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how many gigs have you played with this group? It sounds like they think you should be off-book, but whether that's a reasonable expectation depends on how long you've had, how complicated the parts are, etc. If you've done the set 3 or 4 times and you're the only one playing with the book, it doesn't sound like an unreasonable request, but if you're in the back and the aesthetic isn't a big deal, maybe the MD is just contrary and you can tell him to chill. I don't think there's a single right answer.
Pretty much.
If nothing else it’d tell you how valued you are and/or how hard you’d be to replace.
If the OP is in a dozen bands I’d guess there’s a very vibrant market for live music where he is. Which leads me to suspect there’s plenty of replacement talent available since talent usually gathers wherever there’s work.
Well, implicit in my comment is what I got from the OP, which is that it is a low paying gig and not the highest priority for him. So, the only options are to either do it or to either politely or impolitely tell them no. If it was me, I would do so politely and be prepared to possibly lose the gig. Life goes on.
funny stuff! 
if bands paid me for memorization = i'd figure a way to do it! as it is: i'm old and some tunes got squeezed out along the way...and if you don't play them often enough, at any age past 20 ( ), you forget stuff.
i don't think memorizing 200 tunes is a particularly amazing feat in the general rock/pop/country genres. the good money is in jazz: memorize 200 of the most frequently played real book tunes and demand an extra $5. USD.
if this turns into a music stand debate: i vote "it depends." or "black."
if bands paid me for memorization = i'd figure a way to do it! as it is: i'm old and some tunes got squeezed out along the way...and if you don't play them often enough, at any age past 20 (
), you forget stuff. i don't think memorizing 200 tunes is a particularly amazing feat in the general rock/pop/country genres. the good money is in jazz: memorize 200 of the most frequently played real book tunes and demand an extra $5. USD.
if this turns into a music stand debate: i vote "it depends." or "black."
fishdreams
Supporting Member
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The way I did it way-back-when, was to have a extended setlist on the floor that denoted the few details in a given tune that I'd liked to be reminded of (a difficult intro, irregular bridges, etc). Some tunes had none, some had a few. 3 sets of music/2.5 hour show fitted onto 2 sheets of paper. Something like that on a phone/iPad?
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
If you want the gig, you accept their conditions. How many people here state that a band shouldn't have stands on stage? Just because you don't consider yourself a member of the band, doesn't mean you don't have to appear to be on stage.
QweziRider
Gold Supporting Member
My compromise is a 12" tablet mounted to the mic stand. Unobtrusive and allows me to still have charts I need (I put mine into PDF format). For the low number of shows and pay you mention, I wouldn't react kindly to an immediate demand to stop the stand. I'd combine the tablet with working towards memorizing.
If the question is how much would I need to be paid to memorize a song, at my age I'd have to say....
Um, what was the question again?
Um, what was the question again?
As far as solutions go, the iPad on the mic stand is probably more acceptable; it looks less out-of-place onstage than a music stand (and yes, I realize the absurdity of that statement.) It's all about perception. A tablet or phone looks like another piece of gear.
I'm good at memorization, but I've never had to memorize music for a dozen bands. Even if there's overlap in the set lists, arrangements and keys vary, etc. Not sure I could do it. I also don't like making embarrassing mistakes during a performance (regardless of how much the gig is paying), so if I can't memorize it, I'm gonna want a chart. The most important priority of any performing musician should be to play the piece correctly.
If I were in the OP's position, I would see if the band is willing to accept the iPad as a solution. In fact, I would just switch to that and see if there's continued push not use a chart in any form. If there is, then they need someone else and that's direction it will eventually go.
I'm good at memorization, but I've never had to memorize music for a dozen bands. Even if there's overlap in the set lists, arrangements and keys vary, etc. Not sure I could do it. I also don't like making embarrassing mistakes during a performance (regardless of how much the gig is paying), so if I can't memorize it, I'm gonna want a chart. The most important priority of any performing musician should be to play the piece correctly.
If I were in the OP's position, I would see if the band is willing to accept the iPad as a solution. In fact, I would just switch to that and see if there's continued push not use a chart in any form. If there is, then they need someone else and that's direction it will eventually go.
I moved to having charts on my iPad 3 or 4 years ago and love it.
Most people in the audience don't even notice (as well as some band members) and playing in 5 or so bands at the moment I can't memorize them all so it works for me.
Most people in the audience don't even notice (as well as some band members) and playing in 5 or so bands at the moment I can't memorize them all so it works for me.
I also play in about a dozen working groups. Some much less frequently than others. I always bring a music stand, iPad with all kinds of tunes, and a binder of songs either brought by me or provided by the group.
I basically have 80% of everything familiar or memorized - but that other 20% could cause a train wreck if I get slightly askew.
My philosophy is too kick the helloutofthe gig so nobody says nothin’ about how I deliver the goods.
That said - if I took a gig that specified “no music on stage” I’d have to weigh the time vs cost commitment vs difficulty of material vs gig frequency. lol - good luck OP!
I basically have 80% of everything familiar or memorized - but that other 20% could cause a train wreck if I get slightly askew.
My philosophy is too kick the helloutofthe gig so nobody says nothin’ about how I deliver the goods.
That said - if I took a gig that specified “no music on stage” I’d have to weigh the time vs cost commitment vs difficulty of material vs gig frequency. lol - good luck OP!
I yet have to see an Agro Death Metal band that has charts or music stand, although that music can get very technical. Rockabilly too.
Saw a video of McCartney. He used a TelePrompTer to remember words. He know 1,000 of tunes.
I use paper on the floor or a knee-high stand slightly off stage to remind me of song keys, progressions and odd stops.
I'm in 3 bands and memorize the songs but need reminders.
I use paper on the floor or a knee-high stand slightly off stage to remind me of song keys, progressions and odd stops.
I'm in 3 bands and memorize the songs but need reminders.
I don’t play with a music stand on stage (except in a college jazz band 20 years ago... and that was only because the band leader would sometimes call out songs from a fake book that I’d never even heard of before I was performing them). But I really don’t think the average guy or gal in the audience cares at all. To non-musicians, I don’t think a music stand looks out of the ordinary next to people playing music. Maybe not in a punk band, but I’ve seen tons of rock and country cover bands using stands and never even thought about it (even as a gigging rock musician).
You need a music stand for country music?
Check out the bands on any big awards show on TV. The music there is nearly all country and light rock, rarely symphony or jazz, there’s lots of sheet music and tablets in evidence if you look for them and you don’t get any more professional than those gigs.Music stands?
Symphony Orchestra - check.
Big Band Jazz / Pit Orchestra - check.
Any other situation... 'does not appear professional'