Where do you look when playing for a small group?

[rmp]

hey….wait a second.. people can actually SEE us when we are up there performing.. Ohhhh man, this changes EVERYTHING....

I do agree that it IS for sure a bit different when you are just playing for a small gathering of friends.

[DukeX]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Never had that problem. Neither my wife nor my in-laws want to hear me play.
If that were to happen, I would sing "Wind Beneath My Wings" while looking my father-in-law straight in the eye.

That's my kind of humor!

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by Goat Whiskey Picks

I generally look around the room during the song regardless of the audience size. With a lot of songs stopping your gaze on one person can communicate the wrong message. But if you move from person to person quickly it's not an issue. It's more important for me to connect with the audience between songs and pull them into the show.

This is my experience as well.

Best,
Jayne

[hotroad]

Most musicians fit the 'weird' category or at least the 'artistic' slot for personality. So I figure it doesn't matter where I look as long as its not making someone the center of my attention. So look around the room, at the guitar, at the floor, moving your eyes as you move through a song.

[taylorgtr]

When I speak to a group, I always try to make eye contact with individuals - it helps me connect better with the audience.

When I'm playing, I'll make eye contact, but it's usually at the end of a line, and I move on to the next person pretty quickly. I just try to make sure that I hit most of the room over time (from front to about mid-range - it's a little awkward to try to hit people in the back or way at the edges).

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by DukeX

That's my kind of humor!

Thanks
I wondered if I was going to hear from anyone.
If you knew my father-in-law, you would still be laughing. Think Archie Bunker without the charm.

[jdambrosemusic]

Right at them always! You're sharing something special with one another.

[Tico]

I shoot for a natural and comfortable combination of eye movements/targets.
After all, I am 'talking' to a group.

Some time looking at various individuals in the eyes, but for short periods.
A little time looking slightly above heads.
A little time with closed eyes.

Try to not stare too long at one person or direction.
IOW, don't zone out.
Also, don't let your eyes dart around quickly ... very distracting to watch.
Stay with your audience.

I intentionally don't make eye movements too practiced.
Enjoy yourself and your music; feel the group and follow the atmosphere.

[KarenB]

I go with what my feeling is. If it's a really emotional tender song I might be more inward. An upbeat song, more outward. When I'm going out to hear music, I could care less where the person is looking. I'm listening and hopefully being moved by the music. Because that's the point for me.

[JBCROTTY]

Really interesting question by the OP. Nobody wants to watch or hear me play so I’ve never performed for anyone except for my dog, but I can imagine the awkwardness of a very small audience. I never thought about where to look while playing - this is an interesting topic.

[HillTone]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Thanks
I wondered if I was going to hear from anyone.
If you knew my father-in-law, you would still be laughing. Think Archie Bunker without the charm.

Not sure how I wound up in this thread, but this had me laughing 5 years later.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

If you feel uncomfortable looking at the people look at the wall in the back of the room

[SaintClarence27]

Glance at the tablet or music book. Even if you don't need it, it's a helpful glance away to throw in.

[PassingThru]

No matter the size or make up the audience, always, always, bubble and effervesce. Don’t get complacent. Your audience can tell if you are not engaged.

[k_russell]

Originally Posted by PassingThru

No matter the size or make up the audience, always, always, bubble and effervesce. Don’t get complacent. Your audience can tell if you are not engaged.

That's for sure.

****************

This question caused me to look back at a few videos of my performances. When I sing, my eyes and head move to survey the room, but I keep my mouth near the microphone. If I'm playing a break, intro, or ending, my eyes are closed or watching my hands work the guitar. When I finish an instrumental only part, I look straight ahead.

I'm not sure how I would handle playing to a smaller group with no mic. Since I practice habitually keeping my mouth at the microphone, I suspect that I would work an imaginary mic.