A long time ago, at the church I used to attend, for (thankfully) a short time we had a new leader of the church choir (4-5 members). The music was usually contemporary and the old leader stood off to the side of the stage quietly playing acoustic lead.
But the new leader took the stage with an electric guitar and would break into short solos during the song, closing his eyes, not in prayer, but in that rock star way! Wholly (no pun intended) inappropriate. Thankfully, this didn’t last long and the old leader returned.
I also find it irritating when musicians playing basic rhythms in the background act as if they’re playing something complex. Yes, I know they’re laying down the basis for the lead musicians, but don’t act as those chords you’ve playing EXACTLY like the recording is something special.
Okay, maybe they’re tuned in to the lead musician’s playing, but there’s no need to make that agony/ecstasy face.
I can’t remember the group or the song, but there’s a 70’s or 80’s, punk era? group where the bass player just stands there, kind of like Bill Wyman only stiffer.
I may be wrong, but it seems to me orchestral musicians move in time to music to keep time with the others, who in turn are being directed by the conductor who may call for different nuances in each performance. I really don’t know because I don’t listen to or understand classical orchestral music.
As I see it there are 2 different factors here. One is musical, the other is worship. Since most of the first was addressed I will share with the 2nd.
In a church I used to attend the music was the message. Worship serviced were not only full but packed. The songs was what God used in that church to speak to the heart, messages of God’s love would come beautifully in short interludes by them, normally in the transition between songs. The pastor left much to be desired in that aspect of actually speaking from the heart of God. Many people just came for the music and sat though the pastor’s speaking. Over time this pastor started speaking in tongues during the music and at those times, blocking the message of God, quashing he fire of the Spirit as the musicians and choir didn’t speak at that time over the mikes up pastor. It was so annoying.
Going back years later I see he is still doing that, the church is 1/3 what it used to be and the main worship hall had a divider blocking out the view of the many empty seats.
John Entwistle if the who was noted for this. While Peter was windmilling and Roger was tossing the mic around and Keith was blowing up the drums, he’d be playing with barely a sign of emotion.
I recall a local no-name gig combo that played street festivals, winery weekends, etc. The repertoire was easy rock, light C&W, rockabilly, etc. These guys were all in their 40s. The leads & drummer were pretty typical musicians with a reasonable amount of stage antics & show-offery.
The bassist was about 6’2", short hair, oversized sunglasses, conservative dress, and a nearly rigid emotionless playing style. I commented that he looked the the stereotypical second FBI agent who stands impassively behind the first agent who’s interviewing the witness. “Just taking it all in Ma’am; don’t mind me.” would be his motto.
Yeah. One of the most animated bass players in the Sixties was probably Paul McCartney and he still kept both feet together planted firmly in place. A cool counterpoint is the band X. Bass player John Doe bounces around the stage like a maniac while guitarist Billy Zoom does his best imitation of a statue.
I thought this was going to be about musicians who moan and groan, etc., when they play. I’ve encountered this most with pianists. IIRC some famous pianist was known for this but I’m not finding the name.
