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Music Stands on Stage

#182
Pacman said:
No, the *vast* majority don't even notice. They're dancing, drinking or trying to make time with the opposite sex. As long as the band is grooving, the overwhelming majority doesn't even notice. However, if the band is screwing up, THEN they notice.


Want to put odds on which of the two methods leaves the most room to screw up?
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I pretty much agree with this. That's why I don't really care about it. On the other hand, you wouldn't see many casino bands with stands on stage. Not having stands raises the level of professionalism, and I'm sure the people who audition bands for high-paying venues want to see a tight act with no stands on stage.
 
#183
If we're talking about teleprompters that are concealed as wedge monitors, that's another story entirely. I think a lot of people would be shocked to know how many of their favorite artists who are playing the theater / arena / stadium circuit are using teleprompters onstage. Name a big artist, and odds are they may be using a teleprompter onstage: Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, members of the Grateful Dead, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Prince, Elton John and more have all been seen using teleprompters at shows. But because they're concealed as wedges, it's easier to keep it under wraps. It's all a little food for thought.
 
#184
ShoeManiac said:
If we're talking about teleprompters that are concealed as wedge monitors, that's another story entirely. I think a lot of people would be shocked to know how many of their favorite artists who are playing the theater / arena / stadium circuit are using teleprompters onstage. Name a big artist, and odds are they may be using a teleprompter onstage: Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, members of the Grateful Dead, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Prince, Elton John and more have all been seen using teleprompters at shows. But because they're concealed as wedges, it's easier to keep it under wraps. It's all a little food for thought.
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Well of course those guys use 'em. They're all old farts. The young kids don't need 'em ...




... because they're lip-syncing to a recording.
 
#186
I have struggled with this idea. I can play bass, and I mean I can really play bass, but memory has never been on my side. I just can not internalise the amount of songs that others seem to be able to, I don't retain information like that. I can do it, but it takes me a lot more work than it seems to take my peers. I'm seriously looking at buying an iPad as a music stand and having it up on stage on gigs where I've had to learn a lot of stuff (structures are my weakness. I can keep up with everyone else's memory just fine if I have a few little notes about the structure).

I'm on the side of the stage anyway, I don't think anyone will really care if there's an iPad on a music stand (ideally in front of a monitor though). I just don't think anyone will except a few wet blankets at rock gigs. In fact I think it will help me get seriously a lot of work
 
#187
Just got home, 3:30am, no problem.

Good gig tonight, cool venue, the Rock & Blues Haus in Manitowoc.

Our drummer had a music stand, but it was mixed in with his hardware and indistinguishable.

We were asked back and put on a once every 3 month schedule.

blue

Pics from our show:
 
#189
Munjibunga said:
Well of course those guys use 'em. They're all old farts. The young kids don't need 'em ....
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Hi Munjibunga,

I must be a 59 year old kid then, I have never owned a music stand or tele-prompter and never used either and I'm still rockin.

And by the way the award winning artists you refer to as old, they will always be 27 years old to me.

blue

Off topic;

Based on many threads and comments from Tbers,I have to admit, this whole rock band thing is completely different for the younger generation then for guys like me. I kind of like living in my rock world, wouldn't want to trade places with anyone . I consider myself very lucky that I came of age in the mid 60's.
 
#190
Ben Wilkie said:
As a musician I understand there is sometimes a need for music stands, so I don't really care. Non-musicians won't even notice or really care. They are my thoughts on the matter.

Either way, live and let live guys.
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Hi Ben,

I have no use for a music stand, but I guess some do and that's fine. However, I will never assume or guess about who notices or cares about any aspect of what I will call the "Bar Band Show" I always have the mind set that everyone notices everything.

blue
 
#191
Hi Ben,

I have no use for a music stand, but I guess some do and that's fine. However, I will never assume or guess about who notices or cares about any aspect of what I will call the "Bar Band Show" I always have the mind set that everyone notices everything.

blue
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I get it if the stand is in the middle of the stage or in front of you the whole time, but a stand off to the side (bass players being on the side anyway) is really going to be noticed by everyone? And those that do notice will even think twice about it? I doubt it.

