How do you guys remember all your stuff when playing live?

[Robertt8]

This probably sounds like a stupid question, but I'm about to hit some open mics and don't want to screw up.

I know playing the damn thing over and over will engrave it in your head, but I've literally written like 200+ songs. Once I get a little nervous, other songs seem to creep in and cloud my feakin' brain.

Does it look bad to bring up your tunes on a mic stand (I mean hell...it is open mic)? I mean I guess it doesn't look professional, but neither does forgetting the words and chords in the middle of a song in front of 50 people I don't know.

Any advice out there?

 

[powderfinger]

tape a small 8x10 sheet of paper on top of your acoustic.....write down some of the chords or opening lines, or anything like that.....

 

[Track Rat]

Experience. Besides, nothing will motivate you not to fuck up like fucking up in front of large crowds.

 

[Layla Nahar]

tape a small 8x10 sheet of paper on top of your acoustic.....write down some of the chords or opening lines, or anything like that.....

I've seen big acts with those lists...

 

[M.Brane]

I don't!

Cover songs: go with the mistake & pretend you did it that way on purpose.

Original songs: who's gonna know?

 

[freshmattyp]

We always have a music stand on stage with us. We tell the crowd that we all have real jobs and don't have time to memorize songs.

 

[homeuser]

I agree, nothing wrong with a music stand. I've seen Sting use it over and over, adds a touch of class if you ask me.

200 songs? Why not concentrate on a few set's material and work those over and over? I'm working on a 50 song set list. I've got around 20 memorized so far. Read the lyrics out loud, listen to the tunes over and over. This is the best way to learn lyrics.

The ultimate sneaky thing to do, and I've done this. Put some shades on, have a big lyric sheet(s) on the ground on a "monitor looking box" with the angle pointing up at you. No one will know you're reading lyrics, since you have shades on.

 

[Myx62]

Re: I don't!

Cover songs: go with the mistake & pretend you did it that way on purpose.

Original songs: who's gonna know?

Yup, thats how its done..... Once you fuck up a few times you will get over your stage fright and have experience to boot....Just do it.
Myx

 

[AlChuck]

You jazz types out there probably have heard of David Baker, author of dozens of books on jazz theory, technique, etc. One of his books is on tune memorization. Yep, he has a method he suggests.

J.B. Dyas taught a class at the JazzSchool in Berkeley based on Baker's ideas. Here's the course description:

Tune Learning: The Essential Jazz Repertoire

All great jazz musicians from Louis Armstrong to Joe Zawinul, although perhaps performing at opposite ends of the jazz spectrum stylistically, share at least one common characteristic—they know hundreds of tunes. Too often, students who may be capable of “burning” on Giant Steps may be incapable of participating in a jam session or performing a club date simply because they are unfamiliar with the essential jazz repertoire.

This course provides both intermediate through advanced-level instrumentalists and vocalists with a systematic approach for increasing repertoire using a combination of ear, intellect, and jazz theory knowledge. Areas covered include tune memorization and long-term retention, chord progressions and substitutions, common intros and endings, common and uncommon forms, “instant” transposition, quotable phrases for improvisation, jazz engagement routines and etiquette, and relevance of listening to key jazz recordings — one of the most important aspects of becoming a good jazz player!

J.B. Dyas currently serves as the Executive Director of The Brubeck Institute at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.

Here's a link to Baker's book:

http://www.jazzbooks.com/scripts/search.asp?detail=1&item=82

Here's another article I found searching for links:

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Spratt/LearningTunes.html

 

[Treeline]

I use the music stand

I do occasional solo gigs.

With me, the chords are usually not the problem. I forget the lyrics, or one word to the third verse of a lyric, just enough to mess up the timing and then I'm lost.

So I use a music stand, off to one side a bit. In a three ring binder I have each song printed
IN LARGE, BOLD PRINT
and it usually takes up one full page, or perhaps two. In that case, I set it up like a "centerfold" with print on the left hand and right hand page - no page turning during a tune! Works slick. Nobody (except another musician) has commented on it, and he liked the idea.

