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Music Stands on Stage??
- Thread starter DoggBisket
- Start date
Try playing charts you're seeing for this first time as the singer calls the tunes without a music stand.
Use what's practical and necessary in the situation to get the job done to the best of your ability.
If you have the luxury of rehearsing your tunes beforehand then you shouldn't rely on charts but if you're a sub or you're backing a visiting singer you'd be stupid to leave your stand at home.
Use what's practical and necessary in the situation to get the job done to the best of your ability.
If you have the luxury of rehearsing your tunes beforehand then you shouldn't rely on charts but if you're a sub or you're backing a visiting singer you'd be stupid to leave your stand at home.
Yeah, producer ...
Musicians give a crap about the music. That's my primary job, always.
I was just talking to a friend of mine while reading through this thread so I thought I would ask him what the group he is in can "get away with". He is the drummer for country artist Neal McCoy and they are "allowed" to use music stands etc. to get the job done. They have to do a lot of jazz standards and I believe they have a list of 60 songs that Neal will pull from so he lets them do what they need to. I guess since he is kind of the focus of the show and it's more about the music for him he doesn't really have a problem with it. I guess just another perspective on this topic.
+1
You are not alone. Both the bands I play in have huge song lists. The vocalists in both use a music stand onstage for lyrics. I have a pretty good memory and don't need one but if I did I would use it.
Regardless, it does'nt seem to bother the audience or the band and if the odd musician is offended by it well, what can I tell you?
That's just it, it's not ALL about the music, it's the whole performance package!
If you have a band leader calling songs from a list of 400 and your at a wedding gig where the band is there to provide music the guest request then OK ... If however your playing the stage a BB Kings it's about looking the part and playing with a convincing level of audience interaction and participation, that would not be a place to be reading charts, and/or your words.
... A hoodie, jeans and sandals might not be right for a wedding or BB Kings either.
Depends on the band and the music. I use them all the time because I'm in several bands and need to keep the material straight. There's no way I could play at chruch without one. I'm not familiar with the songs or the progressions and there are lots of repeats, and key changes. I wouldn't invest that much time in memorizing a song.
We use them in our 60's cover band and it helps us keep our inventory of 400 songs straight. Try that without some kind of system.
But young headbangers shouldn't use them. Although, it would be kind of cool to see some kids bouncing around on stage running into music stands. Might be a good prop.
We use them in our 60's cover band and it helps us keep our inventory of 400 songs straight. Try that without some kind of system.
But young headbangers shouldn't use them. Although, it would be kind of cool to see some kids bouncing around on stage running into music stands. Might be a good prop.
LOLThat's amateur. The "professionals" in that picture all had their escape plans memorized.
This is the most correct answer here. I do a lot of gigs where I use a stand. If I have several acts I don't work with very often on the bill, it's the only way to get through the show without an inordinate amount of work for the money. In addition, if it's a band where nobody's really watching you, a music stand is fine. And even in some bands where they're watching you, a stand is perfectly acceptable.That's just it, it's not ALL about the music, it's the whole performance package!
If you have a band leader calling songs from a list of 400 and your at a wedding gig where the band is there to provide music the guest request then OK ... If however your playing the stage a BB Kings it's about looking the part and playing with a convincing level of audience interaction and participation, that would not be a place to be reading charts, and/or your words.
But there are some bands I wouldn't dream of using a stand just because of the cool factor. Like my regular band, where we all try to look like we have everything down cold. Or the classic rock/metal bands I occasionally sub for...I tend to memorize instead just because I don't want to look douchey, plus I already know most of the songs. If I can't memorize, I'll place cheat sheets where the audience can't see them easily, though.
It's entirely situational, though, and the rule is "When in Rome..."
If a stand is kept to the side or low(let's say 3 ft from the ground) and angled so it doesn't block anyone's view, IME, it's not really noticeable out in the audience.
What you put on it (lyrics, chord charts, SN) is up to you.
Whether you're judged a douchebag because of the stand or a great musician because of how you play, IMO, who cares? You're the one on the stage so everyone who complains can GTH.
IMO, when we're all old and gray sitting in an old age home with our diapers and arthritic hands, no one will remember that you played with a stand on the stage, only the great gigs that we did, the music that we enjoyed, the people that we met and loved and the appreciation that we were able to do what we did. Can't get better than that.
Whatever gets you through.
