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Music Stands on Stage

Music Stands used during performances

  • Music Stands on stage looks hokey

    Votes: 20 28.2%

  • There's nothing wrong with Music Stands on stage

    Votes: 26 36.6%

  • Certain bands can get away with using Music Stands

    Votes: 20 28.2%

  • I need a teleprompter for my cheat sheets

    Votes: 5 7.0%
  • Total voters
    71
#21
Same answer as most; stands are fine/expected for jazz, orchestra, church, etc. I'd be very surprised to see them onstage at a rock, blues, pop, punk, etc show. If I ever need a chord reference (which is rare, but happens every so often with new songs), I'll just write it on a sheet of paper and toss it on the floor...it's almost impossible to see offstage, and I only have to look down to see it.
 
#22
Ben Jammin' said:
To be honest it looks pretty unprofessional for a rock band to have stands on their set. Firstly it looks like u havent played the song much and secondly it takes away the whole improvising/non-coriographed thing.
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Totally agree, especially if its a covers or original rock/pop gig. It can create a visual impression which isnt good. Good ol cheat sheet with black texter with it on the ground or out of sight as much as possible is the way to go. discresion is good. The crowd want to see eye contact, not some guy staring at a piece of paper, which is a lack of communication with the crowd. Also, you want to be free to be looking at and communicating with band members on stage. As stated before, an orchestra set up or a jazz gig is fine, but thats only one ants opinion.
 
#23
I definitely think it's stupid to have music stands on stage. I don't have a problem with a little cheat sheet taped on the ground in front of you, but you'd look like an idiot with a stand in your way.
 
#24
I like to have a stand handy even in my jam band. If I dont folders and lyrics end up on the floor. I've got everything memorized so I don't need the charts its just nice to be able to get to my folder for lyrics, setlist or a chart if I need it. I usally don't but it shure looks and feels bad to have papers on the floor. I use a folding Manhasset.
Peace Benton
 
#25
I don't know where the notion of having a music stand on stage is unprofessional, especially when pros are usually using a stand. I have a DVD with Herbie Hancock performing and he's got a chart for a tune that he wrote years ago!

95% of the time when I get paid to do a gig it usually a gig where I'm reading a chart and/or music.
 
#26
Phil Smith said:
I don't know where the notion of having a music stand on stage is unprofessional, especially when pros are usually using a stand. I have a DVD with Herbie Hancock performing and he's got a chart for a tune that he wrote years ago!

95% of the time when I get paid to do a gig it usually a gig where I'm reading a chart and/or music.
Click to expand...

Back to context. If you are in a hard rock band or a blues trio it may be counter to your image to have music stands on stage. Herbie Hancock hardly fits into that type of category and using stands is within the context of his performance style. I think the general consensus is that "it depends on the situation you are playing in".

Dan
 
#28
Our lead singer uses a miniature music stand attachment on his mic stand, for printed lyrics of 3 or 4 new songs. Our drummer keeps a few notes on a stand next to his kit. The guitarist occasionally places a note sheet by his vocal monitor. I use a standard Manhassett music stand in front of my keyboard for lyrics of new songs (where I sing lead), and the set list.

The club owners and audience don't seem to have a problem with it. In fact, they all love my band (with or without music stands). No offense to anyone, but what they think of us, means much more to me than any opinions on this forum (regardless of your experience and credentials). ;)
 
#30
It really doesn't matter whether you have music stands on stage or not. They may make the stage look cluttered, and not many rock/blues bands may have them but if they stop you crashing chord changes or going to the chorus when you should be playing the middle 8 then they're worth it, no?

I asked a similar question a little while back about using music/cheat sheets on stage and the consensus was that if you need 'em, use 'em. If you play as a neat & tight unit with cheat sheets, nobody will really comment. If you play like a bucket of accordions falling down a stairwell without them then most people will comment.

I'm all for some kind of cheat sheet if it helps me get the parts right.
 

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