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#469350 - 04/30/19 09:16 AM Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts..
Dnj Offline
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Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
READING LYRICS MUSIC ON STAGE?


A good read with some food for thought...


Edited by Dnj (04/30/19 09:19 AM)

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#469365 - 04/30/19 02:08 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
Bachus Offline
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Registered: 03/02/06
Posts: 7143
Originally Posted By Dnj
READING LYRICS MUSIC ON STAGE?


A good read with some food for thought...


They say having lyrics/chords/sheetmusic on stage is not cool..

But then i today posted a video of Jordann Rudess concert setup..
By many seen as the coolest keyboardist around
And guess what he is using..
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#469366 - 04/30/19 02:15 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
Fran Carango Offline
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Registered: 05/26/99
Posts: 9673
Loc: Levittown, Pa, USA
All the real stars used lyric reads. Sinatra, Martin, and Bennet to name a few.. others like Mariah Carey should (if they can read) grin
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#469369 - 04/30/19 02:40 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Fran Carango]
cgiles Offline
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Registered: 09/29/05
Posts: 6703
Loc: Roswell,GA/USA
Originally Posted By Fran Carango
All the real stars used lyric reads. Sinatra, Martin, and Bennet to name a few.. others like Mariah Carey should (if they can read) grin


That's not very kind, Fran. What makes you think Mariah can't read?
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#469375 - 04/30/19 06:11 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
Jerryghr Offline
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Registered: 01/14/02
Posts: 1497
Loc: Buffalo, NY

Here's a shot of Herbie Hancock, Joey DeFrancesco from today's National Jazz presentation. The stage was loaded with music stands and charts.

They even used charts for simple songs like John Lennon's "Imagine"


Time to stop beating that "dead horse"...."Music on stage"


Jerryghr


Attachments
Joey.JPG

herbie.JPG



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#469376 - 04/30/19 06:19 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Jerryghr]
bruno123 Offline
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Registered: 06/04/02
Posts: 4912
Loc: West Palm Beach, FL 33417
OK, it is not cool to have music on stage but today with the he variety of songs we must respond to, music is a must. That does not change the fact that if you have memorized the song you WILL play it better.

John C.

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#469378 - 04/30/19 06:26 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: bruno123]
Jerryghr Offline
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Registered: 01/14/02
Posts: 1497
Loc: Buffalo, NY
Just curious. Who says "it's not cool?"

Jerryghr

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#469379 - 04/30/19 07:07 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Jerryghr]
tony mads usa Offline
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Registered: 01/16/02
Posts: 14376
Loc: East Greenwich RI USA
Originally Posted By Jerryghr
Just curious. Who says "it's not cool?"

Jerryghr


You beat me to the question, Jerry ...
I have seen far too many "PROFESSIONALS" with lyric monitors that they are reading from - in fact we saw Frank Sinatra at the Providence Civic Center in the 80s using lyric monitors that even contained his 'ad-libs' ...
Saw Billy Joel at MSG last year and he had lyric monitors for his own songs!!! ... so I have no fear or sense of embarrassment for using a tablet for charts ...
Some may call it a 'crutch', I call it "using all the tools" to make my performance better ...
And I don't want to hear about 'eye contact' or having one's head in a book or tablet ... I have plenty of 'eye contact' with my audiences ...
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#469387 - 05/01/19 02:21 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Jerryghr]
bruno123 Offline
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Registered: 06/04/02
Posts: 4912
Loc: West Palm Beach, FL 33417
It is not cool is a judgement that came about when a musician had his head glued to his music. It is not meant for the musician who uses music as a guide.

The equation is simple: the more I relay on the music the less freedom I have. I am using music because I don’t want to make a mistake, or get lost. But I m amazed when I play a song through and find that the music in front of me was not the one that I played. No matter what is said, when I have memorized a song I put all of me into the area that makes a performance sound good.

My thoughts, John C.

PS, Do I use a book? Naw, I use an iPad with lyrics and chords. I have trained my hands to find what I am playing. Now, that is freedom. When my right jumped from a lower note, followed by a note in the higher end I had to look at my hand to make sure I got the right note. I trained myself to trust and not to look, now I got more freedom.

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#469388 - 05/01/19 02:37 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
Bernie9 Offline
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Registered: 09/21/02
Posts: 5520
Loc: Port Charlotte,FL,USA
Just curious. Who says "it's not cool?"

