Curious about that one. I have myself and also seen others perform with a mirror or video camera so the audience can be wowed by what the player is doing. This was playing home organs that operate like an arranger keyboard.

Do you agree that there is some type of "wow factor" if the crowd can see you fancy fingerwork?

Do you think it's worth it to haul a video camera and TV monitor to gigs to add more pizazz to a performance?

Do you think a singer/keyboardist would get better response using a TV monitor or an insturmental keyboardist, or no difference.

ScottY said he would award the participant with the best answers a check for $100. Let's hear it for ScottY!!!!!!!!!

Best
Scott Langholff http://www.ScottLMusic.com

Obviously this is a neat thing and not a necessity and requires extra expense and time. That said I would recommend the following. Get a miniDV camcorder and a good tripod (like a $100 or better) and position it so people won't knock it over. I would position it so you and your hands and some of the dancers are in the shot. Have a TV so the audience can see it. In some places this won't be necessary since most wedding receptions in Bingo rooms have lots of TVs. I tie in to their main system in this situation and it's all over the room. You'll also look great if they have a big screen TV. You won't need to actually tape anything if you are simply showing the audience the shot. However if you get a DVD recorder ($150 and up) and have tape in the camera you can do the following:
1) Make a DVD of your performance and give it to the bride and groom and stick a label with your name and phone number on it. You have just given them a priceless momento and heirloom that cost you a dollar to make. You have also just given them a business card they will never throw away.
2) You could add this service as an option. I would charge $100. But even $25 would eventually add up to pay for your costs. Of course you'd want to do it for free and not mention it beforehand the first few times in case you screw it up or something goes wrong. You may want to hire a 2nd person to do this during the show, and charge accordingly. I prefer to do it all myself so I'm not screwed if someone doesn't show up.
3) You could offer extra copies to others at an event for say $10-$20 dollars and mail it to the customers. Have them actually fill out their own mailing address on a card stock DVD mailer to save you time. Again, they are getting a lifetime business card from you.
4) If you run tape in the camera, you have a video of your performance for your own use. This will be useful for three reasons: it will be fun to look at years later and see how you have improved; it will be educational for you to see and hear your actual performance as you strive to better it; and finally you will be building up a great demo video you can put on your web site or mail to prospective customers. Note this video wil be DVD quality audio if you run rca cables from your mixer tape-out to the camera. When I video myself singing and play it back over the same PA, someone with their back turned couldn't tell which was which. I've done this for grins. miniDV is that good.
5) If you get good at this, you might open up a sideline business doing videos for weddings, etc.
Note A: I bring a 2nd TV to plug into the DVD recorder to make sure I can see what it is doing and make sure my shot is alligned correctly throughout the taping.
Note B: Depending on how many blank DVDs you are using, you may want to add more or less to the cost.
Note C: It is a good idea NOT to write on or affix a label to a blank DVD until AFTER it is used. That can cause problems recording.
Note D: Good places to get lots of info are
Digital Video Magazine http://www.dv.com
Videography Magazine http://videography.com
B&H Photo·Video·Pro Audio http://bhphotovideo.com
The two magazines offer free subscriptions to industry professionals. B&H offers good prices, large pro staff, huge selection. These guys sell cheap camcorders up to cameras that cost 6 figures so they know what they are talking about.

I shoot with a Sony DSR-PD170 camcorder (about $4,000 with case, battery, light, etc.) I edit with Sony Screenblast Movie Studio ($99.) Note that camera is WAY more than you need to do a shot of your fingers and keyboard. You could get by with something from Wal-Mart. But I do freelance news for TV stations so I needed an entry level broadcast quality camera.
If anyone wants more specific information I'd be happy to expand on the topic.

I am looking for a family reunion video I did and will send a message when I can find it. In the meantime, here is a news feature story I did for the local ABC affilate: http://mcdermottreport.com/images/bones_andyguestpark_edited.rm
Requires RealPlayer.

Another idea - and I've seen this done with groups of all sizes - is to use mirrors. I have seen guys who have standing gigs put in an overhead mirror angled down so that the crowd could look at the keyboard work. Pretty low tech for today's standards, but if it's a place you gig at often, it might be worth it.

Hello, Scott!

IMHO the mirror is the better choice as the tv monitors. Not only because this is my typical opinion (against needless technology - I think, you know me ), but the camera can't focus the scene in that way the mirrors do.
1. The spectator has a bigger range to look through the mirror to your hands. He can decide what he wants to see by changing his head position. Try the same on a tv screen and you will everytime see the same - the camera position!
2. A mirror normally looks more romantic than a tv screen. So, for classical presentation I would tend to advise you to use mirrors only. Maybe arranged with some candles?

Figure it out!!! Have fun!!!

------------------
Greetings from Frankfurt (Germany),
Sheriff ;-)

[This message has been edited by Sheriff (edited 05-06-2005).]

On occasion I have attached a small camera to my headset mic that runs to TV monitors so the audience sees exactly what I see. If I am looking at the front panel or my hands this is what they see. If I look at the dance floor to watch some old fart (no offense) trying to do the Macarena, then the audience gets to enjoy the attempt from my point of view.

Dave

Hey, Dave, this was a really funny view of this thematic...I liked the imagination of it...

[This message has been edited by Sheriff (edited 05-06-2005).]

What can I say?

Not too many years ago, when I had a pair of keyboards in front of me, I used to position the stand sideways, similar to the way on-stage piano concert players performed. At the time, I also used lyrics books, which were set on a music stand and positioned low and to my left. Everyone could see my fingers at all times, but guess what--IT DIDN'T MAKE A DAMNED BIT OF DIFFERENCE!

They still would walk up to you, while you were singing and playing, and ask the dumbest damned questions while you were performing. They would stand there, waiting for you to answer their questions as if you could mysteriously sing and talk at the same time. At that point, I, and many of my counterparts, came to the conclusion that they don't realize, or for that matter care, if you can play or sing--they just want to be entertained--THAT'S ALL! OK--hands up--How many of you had someone come up to you after a performance and say "Oh, you were wonderful. You were the best DJ we ever had!" It happens all the time, and now I just smile, take the check and drive to the next job.

Save your money, forget the camera and mirrows, just wow your audiences and you'll make a decent living. Take the camera and mirrow money and buy an IRA for your kid's education, or better yet, your retirement.

Cheers,

Gary

Dave,
there is a problem though, if scantily clad beautiful women are dancing, or maybe if the plase has flies and other flying bugs that pester you!
Theodore

Then there is the problem of forgetting to mute the wireless headset mic when you relieve yourself. It does make for an interesting return to the stage though!

Dave