That being said, I've always memorized songs in regular gigging bands that had 40-50 tunes to play. Subbing for a band with songs I've heard but not played, I'd put my "chord" charts on top of my amp and take a look at them between songs. Other bands that had hundreds of tunes to play, stands were an accepted part of the stage equipment. Now I'd probably use one just to keep things in order since I don't gig much and don't care to make simple mistakes for chord changes and such.
What you put on it (lyrics, chord charts, SN) is up to you.
Whether you're judged a douchebag because of the stand or a great musician because of how you play, IMO, who cares? You're the one on the stage so everyone who complains can GTH.
IMO, when we're all old and gray sitting in an old age home with our diapers and arthritic hands, no one will remember that you played with a stand on the stage, only the great gigs that we did, the music that we enjoyed, the people that we met and loved and the appreciation that we were able to do what we did. Can't get better than that.
Whatever gets you through.
That being said, I've always memorized songs in regular gigging bands that had 40-50 tunes to play. Subbing for a band with songs I've heard but not played, I'd put my "chord" charts on top of my amp and take a look at them between songs. Other bands that had hundreds of tunes to play, stands were an accepted part of the stage equipment. Now I'd probably use one just to keep things in order since I don't gig much and don't care to make simple mistakes for chord changes and such.
That's just it, it's not ALL about the music, it's the whole performance package!
If you have a band leader calling songs from a list of 400 and your at a wedding gig where the band is there to provide music the guest request then OK ... If however your playing the stage a BB Kings it's about looking the part and playing with a convincing level of audience interaction and participation, that would not be a place to be reading charts, and/or your words.
Well it's funny that you say that. I saw a show at BB Kings in NYC not to long ago and the band does mostly Tower Of Power stuff. They all had stands, they looked great and sounded killer.
It's situational, depending not only on the band but the player. If a player has the chops, and stage presence, and is a fluent reader, well dressed, and good looking, he will probably look great on stage with or without a stand.
A player who is struggling with those skills will look awkward.
Part of rock & roll is the illusion that the music is spontaneous and homegrown. The band's creative oeuvre is supposed to derive from years of rehearsal and suffering. A bunch of geezers who are obviously subbing for the money, sight-reading the tunes, and nailing them perfectly on the first try, spoils the illusion. That's despite the fact that many of the greatest tunes of all time were recorded in exactly that way.
A player who is struggling with those skills will look awkward.
Part of rock & roll is the illusion that the music is spontaneous and homegrown. The band's creative oeuvre is supposed to derive from years of rehearsal and suffering. A bunch of geezers who are obviously subbing for the money, sight-reading the tunes, and nailing them perfectly on the first try, spoils the illusion. That's despite the fact that many of the greatest tunes of all time were recorded in exactly that way.
I'm sure they very well did ... and I kinda give horn sections a break as they are usually near the backline.
However when I saw the late great Albert Collins and the Icebreakers also at BBs they did not and it was THE best and most high-energy show I have yet to see!
I'm not here to bust your chops Peter, in your situation it works ... I had a singer flipping paper every other song in a 4 piece band and doing it for two years ... that did not work!
... My new moto "There is no ONE solution"
I was talking about my band to my DB private lesson teacher and he said "Wait, you guys memorize all of your music? Not even a sheet for chords or something like that? You guys should at least try it out. It may help."
I don't think he gets the difference between classical performances and metal shows.
I don't think he gets the difference between classical performances and metal shows.
Ever notice that people universally complain about things that "other people" do?
It doesn't matter whether it's use a stand, drive a car or anything else you can think of as long as it's "other people".
There's a lesson in there somewhere...I think.
I don't ever recall looking down my nose and seeing myself.
It doesn't matter whether it's use a stand, drive a car or anything else you can think of as long as it's "other people".
There's a lesson in there somewhere...I think.
I don't ever recall looking down my nose and seeing myself.
I work a full time job, I'm in my final year toward my BAS in Electronic Engineering. I play for a Praise and Worship Team doing music I have never done in the past. I was always a metal head and am unfamiliar with most of the music we play and it's obvious I don't have time to memorize a set list that changes weekly. So, this makes me a douchebag now? The OP is a idiot.
For 90% of us on the boards.. it's communication and visual first.. a few flubs are better than a distraction.
Yeah, producer ...
Musicians give a crap about the music. That's my primary job, always.
They're paid to assembled the parts into tickets, tshirsts and CDs sold.
We all'd be amazed at what you can notice from the bleachers .. or belchers