The author said it probably wasn't, but he felt the need because of sheer volume. This thought wasn't universally accepted by others, by any means. I, personally, use apps all the time, but in the most inconspicuous manner possible with frequent eye contact. Donny,for one, has always bashed this use as a needless crutch, but some, like myself, don't want to spend the added time memorizing lyrics. Some have a natural talent for lyrics, some not so much. My wife is a good example in that she learns songs from the lyrics, and the melody is spot on as well. I, on the other hand, know every single note to thousands of songs in my head, but only fragments of lyrics.


Edited by Bernie9 (05/01/19 02:41 AM)
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#469389 - 05/01/19 03:37 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
tassiespirit Offline
Member

Registered: 01/25/08
Posts: 554
Loc: Devonport, Tasmania, Australia
If it stops you feeling like a fool, if you forget the works or the music line etc, then use music or prompts. Speakers around the world use lists or written reminders and so do politicians and clergy. At the end of the day, I say, feel comfortable when you do your thing , because it IS YOUR THING!



Allan
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#469434 - 05/01/19 09:31 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Jerryghr]
Bachus Offline
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Registered: 03/02/06
Posts: 7143
Originally Posted By Jerryghr
Just curious. Who says "it's not cool?"

Jerryghr


The link Donny posted says its not cool...
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#469438 - 05/01/19 09:47 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
travlin'easy Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15576
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
I use a tiny netbook PC for my lyrics, and there's a good reason behind this - I cannot remember all the words to the more than 3,000 songs I have performed over the years. Carol told me the mind was the second thing to go - I forgot what the first thing was!

During his musical career, Frank Sinatra performed more than 15,000 songs, Willie Nelson probably wrote that many, and I can guarantee you that both relied heavily on lyrics sheets.

With my setup, no realizes that I am reading the lyrics because my device has a small footprint. And, they way I have it set up, I can quickly switch to another song during a performance and no one is aware of it because the mouse sits on a small platform completely out of view from the audience. Yes, my right hand was not on the keys for a second or two, but that is always the case because I was changing registrations, adding a layered voice to the right or left hand, changing RH volume, etc... The left hand often left the keys as well so I could work the pitch bend. DonM taught me that. smile

So, if you work it right, you can read those lyrics and no one would have a clue you were doing so. Same goes for reading the dots or tabs as well, something that can easily be incorporated with the music on your PC. Yep, there are times when I just cannot remember all those damned chord changes. wink

Gary cool
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#469443 - 05/01/19 10:01 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: travlin'easy]
Dnj Offline
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Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
Originally Posted By travlin'easy
I use a tiny netbook PC for my lyrics, and there's a good reason behind this - I cannot remember all the words to the more than 3,000 songs I have performed over the years. Carol told me the mind was the second thing to go - I forgot what the first thing was!

During his musical career, Frank Sinatra performed more than 15,000 songs, Willie Nelson probably wrote that many, and I can guarantee you that both relied heavily on lyrics sheets.

With my setup, no realizes that I am reading the lyrics because my device has a small footprint. And, they way I have it set up, I can quickly switch to another song during a performance and no one is aware of it because the mouse sits on a small platform completely out of view from the audience. Yes, my right hand was not on the keys for a second or two, but that is always the case because I was changing registrations, adding a layered voice to the right or left hand, changing RH volume, etc... The left hand often left the keys as well so I could work the pitch bend. DonM taught me that. smile

So, if you work it right, you can read those lyrics and no one would have a clue you were doing so. Same goes for reading the dots or tabs as well, something that can easily be incorporated with the music on your PC. Yep, there are times when I just cannot remember all those damned chord changes. wink

Gary cool


The fact that you say your trying to hide that your reading lyrics in front of an audience says something right there I wont go any further,.... What Sinatra (RIP) and all the big acts do wherever isn't of my concern as many things that go on with
big money acts no one ever sees or knows anyway behind the scenes.
Looking and reading words on a page and trying to look into the faces of the audience isn't gonna happen and you will look awkward
and then looking at your hands playing too?
Well if that doesn't bother the player and his stage presence then have fun,......but I learned and always watched the pros play & sing effortlessly in front of me on stage and look and smile with your eyes open into the audiences eyes to make contact, it's part of the overall act and visual stage persona.
JMO

