The (nearly) Unspeakable Enemy: Music Stands

[GeneralElectric]

I just started up in a professional cover band and this is my third such dedicated band. I've played with most of these guys in a prior cover band. Currently we have 'done' about 90 minutes of music. We are trying to get double that and are looking to start playing in February.
My binder has all the songs we're going to play in the order of the set list. I bring it every week and I plunk it on my music stand. Mostly its just for a refresher because most of the songs are in a key different from the original. Since we're an 80s cover band, we're spanning all sorts of different genres and styles, which was a lot harder than when I was in an Motown/R&B cover band where I all did was vibe over changes. It pays to be more exact and helps keep things tight. I also wish that my bandmates would bring charts to rehearsal to tighten things up.

I use a full size music stand. Its got eyeball string lights on it so it lights up. I feel that it looks more like a prop than anything and I've used it before live, especially when I did one off gigs. I also have painted cabinets so I guess it fills out my overall look.

 

[khutch]

If you are playing the same songs every night/week for months on end in a band that puts on a physical stage show as well as a musical performance then, yeah, you should memorize your music. Otherwise, who cares? I mean it is somewhat rare to see music stands in pop music but does that matter? Does anyone pay any attention to the bass player anyway? TV cameramen don't: when I see an act on TV and want to see what bass the bassist uses just for grins it is generally pretty difficult to do that because he/she is rarely on screen and seldom for very long. You can forget about shots long enough to study their technique!! I play in a church band and we use stands. I memorize the songs we play often enough to make that feasible but we have quite a turnover from week to week and some songs we will play only once or once every year or two. So I use music a lot.

Active or passive, eh? I prefer active. I use an iPad running Scorcerer because it will import music from pdfs which is how I get my music and it is one of the few that will do both that and run on a first generation iPad which is what we have. I also use a Bluetooth foot switch to turn pages and that is great! Passive (printed) music has advantages. The page size is a bit bigger so easier to see. And you can put it in a binder so you can easily see two pages at once and in some cases that is a whole song. But you do have to turn pages and that is a huge distraction. I attend a few orchestra concerts a year by a very good professional orchestra and it is always amusing to watch them deal with page turns. If a group of instruments is large enough they will share music in pairs and the junior member of each pair gets the page turner assignment. In the string section the page turner will often try to turn pages using the tip of his/her bow and that works great sometimes and is quite amusing to watch when it doesn't work so well! I've seen a very good conductor continue to conduct flawlessly with one hand and head gestures while struggling to turn a page in a score which turned back to where it had been five or six times on him before he got it turned for good! And I dealt with all that for years as a young lad playing clarinet in school bands.

One thing I do with either printed or electronic scores is rip them apart, make extra copies of pages, and cut/paste them back together so that I have a linear copy of the music. That way I only need to do forward page turns, maybe back one page on rare occasions, absolutely never back more than one page. I only allow backward repeats to stand as is if they span a single page on electronic copies or two facing pages on paper copies. It is a time investment to do that work but it really does make it easier to break away from the music and connect with the audience/congregation so I feel that it is a very valuable thing to do when you play from music.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

You got that right. Just one more thing for a certain whiney element on TB to try to use in a vain attempt to claim superiority.

I disagree. My attitude about the use of music stands neither makes me whiney, nor do I claim any superiority.

I think our goal as entertainers is to put on a show that engages the audience. If you know your audience, and I hope that you do, you know what engages them and also what disengages them. In some genres, I find a clear distinction in engagement level between bands that use them and bands that don't. Of course my experience is anecdotal... But in five years of regularly performing bluegrass across a dozen states, I've never seen a live, on-stage band using stands that engages the audience the way one without does. They don't engage with each other as well, either. I don't go to metal shows, but I'd bet money the same thing is true for those bands and audiences, generally.

Don't get me wrong--I'm a fan of stands! In fact, I've been considering the iPad idea for about a year (and have you seen the Bluetooth page-turn foot pedals? fabulous idea!). I perform in musical theater, where we get charts sometimes a week ahead of performance, and we have to learn 30-40 songs before opening night. Most of us are reading charts for the first week, at least. I rarely get around to memorizing most of the tunes (though I play with guys that close the book by week 2). Clearly, I depend on my stand. But I'm seldom in front of the audience, and I work with band leaders that direct, and engagement isn't my job--nailing the notes is. Same for the orchestra gigs I get--the "show" has few visual elements; it's all about the notes.

For both of these gigs, musicians dress in all black so as to blend in--the actors or choir have the visual engagement job.

From the OP, and responses, I see the benefit if you're a sub, new to the band, or working up new material quickly, original or otherwise. I love the idea of hiding an iPad stand up with the drum rigging for reference.

