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Post by Onechordtrick on Jul 24, 2024 8:32:57 GMT
I play everything from my iPad and my audience has never complained  Seriously though I can't remember pieces reliably so it's essential for me, not that I have any plans on playing beyond my current audience. |
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Post by borborygmus on Jul 24, 2024 10:26:41 GMT
In the latest episode of the podcast Political Currency, Ed Balls and George Osborne talk about delivering a speech - they can both claim some experience in this. The parallels with our discussion are probably not surprising. Do you use notes, and if so, how? Teleprompters? Memorising? I think they agree that if you have written the speech (song) yourself, it is the easiest to deliver smoothly and convincingly. Peter |
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Post by malcolm on Jul 24, 2024 10:38:10 GMT
I don't do smart phones and the like, as a technophobe I just couldn't cope. I do know that when I've rehearsed songs in the past, if I have it all written down I end up relying on the text and chords to play it, whereas if I learn the song from listening repeatedly it tends to stick. I clearly have some learning issues.  This is the old fashioned approach that I have always used, it certainly works best for me. I always tell my beginner students, "learn the song in your head first". |
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leoroberts
C.O.G. 
Posts: 26,116 
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jul 24, 2024 11:40:13 GMT
I read somewhere that Mick Jagger uses a screen at the front of the stage that not only reminds him of the words but also reminds him which city he's playing at. Keith Richards probably uses one to help him remember his bandmates' names...  |
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jul 24, 2024 12:55:21 GMT
I read somewhere that Mick Jagger uses a screen at the front of the stage that not only reminds him of the words but also reminds him which city he's playing at. Keith Richards probably uses one to help him remember his bandmates' name s... FTFY  |
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Post by curmudgeon on Jul 24, 2024 13:39:51 GMT
When I played in bluegrass bands a music stand and/or cheat sheets were "agin the law!" but I was younger then.
Now I am 76 and mostly play solo (don't!) and I perform far less I have realised that I have simply run out of RAM! (I've always taken a small hat size!) ... but ... my hands have a far better memory than my voice. My hands never forget an arrangement ..... so far! In fact sometimes they just noodle great licks and progressions and I look down and wonder where this musical stuff comes from.
I run my own Acoustic Music Club and I see ever more "i-pads" on sticks, but still some four ring binders on music stands (that's what I use). but, as already said, some folks seem to hide behind them which is not good for your audience. Ah, some time ago, I was asked to make a video about my approach to "stagecraft" and music stands, etc, was mentioned ... here it is (sorry about the blackbirds)
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cesspit
Busker
Posts: 99
My main instrument is: Martin D10
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Post by cesspit on Jul 24, 2024 13:45:27 GMT
Keith Richards probably used stone tablets when he started out....
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ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
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Post by ocarolan on Jul 24, 2024 16:14:02 GMT
curmudgeon - great video Andy - some excellent points well made.  I can't live up to your requirements in the well-cut trouser department though ...  Keith
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Post by bobcarter on Jul 24, 2024 17:19:50 GMT
There's absolutely a place for both, but personally I do usually find it more engaging to watch a performer without. I went to a "proper" ticketed gig a few weeks ago with a solo performer doing a tribute show to a well-known singer songwriter - a show they had been touring extensively for some time - and was both surprised and disappointed to see them using the sheet music. It did detract from the experience for me, though had it been another context like an informal folk club, I would have thought nothing of it. The comparison with orchestra is interesting. Certainly the main orchestra will play from a score, but the soloist performing from memory is one of the magical things about watching the performance. I was watching First Night of the Proms the other night and they actually talked about an orchestra that makes a feature of the whole orchestra playing from memory. I think it was this one: www.auroraorchestra.com/memorised-performances/ |
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642 
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Jul 25, 2024 6:05:28 GMT
When I was younger, I used to easily memorize chords/lyrics and never played with a music stand or tablet. I needed a larger repertoire when I started playing pub gigs regularly, and I found it difficult to learn every word of over a hundred new songs. After a radio spot where I forgot the lyrics to one of my own songs, I started using a tablet as backup. I don't often need to look at it but when my mind goes blank mid-song, I am very grateful to have it with me.
I now use either a small iphone or an old ipad mini attached to my mic stand with a minimalistic holder. I doubt anyone in the pubs has noticed or cared. For folk club/festival type gigs, I mainly use it for my set list and rarely look at it for lyrics but do feel more confident knowing it's there if I need it. No one has ever said anything about it other than occasionally asking what program I'm using.
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Post by borborygmus on Jul 25, 2024 8:26:40 GMT
No one has ever said anything about it other than occasionally asking what program I'm using. What program are you using? Peter |
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Jul 25, 2024 9:13:16 GMT
What program are you using? Peter The older version of OnSong. I hear the newer version has some nice upgrades but I don't want to pay a monthly subscription fee, especially when the older version works so well on my old devices. |
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colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 2,395
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Post by colins on Jul 25, 2024 14:01:38 GMT
I come from a pre-App era, and stopped playing due to my injury some years ago now, but I'll add my much devalued 2d worth, (see I'm that old).
I see nothing wrong in the use of tablets or apps when playing at home or in open mike/circle of death type situations. However if you are being paid to perform in a club etc, then I think it is better to go naked and play without. There's nothing wrong with having a set crib sheet, remember when they were always taped to the guitar side, these can give details of running order, tuning and capo position, but I prefer the song to be played from memory.
I solved the learning lyrics bit by very rarely singing, being just a guitar/lute/banjo player, so I'd certainly take my opinion with a large pinch of salt.
Colin
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Jo whoever he is.
