I'm talking about the absence of "playing" not the singing.

To see someone playing the keyboard and then walk away from it whilst it is still playing...can you tell me, honestly, that it doesn't look phony?

Certainly any playing you do from then on will be under scrutiny, and what's to say you haven't been faking it all along?

Ian

Yes...it sure is hard to resist using caps.

[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 05-04-2008).]

OF course not but plenty of club owners would rather pay $200 to one person rather than $800 to four playing essentially the same music. They have no issue paying someone to get off the keyboard and walk around the room whilst the music plays on as long as their patrons are having a good time and spending money. Thats what really counts. Not some keyboard elitist's opinion of what should and should not be worthy of respect or "tacky".

I live in one of the most busy entertainment areas of the US for OMB and duos. Someone with an Arranger and Bose System gets a lot of calls.

[This message has been edited by Kingfrog (edited 05-04-2008).]

[This message has been edited by Kingfrog (edited 05-04-2008).]

At one time or another I've seen many famous singers sing to tracks. For instance, on Regis and Kelly and other similar programs, there's no band or anything, so the singer sings to their recorded tracks. Most people figure that out and accept it.

As for one of us leaving the keyboard and working the room, it depends on the situation. In retirement community shows, it's an awesome thing to do because you can have intimate contact with the audience. And I do sit right back down and tear it up on the KB. I would never ever do a whole show to tracks, but a couple of great, well chosen arrangements can really be effective. I usually do my own with the arranger and background vocals, ect, however, if you want to end your show with New York, New York, there's nothing better that Frank's arrangement. Again, just my humble opinion.

Joe

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Songman55
Joe Ayala

Careful where you point that finger, Mr.Frog...you do have three pointing back.

My opinion is from how it looks to me...you obviously don't agree...that's fine...and even though my opinion is clearly the right one(for me)I still think you're a great guy.

You fail to see the difference in someone being an "elitist"...which I am not...and a "realist" which I certainly am.

I just think that the whole business of walking away from the keyboard whilst it is playing(after you've just been playing it) is phony looking...that's all...and it is just a peeve of mine.

It ain't gonna change.

And look...no caps.

Ian

[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 05-04-2008).]

Funny, I pay all the time to see a singer that plays nothing in bands. What's the difference? If you are a singer, as I am, your craft includes your voice and a mic...what I give with my hands is a bonus.

When I saw Tower Of Power 2 weeks ago, LB just sang, and no one thought he was doing Kara..... well, you know.

As a singer, fronting a band (digital or live) is something I have always done.

If you sell yourself as a "singer", and not as a "one man band" or "one person orchestra"...then it doesn't matter what you use as as a backing track, or if you play at all...the sole purpose for you being there is to sing (and entertain).

I know I would not pay for, or be interested in, seeing a singer perform over a pre-recorded backing track...no matter who they were.

It's professional karaoke, plain and simple.

I would not attend a concert where the singer showed up with canned backing and no visible back up musicians.

Waste of time and money.

You guys are watching too many of these talent shows on TV...

Ian

Ian, I agree completely. I see a microphone and no instrument...I walk away.

Russ

Careful Russ. You might get labeled an 'elitist'.....like that other guy who was raised by a single mom on food stamps. (Remember, this board is just a microcosm of our society.....well, the Republican side of it, anyway ).

chas

Singing over a backing track is no different to singing with a band? Or playing your own accompaniment? This is what you are trying to tell us? You honestly think that no-one cares, no-one notices...?

You had better pray that this is NOT the case... Because that audience probably doesn't care if they have ANY live music at all, and that includes you! I am sure some young pretty thing would 'entertain' them just as well lip-syncing to a CD. After all, how are they to know if it's live or not?

In fact, why not get a Platstation, and 'entertain' your crowd with Rock Band or Guitar Hero III. Same difference, as far as I am concerned. I'll tell you one thing... I am gaining a whole new lack of respect for some of our members just lately. C'mon Nigel. You can't start that Karaoke, Lip-syncers and Pantomimers Forum soon enough for me...

And then some of you are confused as to why some arranger players feel the instrument gets no respect... Come on... you are reading the VERY thing that engenders this attitude. Both from the public (who are nowhere NEAR as dumb as you make them out) and from other musicians (you know, those mythic creatures who PLAY music instead of performing 'pro' karaoke - what idiots they must be!).

Maybe the next time someone comes over and says you are 'cheating' even if you DID play most of it... You'll know who to blame.
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BTW... Seeing as this forum does NOT provide the UBB tools to underline, make bold, italicize, colorize or change font and type size conveniently (like many forums do) rather than having to memorize the code for this, when I want to make a PARTICULAR emphasis, I will use what is most convenient. You don't have to shout to change your emphasis when speaking, but you have to so SOMETHING when typing...

In America, of all places, I am PROUD to be an unashamed CAPITALIST....