Stand or Sit?

[Tim Twiss]

In a performance, do you stand or sit? I have been sitting for a long time, even bringing my own stool to every job. Recently, I have begun to stand, and I like it a lot. It helps with my performance, and it is no harder to play the complex tunes. The easy singing chord type tunes are fun to move around a bit with also.

[Rick Hadley]

I'm still in the 'bring along a stool' mode, whether I'm performing on the banjo or the guitar. I'm just more comfortable that way in a solo setting. I don't mind standing if I'm in the midst of an old-time jam.

[Carl Anderton]

I always sit, but I may start standing just for the heck of it.

Period accounts, of course, say that sitting was way more common- except, famously, Hiram Rumsey. Come to think of it, the 1860 illustration of Frank Converse performing in New York has him standing.

[John Masciale]

I almost always sit. I'll stand to play bones, but I'm more comfortable sitting. I've got a replica of a period folding chair that I bring along. A friend makes them.

[Tim Twiss]

I always picture Joe Sweeney standing. Did not most of the early circus performers stand...and tap their foot?

[Elaine Masciale]

Virtually all of the cover illustrations of minstrel groups I've found at the Lilly Library show all of the performers sitting.

[Paul Certo]

I always stood, until my knees got to the point where it was uncomfortable. Now I almost always sit, unless I'm only playing a couple of songs.
Paul

[Tim Twiss]

I am finding that whenI stand for a gig as a single, my performance is better. If I am able to hire a group, sitting is better. Also depends upon using a microphone or not. Anybody find pictures/documentation of the early circus performers like Sweeney? His illustrations always have him standing. I also understand that the foot or heel keeping time was almost an inherent part of the music.

[Chris Ownby]

I always sit. When doing Living History, in addition to my banjo, I am using other musical instruments as well. They include the parlor guitar, concertina, period tambo (that I sometimes use a drum with period drum sticks), jawbone and bones. It is much easier to reach them when I am sitting down. Also, by sitting I can keep the instruments closer to me which helps to protect them from tourists/visitors who think they have a right to pick my instruments up and play with them. I hope that none of you have had that problem. O yea, I also sit because I am getting old.

Chris Ownby