 

[OpenD]

It's funny, but with my gospel quartet we usually have to get just the first WORD of a song down and the rest just comes. In the type of music we do, we see a lot of folks who sing with lyric sheets or music right up in their face (it don't look professional, but then again, they don't throw beer bottles at you in church). We decided as a group that we would not perform a song in public untill we knew it well enough to sing it without any props.

That seems to be a lot of songs to keep track of, I would keep at least a song list around with first lines and keys on them. It always seems to me that the lyrics and chords should have some kind of logic to them so that's how I remember. Of course you get the occaisional senseless lyric...

Always have a 'I forgot the words" line ready....

 

[zer0sig]

how do i cope? mind-numbingly repetitive practice. also, when i do inevitably screw up, i live with it, because believe it or not, most of your listening audience DOES NOT KNOW you screwed up if you don't stop and beg them for forgiveness for forgetting a line. sometimes i'll forget a line and sing something like "i sure wish i could remember the words" with the same notes and whatnot. the people who don't notice it don't care. the people who do often find it at least mildly entertaining.

 

[Porter]

When I first read this post a few days ago I was going to suggest the folder on a stand in big print. I was performing in front of about 400 people one night in a 'variety' show at my old school. At rehersal I got up there and forgot one of the verses to a song I'd written and sang over and over again.

The first night i got up there and I had a music stand with my lyrics in big print... never needed them. I only sang 2 songs that night, however the nerves were as high (nervous & the stage crew were shit).

I agree, nothing wrong with a music stand. I've seen Sting use it over and over, adds a touch of class if you ask me.

I was watching a Sting special a couple of nights ago and noticed the same thing. I think it does add class. If you have written so many song I wouldn't balme you for using a 'song book'. If anyone after the performance comes up to you and asks you about the book.. just start to flick through it and mention that they are all original songs you've written... that will impress them.

Porter

 

[Treeline]

Of course, if you're like me, the "original song" has yet to make itself known...

 

[Robertt8]

Thanks!

These all sound like great ideas! Thanks a lot! I'll surely use some of these suggestions.

I'll let you know how it goes if I get up there soon...Right now I'm recovering from nearly killing myself with booze from a bachelor party in Cabo San Lucas this weekend. Thanks again!

 

[Tucci]

just practice

Play your songs through on your own many times until it becomes second nature. Sometimes you will still forget things because of nervousness, but this will lessen the more you play. The trombone player/singer in my band forgets words to his songs all the time. We just flow with it, he's pretty quick and a lot of times comes up with better words on the fly than the original lyrics he was supposed to sing.

I just sing my songs to myself a good number of times. IT's not a big deal to forget a few words in one song during the course of a set. If you're dropping lines all over the place then you need to do something.

Tucci
www.locuststreettaxi.com
Horns, Harmony, & Humor

 

[Toker41]

When playing in front of small crowds (300 or less) I found that it helped to drink alot and smoke more than alot. When playing in front of medium size crowds (300-1000) I found it helped to smoke alot and drink more than alot. When playing before large crowds (1000-2500) I would try to find the perfect balance of more than alot of both. Trust me, I never forgot a line. However, might have forgot where I was suppose to be when I sang it from time to time, but hey...it was the 80's. Now I find no matter what I do I can't remember shit.

 

[GROOVEJIVEY]

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[Dani Pace]

OK here is my method.....on poster paper, in letters large enough to be read from 20 feet away I put 1, the song title 2 the opening chord sequence and 3 the first line to the song. I've found that if I can make it through the intro and the first line the rest just kind of falls into place. I attach my list to the side of one of the PA speaker cabs, one quick glance and the rest comes out of my memory, but its easy for me, I'm the guitar player not the singer.

 

[Robert D]

Same way I remember the notes, practice, practice, practice, practice. It also helps if you're actually saying something with the words. If it's important, at least to you, you'll remember. If it's all just a bunch of words, then who cares anyway?
RD