Music Stands on Stage

[MD]

A lot of my gigs have a horn player giving me his book. The piano player also has a book.
Man, that's a lot of music on the floor!

 

[Smooth_bass88]

H

Hows yours?
How far did u get in Royal Schools of Music?

It's actually quite good, thank you. I did quite well in school with regard to my music education. It certainly has helped in my career especially when the situation calls for it. I was lucky enough to have some great teachers...for whom I am grateful.

 

[Pacman]

To all you music stand people, I've always wondered...does anyone buy one new or are the all purchased at yard sales or stolen from high school music departments.

I stole mine from the Army Ground Forces Band, back in 2001.


(Come and get me, coppers!)

 

[Howlin' Hanson]

The MPs are on their way.

 

[tonybassman]

I just got this new stand, you can barely even see it on stage.

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[delta7fred]

I just got this new stand, you can barely even see it on stage.

View attachment 633573

I don't care how small, black, unobtrusive, etc a stand is I still don't like them in a bar band because all the people I have played with that have used them it is just a substitute for learning the songs. (We are not talking about subs or pickup musicians but permanent band members.)

Of course as always IMO, YMMV.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

As has been stated: orchestras, jazz bands, backing bands on TV that have to learn complex repertoires quickly (e.g., The Tonight Show Band), ect., it's fine. A classic rock bar band that has people who still can't remember the changes to Sweet Home Alabama = lame-o.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

Stolen from church. Pretty damn rock and roll.

It could be the name of a black metal band's next album: Musica el Diablo: Stolen Sheet Music Stands from the Church Storage Room.

Now that's metal.

 

[fdeck]

No music stands:

 

[nutdog]

It could be the name of a black metal band's next album: Musica el Diablo: Stolen Sheet Music Stands from the Church Storage Room.

Now that's metal.

https://imgflip.com/memegenerator

 

[MD]

I just got this new stand, you can barely even see it on stage.

View attachment 633573

This reminds me, I've been meaning to order an extension for my Manhasset. Maybe two to keep things balanced.
Thanks.

 

[fdeck]

This reminds me, I've been meaning to order an extension for my Manhasset. Maybe two to keep things balanced.
Thanks.

The "stand outs" really help. I use them mostly with the big-band material.

 

[mpdd]

being somebody that photographs bands, i hate mic stands and music stands equally

 

[Jim Nazium]

Are stands OK if they are short?
Are stands OK if you are not standing?
Are stands OK if you are short?
Are shorts OK if you are not standing?

Are stands OK in sleazy bars?
Are stands OK if you're named Lars?
Are stands OK in late night clubs,
Hidden by artificial shrubs?

Are stands OK in metal bands
With multitudes of screaming fans?
Are stands OK on dim-lit stages
If you cannot see the pages?

A stand can give you all the answers
If, distracted by the dancers
or a flying purple tortoise,
You don't know what the next chord is.

 

[5StringBlues]

^ Excellent.

 

[MakoMan]

I haven't had time to read the whole thread. Were we able to reach a consensus?

 

[zontar]

I haven't had time to read the whole thread. Were we able to reach a consensus?

Well it's between those who wear shorts on stage, those who don't and those who are convinced they know the best stands for metal.
Each group has taken a different position (Yes, No or maybe)

 

[tonemachine]

I agree that they look out of place in original rock bands for sure and in rock guitar cover bands.

Just off the top of my head... Wil Lee used charts all the time, and the band recycled songs regularly. Can't argue with Will Lee. He even used one as he was front and center at that Buddy Rich tribute concert, and he read from it the whole time he was front and center.

The great guy on Live at Darryl's house was using a low-set stand with iPad and he was clearly reading it on the Aloe Blacc episode. And they were EASY lines, esp for him.

One of those British fests televised on Paladia. Monster bassist backing up many artists (but probably "only" two hours of music, really). He didn't look constantly but did look frequently. Had a low-set stand with a book of charts. Still, he was essentially playing lines as originally recorded (great, busy lines with fast plucking hand). It is just very critical that the bass always be there and "on", especially in songs that are very groove-oriented or would suffer from a bass player dumbing down or noodling the line from original. Pounding out 8th notes roots and fifths? No stand. A tribute band purporting to give the real experience? No stand. A jazz band where improvised walking bass is the norm. No stand. But a sub in a whole band making less than $1000? Tough to find a guy whose gonna play those Soul, Motown and dance/disco songs even close to note for note on short notice for $200 or less? Good luck. Yes, no stand is ideal but I'd never walk away from a killer band just cuz someone is using a chart, as long as the front man is engaging the crowd.

As if Will Lee werent enough of a stamp of "it's okay).....Stumbled onto another professional bassist using a stand...and it even has holes so it stands out

The music comes first. Bands like Aerosmith and the Stones (and certainly modern bands) rehearse for months before touring the same easy songs that they wrote and have been playing for decades.

Stands aren't necessarily acceptable (or necessary) for stuff that is easy to fake nor where improvisation is the essence of the genre but to categorically deny their place is to be a little closed-minded. Good luck with the metal/shoegaze/bar rock band.

 

[BurningSkies]

We've established that stands are fine for hired hitters.