Stage Set up

MNM7 · 2012-01-31T12:02:47+00:00

This one is for my fellow church musos. I just would like to know what your stage set up is in terms of the band members. Basically how many of what instruments, and the basic layout if possible. I'm doing this cause i'm trying to get an idea for the band stage set up at the church where I play. So please share away.

Airguitar

PS. The drummer is in a fish tank and mic'd up.

DonRoos

Most stages are restrictive in some way or other. It generally helps to place the drums first. Often there is only one space that is large enough, particularly if a fish tank is used. Then place the bass next to the drums ( in the vein hope that they may work together?. If you can, then string the guitars, electric first and then acoustic on the same side as the bass. Whatever space is left you cram the keyboard into and the vocals must then fill in the gaps, generally in front of the muscians. Whoever is calling the shots needs to be able to manouver themselves to be able to see everybody to be able to make the appropriate gestures. That generally means that they need to be in the centre or off to one side.

Generally, every room calls for a different setup

BobC

Averatu wrote
Jack Flash Jr wrote I'd assume band set-up is similar for agnostic, atheist, Islamic, Buddhist and FSM bands in a hall type setting ?
But I'm keen to hear specifics.
FSM all the way!!! We're finally getting the recognition we deserve!!!

Sebber

Airguitar wrote PS. The drummer is in a fish tank and mic'd up.

That's a great way to deal with a drummer, man I hate those guys... but tell me: why is he mic'd up? Is it to record the sounds of him drowning or do you mean you've trussed him up with an XLR cable to limit his capability to struggle for his continuing existence?

Banditman

Going along with what most have said, there are some particular challenges to church worship teams.

Layout is layout, whether in a dingy metal bar (as Alan puts it well) or a huge hall, you've got to work with the space you have available. In a previous rented Victorian church hall, we were crammed into a traditional but smallish stage. Moved into a new building where we could purpose-build things, and we now have a decent-sized D-shaped concrete stage (with power points and leads inset) three steps up with a raised sound desk at the back. Drums at the back & centre (and man I'd love a fish tank for ours), bass next to the drummer, 2x electrics staggered on the other side. Acoustic / lead up front, vocalists on either side, and the keyboard tucked in just behind them & to the side of the bassist.

That's a full line-up, varying usually according to who's there or not or what we're doing (e.g. this Sunday will be three acoustics only, with perhaps a touch of percussion. Variety's the spice of life).

Returning to the "challenges" aspect, some are the same as any non-Christian band. These usually relate to the amount and level of gear you can afford, including instruments but especially including the desk and PA. How it's set-up and how good your house sound is will be directly related to who did the setting up (and whether they are humble enough to get help or think they know it all). To state the obvious, like any band how often you practice and HOW you practice will also have a direct effect on your sound/performance quality.

Here's where the catch comes that regular gigging non-church bands don't have.

Form a band and you get to choose your bandmates, who'll tend to be of broadly similar levels of ability and musical tastes or influences. In a church band you have to work with who is available ("available" includes committed - some people have talent but no sense of commitment). This means that outside of congregations of several thousand people you may struggle to find enough suitable skilled people. If or when you do, they'll also have widely different tastes in music and styles or levels of skill on their respective instruments. You cannot bring in outside musos for the gig, because it's not a gig. You may face regular turnover of members. You'll have to find a sound man who at least has an ear for music (if you're lucky) that you can train. You may have persistent individuals who feel they are gifted to be musicians when they are not.

And that's before dealing with an audience (congregation) whose tastes in music vary widely. You will always be too loud or too soft for some, too new or too old fashioned for others. The point is that you're not playing a gig, but discussing that aspect along with church band dynamics will stray beyond the boundaries as set for the forum.

Don't be shy to get outside technical assistance to set up your house properly (and train your sound guy). Cape Town and Gauteng seem to have regular workshops run through guys like Bothners (you lucky dogs), so use them too. You can work around many of the deficiencies you have but it'll require a reasonable appreciation of what you can or cannot do - technically AND musically.

AlanRatcliffe

Good post Banditman! Thanked. ?

« Previous Page