As The World Tunes

Stage Presence

by Steve Bussey
GeoSynchronous Records

Have you ever watched and listened to a live performance that you simply can't look away, one that can't be ignored? A kind of charm and magic from the performer that is totally entertaining. This quality is called stage presence, and it separates the musicians who will be highly successful in their career from the ones who will merely provide background music in the corner while you eat and drink. There are many factors that create stage presence, and what works for one performer may come across as arrogant on another. As David St. Hubbins of Spinal Tap pointed out, there is a thin line between stupid and clever!

One of the first things an audience notices is the performer's overall appearance. A really good looking guy like Chris Isaac or gal like Shania Twain is going to get most of an audience s rapt, undivided attention regardless of how they sound. So if you've got the goods, flaunt it. If not, make the best of what you have. Wear clothes that accentuate the positive in you.

Speaking of clothes, did you realize that marching bands are not the only musicians who wear uniforms? Of course we have all seen bands wearing matching outfits, but even the non-matching dressers are or should be dressed in the uniform for their style. Almost all of the male country recording stars wear their cowboy hats and western style shirts. Swing bands wear Zoot suits, spats and gangster hats. Shaved heads, ear rings and tattoos are popular among alternative bands. So wear something that makes you look like a musician, something appropriate for your genre. However, sometimes dressing in-appropriately works, too, as Angus Young of AC/DC successfully did by dressing as an elementary school boy while running and jumping about the stage playing a loud, raucous, rock and roll guitar.

And now that we mentioned it, running, jumping, dancing, almost any kind of movement on stage will get the audience's attention, at least for a while. You have to make it look spontaneous and effortless, and also still play or sing in key. Facial expressions say a lot too, at least to those close to the stage. Some performers have a pained expression on their faces, as if it were the day after a night of bad Mexican food and too many Margaritas, with no bathroom to be found! I prefer the smiling, happy face approach as used by Edward Van Halen. He always looks like he is thoroughly enjoying himself. Enthusiasm on stage is a great thing, boredom is a no no.

Going nuts on stage is not your only option to have great stage presence. I was amazed at the way Joan Osborne once captured the crowd while waiting for the song to begin. It was her poise and the way she held on to the microphone that held the audience; they knew a great performance was about to begin. And David Bowie is great at striking a pose as the song ends.

Fame also adds to stage presence too, as an audience wanting to see in person some one they have heard on the radio and have seen on TV is much more likely to pay attention and like you.

Being an exceptional player is a part of stage presence too, at least for the musicians in the audience. The non musicians are easily impressed by enthusiasm and motion. So if you can't play a hard part, play hard. I have noticed this in particular with acoustic guitarists. They are the ones that strum and stroke like there s no tomorrow get the most comments about how good they are. So it all comes down to performing, not playing. So when it's your time in the spotlight, grab that sucker by the throat and don't let go, and ride it till your time is up. Its not how good you play, its how good you appear to play. That is stage presence.

About the author: Steve Bussey is a singer/songwriter/guitarist and is currently the owner and general manager of GeoSynchronous Records (http://www.pan.com/geosync, Listening Line 800 235 9193, ask for a free catalog), an indie label handling artists such as Les Dudek, Mike Pachelli, Bong Water Taffy, and Big Red & The Bus. Prior to this, Steve earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering and Acoustics from Georgia Tech, designed sound equipment and guitar amps for Fender, and supervised design of communication systems for the Space Shuttle at Kennedy Space Center.