How high can you jump

[BJG145]

I'm always seeing these pictures of guitarists jumping? And bassists. Here's Sting.



Some of them look impossibly high to me. And honestly, how well can you play anyway, in mid-air?

So the question is, do you ever jump when playing an instrument...? And more importantly, do you have the photos to prove it?

[MOF]

No and no. The height is accentuated by the lower position of the photographer below the stage.

[Sam Spoons]

The lens is about level with the riser so yes fit does exaggerate the hight but I'd guess it's still a fairly impressive 3 feet or so

I reckon Townsend got higher though...

[MOF]

I reckon Townsend got higher though...

No it just looked like that because of Townsend windmilling his plectrum arm.

[RichardT]

[Drew Stephenson]

The kind of venue we tend to play generally involves our drummer ducking to get on stage. Any jumps more than a couple of inches would result in an unpleasant interaction with the ceiling.
Besides which, I can barely sing and play at the same time, don't ask me to move around as well!

[adrian_k]

The kind of venue we tend to play generally involves our drummer ducking to get on stage. Any jumps more than a couple of inches would result in an unpleasant interaction with the ceiling.
Besides which, I can barely sing and play at the same time, don't ask me to move around as well!

What is this "stage" of which you speak?

[John Egan]

I remember when we used to play in Germany, we would go for a month at a time. We would play for a week at a club, then travel to the next one. We played from six in the evening to around 3 a.m., one hour on and 15min off. At weekends, we would play from mid afternoon.
With a schedule like that, you don't jump about much. Ah, the pleasures of youth!
Regards John

[Tim Gillett]

As with aeroplanes, nothing wrong with the height. The problem is the landing.

[MOF]

You’d jump that high if Daltrey had just hit you where it hurts with his microphone.

[ManFromGlass]

I pulled a groin muscle just looking at those great photos

[adrian_k]

I pulled a groin muscle just looking at those great photos

Show off!

[CS70]

Some of them look impossibly high to me. And honestly, how well can you play anyway, in mid-air?

It may be surprising, but people train for that! And often the energy in certain part of the songs comes from ostinatos, which you can play even upside down once you've started, as you don't need to move anything Besidea, when u play the same set 50 times in a row.. the easy parts you can keep playing while you're sleeping!

So the question is, do you ever jump when playing an instrument...? And more importantly, do you have the photos to prove it?

No, I always thought it ridiculous

[jxnWHITE]

Had to reply to this. My 3 bandmates were all on the track team of a Div I university in the US, including a high jumper. So yes, frequently airborne during performances. You have to pick your spots of course, but the trick is to land on the beat. The key is to bend them knees and kick down to nail it. Singer had a hard time with that, but he didn't play anything so the groove never suffered. There are pix and even some televised shows somewhere, but frankly the late 80s styles in evidence have these permanently banished from public display.

Have you ever seen Nils Lofgren with Grin? Those little guys with trampolines make it look easy.

[BJG145]

Had to reply to this. My 3 bandmates were all on the track team of a Div I university in the US, including a high jumper. So yes, frequently airborne during performances. You have to pick your spots of course, but the trick is to land on the beat.

Haha, cheers jxn. I think I've left this technique too late in life, but that's a useful pointer if I give it a little go.

[Watchmaker]

I can just about jump to the top of the drum riser, but I can't land if there are drums on it.

[shufflebeat]

I can just about jump to the top of the drum riser, but I can't land if there are drums on it.

I think you've answered your own implied question there.

Priorities!

[Guest]

I have a great suggestion for them for the next concert, just put at the floor o the scenario a hidden jumping bed, so then they will do an incredible jump on the middle of the concert

What do you think? is not a bad idea right?

[BJG145]

I just got to the end of the Summer issue of Total Guitar, and here's "Tash Sultana".



It's a stupid name, and a stupid photo. For one thing it looks like he's in bare feet? I don't like that. Or wearing shorts on stage. (I'm from the Bonamassa school...jacket, smart trousers, leather shoes, or don't bother.)

[Guest]

How is that pete townsend even possible, what?!

I loved this when I was a kid, only it was LIT not those old crusty dudes my dad forced me to listen to.
Obviously you missed the one guy, and also every power pop punk band ever.

My vertical prob. 30"
is that good I don't know.
I can't dunk.

[BJG145]

The height is accentuated by the lower position of the photographer.

You're absolutely right about this. The photographer does it every time. So when I turned to the interview with The Lemon Twigs in the latest issue of Total Guitar my first thought was, "...ah, yeah, but that's from an ant's POV."



Having said that, there's also this...blimey...

[Moroccomoose]

Was Sting not in with the tantric yogic flying crowd. That probably helped!

[ManFromGlass]

That poor young man, with his leg all mangled and stuck in that position. It must be tough getting the leather trousers off and on.

[BJG145]

I've not come across The Lemon Twigs before, but they're quite fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LncJE2otRVA

[Sam Spoons]

I like that, it's quirky, and a little Beatles influenced maybe?