Related to this topic ... is how one places their rig (keyboard setup) relative to the audience. I tend to do what I have seen organists (jazz and classical) do, and pianists do ... that is, I place my rig so people can see what I'm doing rather than seeing my face. I always get good comments afterward, by people who enjoyed seeing that I was really playing and not using a recording etc., people commenting at "what I can do" (getting the sounds, etc.) and them enjoying seeing all the "action" of my playing the keyboards.

This goes against one entertainer's rule, which is to "face your audience". I have tried it both ways, many times, over the years. I clearly get the best response when people can see what I'm doing vs. just seeing my face and not seeing much of what I'm doing. I notice that at an organ concert, if the venue can do it (if the organ is movable), they usually position it so that the organist is facing AWAY from the audience, but the audience can see his hands, feet, the organ keyboards, etc. Same for pianists - usually the piano is placed to try to give at least some of the audience a view of the pianist "in action" at the keyboard.

Probably "key" in this, is that I don't sing - if I sang, of course I'd want the audience to see my face as I sing. But since I'm playing only, I usually angle the setup so they can see me play. Of course, between songs I often turn toward them, face them, as I talk about a next song or get them involved in the 'show' via some comments, introducing a sing-along, etc.

I'm curious about how others handle this aspect of performing ...
-Jim