[Sam Sik]

Hey guys,

my school talent show is about to happen in about 3 months and I've been practicing Canon Rock on the electric guitar for quite some time now.
NOTE: For those that don't know what the song is like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjA5faZF1A8

The problem I've ran across is deciding whether to perform while I'm standing or sitting down. I can play Canon Rock more cleanly and with more quality while I'm sitting down. However, I play the song more sloppy when I'm standing up especially at the fast parts with a higher chance of messing up.

My question is, would you be bothered by the fact that I'm sitting down to play a rock song? Would you really prefer to see someone standing up to play a song at a talent show over someone sitting down? Keep in mind, this is an electric guitar.

I have 3 months, and if it's really really important for me to stand up then I can begin trying to adjust myself to playing while I'm standing.

What do you guys say?

[peanISclueless]

In my opinion....it's only an opinion, I think you should stand...
It'd look waaay cooler....
Sitting down while playing the electric guitar???
Never heard of that......
You should practice playing the guitar standing up now.....

[mikomi]

I play electric guitar. You have to stand. I've never seen someone play sitting down, unless it was on youtube. If you're playing for a crowd..it will be SOOO akward seeing sitting. Just move the guitar up more so that it's closer to you. I know, I had that same problem when I first started playing.

[Joanna]

Canon rock is awesome! Electric Guitar, definitely standing up would look more awesome and better. Accoustic guitar is better sitting down but electric guitar should stand up!

[prisonerzero]

I've never seen an electric guitar performance sitting down.

[1TYMRMYVZT]

Wow. I love Canon Rock. Definitely stand up. It's an electric guitar performance, so it'd look awesome if you were standing up. You'd look weird if you were sitting down.

[Tahmnong]

I'd say standing as well~ More visually interesting

[dolcedor.]

Yah, try standing. It's an upbeat song and I think it kind of dampens the mood a little if you play it while sitting. Also, try moving around while playing it? Just try to cover the stage; it's gonna look weird if you're frozen to one spot lol. Well good luck.

[CriticalHit]

I think your audience would rather listen to a well played piece rather than watching you perform
well but play badly. But I agree with the others, sitting while playing the electric guitar can dampen
things... I guess you could set up props and make things interesting.

Get a desk and rolling chair, put your feet up and play, then swivel the chair and move around the stage on the
chair the entire time or something. Haha... that'd be pretty interesting. Don't forget to put a lot of
energy into it, bobbing your head, and stuff. Just make it fun for yourself! If you play well it doesn't
matter what you do.

[Honey.bee]

I've never seen an electric guitar performance sitting down.

Ditto.

You should stand up, it looks better in sight-seeing.

[spikeyheadedjerk]

usually standing up looks better on electric and sitting for acoustic
but i guess it depends on the song.

[KAITOU KID.]

I'd say standing up, bro.

You could probably sit down if it was acoustic guitar though; it just has that feel.
Electric guitar...more energy. So you can stand and waltz around the stage

[Clix]

Stand up, the crowd will like you more. Just start practicing standing up.

[happiisunshin]

Dude, you're playing an electric guitar not an acoustic guitar. GO WILD! Jump around on stage! Play on top of your amp!

And for the messing up while you're standing thing, well, then you just have to practice more.

[pseudobread]

i think you should stand for your performance, especially if you're doing it solo.
i've done electric guitar performances before and i was sitting, alongside several other guitarists; it actually seemed appropriate for the venue and event.

in the 3 months you have before the performance, try practicing the song standing up. i find it easier to play faster songs with passages in higher positions if i adjust the strap so that it's shorter and the guitar is higher, almost like early beatles george harrison.

if you absolutely must sit down, you should wear a blue shirt and a black baseball hat and keep your head down, staring intently at your guitar and the flames your fingers will be producing on the fretboard that your eyes have not yet accustomed themselves to. sorry, that was a lame joke

good luck with your performance!