fun ideas for concerts, anyone?

[raeraeiam]

My school has a pretty awesome vocal jazz program. The thing is, the directors are always saying they want cool lights to go with their concerts. But I'm not sure what to do. We always have the cyc lit (usually 3 or 4 colors only). Beyond that, I have no idea a) what I CAN do and b) what I COULD do if we had more equipment for this kind of stuff.

Has anyone done anything before that they could share with me?

Or does anyone know what's a useful instrument to purchase (they have said that they'll look into buying things for it). My knowledge of those instruments doesnt go very far.. so I have no idea what to get or what they do when I get them.

If anybody could help I would be VERY appreciative!!

[kingfisher1]

Well gobos are fun for starters.

most jazz that i've seen has been mostly at larger venues, people like the Heath brothers, and the lighting was pretty minimal, slow fades on a enourmas cyc.

for more up beat jazz maybe try rock and roll techniques i.e. lots of fun back light. otherwise just soem nice cool blues, look pretty darn good.

Oh, and cymbals look really good in light.

[saxman0317]

For our concerts, we like movements. Not enough to distract, but enough to look good
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[raeraeiam]

so what kind of movement do you use? occassionally we do change the cyc color with the song.. is that what you're talking about?

[kingfisher1]

Can we get a little more specific about the music/venue. Its conventional jazz right? I know this'll sound like blashpemy, but i just look at the muscians and don't really notice the lighting. (i can't believe i'm saying this, first this i ALWAYS do in a theater is look up, etc.) if its upbeat enough play a little with chases, but if not stick with cyc fades with neat colors. maybe try new positions. or haze? maybe.

[Chris15]

Originally Posted by kingfisher1

or haze? maybe.

You would want to be careful else the musicians might start complaining about the haze and breathing difficulties.

[len]

If they incorporate dance into the performance I would say some chases etc. would be ok. But the traditionalist in me (I grew up listening to Miles Davis, Art Pepper, Sarah Vaughn, etc.) thinks the music speaks for itself and you don't need chases at all. Just give me a good stage wash and walk away.

[kingfisher1]

Originally Posted by len

If they incorporate dance into the performance I would say some chases etc. would be ok. But the traditionalist in me (I grew up listening to Miles Davis, Art Pepper, Sarah Vaughn, etc.) thinks the music speaks for itself and you don't need chases at all. Just give me a good stage wash and walk away.

agreed 100%

However don't be scared to play around, if i looks good great, but if not, just stop

[saxman0317]

Originally Posted by Chris15

You would want to be careful else the musicians might start complaining about the haze and breathing difficulties.

From a musicians point, haze= EVIL !! Esp if your signing or playing a wind instrument. But when i said movements, for more up beat stuff we might get the intels moving alittle getting moving gobos, or maybe pipe and cyc fades. For music, always keep the colors and movements reative to the tempo, genre, and "feel" of the music preformed. For example...if you have something starting out slow and moody with lost of back beat, keep it fairly low on light with some low punches in the back with cool colors, and then just follow with its flow. But, f it starts real bright, up beat and vibrant, then come in with lots of warm color and movements with gobos, etc. and make the emphasis in the beginning and any "hot spots" in the song. I do agree that the music should speak for it self, but if you can play on all the senses at once, it offers a much better show. If only i could get scent introduction equipment stuff...

For concerts and stuff, i think that someone with a some sort of a music background is important to have there either doing lights/sound or somewhere where they can offer suggestions to some of the unobvious. Im not saying that someone without this is bad, just that sometimes ive noticed the musicians can pick up on whats the emphasized parts of music more often and the "sense beats"

[kingfisher1]

my favorite tip is for song endings get really bright the restore when song ends and then next song do the opposite, especially if it ends sort of lazily,

but for obviosly upbeat songs make upbeat lighting,

theoretical question, for the first opening piano chords of coltrane's "my favorite things" a bump for each accepnt? of to crass?

what about dramatic lighting changes for the opening chords of Beetovens 5th?