But, again, I think if you use it regularly, you ARE missing an opportunity to engage with the audience and other performers. And IMHO, that's key to a great show. If your audience doesn't care, more power to you. You are probably able to expand your repertoire much farther on a given night than I am. My bluegrass band has a mental song book of about 200 tunes we might play 30 of on a given night (we usually play no more than two sets). Maybe your crowd likes your sets better because you can cover more ground.

But you have to know your audience. Mine doesn't respect the stand.

 

[lfmn16]

I disagree. My attitude about the use of music stands neither makes me whiney, nor do I claim any superiority.

I think our goal as entertainers is to put on a show that engages the audience. If you know your audience, and I hope that you do, you know what engages them and also what disengages them. In some genres, I find a clear distinction in engagement level between bands that use them and bands that don't. Of course my experience is anecdotal... But in five years of regularly performing bluegrass across a dozen states, I've never seen a live, on-stage band using stands that engages the audience the way one without does. They don't engage with each other as well, either. I don't go to metal shows, but I'd bet money the same thing is true for those bands and audiences, generally.

Don't get me wrong--I'm a fan of stands! In fact, I've been considering the iPad idea for about a year (and have you seen the Bluetooth page-turn foot pedals? fabulous idea!). I perform in musical theater, where we get charts sometimes a week ahead of performance, and we have to learn 30-40 songs before opening night. Most of us are reading charts for the first week, at least. I rarely get around to memorizing most of the tunes (though I play with guys that close the book by week 2). Clearly, I depend on my stand. But I'm seldom in front of the audience, and I work with band leaders that direct, and engagement isn't my job--nailing the notes is. Same for the orchestra gigs I get--the "show" has few visual elements; it's all about the notes.

For both of these gigs, musicians dress in all black so as to blend in--the actors or choir have the visual engagement job.

From the OP, and responses, I see the benefit if you're a sub, new to the band, or working up new material quickly, original or otherwise. I love the idea of hiding an iPad stand up with the drum rigging for reference.

But, again, I think if you use it regularly, you ARE missing an opportunity to engage with the audience and other performers. And IMHO, that's key to a great show. If your audience doesn't care, more power to you. You are probably able to expand your repertoire much farther on a given night than I am. My bluegrass band has a mental song book of about 200 tunes we might play 30 of on a given night (we usually play no more than two sets). Maybe your crowd likes your sets better because you can cover more ground.

But you have to know your audience. Mine doesn't respect the stand.

I think we need to use a little common sense here, which is often sadly lacking on TB. If you are talking about a band where all band members have big music stands right in front of them, with their faces buried in them, completely ignoring the audience, I would agree that that is unprofessional. If you are talking about one or two members with stands discretely off to the side, with the users checking them occasionally, I don't believe anyone cares.

I never even heard that this was an issue until I joined TB - along with a host of other non issues that some TB members like to argue ad nauseum.

 

[Slevage]

Nobody seems to care about this and these folks spend more than the average amount of time perfecting their craft. I don't know what type of music you play but at my age I much rather see a band that sounds good versus one that looks good.

The stands are just there for show. They are advanced Suzuki students. LOL

 

[whatizitman]

This is the first I've heard of Bluetooth page turners. Did a google. Too expensive for my tastes. Buuuuuuut... Instructables has a few DIY projects. Googled a little more about adafruit's EZ Key. Next project, definitely. Just gotta finish my other projects. Kinda lost motivation for them, though, and I could use the page turner sooner than later... Dammit, TB. I both love and hate you.

 

[arbiterusa]

I believe as performers, it is our responsibility to give audiences a show on stage, moving around (as much as the venue facilitates) and not having our faces buried in music stands.

I will never understand this mentality and I have run into it at every single online music forum I've found. Pros use music stands, period. If you think it will mess with your precious image, get a tablet mount and use it instead.

The thing that will ruin a show for your audience is getting lost in a song, or forgetting a lyric, because you didn't bring your music stand.

 

[engedi1]

This literally ONLY matters to TBer's. If you want to use a stand to ensure you perform at your top abilities, then please use the stand.

This is so not true. I have been to gigs where I show up with the music stand and totally gotten crap from other band members (fill in gigs where I had to learn like 50 songs) Now the audience probably doesn't care if the bass player uses a music stand, but the other band members often do. And this is even MORE true in the jazz world, where you are expected to simply know every song that has ever been written or learn it by ear the first time through.

 

[engedi1]

But to the OP's point, for auditions and stuff, sure, why not use a music stand? If you get a gig with a band then you should learn all those songs at that point.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

...please, I iPad....