"This band really rocks, but I caught the bass player looking that metal stand a few times"

Can you imagine it happening?

I could imagine, though,
"Those guys were alright but they were buried in their music stands the whole damn show"
 
#192
puddin tame said:
I get it if the stand is in the middle of the stage or in front of you the whole time, but a stand off to the side (bass players being on the side anyway) is really going to be noticed by everyone?
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Hi Puddin Tame,

I get where your coming from to a degree.


However. when I joined my band I made is clear to them that I am not and will not be an " off to the side" performer. I can't get the attention from the audience I need from the side or back of the stage. They had no problem with it.

blue
 
#193
Munjibunga said:
I pretty much agree with this. That's why I don't really care about it. On the other hand, you wouldn't see many casino bands with stands on stage. Not having stands raises the level of professionalism, and I'm sure the people who audition bands for high-paying venues want to see a tight act with no stands on stage.
Click to expand...

I don't think the presence or absence of stands on the stage has anything to do with the level of professionalism. Stands or no stands the band is happening or it isn't.
 
#195
Here is a test for the guys in rock bar/cover bands to see how a visible music stand is perceived by club owners. Make a DVD of your band playing various songs on stage and have a music stand visible in front of your vocalist. Then start shopping that DVD around to all the hottest, best paying clubs in your town. Report back here with the results.
 
#196
Clef_de_fa said:
I don,t know ... I played classical music for a big part of my musical life and it is easy to read what it is in front of you while playing. Sometime I have played music for the first time, never heard it before and you have to play. You follow the conductor and you do what is on the page. Quite simple if you ask me.

If you are on stage withtout anything to fall back on ... and you forget the 3 chords of your pop song ... you will have to do something quick to be back on track no ? Glare at the hand of your guitard ? stare at you keyboard player ? stare at the dreaded sheet that you can't read at your feet ?

S*** happen, have a safety net isn't bad


Also not everyone is a rocker , I won't every play classical music without my sheet music infront of me ... there is too much stuff to remember. I would also perform jazz with a stand.
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Sure. But its an apples and oranges thing. I was an organ performance major for a while and played classical music for years. Had page turners at times.

Playing bass in some bar? Should I have notation or something available? A music stand is just of no value to me at all. If I forget a line I can at least play the root note and I don't need something on a page to figure that out. In my case, pieces of paper or some form of notation are just not necessary or helpful.
 
#197
ShoeManiac said:
If we're talking about teleprompters that are concealed as wedge monitors, that's another story entirely. I think a lot of people would be shocked to know how many of their favorite artists who are playing the theater / arena / stadium circuit are using teleprompters onstage. Name a big artist, and odds are they may be using a teleprompter onstage: Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, members of the Grateful Dead, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Prince, Elton John and more have all been seen using teleprompters at shows. But because they're concealed as wedges, it's easier to keep it under wraps. It's all a little food for thought.
Click to expand...

The fact that they conceal it really says it all. just not cool to have stands unless you are playing classical music.
 
#198
bassboysam said:
The fact that they conceal it really says it all. just not cool to have stands unless you are playing classical music.
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last time I say members of the dead play was maybe 3-4 years ago...Phil had a music stand at that time, as did Warren Haynes...

Its only a big deal if you make it a big deal and your band is one of the ones that puts an emphasis on showmanship over music..
 
#200
glocke1 said:
last time I say members of the dead play was maybe 3-4 years ago...Phil had a music stand at that time, as did Warren Haynes...

Its only a big deal if you make it a big deal and your band is one of the ones that puts an emphasis on showmanship over music..
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Why does it have to be one over the other? For quality bands in many musical genres, its equally important.
 

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