Marc Brattin | Stage Presence During Drumming
A few years before, The “This Drummer’s At the Wrong Gig Video” on YouTube went viral. Do you know, why that video become so notable?
This is because the entire mad drummer’s moves were very signature and unique. Another reason Marc Brattin found is that they were breaking unwritten social rules that bands have, and it was funny to watch because of it.
Generally, there is a hierarchy in bands where the audience attention should be focused on. When a singer is singing a song — probably the majority of the song. The focus should be directed on the singer. Further, the singer stops and the lead guitarist has a solo or notable riff — the audience attention should switch off of the singer and onto the lead guitarist. Classically the drummer and bass player have fewer parts in comparison to the lead singer and lead guitarist, which the majority of the audience attention is focused on. Remember “This Drummer Is at the Wrong Gig” video seems to be funny because the drum player is hogging all the attention throughout the song. However, it hardly matters — if the singer is singing or the guitarist is riffing the attention is on the drum player. Though, you need to know — what move he’s going to do next so that the rest of the band became a subtext to the performance.
Marc Brattin considered the case of this viral video — the drummer’s stage presence made a cheesy cover song that everyone knows into a classic performance and will go down in history. My point is that since it was a fun and cheesy cover song, though it helped the situation that the drummer was doing all kinds of crazy moves.
Know How to Stand Out During Stage Performance
Usually, you play with energy and enthusiasm most of the times. Moving to the music with your body and even head-banging should support the music from the entire band as a whole. It should bring the level of energy up with the band and with the audience, simultaneously covering up other musicians. However, during a performance — there are appropriate times when you can do stick tricks and be more animated on the drum kit.
In case, you include drum solo in the set that’s your time to shine and perform like Marc Brattin but you want to show off your talent. You`ll get appreciation from people on your skills even more if you don’t show off until it’s your turn to do it. Also, you can go off for signature fills that are meant to show off the drums. Then the other instruments have minimal or even stopped to allow the drum player to pop into space and show off. The Foo Fighters song “Rope” where Taylor Hawkins is busting out into space is a beautiful example of it. It almost seems like — they are giving him short drum solos.
Working Techniques: During Stage Presence
During their solos and playing steadily, learn the way your favorite drummer move and rock grooves. Give attention to their support — they give to the music with energy when the singer or lead player shines. Also, how they really go crazy when it’s their time to solo. Study a bunch of different drummer’s styles and try to work to develop your own unique style from watching your favorites. Try out different characters when you’re performing. There’s a technique usually applied in theaters and you can there study the way a reptile or animal moves. Try to fit in those movements into your acting.
Similar, you can try for drumming too. As a shared sample by Marc Brattin, viral video`s Steve Moore reminds me of a rabid King Kong destroying entire cities with his drumsticks. Considered as very primal. However, the technique is not for everyone, still you should try it out — in case you`re playing is stiff.
Originally Posted: https://marcbrattin.wordpress.com/2017/10/28/marc-brattins-guide-stage-presence-during-drumming/
