DT Signature Moves

[adamack]

Thought it might be fun  to come up with a list of the on-stage signature moves of all DT members past and present. I could definitely use some help as I will undoubtedly leave some out, so please feel free to add! Also, I'll add video examples for instances I can remember

- JP raising one arm to the sky on the final note of a highlight solo, to acknowledge the audience - https://youtu.be/n5XPa9SX8XM?t=323

- JP's shoulder roll (Vai inspired?) - https://youtu.be/n5XPa9SX8XM?t=325

- MP's classic forearm/elbow Smash to his own head - https://youtu.be/Al9QR2o0gV4?t=121  Thanks to JRuless for finding this!

- JP looking up to the sky, eyes closed, mouth open, when he hits a key high note in a solo. Usually a bend - https://youtu.be/n7Dl15Iqu2c?t=716

- MM's "look ma, one hand" move to show the audience he's doing a one-handed snare roll - https://youtu.be/PR3slKZrsI0?t=174

- MP standing up while drumming - https://youtu.be/Al9QR2o0gV4?t=121  Standing up AND head smash..Bonus!

- JLB's exaggerated fist pump to get the crowd pumped (https://youtu.be/GufRhYvp8fo?t=4145)

- MP's spitting all over the kit/stage - https://youtu.be/cp4hibSqORo?t=68

- MP's drumstick catch - https://youtu.be/5DKg4DEIbsA?t=307

- JLB Twirl! https://youtu.be/odqLjBBAIl8?t=192 Thanks to Evai and Dream Team for this one

- Myung tackle! - https://i.imgur.com/BEyVZxM.jpg Thanks to Anxiety35 and krands85

- JLB tongue out - https://youtu.be/mCvVfJsCv5w?t=504 Thanks to MirrorMask

- JP fingering JM's bass: https://youtu.be/mCvVfJsCv5w?t=481 Thanks to Darkstarshades

- JM grooming JP: https://www.facebook.com/TheDreamTheaterWorld/videos/1394483040627033/ (thanks to noxon)

[Adami]

When you say signature moves, do you just mean things they do a lot? Or things that are (somewhat) unique to them?

Cause almost everything from JP and JLB you listed are things most singers/guitarists do.

MP had a few pretty unique moves (not completely, but largely) and so does MM with the one hand thing though.

[Evai]

[adamack]

When you say signature moves, do you just mean things they do a lot? Or things that are (somewhat) unique to them?

Cause almost everything from JP and JLB you listed are things most singers/guitarists do.

MP had a few pretty unique moves (not completely, but largely) and so does MM with the one hand thing though.

More so just things they do a lot, not necessarily things only unique to them. I guess "signature" wasn't the best word choice but it made for a nice concise thread title

YES HAHAHA. I knew I was forgetting something

[JRuless]

- MP's classic forearm/elbow Smash to his own head (easily my favorite on this list, figures I can't think of a particular instance of it. Please link if you know one)

Glass Prison. Heavy part before first verse.
He uses the move instead of hitting the snare.

[noxon]

Jordan has his "tilted keyboard rock pose", and the keytar poses.

JP has the "foot up on the foot stands/speaker cabs" pose.




JM has THE pose.

[Darkstarshades]

In my opinion that's where Jordan Rudess beats Derek Sherinian, he's just so fucking expressive and appears to be enjoying every single moment of the show, looks badass without trying to be badass.

[Dream Team]

Definitely JLB's twirl during To Luve Forever on Live In Tokyo.

[MinistroRaven]

I am laughing so hard that my wife thinks I am crazy

[Anxiety35]

Myung tackle.

[The Letter M]

Four words: Jordan Rudess Action Figure

-Marc.

[MirrorMask]

James sticking his tongue out during the high notes 

[erwinrafael]

Mangini's "I will hit this cymbal but doesn't" move, which is followed by a "gotcha" grin to the audience. which he always does in Breaking All Illusions and he also did in Untethered Angel.

[lucasembarbosa]

James sticking his tongue out during the high notes 

Is there any video register of the legendary Myung Tackle™?

[krands85]

James sticking his tongue out during the high notes 

Is there any video register of the legendary Myung Tackle™?

I think this picture is all there is:

[porcacultor]

I like it in Test that Stumped them All and Blind Faith when JP walks towards JM to play some unison stuff together.

[BeardedGentlemanHistorian]

Four words: Jordan Rudess Action Figure

-Marc.

[RoeDent]

I don't know if it's still the case, but concerts would frequently end with a double crash after the traditional final flourish, with JLB making some sort of dramatic gesture towards the drum kit.

[adamack]

- MP's classic forearm/elbow Smash to his own head (easily my favorite on this list, figures I can't think of a particular instance of it. Please link if you know one)

Glass Prison. Heavy part before first verse.
He uses the move instead of hitting the snare.

Awesome, thanks! I looked through so many performances looking for an instance, thinking I'd easily find it but had no luck.

Jordan has his "tilted keyboard rock pose", and the keytar poses.

JP has the "foot up on the foot stands/speaker cabs" pose.




JM has THE pose.

Ah, yes. The JP foot stands for solos that require laser-focus.

For Jordan's rock pose, do you mean the extended arm kinda thing? That made me think - he also has that crouching pose where he ducks down so his head is right next to the keys. And I think it's usually followed by a close-up look into the camera

James sticking his tongue out during the high notes 

YES! I've always wondered - do you think that is a technique he uses to influence his tone or range? Or just a habit that happens on certain syllables?

Mangini's "I will hit this cymbal but doesn't" move, which is followed by a "gotcha" grin to the audience. which he always does in Breaking All Illusions and he also did in Untethered Angel.

Awesome, I didn't pick this up on Untethered Angel but I'm going to go look for it now

I like it in Test that Stumped them All and Blind Faith when JP walks towards JM to play some unison stuff together.

Great one. Can't believe I forgot this. You mean when he fingers JM's fretboard for him, right?

Four words: Jordan Rudess Action Figure

-Marc.

I don't know if it's still the case, but concerts would frequently end with a double crash after the traditional final flourish, with JLB making some sort of dramatic gesture towards the drum kit.

If you happen to know of any instances of this, let me know. I think I may know what you mean but not 100% sure

[MirrorMask]

James actually answered in a recent interview made by a forumer about the tongue - he's used to that 'cause he feels the high notes come out better, it's not necessarily the best way to do it, but it works for him.

[adamack]

I've updated the OP with instances of some of the ones you've all found. Still looking for an instance of JP fingering JM's bass, the JR rock keyboard pose, JLB making a gesture at the drum kit at the end of a show, and JM's signature pose. If anyone knows of any examples of these, share away.

James actually answered in a recent interview made by a forumer about the tongue - he's used to that 'cause he feels the high notes come out better, it's not necessarily the best way to do it, but it works for him.

Thanks! Great to finally know.

[rab7]

Still looking for an instance of JP fingering JM's bass

I think there's one instance during the instrumental section of Octavarium in Score.

[Darkstarshades]

In Score, Under a Glass Moon during the keyboard solo.

[Anxiety35]

Regarding the Myung tackle, what is the backstory? I seem to remember that it was a dare. I'm not sure I'm correct. Anybody know?

[adamack]

In Score, Under a Glass Moon during the keyboard solo.

That's it, thanks!

[noxon]

JM grooming JP: https://www.facebook.com/TheDreamTheaterWorld/videos/1394483040627033/

[adamack]

JM grooming JP: https://www.facebook.com/TheDreamTheaterWorld/videos/1394483040627033/

That's awesome, never saw him do this. Added to the OP