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#469463 - 05/01/19 02:28 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
travlin'easy Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15576
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
Donny, like you, and many others, we tend to play the same songs over and over again during a performance. Eventually, we learn the lyrics and only glance at the PC when a brain fart kicks in and we forget the words. At this point, we glance down at the printed information and continue to maintain eye contact with those in the audience. This ain't rocket science! wink

The few times I've had brain fart includes a popular Jimmy Buffett song, Margarettaville. I'll bet I've performed that song a couple thousand times over the years, but there was one night I vividly recall playing the intro, then thinking to myself "What the Hell are the first words?" I ended up playing the first verse as an instrumental, then the lyrics hit me and I performed the entire song vocally. As he saying goes "Shit Happens!"

The only person that knew this happened that night was me because I had the foresight to bring up the lyrics page on the PC and was able to select it with just a single mouse click.

Now, don't try to convince anyone here that you know all the lyrics to every song you have ever performed over the past 35 years - no one, including myself, would believe that.

Good luck,

Gary cool
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!

K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)

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#469470 - 05/01/19 04:08 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
tony mads usa Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 01/16/02
Posts: 14376
Loc: East Greenwich RI USA
Originally Posted By Dnj

The fact that you say your trying to hide that your reading lyrics in front of an audience says something right there I wont go any further,.... What Sinatra (RIP) and all the big acts do wherever isn't of my concern as many things that go on with
big money acts no one ever sees or knows anyway behind the scenes.
Looking and reading words on a page and trying to look into the faces of the audience isn't gonna happen and you will look awkward
and then looking at your hands playing too?
Well if that doesn't bother the player and his stage presence then have fun,......but I learned and always watched the pros play & sing effortlessly in front of me on stage and look and smile with your eyes open into the audiences eyes to make contact, it's part of the overall act and visual stage persona.
JMO


Donny, if what Sinatra et al do isn't your concern, then who are the 'pros' you are talking about, that play and sing effortlessly on stage?
I turned 78 years old a couple of weeks ago, and yes, I have a tablet on my KB stand ... and I personally think my stage presence, eye contact with the audience, etc. is pretty damned good ... about 95% of my gigs these days are not in nursing homes, but rather in some pretty up-scale assisted or independent living venues where the audience is fully aware of what is going on, and after each performance I have people coming up and telling me how much they enjoyed it, etc. etc., and not ONE has ever said, "oh I saw you looking at the lyrics" ... so yes, I will continue to perform the way I have been and continue to have fun, but MOST OF ALL, I will continue to please my audiences ...
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t. cool

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#469473 - 05/01/19 04:21 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: tony mads usa]
Dnj Offline
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Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
Tony that's great... Enjoy

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#469481 - 05/01/19 07:34 PM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
Stephenm52 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 04/13/05
Posts: 5126
Loc: USA
My one penny's worth of a comment. During the winter months I play piano solo once per week in the beautiful hotel looking lobby of the cancer center in Florida. One week I left my iPad home.........I was easily able to fill an hour with tunes off the top of my head on piano. I'd hate to go in week after week though playing the same tunes. With that said I use piano solo sheets for my weekly gig there. Not once has anyone said to me "hey pal, I see you reading sheet music." Actually one employee who hears me weekly said to me a few weeks ago, "I swear you get better each time I hear you play." I've had many compliments, this is not the type place people applaud because it's serious business being there for a treatment. Nevertheless, I've had people break out into applause at various times, that's a real positive when you think about why people are there.

Would I like to play for many hours without sheets..........yes but it is what it is, I've paid my dues like many others in working careers and I'm just out to have some enjoyment and pick up some play money in the process.


Edited by Stephenm52 (05/02/19 05:59 AM)
Edit Reason: Replace a word

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#469485 - 05/02/19 01:09 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
Bernie9 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/02
Posts: 5520
Loc: Port Charlotte,FL,USA
That's good enough for me.
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#469487 - 05/02/19 01:40 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: cgiles]
Nigel Offline
Admin

Registered: 06/01/98
Posts: 6483
Loc: Ventura CA USA
Originally Posted By cgiles
Originally Posted By Fran Carango
All the real stars used lyric reads. Sinatra, Martin, and Bennet to name a few.. others like Mariah Carey should (if they can read) grin


That's not very kind, Fran. What makes you think Mariah can't read?


Very unkind. I just heard Mariah sing on the Billboard awards and she was awesome. Love her. And she didn't need to read to do it. Can you even compare Fran???

