Remembering chord patterns

[piecrusty]

I agree The Warlord is a nightmare to play for the rhythm guitar. However if you remember 'Tangent' at all they did a number called Beyond A Shadow. Now in a previous life where I was seconded onto Rhythm guitar for a Shads band, I had to learn this but never mastered it without the chord charts in front of me, every bar had 3/4 chord changes and the whole thing changed key at least 3 times . For me it was the hardest piece i have ever tried to learn, top marks for anyone who mastered it and remembered it all the way through. Its one saving grace was that the chords did follow a regular pattern or 'round' as I call it, so i guess it could have been predictable with a hell of a lot more practice, but beyond my six string abilities Im afraid!

Cheers,

[Rick50]

I think there is no reason why we shouldn't have a music stand - just to one side, with big enough writing is important for me!
People may even take us for proper musos, reading the dots....I find chord charts essential as the band I'm in play around 50 songs a night with some last minute changes - we even had to change keys for a dozen of them for male voice when our lady singer had a sore throat! I am alright when FBI comes up....

I suggest dividing the chart into blocks of VERSE, CHORUS, SOLO etc in case the lead person misses a verse out etc.

If you learn a number from a chart, though, I find you may always need to look. it takes time to wean myself away from the charts - so I keep them in a book, some are just a safety net, but others are essential!

Rick

[George Geddes]

Catching up with this after a few days away... Relived to find I am not the only one with the problem!

George

[JimTidmarsh]

[quote="Rick50"]I think there is no reason why we shouldn't have a music stand - just to one side, with big enough writing is important for me!
People may even take us for proper musos, reading the dots....quote]

The only problem, being the bass player, I tend to find myself in the middle of the stage - a la Jet!!

[dave robinson]

I think the music stand idea is OK to a point. It really depends on the level that you are performing at, I personally find it unacceptable when folks have paid good money to see a show, i have been guilty of doing it and when looking back at the video footage it is cringeworthy . . . . Learn the parts !

[Uncle Fiesta]

If I did Without A Shadow Of A Doubt (I think that's the correct title) I'd change the arrangement so there were no key changes. Fortunately I left Tangent long before they came up with that one.

I regard key changes as the spawn of the devil. Does anybody else share my opinion?

[mojolomjl]

I think the music stand idea is OK to a point. It really depends on the level that you are performing at, I personally find it unacceptable when folks have paid good money to see a show, i have been guilty of doing it and when looking back at the video footage it is cringeworthy . . . . Learn the parts !

I'm with you on this Dave, I wouldn't consider playing a number in public if I could not play it without the music.

[mojolomjl]

If I did Without A Shadow Of A Doubt (I think that's the correct title) I'd change the arrangement so there were no key changes. Fortunately I left Tangent long before they came up with that one.

I regard key changes as the spawn of the devil. Does anybody else share my opinion?

I agree with you Steve, can't think of a good reason why anyone would want to change key in the middle or anywhere else when playing a number

[piecrusty]

Hmmm, 'to music stand or not to music stand' that is the question. I think there is a time and place for both. When Im playing at The Shadows Club gatherings, I admit that for any number that Im not fully familiar with I will use a music stand/chord sheet as a prompt, there are also numbers where I am sight reading the music/charts and a stand is essential! Having played recording sessions and in pit bands for shows there is no stigma over the use of a stand at all. However, I accept that when you come to do a full show with a group be it in the pub or the Theatre, it is expected that you know your stuff inside out and can play it from memory without reference, and I think as others have said a paying audience would expect this. I will admit to carefully placing the odd chord sheet behind the monitor wedge or on the floor for the odd number that just hasnt quite sunk in the brain as well as others..............Naughty Boy !

Jim makes a valid point above about the bassist being in the middle 'a la Shads'. For some reason it can make you feel a bit more exposed, being in the centre as it seems to be where the audiences eye is naturally drawn, its where you normally would place the lead singer/front man. It means you are more conscious about doing your very best, you know play all the right notes, do the steps, SMILE! I really prefer to be one side or the other but thats not Shadows formation. The final nail in the coffin for the music stand is when you have to start doing the walks as well, then its just in the way all the time!

Cheers,

[Martin Page]

Hmmm, 'to music stand or not to music stand' that is the question. I think there is a time and place for both. When Im playing at The Shadows Club gatherings, I admit that for any number that Im not fully familiar with I will use a music stand/chord sheet as a prompt, there are also numbers where I am sight reading the music/charts and a stand is essential! Having played recording sessions and in pit bands for shows there is no stigma over the use of a stand at all. However, I accept that when you come to do a full show with a group be it in the pub or the Theatre, it is expected that you know your stuff inside out and can play it from memory without reference, and I think as others have said a paying audience would expect this. I will admit to carefully placing the odd chord sheet behind the monitor wedge or on the floor for the odd number that just hasnt quite sunk in the brain as well as others..............Naughty Boy !

Jim makes a valid point above about the bassist being in the middle 'a la Shads'. For some reason it can make you feel a bit more exposed, being in the centre as it seems to be where the audiences eye is naturally drawn, its where you normally would place the lead singer/front man. It means you are more conscious about doing your very best, you know play all the right notes, do the steps, SMILE! I really prefer to be one side or the other but thats not Shadows formation. The final nail in the coffin for the music stand is when you have to start doing the walks as well, then its just in the way all the time!

Cheers,

Summed up well:

Shadows' clubs: of course;
Pit and recording work: obviously;
Live shows: never (although keyboard players could be exempt).

Martin.