If I have to memorize all the charts I play I´m screwed.

 

[rufus.K]

How dare you consider using a stand, what a heinous thought.

 

[mellowinman]

I have never used one, and rarely get lost, however, you may do as you wish. If you are subbing a lot, by all means. I do believe it is separated by genre. Rock bands - no stands. I can only imagine what the sheet music for bass looks like on most Rock songs.

Band: Van Halen
Song: Running With The Devil

Intro/Chorus
|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|--0--0--0--0---|-0--0--0--12\|-0--0--0--0--|-0--0--0--0--|

|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|--0--0--0--0---|-0--0--0--12\|-0--0--0--0--|-0--0--0--0--|

|---------------|--------------|
|---------------|--------------|
|---------------|--------------|
|--0--0--0--0---|-0--0--0--2-3-|

...

 

[Slevage]

I have never used one, and rarely get lost, however, you may do as you wish. If you are subbing a lot, by all means. I do believe it is separated by genre. Rock bands - no stands. I can only imagine what the sheet music for bass looks like on most Rock songs.

Band: Van Halen
Song: Running With The Devil

Intro/Chorus
|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|--0--0--0--0---|-0--0--0--12\|-0--0--0--0--|-0--0--0--0--|

|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|--0--0--0--0---|-0--0--0--12\|-0--0--0--0--|-0--0--0--0--|

|---------------|--------------|
|---------------|--------------|
|---------------|--------------|
|--0--0--0--0---|-0--0--0--2-3-|

...

That "sheet music" wouldn't help me one bit. I know the other language.

 

[City]

eh, er, agree, tablet......I paid a bit for OnSong and you can put tabs as well as link music to it for practicing....funny though, after about 3-4 months the need for the tablet drastically reduces because you eventually load the brain, then the Christmas tunes start, and were added, because for once a year, well I need reminded.

 

[mellowinman]

That "sheet music" wouldn't help me one bit. I know the other language.

I couldn't find any real sheet music for that song. I was only trying to be funny. I really don't care who uses music stands, iPads, or whatever they like.

And tab is even easier than staff. It's basically a picture of the fretboard.

 

[whatizitman]

This is so not true. I have been to gigs where I show up with the music stand and totally gotten crap from other band members (fill in gigs where I had to learn like 50 songs) Now the audience probably doesn't care if the bass player uses a music stand, but the other band members often do. And this is even MORE true in the jazz world, where you are expected to simply know every song that has ever been written or learn it by ear the first time through.

I'm sure this happens, but I think it says something about the musicians more than the "problem" of using a stand. If said band members have such a problem with a sit-in not knowing all of their stuff, then they need to hire a regular. Maybe they can't keep 'em very long.

But I'm neither a jazz nor a session musician. So, the likelihood of me being in such a competitive situation is next to nothing.

Now, I do happen to have a notoriously difficult time memorizing lyrics. Definitely more than normal. So much that I have shied away from singing of late because I tend to forget lyrics, alot. Not that I sing any good, but I do like to write songs, which often makes me sing by default. I'm thinking very seriously about going the iPad route for lyrics for current gigs/projects. The music I play doesn't really require charts, though. So I could probably get by with just some text/document app for lyrics with chord/key names.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I have seen several bands, Ozzy was the first, that have what look to be monitors, (from the audience perspective) yet house lcd screens, acting as teleprompters

Fleetwood Mac uses them too. The entire set, including arrangements scrolls across them, and is controlled by a staffer from two computer monitors off stage. (you can see them just to the right of the staircase in the before show picture)

From my perspective I could see Stevie's prompter was in extra-large font, presumably because of her poor eyesight.

 

[engedi1]

I'm sure this happens, but I think it says something about the musicians more than the "problem" of using a stand. If said band members have such a problem with a sit-in not knowing all of their stuff, then they need to hire a regular. Maybe they can't keep 'em very long.

.

Couple of good points here. Yes, they need permanent people, and need to learn how to keep them. But subs will always be needed. It just an ego thing, especially with jazz players where there is often a lot of pissing contests going on. " you need a chart?, what are you an amateur?". I don't get this attitude but it is there.

 

[nashvillebill]

Yet if you Google images of some of the most famous older bands, like the Glenn Miller Orchestra, or (gasp) Lawrence Welk, what do you see? Music stands! Hardly amateurs and certainly not subs, I would say they knew their stuff.

Oh but those are older bands...okay, there's images of Frank Zappa's band with music stands.

 

[azureblue]

This is the evilst of all music stands. Guaranteed to dump all your music on the floor in the middle of the most critical part of the song

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]