Richard Thompson Band use music stands!

Subject: Richard Thompson Band use music stands!
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 05:27 AM

I read that music stands are being used by the band during the current tour, the first set consisting of all new songs being recorded for a live CD - rather puts things in perspective in my view!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson Band use music stands!
From: Splott Man
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 06:10 AM

But did they sound good?

I once saw John Kirkpatrick with a band doing the same. Musoes at that level should be able to hit the ground running with the dots in front of them.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson Band use music stands!
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 06:24 AM

At Bellowhead's first few gigs several players had their parts up on music stands. When touring musicians are in so many bands and are short on rehearsal time, it's a wise precaution.

Once I saw a rather well-known musician join some others he'd recorded with on their last album. When they wanted to play one tune he didn't actually know, he simply read it off their tune book.No big deal.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson Band use music stands!
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 06:43 AM

It's more honest than Autocues. A good performer will use such aids without having his/her performance affected in any way - unless dance routines are incorporated into the performance of course. But we are not talking Westlife or Beyonce here - the nub in a folk song is the lyrics, not the prancing.

I know that a lot of people put great store on a performer's not using a "safety net" of any description. To me that is of no importance per se. I have seen people waste so much concentration on remembering lyrics that their interpretation of the song is affected. And I have seen people stop half way through a song, put on glasses and leaf through a book to find the right page before continuing. Both are bad IMHO. The argument should not be whether a safety net is used, but how well it is used (ideally unobtrusively).

The above certainly holds for live performances. When it comes to singarounds however, I find the subject totally irrelevant at best (and just an opportunity for "holier-than-thou" criticism at worst). Singarounds are not "performances", they are opportunities for ordinary people to have a go. Any criticism that attempts to limit that opportunity (he/she uses safety net / has crap voice / can't hold a tune in a bucket etc) is detrimental to the benefit of the singaround.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson Band use music stands!
From: Acorn4
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 07:14 AM

Wise words, George, but I feel you may have re opened the proverbial can of worms here!

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson Band use music stands!
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 07:23 AM

I'd be happier if the Greek One had concluded his contribution at: The above certainly holds for live performances. The rest is not relevant to the topic which is about onstage performance. The "crap voice / can't hold a tune in a bucket" contingent at singarounds / sessions ought to stay in their bedrooms practising till they can perform out.Otherwise thay are being disrespectful to the music, their audience and themselves.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson Band use music stands!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 07:42 AM

"The first set consisting of new tunes being recorded for a CD " says it all ! IF you are recording , you want it right first time and NOT have to do re takes !!

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson Band use music stands!
From: greg stephens
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 08:04 AM

Perfectly normal for band musicians to use music stands. Especially when you are doing one-off performances, tours with new repertoire, or recreating the new CD or whatever. The band I play in never use sheet music as a general rule when performimg, though we do when practising or recording. But if a brass section is joining us for a special concert or something, we may well want the players to play a specific arrangement for the occasional number. In which case sheet music and stands are just the job. Doesn't suit everyone, obviously: a surprising number of professional music can't read music. (And they are much the better for it, in my extremely humble opinion).

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson Band use music stands!
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 08:07 AM

'Twas the devil in me that added the last paragraph, Diane 8-)

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson Band use music stands!
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 09:04 AM

The "crap voice / can't hold a tune in a bucket" contingent
Where did you hear me, Echo?

RtS
(voice made for mime)