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Music Stands on Stage

Should musicians use a music stand on stage? [results will be displayed after you vote]

  • No

  • It doesn't matter -- use one if it helps you play better

  • Depends on the kind of band or performance

  • It's OK if you minimize the visibility of the stand

  • It's complicated -- defies a multiple choice answer like this

Results are only viewable after voting.
#164
bassrich said:
I say no. I don't know why jazz and orchestra players get a pass I mean they are supposed to be the best of the best in the music world they should be able to remember their lines
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This could only be written by someone who has never played in an orchestra. :rollno:

Look at the bass part to Beethoven's 5th some time. If you think you could memorize all of the parts, all of the rests, all of the dynamics, etc., etc., etc., then have at it.
 
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#165
jive1 said:
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.
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+1

One of the biggest problems on TB is that some people assume that everyone is exactly like them. They play the same three chord classic rock that they've been playing for 40 years, with the same people they've been playing with for 40 years and they don't need a music stand and notes, therefore NOBODY needs one. The second biggest problem is the offensive way they voice their opinion. You don't like music stands? No problem. You start questioning someones professionalism because the need to use one? That's a problem.

It would be nice if people were more supportive and less divisive.
 
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#167
Like the majority, I answered "depends." Music where there are complex and especially non-repeating parts to follow, like classical and jazz - sure, absolutely. Rock, blues, country, probably most folk groups - no. The immediacy and the impression of spontaneity is part of the appeal. But there's also a difference between a bar band with a 40-song set list, or an originals group that's only going to play for an hour or 90 minutes, and a corporate or wedding band that is supposed to have a repertoire of 400 songs handy and be ready to take any request on the fly. I can see that those groups would be playing from charts. But for the stuff I do, I would feel I hadn't prepared properly if I (or a bandmate) needed a stand or iPad to get through a gig.
 
#168
lfmn16 said:
What are the results? I refuse to participate in nonsensical polls like this so I can't see the results.
Click to expand...


  1. No
    34 vote(s)
    11.3%
  2. It doesn't matter -- use one if it helps you play better
    36 vote(s)
    12.0%
  3. Depends on the kind of band or performance
    157 vote(s)
    52.2%
  4. It's OK if you minimize the visibility of the stand
    53 vote(s)
    17.6%
  5. It's complicated -- defies a multiple choice answer like this
    21 vote(s)
    7.0%
 
#169
Ianhin said:
Get away frm ur music stand and be a real musician.
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Easy killer....
There's guys on this board that use music stands that can play circles around you. They can play more material off the top of their head than you have learned in your whole life, and have probably forgotten more material than you have ever learned. Guys who can jump in on your gig tomorrow and play it better than you after months of practice.
The use of a music stand is no indication of a person's talent or musicianship.
 
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#171
jive1 said:
Easy killer....
There's guys on this board that use music stands that can play circles around you. They can play more material off the top of their head than you have learned in your whole life, and have probably forgotten more material than you have ever learned. Guys who can jump in on your gig tomorrow and play it better than you after months of practice.
The use of a music stand is no indication of a person's talent or musicianship.
Click to expand...

Right on brother
 
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#173
jive1 said:
Easy killer....
There's guys on this board that use music stands that can play circles around you. They can play more material off the top of their head than you have learned in your whole life, and have probably forgotten more material than you have ever learned. Guys who can jump in on your gig tomorrow and play it better than you after months of practice.
The use of a music stand is no indication of a person's talent or musicianship.
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#served
 
#175
jive1 said:
Easy killer....
There's guys on this board that use music stands that can play circles around you. They can play more material off the top of their head than you have learned in your whole life, and have probably forgotten more material than you have ever learned. Guys who can jump in on your gig tomorrow and play it better than you after months of practice.
The use of a music stand is no indication of a person's talent or musicianship.
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Yes maybe, but that doesnt guve them the right to be rude. If they give it they must take it.
 
#176
jive1 said:
Easy killer....
There's guys on this board that use music stands that can play circles around you. They can play more material off the top of their head than you have learned in your whole life, and have probably forgotten more material than you have ever learned. Guys who can jump in on your gig tomorrow and play it better than you after months of practice.
The use of a music stand is no indication of a person's talent or musicianship.
Click to expand...
That s great - justice is the word.
Please delete my TB profile.
 
#178
Not in my band you don't (but as always YMMV). It all depends on the genre, band, frequency of change of members, etc.

We very occasionally use a crib sheet on a monitor, drum, or the floor but music stands are a definite NO. All 3 of us sing a lot and you just cannot be playing, singing, reading, and putting on a show. If you don't know your parts you haven't put in the necessary time to learn them, simple as that.
 

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