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Don't Use Charts on The Gig

#222
In a previous band we had two sax players that were completely dependent on sheet music, to the point if a guitar solo was suddenly one extra round than usual then they lost their place. It may have been their background in big band music where every note was written down, but I felt a bit sorry for them that they couldn't free themselves from the paper in front of them.
 
#224
Benjamin Earl said:
I use charts on almost every gig (unless I'm playing with my original band). My main band has about 400 working cover songs and they can be called out at any time. I also do sub work with several bands, which almost doubles the songs I'm supposed to pull out of my bum on a whim. Also each band has slightly different arrangements/keys/endings. All this info is on my charts. Call me if you need a sub, I'll bring my ipad ;)
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Hey Ben, I didn't realize you were on TB! I'm with you on the charts. Used properly, they can provide a tool for enhanced performance. I can personally attest that your main band sounds great and interacts with the audience just fine while using charts. BTW thanks for subbing for me last month! Hope that the charts I sent you were helpful.

Dennis
 
#227
If you can't make music from a chart, be it chord symbols or standard notation there's a lot of work you will not be able to do. Because you can make music from a chart doesn't mean you are not able to memorize a tune and play it. Last week I played a gig of mostly originals that I memorized and I also played a classical concert with and orchestra that required sheet music.
 
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#228
P. Aaron said:
A discussion in another forum got interesting when I mentioned that I don't use charts on the gig. I don't even use them at rehearsals or auditions either. A set list? Yeah.

We're talking about POP: Rock, Country, mainstream radio play covers.

My thought is, you either know the material or you don't and a chart, unless you're old school big band isn't going to help.

I study the tune(s) when I practice. If a song or passage gives me trouble, I'll listen to more of the artists/players tunes to get a sense of their playing style. I usually end up learning 3-4 tunes of an artist to just to learn the one tune for the set. I'll write changes on a set list as I'm learning it but I use it only to practice.

Every musician I've ever worked with who stuck strictly to charts never seemed to really play the song(s) in a manner that sounded anything but restricted, not free or with the feel of the band.

Anyone else?
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I would disagree if you want to apply this as a blanket statement--we learn in different ways--so even if your experience is one thing, mine may be different.
On a gig, I can see not using them for some types of gigs--such as you've listed, but no using them for practice won't work for everybody.
 
#230
Here's a link to a video where Charlie Giordano's Rig during the Bruce Springsteen 2012 is discussed, and they use iPads for charts for situations where a tune is called from Springsteen's book that they haven't played in a while. Note that these are musicians operating at the highest levels of the game and playing a stadium event.

Springsteen Keyboards 2012
 
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#231
When I was doing top 40/cover gigs many years ago, I never used music; always learned/memorized the tunes.
One of my regular gigs these days is an open mic/jazz jam. Singers bring charts and I read. Horn players bring there own books and I get a copy placed on my stand. It's all about reading and making music.
 
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#232
zontar said:
I would disagree if you want to apply this as a blanket statement--we learn in different ways--so even if your experience is one thing, mine may be different.
On a gig, I can see not using them for some types of gigs--such as you've listed, but no using them for practice won't work for everybody.
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Many (not all) of the chart guys I've worked with were still using them at rehearsal over a year later...for the same songs.
 
#237
Phil Smith said:
Here's a link to a video where Charlie Giordano's Rig during the Bruce Springsteen 2012 is discussed, and they use iPads for charts for situations where a tune is called from Springsteen's book that they haven't played in a while. Note that these are musicians operating at the highest levels of the game and playing a stadium event.

Springsteen Keyboards 2012
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And most likely getting PAID!
:)
 
#238
I wonder if Charlie makes anywhere near what the other guys make. Actually, I wonder who makes what in that band. I always wondered that if they all make the same or if some make more than most. I would imagine Little Steven makes more than anyone but Bruce, no?

I always love hearing about what musicians with big solo stars make. Some of these big stars can be downright cheap. Nathan East said Barry White paid him $200 a week in the 70's for a tour. That was crap money for even back then!
 
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#239
Back in the day Bruce used to split the tour pay pretty evenly, Nils Lofgren couldn't believe how much Bruce would pay the band when he joined. I'm sure with the larger band it's different now, but Bruce was never one of the cheap band leaders.
 
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#240
I personally don't use charts on a gig, but I certainly am not going to give anyone grief for using them. Whatever works to get the song right. I have been known to put key signatures on my set list, at the very least if I have a monumental brain fart at the beginning of a song I can at least hit the right note while I get my brain in gear.
 

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