for the performer from the audience.

Ideally, performers should be able to communicate with the audience throughout the show. This communication doesn't have to be exclusively verbal. It can also be non-verbal--through facial expression (such as a smile) and/or other body language means. And, oftentimes, that's the only means available, particularly when one is in the middle of performing some music or song.

One more thing (again depending on the type of music being played), particularly in a band or group situation: Performers ideally should also be able to convey both fun and passion with one another. It definitely helps pump up the whole band. And when the band is pumped up and having fun together, the audience is further entertained.

The bottom line is: Exhibiting fun and passion, in my opinion, is an essential part of the total entertainment--also marketing--package. It shows that we're genuinely interested and care for--even LOVE--our audience. This is simply a tried and true formula for performing success. And, interestingly enough, not just in music but in almost all aspects of life.

As paid entertainers, I strongly believe that we owe it to our paying audience. They deserve no less than our 100%. This is one of the essential marks of a true professional. You can call it part of the "It Factor".

And, in the end, it could mean all the difference between one's playing just the first of a long list of repeat gigs or one's playing his/her last one.

Mi dos sentimos,



Edited By mjtuazon on 1185215511

[Bachikaze]

Aha, hey Lisa, what's up it's me Geordie!
I was wondering when you would get on this forum

Geordie, are you the Geordie who has played with Super Sonic Samba School on occasion (and let us stay in his home)? I am Brian from San Diego.

[bongoron]

I can hardly avoid it...


God bless!

-Ron



Edited By bongoron on 1185241922

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