| [...] I do not want to become a member of the "memorex club":
| musicians who noodle on a keyboard against a pre-recorded or
| sequenced background.
|
| I hate concerts like this, where the musician(s) don't actually
| PLAY, [...]
|
| I do not mean to insult the musicians on this list who do this.
| I understand that it is commonplace and an accepted method of
| performance.
I believe that it depends a great deal on the composition.
I really experienced the difference in 1988 when I saw what I consider to be
two extremes of the spectrum in live performances of instrumental electronic
listening music.
First was Tangerine Dream. Each of the three performers had an Atari
computer monitor behind them facing the audience. The timing was perfect, you
couldn't always tell what they were playing, except the songs with guitar,
but this is how TaDream's music is supposed to be. I had no complaints
because it worked for them.
Next was Yanni - and before everybody pukes, this guy used to have a lot of
punch in his music, even if he is now the icon of mushy newage. Even though
Yanni's music was composed in a studio and recorded completely in the digital
domain, the emotional energy demanded live musicians. The 1988 concert had a
live drummer, and two very competent keyboardists who learned his music for
the tour. This four piece played off of each other - the music was dynamic -
each player could look at the other musician and they could adjust the tempo.
I really saw the contrast because Yanni's music was not like Tangerine
Dream's, except that both bands are electronic instrumental. The next concert
I saw with Yanni had an even larger ensemble of very talented musicians. I
wouldn't want Tangerine Dream to attempt this, because I don't feel that it
suits the style of their compositions.
So to make my point: It is not inherently bad to sequence or sync to material
on tape unless the only motivation is laziness. If a musician is on a budget
and can't afford backup, or the players are too lazy to learn to play
everything live, then this will be negative. But if the compositions are
fitting for mechanical performance, then it would actually be a mistake to
have someone try to perform certain parts live. Toby Marks' concert here as
Banco de Gaia was pure listening pleasure because of the excellent four
channel system with stereo subs. It was more important to hear how the piece
was mixed on a sound system that only about 0.01% of us would ever have in our
home or dance club.
But the final choice is up to you as the composer. If you do not want to
perform your music because you would be forced to use tape accompaniment, then
I congratulate you for sticking with your personal quality ethic. Whenever
you do finally work out a way to appear in public without sacrificing your
standards, I am sure that the audience will appreciate the music much more
than if you didn't hold out for your best.
Brian