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Music Stands on Stage

#262
I have a stand that I use. I tuck it in the back near the drummer, but that's where I stand. I keep my own notes on there for reference if I need them.

Personally, I don't see it being a big problem. I'd rather have a way to reference my notes easily than have an "oh s**t" moment up on stage.

If you're good enough not to need it, don't use it. I don't think it makes you less of a musician if you do.
 
#264
ShoeManiac said:
That all depends....

are you rocking out with a Cosby sweater?


cosby_one290x303.jpg
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Not that I'm aware of, I didn't notice what was on TV. It was a fun night, good crowd and nice owners. Not sure if they turned the TV off when we started our show.

I don't think I own a sweater, any kind of sweater

The pic below was taken a few hours after the Cosby Show.

blue
 
#266
Going for 20 pages of beating a dead horse????? This subject has been beat to death but life still goes on.

I usually walk out on most bands after 2 - 3 songs. Why? Cuz they have said everything they have to say after a couple songs. A music stand could really help them. I'm betting they all say a music stand is unprofessional.

Thousands of blues bands in my area. To me twelve bar shuffles get old fast. A music stand could really help them. I'm betting they all say a music stand in unprofessional.

Most bands play only one style. No need for a stand when you play the same song all night. A music stand could help them out. I'm betting they all say a music stand is unprofessional.

Some of us have alzheimers and a music stand is a must.

If your brain is big enough to "memorize" a whole night of gigging more power to you.

My pea brain needs a music stand.

I have been accused of never making a mistake. They are wrong of course but I know they are actually complimenting my music stand.

YMMV
 
#273
Floyd Eye said:
I-pads are pretty discreet and also kinda cool looking. ......
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Especially when clipped to the mic stand with an iKlip

41uTOfzbjPL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


.....and when combined with an app like Set List Maker (web shot...not our actual set list)

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Both my guitarist and I use an iKlip to keep track of the songs we have planned for each particular gig. Cuts down on the "what're we doing next?"...."what key are we doing that in?" chatter. When you're doing an average of 45 covers a night at two different locales, it helps to keep that stuff straight. We tend to note title and artist, key and sometimes who starts the song. There's a notes field where I sometimes add my own shorthand for different changes or variations.

Since there's already a mic stand there, we're not adding any additional hardware to the stage. And I can assure you nobody seems to care.
 
#275
James Judson said:
Thousands of blues bands in my area. To me twelve bar shuffles get old fast. A music stand could really help them. I'm betting they all say a music stand in unprofessional.
Click to expand...

I personally wouldn't want to pass judgement and say it's unprofessional. If a band chooses to use music stands it's fine.

I think they would look out of place in the places my band plays.

We're a blues/ rock band , we play maybe 3 twelve bar shuffles during a 4 hour bar gig.

Blue
 
#276
If playing is just a hobby for you, then by all means use a stand. But if you are serious about being a musician, and want to be taken seriously, no stand. I think a stand screams amateur. I know that is going to rub some people the wrong way, and again, if you're just having some fun, then fine but if not, then it basically boils down to laziness. I'm not here to convince you to stop anyone from using a stand. I know a couple of people that have been playing the same 10 songs at an open mic for a year, but they still use stands for those songs. Completely reliant on them. I also know they put very little practice time in at home. It's a crutch, but they have no desire or ambition to be musicians. The thing is, people are so lazy these days. Nobody wants to put in any work. They want to be good or great or rich and famous with 50% effort. I seem to be in the minority in that I'm willing to dedicate more than 30 minutes a day to whatever is I want to be good at. Woodshedding 3 hours a night minimum instead of flopping on the couch to watch American Idol. But again, if you are just having fun, it's a hobby, etc then this is by no means aimed at you and you don't have to defend yourself.
 
#278
I use a music stand because it shows I can read music--even if I only read the first line to get me going. :)


If I miss a note (happens too regularly), I can also squint at the music stand as though it's the music stand's fault. :hiding:
 
#279
Depends entirely on the gig. If I'm sitting in I have no problem using a music stand. With my normal band it's very rare I need a chart but sometimes we'll throw in an odd cover or two and then I'll put the charts on top of my amp stack for quick reference if needed.
 

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