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#469489 - 05/02/19 03:14 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Nigel]
Fran Carango Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 05/26/99
Posts: 9673
Loc: Levittown, Pa, USA
Originally Posted By Nigel
Originally Posted By cgiles
Originally Posted By Fran Carango
All the real stars used lyric reads. Sinatra, Martin, and Bennet to name a few.. others like Mariah Carey should (if they can read) grin


That's not very kind, Fran. What makes you think Mariah can't read?


Very unkind. I just heard Mariah sing on the Billboard awards and she was awesome. Love her. And she didn't need to read to do it. Can you even compare Fran???



Mariah has had some major muffs on live tv award shows. The last one , she was totally lost and even her stage people could not get her on track.. Even if she had lyrics in front of her then ,,, I am not sure she could find her cue (read) unless there was a bouncing ball (karaoke).. That is my comparison. smile




another comparison video.


Edited by Fran Carango (05/02/19 03:36 AM)
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#469491 - 05/02/19 04:42 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
cgiles Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/29/05
Posts: 6703
Loc: Roswell,GA/USA
Mariah is worth over 500 million dollars; that's a pretty good haul for someone who (in your mind) is illiterate. Knowing you over the years, Fran (and being one of my favorite guys), I know you had no ill intent...but, if you look at who you were comparing her to and alluding to her 'low IQ', you can see how the OPTICS might make a stranger go "hmmmm, I wonder what he meant by that". OPTICS, brother, OPTICS. Know what I mean.

Your Homey,

chas
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#469498 - 05/02/19 08:07 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
travlin'easy Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15576
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
Geeze, Chas. I thought I was one of your favorite guys - I'm crushed! wink

Gary cool
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!

K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)

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#469502 - 05/02/19 09:00 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
cgiles Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/29/05
Posts: 6703
Loc: Roswell,GA/USA
Yeah Gary, but Fran is a (almost) Philly guy, so he automatically gets extra points for that. Plus, you can kid Fran and he doesn't get mad 'cause he knows it's just 'locker room' kidding; plus, I share his fondness for 'older' Roland products, plus, he knows a lot about music-related stuff, plus, he has generously given me hundreds, maybe thousands, of great Roland (or converted) styles over the years, plus, he's got strong opinions on practically everything and sticks to them (even though they're usually wrong smile smile ), plus, he knows BENNY. Sure, he's a friend of Donny and Uncle Dave but heck, nobody's perfect smile.

chas
_________________________
"Faith means not wanting to know what is true." [Nietzsche]

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#469503 - 05/02/19 09:19 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: cgiles]
Uncle Dave Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 12/01/99
Posts: 12800
Loc: Penn Yan, NY
Originally Posted By cgiles
Sure, he's a friend of Donny and Uncle Dave but heck, nobody's perfect smile


HEY!!!!
smile
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#469504 - 05/02/19 09:39 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
travlin'easy Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15576
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
rotfl
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!

K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)

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#469508 - 05/02/19 09:56 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: Dnj]
Uncle Dave Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 12/01/99
Posts: 12800
Loc: Penn Yan, NY
Reading? I hardly ever do, but my sing-a-long crowd is not so confident, so I've adapted a Karaoke screen just for them. I'm all about the screens ... the 4x navigation panel, the iPad/DJ on the left for dance breaks, and the ipad/Karaoke machine on the right that allows me to pick songs while the lyrics show on the TV screen for the singers. The little passive mixer above my joystick (hey - no dirty comments) sends the 2 iPads to the house mixer, and gives me 3 band EQ for each.

There have been simpler times, leaner times, and crazy lucrative times (80s), but as the song says ... "the BEST of times is now"

Use the right tools - listen to the crowd - cash the check.


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#469632 - 05/05/19 03:55 AM Re: Reading Lyrics or Music on Stage? Hmmmm Thoughts.. [Re: cgiles]
Nigel Offline
Admin

Registered: 06/01/98
Posts: 6483
Loc: Ventura CA USA
Originally Posted By cgiles
Originally Posted By Fran Carango
All the real stars used lyric reads. Sinatra, Martin, and Bennet to name a few.. others like Mariah Carey should (if they can read) grin


That's not very kind, Fran. What makes you think Mariah can't read?


I agree Mariah is magic. Love hearing her sing. I have no doubt that she is an accomplished reader.

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