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What's up with singers these days?

#61
Pacman said:
You can say it's unprofessional, but with very few exceptions the guys reading for their gigs are getting *far* more money.

I played two weeks ago for an American Idol finalist, an America's Got Talent finalist, and a great local entertainer. We had cheat sheets (mine on iPad), and I made a week's worth of cash off one gig. Do that in a bar...
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+1

There are diffrent rules for different genres.

I've never heard negative comments about the use of sheet music in any of the bands I respect the most; Tower of Power, Steeley Dan, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, etc. Of course, I'm someone who most of the posters on this thread would consider an old fart. If the music and sound are both good, I'm happy.
 
#62
jmattbassplaya said:
I usually go out and see three or four different bands playing on any given week, and I've begun to notice that most (not a few, not half, but most) singers these days are using lyric cheat sheets on stage - be it a laptop, iPad, or some other electronical 'database'. Has anyone else been noticing this trend or is this something that's just happening in my home town? Personally, I think it looks really tacky and obvious. It also kills a lot of bands' crowd interaction because the front man is never even looking at the audience.
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Look at the thread title indicating that the thread is about singers not learning the lyrics to songs. Has nothing to do with sidemen looking at charts or anything of the like, and although some of the OT posts have been interesting, they're still OT. It doesn't bother me nearly as badly if one of the sidemen is looking at a piece of paper, if they can be indiscreet, but again, that's not what this thread is about.

The singer needs to be the focal point of everything and needs to likewise, be focused on both the music and the audience.
 
#63
Akami said:
Look at the thread title indicating that the thread is about singers not learning the lyrics to songs. Has nothing to do with sidemen looking at charts or anything of the like, and although some of the OT posts have been interesting, they're still OT. It doesn't bother me nearly as badly if one of the sidemen is looking at a piece of paper, if they can be indiscreet, but again, that's not what this thread is about.

The singer needs to be the focal point of everything and needs to likewise, be focused on both the music and the audience.
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Thank you for reiterating this.

I posted this thread to discuss singers who use cheat sheets all the time. It's one thing to keep a book by your feet on stage that you can reference on rare occasion at a gig, but what I'm seeing are guys who have stands for their computers on stage so that they can glance down for an entire song and read the lyrics on the spot. And again, these are bands that I've seen multiple times. You'd think they'd have the words down to the same songs after 3 weeks.
 
#64
Jazzdogg said:
+1

There are diffrent rules for different genres.

I've never heard negative comments about the use of sheet music in any of the bands I respect the most; Tower of Power, Steeley Dan, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, etc. Of course, I'm someone who most of the posters on this thread would consider an old fart. If the music and sound are both good, I'm happy.
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Show me proof of any of those band using sheets live....I call your bluff.

Tony Levon using sheets live.....I wanna see it!!!!!
 
#66
Muzoid said:
Show me proof of any of those band using sheets live....I call your bluff.

Tony Levon using sheets live.....I wanna see it!!!!!
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jeff arddun said:
Steely Dan. Music stands clearly visible in the horn section.
Invalid Link Removed. Everyone has music in front of him.
TOP. Seen 'em a bunch of times and never seen a music stand even with subs.

The evidence speaks for itself.
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Your posts don't belong in this thread which is about singers.

Just read what the OP says below:
jmattbassplaya said:
Thank you for reiterating this.

I posted this thread to discuss singers who use cheat sheets all the time. It's one thing to keep a book by your feet on stage that you can reference on rare occasion at a gig, but what I'm seeing are guys who have stands for their computers on stage so that they can glance down for an entire song and read the lyrics on the spot. And again, these are bands that I've seen multiple times. You'd think they'd have the words down to the same songs after 3 weeks.
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#68
jeff arddun said:
If it morphed slightly that's ok. Besides the singer is just another band member so we're really not off topic.
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I can see the connection, but there is a big difference in how we view what the main performer at center stage does as opposed to what the supporting musicians do.

I won't belabor it if the OP is okay with it, but still find it far more acceptable for backing musicians to have a chart than for the lead vocalist to be reading the lyrics.
 
#69
Music stands have their place for sure. I think it really depends on the gig. If you are singing some obsure jazz stuff or polka and everyone has a stand in front of them it's cool. But if you are putting on a show and the singer has his/her face buried in a music stand it might as well be kareoke!
My singer used one for a long time and still holds up a cheat sheet on new tunes. I always whisper in his ear while he's doing it "play something you know" LOL. I will not even attempt to sing a tune unless I have it down!
So I would have to say no music stands for lead singers/front persons. Especially if they are not playing an instrument, It looks lame to me...just my opinion!
 
#71
Muzoid said:
So putting it behind the monitor and staring at the floor all night is cool by you?

hahaha....just razzin', nothing more.
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No, but better than a music stand sitting in the middle of the stage. I try to make concessions as I know sometimes a cheat sheet is needed. I typically use my android tablet to keep set lists and sometimes I integrate a quick chord progression note next to the songs on that. Just in case I need a quick refresher for a song we don't play all that often or was a very recent addition. Some times I am slow to memorize songs.

In the end though it is about entertaining, so in the early stages or for a new song or two they do that fine, if it becomes a constant then that is a problem.

Ken
 
#74
I think some of the responses suggesting that people don't mind is a misinterpretation of the fact that just because people don't complain doesn't mean they wouldn't rather see a more professional presentation, which is what they get when the singer can look them in the eye rather than at a piece of paper.
 
#79
Akami said:
I think some of the responses suggesting that people don't mind is a misinterpretation of the fact that just because people don't complain doesn't mean they wouldn't rather see a more professional presentation, which is what they get when the singer can look them in the eye rather than at a piece of paper.
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Huge +1

I've noticed a few people comment and say that they've never had any complaints about charts on stage. I have to ask those guys, do you seriously think people would have the audacity to actually say something? I know I wouldn't. I'd still say, "Good job, you guys sounded great," even if I was thinking something else. I'm going to support my fellow musicians - not tear them down.
 

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