So I played a pretty cool gig...

[40Hz]

I can read. But I still prefer to know the music as well. Not always doable - so that's where being able to read makes the difference between landing the gig and not. Never hurts to be able to read. But it certainly can hurt to not be able to sometimes.

The more you know, the better you show.

 

[pfschim]

read
and listen, listen, listen like crazy
always was quite a compliment to be told you had "big ears" (and I don't mean the size of them )

 

[Joebone]

read
and listen, listen, listen like crazy
always was quite a compliment to be told you had "big ears" (and I don't mean the size of them )

What he said!

 

[GhettoBrassGuy]

When I make charts I find it harder to memorize the tunes. I'll get the gist but never the intricacies committed to memory. I recently played a high profile gig in Bali, Indonesia that was both in and out of my wheelhouse. Backing up a pop singer named Leona Lewis and a guy from a classical crossover group called Il Divo. We played some of the standard Il Divo stuff along with his new more modern solo stuff. I made charts for all of it, but after three 8 hour rehearsals I only needed to glance down at the classical-ish stuff by the time the show came. If charts aren't an issue and the gig is a one off I don't see the problem, though I like to have them placed somewhere off to the side on a iPad and not a big music stand in front of me.

 

[anotherhomeysan]

I'm located in Las Vegas and I get to do some traveling as well as 5 gigs a week in town. Not a brag post, but more or less a thank God we all still play a bass guitar/upright bass. We live in a time where everyday we get more and more (bass track) songs that get jammed on radios. So I'm glad that there is a still a need (want) for real bass. So anyhow in regard to the topic. I have been fortunate enough to work for a producer in town that gets a call 5 out of the last 7 years to put a band together to play at the HBO Emmys afterparty. I get the call and the other musicians are all professional as well. Vegas show members and the drummer that had played in THE FAMILY STONE. Amazing drummer named Frank Klepacki , he also composes Video game scores. So let's say we get the music approved (covers) 2 weeks before the gig and we have 3 rehearsals scheduled prior to the date. 90% of the material has no traditional bass. Just mindless low notes played on a keyboard/laptop. Not complaining, but then we are told that the original versions are just for reference. Key changes, style changes, and tempo/note changes TBA. So all of this with a four piece band and female lead singer. The best part is that we only do 2 rehearsals because the first scheduled rehearsal turns into a gong show due to the fact the keyboardist and guitarists have charts (what are charts?) So fast forward to the sound check .. SIR LA provides gear. At least it's an ampeg as requested... unfortunately it is a Porta-flex 350 with the single 15 matching cab. Why oh why are the speakers so inefficient in these cabs? Granted it's an outside gig under a Pagoda as decorated. But, seriously the speaker is blown to the tune of both volumes at about 10 o'clock and low end cut back. No D.I. (thank God I bring a sans amp). The producer wants continuity on stage so I get a music stand as well for the guitarist. Mine has a setlist. So the gig happens and I miraculously remember verbatim every song and actually get a thumbs up from Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. Meanwhile the chart guys are having issues reading their own charts and personal notes. Mind you I'm not boasting. I pose a question. Do you feel it is beneficial to read or not to read? That being a question in regards to pop music. As opposed to actually "learning" songs. Also as we all have to wear many hats and learn every style of music, does it make sense to apply every facet of your knowledge into higher profile gigs? More so than your regular shows (bands)?

You look cool. Red p bass = good call.

 

[70spbase]

I'm in Vegas. Please let me know about some of your upcoming gigs so that I can go check 'em out.

Oh cool, good to meet ya. I play tomorrow night at Mandalay 10-2 in Mizuya lounge.

 

[P. Aaron]

I learned to read long after I developed a system to learn (recorded) music I needed to learn. All that being said, having both abilities can open up opportunities to get a handle on a complex series of music but having solid ears usually motivates you to stay independent of the stand-iPad crutch.

I prefer to learn it and memorize. Yeah, I may make mistakes when learning by memory, but I rarely make those mistakes twice. With the sheet, unless you do homework, you’ll never get free of it.

I know guys playing the same songs almost 10 years later, same key, arrangements, no changes and they’re still buried in it.