Only if it is good singing and good music...if it isn't, no kind of presentation can rescue it.

Ian

hey Ive heard GREAT musicians play in a Subway station go figure

One long-time job is on a patio. Early in the season...no problem. As fall approaches, it gets darker early. the job ends at 10 PM, but I need lights from 8:30 PM on.

"Mr. Moneybags" (ME) went to Wal-Mart and bought one of those $9.95 three light tree looking stand-a-lones (black finish, for a real "pro" look). Been using it for 14 seasons. Left it outside all winter two seasons.

Still has the original three light bulbs in it.

I need to remember to depreciate it on my taxes (LL)!!


R.

It's all in how it is presented...some times great musicianship can trump a bad stage look or less than stellar equipment, but there is usually a point where it all falls apart.

Many times, success merely involves being in the right place at the right time, of course, with the required amount of talent.

Success to me is being happy at what I do, being comfortable with my limitations, and sharing my music.

Ian

When we played big venues as a show band & uses an audio tech, & lighting tech, also it was certainly worth it, money wise & appearance wise, as the gig paid that kind of money.
To drag all that stuff & set it all up to a small NH, cocktail party, etc...is nuts! If a venue has adjustable lighting I'll use it to a point to my liking...otherwise who cares?
Just give me a stage, people, and my KB & a mic baby lets party!
The next day they will say ...WOW That band was great! ....
NOT, boy did you see those lights!!

tu capisci?'

Again, presentation does not mean stage lights or fancy clothes...it just means something the audience can look at and feel good about watching.

Many people, especially non-musician and non-musical, "hear with their eyes", and even in a NH a performer, well dressed, good demeanor (eye contact/smiling), and good "stage presence" even on the smallest and humblest of stages will usually be asked back...of course, the music has to be good as well.

Ian

Ian the topic is LIGHTING?

as far as dress appearances just look at any music show live or TV these rock, pop, groups performers look like crap......who dresses them?....the days of dressing spiffy, Tux, suit, tie, etc, etc, is over not just in music but in so many other situations, kids in school, work place, when was the last time you saw a comedienne in a Tux like years ago, or whatever it's out of control, I personally try to look neat as possible on stage, but thats me,...too late to change it now,
anything goes,...no one cares, society let it happen.........

Yep...and I'd want those lights to show something nice to the audience.

In my work with Yamaha, stage appearance was extremely important...the idea was to appear neat, yet not dress too fancy or showy, as, the idea was to feature the instrument and not the player.

We used lighting at almost every keyboard demo.

I believe lighting does add a positive and classy touch and it makes a difference...the trick is to use what's appropriate for the venue.

I've been playing pro almost 50 years, Donny, and yes, some things have changed, and some not for the better, but that doesn't mean that I can't continue to maintain my own values in presentation.

Ian

It's the same as food - it tastes better when the presentation is top notch! Same is true for setting the mood for your performances. Those guys are performing for tips in a subway for a reason - they can't find work! This is show biz baby, not a singing or playing talent contest. It's the entire production that makes a difference. Donny dims that lights at his dance parties for a reason. It sets a mood. When you accent light anything, the stage, the performers, palm plants sitting on either end of the stage, it sets the tone. It makes it a show, and we, as performers, are showmen - nothing else.

Gary

When I'm recording I like to dim the lights, switch on the old lava lamp, and let the mood permeate the music.

I have amber lights in the table lamps nearest my keyboard, and it really adds warmth to the room.

There would be very few situations where I wouldn't use some kind of lighting.

One of the bands I played in had a projector that shone against the wall behind the stage and it had gel slides that heated up and made all kinds of crazy images.

Ian