Just curious

[ohdrum]

When you play drums, do you:
a. Close your eyes
b. Look at the audience
c. Look at your fellow band mates
d. None of the above

Just curious.

[Dazzler]

A, B & C, although I try to avoid B unless there's a particularly nice girl! [img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 24, 2005 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Dazzler ]</font>

[hanayalator]

I'd say mostly b and c although a sometimes. You gotta look at your bandmates for communication and such, and depending on the gig, looking at the audience can give you a bit of an energy boost (like when playing at clubs).

[ashio nz]

Ha ha Dazz!

I tend to keep an eye on our lead vocalist for cues, etc but mostly watch the band members.

But perving at chicks, whilst enjoyable, can be distracting to the time feel....!

[CLWarunki]

Mostly D since I tend to get entranced within the drums... in my own world, yet responsive to the sounds occurring around me...

A - seldom, at times for concentration.

B - Nothing takes you OUT of a live experience quite like this... I avoid it. Now, if I were a frontman it would be the opposite.

C - Eeeek! My cymbals are much nicer to look at!

[img]tongue.gif[/img]

[FuseU1]

Yeah, Chris!

Except for absolutely necessary - as in cues [qeues, whatever] & such, sometimes it's best to keep it at A than C! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Except, say, for instance, in J.D.'s case]... [img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 24, 2005 08:46 PM: Message edited by: fuseU1 ]</font>

[Lee Collins]

Yep, A, B, C.

oh you forgot E - I look at the music I'm supposed to be playing if it's a reading gig.
[img]smile.gif[/img]

[Suspiria]

I must admit that staring at the audience distracts me. I usually make eye contact with band members when there's a significant change approaching in the tune we're playing. I.e. The beginning of a solo or a outro that is slightly different. I don't think I ever close my eyes though - I've seen many drummers do this. Maybe I should give it a shot.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 24, 2005 10:39 PM: Message edited by: Suspiria ]</font>

[ohdrum]

Thanks for the responses; as for myself, I usually either close my eyes or look at my bandmates, or like Rudy put it E - look at the music. I am trying to look at the crowd these days, just to change the feel.

I went to the baked potato long time ago when Virgil Donati was playing. He would look at you for a while and it was kinda awkward, but at the same time, it was cool because it seemed like he was trying to make a connection.

[dave991]

I usually get a bit of tranced look- one musician friend said I reminded him of Bruford- Bruford can get a slightly 'blank' look at times.

But I also like to watch the vocalist. If they decide to up the energy level a bit, I follow their body language and try to create little synergy.

Did anyone see Green Day on Letterman a week or two ago? Tre was just looking all over the place like a bee was buzzing around his head- somebody get that guy some Ritalin! (But fun drummer regardless)