Well, I’m pretty sure it all started with my mom. I think she was the one that said that she loves seeing people smile while they play music. I think it was also my dad who said that he loves seeing musicians to just physically move across the stage (if they can) while they play, in order to really bond a relationship with the audience. There is just something about seeing a musician smile while they are playing that just makes the experience so much more enjoyable.
I think I am also very jealous that people can do this, because if I try to smile while I play trombone, my embouchure gets messed up and I literally can’t play the trombone anymore. Now, I’m not discrediting musicians that do not smile while they play, but when they do, you know that they are having a good time, living in the moment, and just happy to be there. I’m sure musicians who don’t smile while they are playing are still having a good time, but it’s hard to see that when they put on some moody face and try to look ‘cool’ (don’t even get me started on the bass-face). Maybe even the song that they are singing should not include a smile with the words that are coming out of them, and that is completely understandable too. I just wish I could describe it better. There is something that happens when a musician smiles, that there is an overwhelming positive vibe that reaches out into the audience, and it is like we are all meant to be in that place.
This is pretty short and simple. Maybe you, as well, can relate to this. Maybe not. Maybe you think I’m crazy and putting out the hippy vibes. But now you know.
Here is a perfect example of social music with smiles in action:
