Guitar Solos Or Stage Presence? Which Live Music Skill Steals The Spotlight?
Hi WA Friends!
Live music has something special that makes it way more exciting than just listening to a recording - agreed?
The energy, the power, and the feeling of being in the moment are all part of the magic, and some skills can really make a live show unforgettable!
Every musician brings something unique to the stage, but here's what I'd like to know from you. Is there a particular aspect of modern music in a live performance that excites you more than others?
Here are four examples to illustrate what I'm talking about.
Guitar Solos
If you know me, then you know I'm all about guitars! 😎
Guitar solos are often the highlight of a live show. Watching a guitarist give it their all, with their fingers flying across the strings, can make the crowd go wild. It’s about combining skill, improvisation, and emotion.
Ritchie Blackmore, from Deep Purple and Rainbow, mixes classical music with hard rock, which makes his solos stand out. His style combines complex melodies with raw power, and he’s inspired many guitarists who came after him. These days, he plays Renaissance music with his wife in Blackmore's Night. He is truly a guitar wizard in every sense of the word!
David Gilmour of Pink Floyd focuses on tone and phrasing, making every note full of feeling. Gilmour doesn’t play super fast; instead, he chooses each note carefully, making it really count. His solos, like the one in 'Comfortably Numb,' tell a story and make people feel powerful emotions. David just released his new album, Luck and Strange, so check it out!
Drumming Speed
Drumming speed is another skill that can make a live show unforgettable. When a drummer plays rapid fills and keeps a steady beat, it brings tons of energy to the crowd.
Neil Peart of Rush amazed people with his technical skills and fast drumming. John Bonham of Led Zeppelin had both speed and groove, which made their live performances legendary.
Vocal Range
A great vocal range can turn a good song into an amazing moment. It’s not just about hitting the right notes but also about showing deep emotion.
Freddie Mercury of Queen could hit incredible high notes and really command the stage, which made his performances unforgettable. Mariah Carey, even though she isn’t a rock singer, is known for her incredible vocal range and her famous whistle notes (also called the whistle register).
Stage Presence
Stage presence is what ties a live show together. It’s all about how a performer connects with the crowd and makes them feel like part of the show.
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones is full of charisma and knows how to get the audience involved. Bruce Springsteen, “The Boss,” brings so much energy and makes everyone feel like they’re part of the experience.
Tell Me What You Think!
What generally makes a live concert spectacular? I realize that the answer can differ for each band or musical genre, but is there one aspect of a live show that really catches your attention?
So, which live music skill impresses you the most?
- Guitar Solos
- Drumming Speed
- Vocal Range
- Stage Presence
- Other
Let me know in the comments, AND ...
Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘
Frank 🎸
~ 75% Human-written content.
Recent Comments
19
I have always loved guitar solos. The way someone plays the guitar really impresses me alot especially the base guitar that makes my hair stand. The 2nd is vocals and 3rd stage presence .
Thanks you for sharing and maybe someday l will learn how to play the base guitar. I play the rhythm guitar a bit and strike some codes. I composed 1 music one time when l was in the forest lol.
Hi Martin
Just keep practicing the guitar, and you'll continue to get better.
The strings on the bass guitar are the same as the bottom four strings on a 6-string guitar: E, A, D, and G - just an octave lower. 😎
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Hi Frank
For me personally, the vocals, guitar solos and stage presence are very close in importance. If I had to lean one way, it would be towards the front man. He usually pumps up the crowd, but a great guitar solo is always something that I love to see and hear!
I've seen so many of, what I would consider, the great bands live that I can't remember them all. But I do recall seeing Stevie Ray Vaughn in Saginaw and because there was a snow storm that night and he wasn't huge yet, we stood about 20 - 30 feet from the front of the stage, it was great! I also remember seeing Jack Russell (RIP) from Great White run back and forth across the stage and climb on speakers while singing everything near perfectly! That was impressive!
I believe live music has something for every music lover! 🎶👍
Awesome post Frank and Rock On! 🤘😎🎸
Tim 🎼
Hi Tim
I have 548 music concerts on DVD and Blu-ray, so it takes a lot these days to get me off my lazy butt to go see a live concert. The one thing that would always get me there is a fabulous guitar player! Lol 😆
That being said, I fully agree with your statement that live music has something for every music lover! 👍👍
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Holy Maceral, 548!! That's crazy!!
It's hard for me to find the time to sit down long enough to watch an entire concert on DVD. Someday soon!
Keep Rockin!! 🤘😎🎸
.
Tim 🎼
Haha, we have an entire room filled with movies on disk.
I hate the sound on streamed movies, so we only watch them when they’re not available to buy on disc.
New movies on DVD have pretty much disappeared. You can still get new movies on Blu-ray and 4K disk.
Eventually, streaming will be the only way to see movies & and all the movie theaters will be closed.
I have some acoustic simulations for my home theater I made that increase the sound quality of streamed movies, somewhat.
Now, I’m having AI analyze acoustic data from MatLab that I sampled from my theater room to help further optimize my theater software and hardware.
The perks of having a Masters degree in engineering with a specialty in medical acoustics. Lol
No matter what, over-compressed streamed sound will never match disk, but I want to be as prepared as possible.😎
Frank 🤘🎸
A lil bias here….I’ve always focused on guitarists because, well, I’m a guitar nut! Lol
That being said, a concert being spectacular would include all the members of the band playing at a high level and also connecting with the crowd.
Man, some great guitar solo moments I’ve seen include Van Halen, Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen, Jake E Lee, and Steve Morse, just to name a few.
Rock on Frank!
Steve
Hi Steve
Yup, we're definitely on the same page when it comes to guitar players! 👍👍
Most great guitar players will only perform with other musicians and singers who are good, too.
I used to be the "backstage doc" for a large concert venue in my state when I was doing my medical residency, and I met tons of excellent bands and guitar players! Imagine getting paid for a gig like that! Lol 😆
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Same time, same place... Different day! lol
The lasting impact comes from balancing both... I think?
Abie
You’re right in a way, Abie, but not necessarily for musicians, especially before the music video era.
Balance is an important factor in the total sound, but skill levels among musicians can vary considerably.
I’m a guitar guy, so I won’t go out of my way to see a band play live unless the guitar player(s) has an amazing skill level. If I like the total sound of the band, I can just buy (or stream) their album.
I had a high school band in the 1970s with a fabulous drummer. We had the best seats in the house for a Led Zeppelin concert, but he sat behind the stage so he could get the best view of John Bonham’s drumming technique. He gave up his seat to watch his musical hero play close up! Lol 😆
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
See more comments
Great post, Frank!
I think I would with all of it! From the vocals to guitar & drums and just an all around sound experience.
Myra ♥️
Thanks, Myra!
Yup they're all important elements, but (predictably) my favorite is the guitar. Lol 😆
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