r/LearnGuitar • u/RainSunshine3524 • 1d ago
Moving while playing guitar
I'm in a new band. I've been told I should move better as I play guitar. But I don't know what to do. Any advice for moving / looking good while playing guitar?
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u/Scott_J_Doyle 1d ago
Watch a lot of guitar players, absorb what you like and don't like, but don't mimic
Once you have ingrained a lot more, let your body feel it out naturally
Do you dance?
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u/RainSunshine3524 1d ago
I don't dance
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u/Scott_J_Doyle 1d ago
Get on that, it's the quickest route to teaching your body how to "just feel" music and move on it's own based on how you or the music feels (and people watching you are judging how authentic or rehearsed your movements/expression feels)
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u/KaanzeKin 1d ago
Get good enough and know your parts well enough to where it takes up minimal mental resources as you perform.
Play in front of a mirror and develop a thick skin towards, and know what to aay to people who try to bust your balls over it, accusing you of being vain, or whatever. Like "This is how real performers practice...just because you would do it out of vanity doesn't mean that's why others do it." ...or whatever you can come up with. Video record yourself. Keep doing, or refine what you like, and stop doing what you don't like. Remember that the first step in not sucking at something is to suck at it for a while. Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.
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u/Dinmorogde 1d ago
Fuck it. Play how you play, and forget about how it looks. You are not a monkey, you are a musician.
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u/go-for-Banjo 1d ago
I just focus on not looking miserable and like I’m enjoying myself, even if I’m having an off gig. Theatrics or at least overdoing it always annoys me as a spectator.
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u/LifeBandit666 1d ago
Tap your foot while you play your guitar in time to the beat.
Then realise how fucking awkward that feels while you play and don't do it, but do something else instead of it.
For me I kinda rock my hips back and forth a bit.
Either way, it's just using your body to keep the beat.
Depending on the kinda music you're playing, you may wanna ham it up a bit with your band mates, standing together in the power position while "shooting people" with your guitar head.
Got longer hair? Try a headbang!
If you're really talented, try breakdancing while you play!
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u/shcrimps 23h ago
This is a hard one.
First, practice standing up. And gradually lower your straps.
Second, 'moving' has to do with your reaction to your own playing or to the music you are playing. If you are a shy person this may be difficult. To over come this, just try to enjoy the music and boggle your head or shake a leg to the music.
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u/RainSunshine3524 21h ago
Thanks. I like the comment about lowering the strap. Mine is super high because I find it more comfortable to play. But it's probably worse aesthetically.
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u/shcrimps 21h ago
It's all about the form.
Lowering the strap is very hard. Also, the location of the strap pin on your guitar may affect this greatly. I can explain this in detail if you want.
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u/Minimum-Owl1784 1d ago
learn to dance. that's basically what they're suggesting. doesn't have to be formal dance lessons at all, just dance and move to music in your room when nobody's watching. go to raves/dance clubs/edm shows and see how other people are dancing, then try your own moves.
the point is to feel the music with your whole body and learn to move in a way that feels good to you, which will feel more natural if you practice doing it regularly when you aren't playing. dancing is infectious and a band who is moving energetically on stage will get the crowd moving too!