Some performers at Crafters Warehouse may choose to accompany their song with a guitar. With the standing microphone in place, your avatar can appear to sing into the microphone while playing, creating the feeling of a live concert performance.
Seven guitar animations are available, ranging from simple strumming to energetic rock and heavy-metal movements. You can use one animation throughout your song or change animations as the music builds.
The purpose is not to use every available action. Choose movements that match the sound, emotion, and energy of your song.
1. ’60s Rock Strum
The ’60s Rock Strum has the feeling of an early rock-and-roll performance. It can add a touch of nostalgia, youthful energy, or vintage stage presence.
Consider using it for:
- Songs inspired by 1950s or 1960s rock
- Rockabilly or early country-rock
- Upbeat oldies
- Songs with a playful retro sound
- Music influenced by classic guitar bands
- Performances meant to recall an earlier musical era
This animation may be especially effective when paired with a vintage outfit or an old-fashioned microphone-and-guitar presentation. It can also work for a modern song created in a retro style.
2. Strum
The regular Strum is the most versatile of the guitar animations. It allows the guitar to become part of the performance without drawing too much attention away from the singer or the lyrics.
Consider using it for:
- Acoustic-style songs
- Country music
- Folk songs
- Gentle rock
- Singer-songwriter performances
- Love songs
- Story songs
- Quiet verses
Strum is a good “home position” for a guitar performance. You can return to it after a solo or a more energetic section.
A performer could comfortably use Strum for an entire song, especially when the lyrics and vocal presentation are intended to remain the primary focus.
3. Solo
The Solo animation can be used when the guitar becomes more prominent in the music.
Natural places to use it include:
- A guitar introduction
- An instrumental break between verses
- A short guitar passage after a chorus
- A musical bridge
- A guitar response between vocal lines
- The final few measures of a song
A solo does not have to be long. Even a brief change from Strum to Solo can help the audience recognize that the guitar has temporarily become the center of attention.
When possible, use the animation during a section in which the singer is not delivering important lyrics. This makes the visual performance feel more closely connected to what the audience is hearing.
4. Impressive Solo
The Impressive Solo is suited to a larger or more dramatic guitar moment. It suggests that the performer is showing greater skill, confidence, or intensity.
Consider using it for:
- The principal guitar solo of a song
- A dramatic instrumental bridge
- A powerful blues-rock passage
- A musical section leading into the final chorus
- A moment intended to spotlight the performer
- A strong guitar ending
This animation will usually be most effective if the performance has built toward it. Beginning with a regular Strum and progressing to Solo and then Impressive Solo creates a visible rise in energy.
Because it is meant to look impressive, it may lose some of its impact if used from beginning to end. Saving it for one featured moment can make that moment feel more special.
5. Solo on Knees
The Solo on Knees is a classic showpiece movement. It turns the guitar solo into a dramatic visual moment and communicates that the performer is completely caught up in the music.
Consider using it for:
- The emotional peak of a rock song
- A powerful final guitar solo
- A dramatic blues performance
- An intentionally theatrical concert moment
- The conclusion of an extended instrumental section
- A song meant to be bold, humorous, or gloriously over-the-top
This animation naturally takes the performer away from the standing microphone, so it makes the most visual sense during an instrumental section rather than while important lyrics are being sung.
The Solo on Knees is best treated as a special moment. It should feel like the performance has reached a peak—not simply like the performer decided to kneel without a musical reason.
6. Rock Out
Rock Out brings greater movement and attitude to the performance. It works well when the song becomes louder, faster, or more energetic.
Consider using it for:
- Classic rock
- Arena-style rock songs
- Energetic choruses
- Rebellious or celebratory songs
- Driving guitar passages
- A big final section
- Songs that invite the audience to move along
Rock Out can help distinguish a chorus from a calmer verse. A performer might Strum during the verses, Rock Out during each chorus, and use Solo during the instrumental break.
This action may also provide a good opportunity to move slightly away from the standing microphone. During a vocal section, the performer can remain near the microphone. During a guitar break, they might move toward the front or one side of the stage before returning to the microphone for the next verse.
7. Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal is the strongest and most specialized of the guitar animations. It is designed for music that is loud, forceful, aggressive, or deliberately extreme.
Consider using it for:
- Heavy metal
- Hard rock
- Fast, guitar-driven music
- Dark or powerful songs
- Rebellious performances
- Intense instrumental passages
- A dramatic musical climax
This animation may not fit most acoustic, country, pop, or sentimental songs—and that is perfectly fine. Its value comes from being exactly right for the performances that call for that much energy.
A performer might combine Rock Out and Heavy Metal, using Rock Out during the verses and choruses before shifting into Heavy Metal for the most intense instrumental section or final chorus.
Moving Around the Stage
A guitar performance does not have to take place entirely in one spot. The standing microphone provides a natural center for the performance, but the performer can move away from it when the music allows.
A simple approach might be:
- Begin at the microphone for the opening verse
- Remain near the microphone while strumming and singing
- Step toward the front of the stage during an instrumental break
- Use Solo or Impressive Solo while away from the microphone
- Return to the microphone before the next vocal line
- Move more freely during the final guitar passage
- Finish either at the microphone or in a strong guitar pose
Movement should have a purpose. Walking away from the microphone during a guitar solo feels natural. Walking away in the middle of an important vocal line may make the performance feel less convincing.
You do not need to cover the entire stage. One or two deliberate changes of position can create more impact than constant movement.
Building a Complete Guitar Performance
A quiet country or acoustic song might use:
- Strum for the opening and first verse
- Solo for a brief instrumental passage
- Strum for the second verse
- Impressive Solo for the final musical break
- Strum for the closing line
A classic-rock performance might use:
- ’60s Rock Strum for the introduction
- Strum during the verses
- Rock Out during the choruses
- Solo during the instrumental break
- Impressive Solo before the final chorus
- Rock Out for the ending
A hard-rock or heavy-metal performance might use:
- Rock Out during the opening
- Strum or Rock Out while singing
- Heavy Metal as the music intensifies
- Impressive Solo during the main guitar break
- Solo on Knees at the musical climax
- Heavy Metal for the final section
These are only examples. The best choices will depend upon the individual song and the personality of the performer.
A Few Performance Tips
Listen for the guitar
Before performing, listen carefully to where the guitar becomes most noticeable. Intros, bridges, instrumental breaks, and endings are natural places to change guitar animations.
Let the performance grow
Beginning with the most dramatic animation leaves little room for the presentation to build. Starting with Strum and moving toward Rock Out, Solo, or Impressive Solo can give the performance a clearer sense of progression.
Keep the microphone in mind
During vocal sections, remain close enough to the standing microphone for the performance to look believable. Instrumental sections provide the best opportunities to step away and use more dramatic movements.
Avoid changing actions too frequently
The audience should have enough time to recognize and enjoy each movement. Too many rapid changes may distract from the music.
Practice the transitions
Run through the song at least once before performing. Notice how quickly each animation begins, how long it lasts, and whether your avatar remains positioned where you expect.
Watch the edges of the stage
Moving around can add life to a performance, but make sure you know the stage boundaries. Rehearsing your movement will help you avoid stepping into scenery, equipment, or the audience area.
Do not feel obligated to be dramatic
A performer standing at the microphone and using the regular Strum can give a very convincing performance. Movement and solos should add to the song, not become a requirement.
Make the Guitar Part of the Story
The guitar can do more than give the performer something to hold. It can help establish the musical style, show changes in energy, and create memorable stage moments.
A gentle story song may need little more than steady strumming. A classic-rock song may call for movement and a featured solo. A heavy-metal performance may build toward an explosive finish or a dramatic Solo on Knees.
Use the guitar animations as tools for interpreting your music. Stay near the microphone when the lyrics need attention, move into the stage when the guitar takes over, and allow your biggest actions to appear when the song reaches its biggest moments.
When the movement follows the music, the avatar will not simply appear to be holding a guitar—it will appear to be performing the song.
Leave a Reply