Why do mandolin players move around so much?

[F-2 Dave]

A moving target is harder to hit.

[mandroid]

Personally, I sit in a Chair.. within arm's reach of my beverage, on the table..

[Dale Ludewig]

I always stand to the right of the fiddle player. Fewer defensive movements are necessary.

[allenhopkins]

Also, I try to stand where I can see the guitar player's left hand. Especially when I'm not real familiar with the tune. Helps to pick up those chords...

When younger and more sprightly, did a bit more capering about, while playing. In my "golden years," a folding stool is one of my BFF's. "Don't get around much any more..."

[DHopkins]

I would prefer to use a mic but that'll never happen.

Like Allen, I like to be able to look at the guitar player's left hand. I don't always do bridges, etc. the same way and when I come out, I'm sometimes not sure where I am or I may not be familiar with the song and it keeps me (sort of) in tune with the rest of the group.

I've found that young kids seem fascinated by the "little guitar," as they sometimes call it. If I'm playing a gig without a stage and there are young children down front watching me, I'll frequently go out to them and sometimes even get on my knees in front of them. They love it.

[Randi Gormley]

I guess that would depend on the genre. You move around much at an ITM session and you'll either knock somebody's drink over or whack someone with your headstock. Or get whacked in return.

Guitar players, now. They bounce all over.

I was at music camp last summer and there was a lot of Cape Bretan going around. You actually have to practice sitting and moving your feet in rhythm and learn to play while pounding on the floor. Teacher said you start by getting a rhythm going with your feet, then doing that while unlocking your case. You get that down, you start to pull out the instrument. You get that down, you position the mandolin where you can play it all while continuously moving your feet, then play a few notes and move into more playing and chords. So, yeah, you have to practice that or you'll end up patting your tummy and rubbing your head, as it were.

[JeffD]

Personally, I sit in a Chair.. within arm's reach of my beverage, on the table..

That is me. 100%

[f5loar]

I solely and directly without dispute blame my problem of moving around on stage too much on Miss Donna Stoneman. I wanted to big head Gibson F5 like her's too so I got one. (wanted one like Bill Monroe's too and got one of those too).

[Dchip]

I would compare it to a face grimace on an intense drummer. Neil Peart, drummer from the band Rush, jokes in an interview that his mom asks him why he doesn't smile when he plays - his response? "Mom, it's hard!"

[mandroid]

You have to travel out of town to get gigs when others nail down the Mandolin jobs in town and don's let you in..

But they may share the same bass player.. so maybe bass is a better job opportunity.

[JEStanek]

Stealing Thile's thing. If you can't affor a Loar or a Dude, you can wiggle for free.

[mandroid]

If you really want to move around in a Hurry, get one of these Gibson's... http://www.gibson-motorsport.com/

[Mark Miller]

Like I said in a thread on Sam Bush, it's the only thing I can do like him, so I'm doin' it!

[Al Trujillo]

Because:
We are descended from nomads.
We are old and have expiration dates.
Our wives find us.
The banjo player always eats spicy food.

[Bertram Henze]

The banjo player always eats spicy food.

I played in a band once where the percussionist was known for sudden escape moves around him.

[Miltown]

Even mandolin players want to be like Chuck:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT3kCVFFLNg

However, no one will ever have Mr. Berry's moves.

RIP to the greatest ever.

[RodCH]

Whoever said "trance inducing", I think there is something to that. I move around, not in time to the music, even when seated. I tend to look a bit like a blind musician, and they all move in a strange way because, I think, they never actually saw anybody move. It is what happens when your mind is disassociated from your body and you are only thinking of the music.

[dhergert]

After playing relatively heavy 5-string bluegrass-style banjos for 40+ years, my lower back no longer allows me to stand and play, I have to sit down and play banjo now... And I miss that standing.

I can stand and play mandolin, and I do enjoy that a whole lot. I don't exactly dance around the stage while playing mandolin, but at least I'm mobile. I move a little.

[John Flynn]

It's chop chords. Every action has an equal but opposite reaction!

Seriously, it's a good question. I'm one of the guilty parties. I don't do it intentionally, but when I really get into playing a tune I like and I'm playing it well, I just start moving with the music. I get some jam-mates laughing at me and making fun. but I'm OK with it. I figure if what I'm playing is moving me, it might be moving someone else.

[Steve Ostrander]

I also try to see the guitar player's left hand. But then they go and slap on a capo, just to make me look foolish.

[Bertram Henze]

But then they go and slap on a capo, just to make me look foolish.

You can play the same game

[Bertram Henze]

Not mentioned yet: moving can keep you warm when it's cold

[jesserules]

She & Ian Anderson should get together.