Re: why amplify jazz concert at symphony hall?

Posted by Rick W on March 11, 2004 at 08:39:19

In Reply to: why amplify jazz concert at symphony hall? posted by imrer on March 10, 2004 at 00:35:00:

As we all know, getting good balanced sound (for a wide variety of instrumentation and music) at any hall is problematic. I just went to a chamber music concert at Merkin Hall in NYC (a pretty good small to mid-sized venue). Music included sonatas for cello and piano, pieces for piano with 3 strings, all unamplified. The piano consistently overpowered the strings in every piece. I guess I'd put equal parts blame on the player, stage setup, and the hall. It just ain't easy.

This is even more difficult when a set of trap drums and an amplified bass are used. Even with a jazz quintet (let alone a 16 piece big band), an unamplified pizz. bass playing with drums, piano, trumpet and saxophone will be drowned out in Carnegie Hall. As a saxophone player, I do feel that many drummers, electric guitarists and bassists play too damn loud on stage, which means the horn players often need monitors to hear themselves (thereby starting a vicious circle). But I don't think you'd be happy with the sound of a completely unamplified jazz quintet at a venue like Avery Fisher Hall, especially if your seats were far from the stage. Short of Caruso blasting/bellowing the out chorus of On Green Dolphin Street (a horrifying prospect), I doubt you'd hear a note from a singer sans mic backed by a big band.

Its a tough problem requiring really good and APPROPRIATE mics, amplification and speakers controlled by a sensitive and ARTISTIC soundman (a virtual oxymoron at many venues), as well as venue-conscious playing by the musicians, different stage setup and configuration of movable baffling and absorbtive/reflective panels. It CAN be done well. Unfortunately, most of the time it isn't.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - why amplify jazz concert at symphony hall? - imrer 00:35:00 03/10/04 (15)

Sound re-enforcement but house sound needs...... - clbeanz 16:54:25 03/16/04 (0)

Re: why amplify jazz concert at symphony hall? - DeeCee 09:13:29 03/12/04 (0)

It's a disgrace. Is it only in the USA that they do this? - edta 14:39:27 03/11/04 (0)

I've heard that self-same problem - JMCIII 09:38:43 03/11/04 (0)

Re: why amplify jazz concert at symphony hall? - Rick W 08:39:19 03/11/04 (0)

My hate as well - Dizzie Gillepsie blasting into a mic!!!! - John C. - Aussie 13:39:39 03/10/04 (0)

I hate that! - M. Lucky 09:04:37 03/10/04 (1)

Re: I hate that! Phil Woods - opinionated 07:45:35 03/11/04 (0)

Jazz and pop singers have no vocal power these days. They make love... - clarkjohnsen 08:56:26 03/10/04 (3)

Exactly who, where, when did jazz singers perform sans amplification? - Rick W 07:45:52 03/11/04 (0)

Re: Jazz and pop singers have no vocal power these days. They make love... - imrer 23:09:44 03/10/04 (0)

We are . . . - psgary 20:42:25 03/10/04 (0)

Most groups actually use amplification to balance - Auricle 05:35:49 03/10/04 (2)

It's a ludicrous situation....... - feet's too big 07:37:42 03/10/04 (1)

My opinion as well, feet's . . . - Auricle 11:26:54 03/10/04 (0)

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Re: why amplify jazz concert at symphony hall? - Rick W 08:39:19 03/11/04 (0)

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