What's the current thought on using charts for live shows?

What's the current feeling about using music for live shows?

  • Totally fine!

    Votes: 96 48.0%

  • Learn the charts!

    Votes: 52 26.0%

  • Jaco didn't need charts

    Votes: 6 3.0%

  • Just for the love of god don't wear shorts on stage

    Votes: 46 23.0%
  • Total voters
    200
#41
Does anyone have any recommended resources for learning to chart songs? I always love a good video if one is available, and written resources are obviously great too.

I've always relied on a lot of memorization when learning songs myself, but charts seem way more practical when working with others.
 
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#42
My band has a songlist of about 90+ songs (mostly 60s/70s rock and country-rock) and a band that I frequently sub with has 60+ songs (mostly 80s/90s/00s rock) with no overlap. Sometimes I'll catch myself several songs back on the iPad because I didn't bother moving to the next song. Other times I find myself scrambling because I start blanking on the changes to an upcoming bridge. I like having the the charts available as a safety net, but I try not to be glued to the screen while I'm playing. I don't think the audience cares.

One thing that did happen a few weeks back... I was playing an outdoor gig with the sub band in the afternoon sun, and the iPad shutdown mid-set because it had overheated. I briefly panicked, but soldiered on and made it to the end without forgetting my parts. At least it reassured me that I had memorized the songs afterall.

I will add that I don't like just downloading charts from the Internet; the act of creating the chart is part of my process for internalizing the song.
 
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#45
Use the charts as a tool, not a crutch.

Try to commit to memory as many as you can over time. As you play through them try to recognize any similar chord patterns or progression, especially if they are familiar and you can memorize them quicker. Group those together.

Then focus on the more tricky, unfamiliar ones and spend more time on those in your woodshedding.

Over time I think it will all fall into place for you. You are new in the band, in time you will have them memorized like the rest of the band members.

:)
 
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#46
Brandon Shea said:
Does anyone have any recommended resources for learning to chart songs? I always love a good video if one is available, and written resources are obviously great too.

I've always relied on a lot of memorization when learning songs myself, but charts seem way more practical when working with others.
Click to expand...
Honestly your best bet is to find a good music teacher- not necessarily a bass teacher, but someone who will teach you the correct way to read music
 
#47
Set and setting.
If you're playing seated and the whole band uses charts, it is most likely fine to do likewise.
If the horns use charts, you might stand next to them.
If you're the only one on stage using charts, you should either have a valid reason (being a sub on very short notice, having some mental troubles memorizing things due to age/sickness etc.) beyond "I am too lazy / can't be bothered / don't want to".
 
#48
As a sub, sure. Or in a large ensemble like a big band or orchestra. Real Book or Karaoke band? I guess. I think it detracts from the performance otherwise, and I never see national or international level acts outside of these few exceptions using charts.
 
#49
I don't use them, nor does anyone in my band. No charts, no backing tracks, no phones and we kinda take pride in that. We have a list of over 100 songs we have played together. A few of those are usually in every single gig we play, staples. But we often rotate songs in and out. When we have new songs we learn them on our own time and then hash them out in practice/rehearsal. If we bring out a song we haven't played in awhile, I practice them before the gig on my own time.
 
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#51
Piranha said:
I will add that I don't like just downloading charts from the Internet; the act of creating the chart is part of my process for internalizing the song.
Click to expand...

This. I make my own charts and format them in Word so the info falls on the page just as I want it to. So each page turn comes at a logical place.

I color code as well for easy recognition. Different highlight for a section that repeats, or for instrumental passages.

All this gives me familiarity with the material and the sequencing.

Then I'll practice the material, so when showtime comes I'm not glued to the tablet.
 
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#52
I have had bilateral subdural hematoma surgery after a bad fall a little over a year ago. I will have my black binder of charts on stage. I'm lucky I even know which end of a bass guitar to hold onto, much less memorizing charts anymore.
 
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#54
Depends on HOW they're used. If they're up high, in front of peoples' faces, being stared at.... no. If they're down low, off to the side, there for a glance when needed, sure. Depends on the genre too. For jazz - especially originals and unfamiliar stuff - it's pretty much expected to see stands and charts being used. BUT - I always split the difference when I could - and if I had a monitor wedge in front of me - by placing the book on the floor with a music stand light clipped to the book itself. I could reference it on the sly, and nothing was obvious.
 
#59
There was a long thread about this on the DB side recently. Of course there were various viewpoints, all stressed the importance of context, but most agreed and found consensus that if charts make the show better, then use them until you don't need them.
 
#60
I’m also in the “it depends” camp. If it’s an “artist gig” with consistent set lists and transitions then I try to get off of charts ASAP. If it’s any kind of “request” or “variety” gig where the set list changes regularly or requests are welcomed then I’ll use the charts whenever I feel I need them.
 
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