What is the modern way to use sheet music for gigs?

[Chriscom]

Aaron Short (AeroUSA here) talked briefly about this topic in his YouTube livestream today. Apparently Thursday is Gear Day on his livesteam and it sounds like he'll focus a bit on it.

I'm using SongBook Pro and while I'm happy with it overall, it's done some weird things on occasion. The main one is reverting to the original key when I've tried to alter some chords and spacing on one of the songs I imported from UltimateGuitar, which hadn't happend before. Other than that I could quibble but it really helped fill out my gig last weekend with quality adds.

[The Bard Rocks]

Originally Posted by tbirdman

The issue I have with Ipads is unless you invest in the expensive pro with the 12.9 screen, you are stuck with a screen size of 8x6 for a 10 inch screen. The Ipad pro with a 12.9" screen can just about fit a single sheet of paper life size if you cut off the .5" margins. You can't buy a used one for for under $400 and that is one released in 2014.

Which is exactly what I did.l Works fine. I had my music formatted long ago then spent all last summer putting it in ForScore, just the way I wanted it.

[foleyone]

I just got a cheap bluetooth page turner online and a Fire tablet along with a tablet holder that clips on to my mic stand. Seems to work well and was affordable. Testing an app called mobilesheets that seems to do the trick.

[tadol]

iPad pro isn’t cheap, but if you use it for everything ( email, web, TV, camera, recorder, etc, etc, ) it is a very worthwhile tool. It’s basically the only computer I use, and has been for over 10 years. Mine is now almost 3 years old, and I’ll definitely be upgrading - when the next one comes along, maybe with iPad OS 15 - ;-)

[dnf777]

I dont know, maybe Im just getting old, but Ive enthusiastically tried several formats of digital sheets, but in the end, I simply prefer the size and format of old-fashioned paper in slip protectors. I have a few hundred songs, but I pick 10-20 and put them in a 1” binder that fits nicely in my case pocket.

Not trying to be anti-digital, but just find paper easier, more reliable, and comfortable for now. (And yes, I still print my boarding passes, and use them as bookmarks while travelling). Perhaps my biggest obstacle is that my preferred tablet is an iPad-mini, which is too small for sheet music and these eyes.

[Peter Z]

Originally Posted by EZYPIKINS

Am I the only one?

My advise is. Learn the songs.

How many songs do you play?
I have more than 300 songs in Songbook Pro. I play those in my band, with a guitar playing partner and alone. For me that’s too many to remember.

[Peter Z]

Originally Posted by dnf777

I dont know, maybe Im just getting old, but Ive enthusiastically tried several formats of digital sheets, but in the end, I simply prefer the size and format of old-fashioned paper in slip protectors. I have a few hundred songs, but I pick 10-20 and put them in a 1” binder that fits nicely in my case pocket.

Not trying to be anti-digital, but just find paper easier, more reliable, and comfortable for now. (And yes, I still print my boarding passes, and use them as bookmarks while travelling). Perhaps my biggest obstacle is that my preferred tablet is an iPad-mini, which is too small for sheet music and these eyes.

I used paper in slip protectors for many many years. Switched to OnSong later and a few month ago to Songbook Pro. Three band members use paper and three have apps. I’m not trying to convince anyone but we app-users are much better organized and quicker. And our iPads don’t fall of stands like the big binders. I want to add, that our setlist is much longer than 10-20 songs. For that amount paper makes sense.

[rule18]

When not memorizing everything, iPad Pro/Finale Pro in a holder on a stand, Cicada Page Flip (bluetoothand has a forward and back pedal). iPad is more than bright enough on sunny days.

[takamineGD93]

I googled laptops after reading this tread. A big pad is expensive. I could get a 14" lenovo chromebook för 2-300.

Would be great if you could use one of those.

[tbirdman]

Originally Posted by takamineGD93

I googled laptops after reading this tread. A big pad is expensive. I could get a 14" lenovo chromebook för 2-300.

Would be great if you could use one of those.

But most chromebooks have a screen aspect ratio that is not great for displaying music. It is just too skinny when turn sideways. The Ipad Pro is expensive but has the nice big screen with a good aspect ratio. My Acer Spin 713 was one of the few chromebooks with a good 3:2 aspect ratio. I rather have an Ipad Pro but for 1/3 the price, I settled for the Spin 713. I already have a 9" Ipad, but I wanted larger size as the music was too hard to read.

Of course this all changes now that I just had cataract surgery and vision is very much improved.

[takamineGD93]

Originally Posted by tbirdman

But most chromebooks have a screen aspect ratio that is not great for displaying music. It is just too skinny when turn sideways. The Ipad Pro is expensive but has the nice big screen with a good aspect ratio. My Acer Spin 713 was one of the few chromebooks with a good 3:2 aspect ratio. I rather have an Ipad Pro but for 1/3 the price, I settled for the Spin 713. I already have a 9" Ipad, but I wanted larger size as the music was too hard to read.

Of course this all changes now that I just had cataract surgery and vision is very much improved.

I'm just thinking out loud, Brainstorming for more (econimical) solutions.
It could also be possible to have a standard screen and connect a mobile or a rasbarry pi to such a screen.

[tadol]

Originally Posted by takamineGD93

I googled laptops after reading this tread. A big pad is expensive. I could get a 14" lenovo chromebook för 2-300.

Would be great if you could use one of those.

You can get a binder, a ream of 3 hole paper, and a box of crayons for under $25 - that’ll work too!

[jwellsy]

Do any of the tablet manufacturers not use Uygher labor?

[dnf777]

Originally Posted by Peter Z

I used paper in slip protectors for many many years. Switched to OnSong later and a few month ago to Songbook Pro. Three band members use paper and three have apps. I’m not trying to convince anyone but we app-users are much better organized and quicker. And our iPads don’t fall of stands like the big binders. I want to add, that our setlist is much longer than 10-20 songs. For that amount paper makes sense.

Couldnt agree more, and thats why I keep trying. We tease one guy in our coffee-house group relentlessly for his disorganization. We all sing a song (or two) while he flips through multiple, thick, binders.