I have no issues if they are used discretely. iPad is much more stealth, IMO. For those that say they screw up the aesthetics, I say the music should be king always. Stage shows are for the deaf.
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Music Stands on Stage
- Thread starter PauFerro
- Start date
Ah, whatever it takes. If someone wants a stand it's fine with me. It can look just fine, and it's not exactly an unusual thing in music, to have a stand. If it sounds good it is good. In a live situation, I'm usually too animated and going for the vibe to read closely anyway (and I'm not that good a reader in the first place), but if it works for someone then more power to 'em. A music stand is the least of anyone's worries! 
I play with a three piece most of the time here is how we are set up
Me= Bass backing vocals (no stand but list of songs to choose on floor monitor)
Drummer= Play drums remember to breath (no stand but song list some where)
Frontman= Vocals, rhythm, guitar solos. (song stand with words, hidden songlist)
I personally don't like the stands but I figure unless I'm willing to shoulder more, I can live with it. I couldn't tell you how many songs we've learned in the 15 odd years we have played together but it's a fair amount of words, chords, and solos. Who the hell can remember all the gibberish in "Come Together" anyways?
*he does know the words to "Fortunate Son" and plays it WITHOUT a stand
Wow, you say that just like you think someone cares!
Well, that makes one.
It's just another thing for some TBers to whine and pick about. 40+ years playing and I never even knew anyone who thought it was an issue. Some people need to worry more about themselves and less about everybody else.
I didn't start the thread. It was a poll that asked for opinions. I gave mine. I work hard to memorize the rock covers for any gig, so when I go and see a band that's reading charts, I feel a little ripped off. Again, as I stated in a previous post, it's a little genre specific. I wasn't trying to offend anyone with my personal preference.
Focusing on singers and lyrics...IMO, singers in any genre, including corporate and wedding bands, should NEVER have music stands on stage.
The top wedding/corporate bands in Chicago do not allow their singers (and there are usually 3-5 singers per show) to have music stands/lyrics on stage. They must learn all songs BEFORE the show, even new ones learned just for that event. They get paid A LOT per show, but they are top-notch professionals. In my view, it's one of the things that separates the real cream of the crop wedding/corporate bands from the herd.
As far as regular rock bands, I think it looks very amateurish to have music stands.
The top wedding/corporate bands in Chicago do not allow their singers (and there are usually 3-5 singers per show) to have music stands/lyrics on stage. They must learn all songs BEFORE the show, even new ones learned just for that event. They get paid A LOT per show, but they are top-notch professionals. In my view, it's one of the things that separates the real cream of the crop wedding/corporate bands from the herd.
As far as regular rock bands, I think it looks very amateurish to have music stands.
If you're a sub, replacement, or it's a brand new song and under-rehearsed, why not?
If it's your regular gig, eventually you'd ditch it yourself probably unless the music is in flux.
What ever you need to play it, is what you need to do IMHO.
If it's your regular gig, eventually you'd ditch it yourself probably unless the music is in flux.
What ever you need to play it, is what you need to do IMHO.
I always use my iPAD on stage. It does not matter what genre of music I play - I can't tell you how many times when band mates lose their place they look to me to authoritatively get them back on track, or make those special little changes that were agreed upon at rehearsals. But, in the end, stands or no stands, it's all good if the music is good.
jive1
Commercial User
Yes, but on some songs you can get by with playing the same 3-5 notes for the whole song. Not too many songs where you just repeat the same 3-5 words for the whole song.
All depends on what type of music you're playing. Orchestra yes. Most other bands no. If you are a cover band iPads are a big step up. My band can take any request at any time and play it. We look it up on an app and go. While not using for requests we usually have watchespn on so we can watch the game. People can never tell and why not get paid while watchin sports.
FYI for Corporate gigs we don't use iPads before anyone hates.
FYI for Corporate gigs we don't use iPads before anyone hates.
