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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jul 30, 2018 19:55:26 GMT
No strong feelings either way, if not too obtrusive and the performer is still performing "out" rather than reading continuously. I use one, hopefully relatively discreetly, quite often, though not always. My failing memory for words (- the guitar bits are much less of a problem) and increasing need for occasional prompts is stronger than the "why don't you just learn the words" argument. Trouble is, my also failing eyesight makes it harder to read the damn things. Music stands that stop me seeing the performer and instrument properly are a bit of a turn off, with the sitting-down-and-hiding-behind-the-stand approach being the worst extreme, esp in purely acoustic situations, when it makes it harder to hear as well as see. But even that doesn't niggle me as much as seeing nice headstocks festooned with capos and chooners - esp brightly coloured ones. But that too is yet another Keith Can't remember words unless I knew them 30 years ago; like Keith, chords OK, that's just natural. I'm certainly not a techie nerd but since I put a lot of work into transforming most of my songs onto a tablet with a scroll device, and after a few hiccups as well!!, I find using this is much less intrusive and largely deals with the issue Keith mentions about having a music stand and a big book of lyrics opened out on it which hides both player and guitar. Also saves carrying a load of stuff around. On the general subject I fall fairly clearly into the 'if you're being paid' then less prompts please; if your doing it for nothing then whatever comfort blankets help you then who should argue or criticise. (Both will have their exceptions of course).
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Post by andyhowell on Jul 30, 2018 21:16:52 GMT
Does that mean you were playing from memory or you put your music on the floor John Just busking. I may have been in the right key or not :-)
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jul 30, 2018 22:44:20 GMT
Natalie Merchant was reading from music for part of her set tonight....
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Post by andyhowell on Jul 31, 2018 7:09:10 GMT
One of the guys at this open mic has only just started playing after retirement. He likes to do a variety of stuff and tells me he is too old to learn lyrics. Which seems fair enough.
But for the youngsters to be doing it all the time seems a bit wrong. Their performances would be better if they knew their material.
As for Natalie M, well, like many of us - she’s not as young as she once was :-)
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Post by PistolPete on Jul 31, 2018 11:04:48 GMT
I'm generally not a fan of music stands on stage, I think for most performers they are unnecessary and a bit of a crutch that gets in the way.
That said for an open mic, where I don't think there's any expectation of professionalism, I think anything goes. A few lyric sheets on a music stand is definitely a better option than the mobile phone that automatically screen locks halfway through the song...
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Post by Vinny on Jul 31, 2018 12:08:14 GMT
Is it the music stand or the debate that's dreaded? Vinny
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Post by andyhowell on Jul 31, 2018 12:13:41 GMT
Is it the music stand or the debate that's dreaded? Vine Probably both :-) Thee is a place for them but I am surprised by kids who are serious about their music using them on feature/guest spots! Certainly when it is your own song I think you should have mastered the lyrics before venturing out !
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Post by Vinny on Jul 31, 2018 12:20:22 GMT
Must admit I'm not a fan either. However, as a few here have already said, I can remember lyrics I accidentally learned by osmosis in my teens, yet now find it hard work to learn new songs. I think my hard drive is full.
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Post by andyhowell on Jul 31, 2018 15:53:55 GMT
Must admit I'm not a fan either. However, as a few here have already said, I can remember lyrics I accidentally learned by osmosis in my teens, yet now find it hard work to learn new songs. I think my hard drive is full. Thats a possibility. Mind you, it's all solid state these days. I wonder if that will help.
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Post by Vinny on Jul 31, 2018 19:53:00 GMT
I’m getting less and less solid daily.
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Post by dreadnought28 on Jul 31, 2018 22:48:41 GMT
(Probably controversial but this is my honest opinion) The question is why are we performing? A bunch of friends and acquaintances sharing songs or performers entertaining in a venue where most people are there to listen and it is the performers responsibility to entertain them so they will return and spread the word? How often do song circles/ sing arounds/ singers nights whatever you want to call them actually have an audience? Does nobody else get the impression that sometimes virtually no-one is really listening to anyone else, they just want everyone to get on with it so they get another song? And have you noticed how many performers choose songs that last 6 minutes after the tuning and intro? I can name clubs I’ve been to where nobody welcomes new participants and it’s clearly a long established inward looking clique. Also I can name clubs where very few of the 28 who turn up on a singers night attend when there’s a guest.
I have always found learning songs very difficult. It isn’t just a matter of working out the chords and learning the words (which I find a nightmare), it’s working out an arrangement and then learning how to tell the story as if it’s your own story, you were there. In that way it is possible to move the audience. The most recent addition to my repertoire, Billy Joel’s And So it Goes, took me nine months to get to that point.
Ian Campbell who ran the famous Jug of Punch club in Birmingham told Harvey Andrews he was welcome to perform anytime as long as he had written and learned a new song to perform! Harvey will tell you that’s how he became a songwriter. What would he have told anyone turning up with a music stand?
When I started in folk clubs (1970) it would have been unthinkable to arrive with stand in hand. That’s why I have never used one. There was no choice but to learn the songs. I’m glad it was that way. It’s hard but worth it.
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Post by bleatoid on Jul 31, 2018 23:26:49 GMT
I can empathise with Chris' point of view. Actually, his arguments have brought me off the fence and I'm firmly in the no music stands camp now.
There you are, I've said it....
I'm thinking of the likely reaction, in the juke joints of the delta in the early years of the previous century, or the coffee houses of New York in the late 50''s early '60's, or the clubs of North West England in the early 60's, or indeed any hotbed of popular musical revolution in the last, say, hundred and a bit years, to a new performer turning up with a music stand and assorted props and prompts to put on it.
It's not right .... like opera with surtitles.....it's just not right.
Peter
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