I have repetitive concussion syndrome, and can barely memorize anything. Therefore, I have to use charts for quite a while before I have a song down. Most songs I can play with by ear, but I have to write out riffs and trickier passages.
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Don't Use Charts on The Gig
- Thread starter P. Aaron
- Start date
I might ruffle some feathers, but in my experience, only amateurs have a hard time reading a chart and playing with feeling at the same time. That's just part of the job for a pro.
+1 to this. The memory isn't what it used to be as age progresses. Sometimes reminders are needed. I will add though that this is the case only when I play covers. With my current band that is almost all originals, we are writing our own music and evolving it ourselves, plus we practice like crazy, so not charts are needed, at least not at this time. But to play a cover band gig with 50+ songs? Yeah, I use them, and to be honest, I wish some of the guys I've played with would too. They would honk chords and changes in the song, and it made us look bad. No one ever noticed me discreetly peeking over at my charts and playing without mistakes.
this is how our funk group is handling vocalist lyrics and setlist as well using the lyric pad app. tablets are the way to go.
For me, it's an excel setlist. One page per set. First column is the song name. Second, narrow column is the key. Third column is wide and usually blank. But if there is special stuff to remember at the BEGINNING of the song, I put it there.
The sheet goes on the floor near me or sometimes I tape it to the back of the PA speaker if it is close enough.
I've always liked:
Amateurs do it 'til they get it right; Professionals do it 'til they can't get it wrong.
I'm using deepdish's iGigbook and put each song in as a pdf. Mount the iPad to my mic stand and all is well.
I do wish all my band members took notes and used charts as well ... I hate getting "How does this song start again?" over and over - I told you last rehearsal, didn't I?+1 to this. The memory isn't what it used to be as age progresses. Sometimes reminders are needed. I will add though that this is the case only when I play covers. With my current band that is almost all originals, we are writing our own music and evolving it ourselves, plus we practice like crazy, so not charts are needed, at least not at this time. But to play a cover band gig with 50+ songs? Yeah, I use them, and to be honest, I wish some of the guys I've played with would too. They would honk chords and changes in the song, and it made us look bad. No one ever noticed me discreetly peeking over at my charts and playing without mistakes.
I never use them.
I will write the key the song is in on the set list and maybe make a note or two about the song if it is something really unusual.
I will write the key the song is in on the set list and maybe make a note or two about the song if it is something really unusual.
I do wish all my band members took notes and used charts as well ... I hate getting "How does this song start again?" over and over - I told you last rehearsal, didn't I?
Yeah, this would really be a pisser. But in this case, where it happens over and over, I would suggest just getting better players.
If it is a "short term memory" thing, I would suggest no pot until after rehearsal.
Totally depends on the situation. I will chart something out for practice, then perform/rehearse without them to ingrain it. But I did fill-in for a gig where we were doing 3 X 45 minute sets of Old School and Modern Top 40 covers with a few medleys thrown in. No rehearsal, 3 days to practice, and with the potential for the band leader to call audibles on song form and song selection (which happened often during the gig). They provided hand-written, note-for-note charts of each song. Luckily, I knew and have played a majority of the songs in other covers groups, but still had to refer to charts. Same as the rest of the group, they all used them too. And this band is a pretty big deal, and get called to a lot of gigs, and the players usually use charts but still knock it out of the park in terms of sound and performance. That was one of the best gigs I had the pleasure to be a part of.
I chart out tunes with Nashville Numbers. The act of doing so makes memorisation easy, and i keep the charts with me and ready on the gig just in case. Pro-tip: if possible, put the charts on the drum riser or somewhere inconspicuous between you and the drummer. That way, when you turn to read the chart, the audience just thinks you're communicating with the drummer.
As someone who gets a lot of pickup country gigs, often with one or fewer rehearsals, Nashville charts are invaluable.
I know how to read music and I make use of that skill. I play exclusively big band and musical theater. I routinely play 10-12 full length Broadway style shows a year along with 25 or more big band dance gigs. I would challenge anyone to do that from memory.
Playing musically and interactively with fellow musicians has very little to do with charts and everything to do with musicianship and understanding of styles and the role bass and other instruments play in the musical presentation.
At the risk of irritating some people, I would go further and say that most musical presentations that are 'better' without reading music are styles that have developed with the expectation that musicians can and will play without charts. In that development and for that reason, those styles have eliminated a lot of musical elements that necessitate written charts. You won't hear too many key changes, tempo changes, combination of styles and complex and changing meters. True, you'll find those things in groups like Rush, but I'd dare say that the rehearsal schedule for those concerts are rather demanding in terms of what most musicians can deal with.
In the end, reading music in a meaningful way goes far beyond just getting the right note from the page. An analogy would be listening to someone read a book who just could read the words as opposed to someone who understood what the story was and how the characters interacted with each other.
Playing musically and interactively with fellow musicians has very little to do with charts and everything to do with musicianship and understanding of styles and the role bass and other instruments play in the musical presentation.
At the risk of irritating some people, I would go further and say that most musical presentations that are 'better' without reading music are styles that have developed with the expectation that musicians can and will play without charts. In that development and for that reason, those styles have eliminated a lot of musical elements that necessitate written charts. You won't hear too many key changes, tempo changes, combination of styles and complex and changing meters. True, you'll find those things in groups like Rush, but I'd dare say that the rehearsal schedule for those concerts are rather demanding in terms of what most musicians can deal with.
In the end, reading music in a meaningful way goes far beyond just getting the right note from the page. An analogy would be listening to someone read a book who just could read the words as opposed to someone who understood what the story was and how the characters interacted with each other.
I started out as a wind player. Marching band you have no option. memorize it or play it wrong. Plus most pop music is easy anyway. I've also played complicated enough pieces that you need the chart. time changes, one measure that's never repeated in a 12 min song, etc etc. It's just easier sometimes. Next time you go to the symphony you can bet 90% of the players know 90% of the song for every song but they typically still keep the charts visible and all turn the pages.
Playing jazz, I like having the sheet music because as you're soloing, it's easier to see the different phrases in the melody to play within it for your solo. Have to admit, bass is a lot more muscle memory than other instruments, maybe due to the nature of sax being more of a 'lead' instrument but still there feels like if anyone in the band has the song memorized it's going to be the drummer & bass, no matter the song or type of band this has been my experience basically forever.
Playing jazz, I like having the sheet music because as you're soloing, it's easier to see the different phrases in the melody to play within it for your solo. Have to admit, bass is a lot more muscle memory than other instruments, maybe due to the nature of sax being more of a 'lead' instrument but still there feels like if anyone in the band has the song memorized it's going to be the drummer & bass, no matter the song or type of band this has been my experience basically forever.
