Music Stands on Stage

[Kragnorak]

I'm curious about how many of the anti stand people can read actual written out music.

That would be an interesting poll, but some people's memories are just better than others. Mike Keneally got his gig with Zappa because he could play any of Zappa's extensive repertoire on guitar or keyboard, just from memory. He said that during rehearsals they'd get an idea to do a song that hadn't been played in 20 years or so, and Zappa would ask Keneally to show the band. He'd call it up from his memory banks and start showing the band how the piece went!

Meanwhile, Ron Carter has talked about how he can't remember what he played because jazz players were trained to forget in an attempt to create something fresh every night. Orchestral musicians that spend a lot of time reading also tend not to develop their memories.

Sometimes players in each camp cannot understand how the other functions.

 

[carl h.]

Having been an orchestral player in a group with some childish individuals, I have had to do entire halves of symphony concerts from memory due to images being taped over my music. I thought it was funny, but the guy turning pages for me was not a happy camper. He didn't have the whole thing memorized, and the pics were very dirty - and the audience could see our stand quite clearly.

I have no issue with doing complicated tunes from memory - they progress logically and evolve naturally as you play. What kills me is that verse chorus with a changeup here or there. I get bored so fast and lose where I/we are in the thing. I'm impressed by guys who can keep 5 times through then play the change on the 6th time straight. I'm gone by the middle of the 2nd pass.

 

[lfmn16]

I'm curious about how many of the anti stand people can read actual written out music.

I'm curious why they get so incensed about this subject.

 

[iriegnome]

Here is a pic of Tom Petty using monitor screens for his lyrics. Actually many many performers use them. Have been used like this for years!!

 

[delta7fred]

I'm curious about how many of the anti stand people can read actual written out music.

I'm vehemently anti-stand for our gigs (and similar). If you cannot remember 3, 4, sometimes even 5 chords and an arrangement that is the same every night then don't expect to join my (our) band.

I'm an old git, my memory is atrocious and I write almost everything down. I struggle to remember what I had for breakfast (and I always have cereal) but I can usually recall songs I last played 10, 20, 30 even 40 years ago with little effort.

I do read but the last time I read seriously was about 30 years ago so my reading is more than a little rusty. (I have yet to see an accurate score for anything I play or have played on bass.) If I ever need to read to get gigs I will no doubt brush up on it but considering that I am busier now than anytime in the last 4o years I don't see that happening soon.

 

[iriegnome]

 

[iriegnome]

 

[elgecko]

Here is a pic of Tom Petty using monitor screens for his lyrics. Actually many many performers use them. Have been used like this for years!!View attachment 668386 View attachment 668387

Well they'd never make it in a bar band!

 

[iriegnome]

We use them. We play in bars. They work out great!!

 

[iriegnome]

sorry did I kill this thread?

 

[carl h.]

Why, were you wearing shorts at the gig too?

 

[iriegnome]

um... the shorts were the drummers idea

 

[elgecko]

sorry did I kill this thread?

No...the party was pretty much over when you showed up. Also, when the "big boys" are shown doing it, it gets difficult to argue against.

 

[carl h.]

Facts have no place in reality - or bar bands anyway.

 

[iriegnome]

OMG.. thanks for the laugh!!

 

[MD]

Just goes to show, we all get older... we forget.

 

[Mandavel]

I think I'm just part of the present crowd - depends. I play weekly in a church band (at a church) and I'm probably the only guy there who doesn't use a stand, I go purely by memory. Even our vocalists use them... Which is the biggest no-go to me.

If it's a wild and crazy show and you need it to hold an ipad or similar thing for control/backing tracks/communications purposes, do it, but minimize the appearance or blend it into the stage somehow. Looking off cheat sheets for a performance band (not a big jazz band or orchestra, etc) is just not cool to me. If you dont know your music well enough to leave the stand at home, dont play a show.

 

[carl h.]

I get annoyed when those not singing guys on stage hold these things up so I can't see them. It ruins the show for me.

 

[zontar]

I think I'm just part of the present crowd - depends. I play weekly in a church band (at a church) and I'm probably the only guy there who doesn't use a stand, I go purely by memory. Even our vocalists use them... Which is the biggest no-go to me.

if it's in church, it's not a show--it's part of the service and a stand doesn't detract from that for most people--after all, most pastors/ministers/preachers use a pulpit/stand/etc to preach.

As for memorizing the songs--with the number of songs we do and how they may switch keys depending on the singer(s) and last minute changes and lack of time to practice (We don't own our own facility--we rent) stands are necessary.

 

[jive1]

sorry did I kill this thread?

Nah, the horse died a long time ago.