| Author |
Topic: Do you use a music stand when you perform? |
Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
|
Posted 7 Dec 2015 8:53 pm |
|
Do you or your band-mates use a music stand when you perform?
I have stopped using one, because I felt it looked tacky, or "unprofessional."
I found I was lugging around a Music stand and a big notebook of 400+ songs to all my gigs, and really not needing to ever look at it...
I also felt it got in the way of making eye contact with the audience.
On the rare occasion when I need the words to a new song, I print out a small lyrics sheet that is basically invisible to the crowd.
Dom
_________________
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
|
|
|
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
Posted 7 Dec 2015 9:56 pm
|
|
It depends on the demands of the gig. Some gigs I need to read music so I use a music stand. Lately I have been using my iPad for charts and sheet music when I can. It works really well. A piece of music that has a few pages with tricky navigation can be a hassle with the iPad for me though.
For bar gigs where you get requests you can look up chords/lyrics on a smart phone. It comes in super handy.
That 400 page book will fit in a small tablet you can leave on the floor or on your keyhead for easy reference.
_________________
Bob |
|
|
|
Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 4:59 am
|
|
I feel the same way, Dom. However, as the years creep up, my forgetful mind demands little reminders. The music stand is a crutch, but I've got a limp, so...
_________________
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
|
|
|
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 5:30 am
|
|
| I used one when I was touring with Tommy Cash, as we had a programmed set list. On local jobs I've never used one. |
|
|
|
Tom Campbell
From:
Houston, Texas, USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 6:12 am
|
|
| We use music stands in the "Praise Band" at church. Many of the songs aren't replayed for months, so it's a way to jog the memory even though the song is familiar. |
|
|
|
Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 7:22 am
|
|
I agree that hiding behind a music stand looks unprofessional if you're playing popular music.
If the gig is classical music, show music, church music, or a pit band situation, it should be perfectly acceptable.
As an old lummox, my personal setup has evolved into keeping everything as simple as possible. That philosophy likely flies in the face of many steel guitarists. Especially pedal steel players, some of whom seem to carry two of every gadget ever invented just to play out.
To each his own, but sometimes I chuckle at some of the photos I've seen posted here. The ones with enough gear behind, to each side, on the floor, and hanging from the instrument, to stock a small music store.
Still waiting to see a photo of a ten-pedal, eleven-knee lever D-14 with a kitchen sink attached. There's gotta be one out there somewhere, likely with a readily available backup... just in case... |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 7:36 am
|
|
| I use one of those stands that attach to the front legs of my pedal steel. I forget who I bought it from. |
|
|
|
chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 9:54 am
|
|
for a normal band gig it looks tacky and says, 'this isn't really what i do!'
you're either a band or you're not. if you are, you know the material. |
|
|
|
Jerry Berger
From:
Nampa, Idaho USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 9:54 am
|
|
| Erv Niehaus wrote: |
| I use one of those stands that attach to the front legs of my pedal steel. I forget who I bought it from. |
This is not a indorsement from me but Tom Bradshaw sells a "Tab Rack" on his web site that attaches to the front legs of most pedal steels.
Last edited by Jerry Berger on 8 Dec 2015 10:34 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
Barry Blackwood
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 10:00 am
|
|
| Quote: |
| Do you use a music stand when you perform? |
Only if the drunks get too close.. 
If your vision is good, you could write the lyrics on your shoes.
Kidding aside, it's just another thing that can get knocked over or falls over into your other (expensive) equipment and should be avoided whenever possible. |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 10:00 am
|
|
| I believe the one I have was from Scotty's. I don't think they are available from them anymore. |
|
|
|
Barry Blackwood
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 10:04 am
|
|
| Quote: |
for a normal band gig it looks tacky and says, 'this isn't really what i do!'
you're either a band or you're not. if you are, you know the material. |
You could always paint SUB on the back of the stand... |
|
|
|
Gary Lee Gimble
From:
Fredericksburg, VA.
|
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 10:36 am
|
|
Large and necessary:
 |
|
|
|
Brett Lanier
From:
Hermitage, TN
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 10:37 am
|
|
| If I need a chart for only one or two songs I'll tear a sheet of 8" x 10" paper in half , write it on that and rest it on the keyheads of my guitar when I need it. |
|
|
|
Barry Blackwood
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 10:43 am
|
|
| Reminds me of what I used to do - stand 3x5 index cards in between the tuner knobs. |
|
|
|
Joachim Kettner
From:
Germany
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 10:54 am
|
|
If I see a "Rock" band with music stands my expectations match the outcome mostly. When I was still singing I'd rather repeat a verse or improvise it, than look at a lyric sheet.
_________________
Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube. |
|
|
|
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 11:02 am
|
|
It all depends on how much entertainment value you feel you need to give an audience.
Busy musicians don't have time to know all the material, especially if it is not a cover band gig. Playing original music as a sideman is a pretty worthy excuse.
I use a music stand to hold my drink.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
|
|
|
chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 11:26 am
|
|
| Gary Lee Gimble wrote: |
small and effective...
 |
i could never play in gary lee's league.
i don't own a suit! |
|
|
|
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 11:38 am
|
|
So it turns out that there is a big difference between "looking professional" and actually being professional !
_________________
Bob |
|
|
|
Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 11:40 am
|
|
I use this mic stand type one when it's called for...like for my song lists for steel shows or when I used to play a lot of jamboree type shows with several singers and unfamiliar tunes. Good to hold charts I write on index cards etc....
It attaches to the steel leg with non marring fittings and just big enough for a 4X6 index card.
I added a screw to add a 8 1/2 X 11 lexan panel which I sometimes use, tho rarely.
 Picture file |
|
|
|
Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 12:36 pm
|
|
There are two things that I dislike on a stage and both of them are music stands.
_________________
Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
|
|
|
Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 12:57 pm
|
|
95% of my gigs require reading music, so yes I do, in no way is a music stand "unprofessional", in my view
I have a "tab rack", by Tom Bradshaw, that goes on my steel when I need to read
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 1:02 pm
|
|
People who can't read music don't need a music stand.  |
|
|
|
Joachim Kettner
From:
Germany
|
Posted 8 Dec 2015 1:14 pm
|
|
It has mostly nothing to do with reading music, it's about chords.
_________________
Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube. |
|
|
|