The only time I think it's truly appropriate to have a music stand on-stage is if you're one of the following:
My last band was a "steampunk" band (neo-Victorian and sci-fi aesthetics, orchestral rock music), and the only band I've ever been in where there were music stands were on stage. We had several guest members (a cellist and various keyboardists) who only played with us on occasion, and consequently relied on sheet music. The rest of the band (the "rock section") played without notes or sheet music.
There is something truly noteworthy about the organic feel and performance impact of a band that plays without any sheet music at all.
- orchestral/big band/jazz musician
- keyboardist playing orchestral parts
My last band was a "steampunk" band (neo-Victorian and sci-fi aesthetics, orchestral rock music), and the only band I've ever been in where there were music stands were on stage. We had several guest members (a cellist and various keyboardists) who only played with us on occasion, and consequently relied on sheet music. The rest of the band (the "rock section") played without notes or sheet music.
There is something truly noteworthy about the organic feel and performance impact of a band that plays without any sheet music at all.
- Sep 4, 2010
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I once saw on tv Mercedes Sosa at a ripe old age sing her signature song 'Gracias A La Vida' with a binder on a music stand in front of her. She must have sung that tune ten-thousands of times by then. With that stand, she still was pretty much the godmother of Latin America, yielding enormous emotive power through her voice. Maybe it is not an issue at all?
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
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Thanks for sharing. I didnt know Fat Albert played bass.
jive1
Commercial User
Back when I only knew 40 songs, played in one band, and we all had time to rehearse, none of us needed a music stand at all. Then as I got more experience, I wound up playing in multiple bands. But, even then, I didn't have to use a music stand because my catalog of tunes was still under 100. But, as I became more of a grown-up with the responsibilities of one, I was still playing in multiple bands and subbing in others. At this point, you better believe I need my tablet. There's no way, I can remember the hundreds of tunes I've done in the last several years, let alone the last year. Because of the volume of material, sometimes I get mixed up on what tune is what, or what arrangement they are using, what key it's in, etc. so it's nice to have a chart. And if I'm only subbing in that band a couple times a year, it wouldn't be worth it to me to memorize their catalog for just a couple of gigs. If it's a last minute call, it's not possible for me to memorize it, so better believe I'm using a chart.
To me a chart is just a crutch. You still need to listen to the tune and learn the material beforehand. But, we're all prone to brain farts.
- How many of you have ever forgot the intro to a song that you've done dozens of times? Yes, me too.
- How many of you thought you knew a song, and then all of a sudden realized you forgot about the section near the end ? Guilty.
- How many of you had a panic-stricken vocalist look at you and ask you how the first verse went? Been there, done that.
- Have you ever gone into the bridge of a song, only to have someone else go into the chorus? Sucks, don't it?
- Ever play a song in one key for years, and then have to play it in a different one, but your muscle memory keeps on trying to make you play it the way you've done it for years? Its sounds even worse on stage.
- Ever have someone request a tune that you've actually played before, but wouldn't do it because you weren't confident you could remember it or someone in the band could play it? Yup, I've missed out on some great tips too.
I try to avoid these situations, because they detract from the performance. These could all be avoided by a quick glance at the charts. That's why I encourage using them.
To me a chart is just a crutch. You still need to listen to the tune and learn the material beforehand. But, we're all prone to brain farts.
- How many of you have ever forgot the intro to a song that you've done dozens of times? Yes, me too.
- How many of you thought you knew a song, and then all of a sudden realized you forgot about the section near the end ? Guilty.
- How many of you had a panic-stricken vocalist look at you and ask you how the first verse went? Been there, done that.
- Have you ever gone into the bridge of a song, only to have someone else go into the chorus? Sucks, don't it?
- Ever play a song in one key for years, and then have to play it in a different one, but your muscle memory keeps on trying to make you play it the way you've done it for years? Its sounds even worse on stage.
- Ever have someone request a tune that you've actually played before, but wouldn't do it because you weren't confident you could remember it or someone in the band could play it? Yup, I've missed out on some great tips too.
I try to avoid these situations, because they detract from the performance. These could all be avoided by a quick glance at the charts. That's why I encourage using them.
