Why can't the dancing be done to just the band lpaying instead of every instrument being drowned out by loud singers. It is so off putting.
The Singing
This questions had been asked about 3000 times before. :sleep:
Strictly uses a band because the couples need to adjust the tempo of the song they're dancing to. It's the easiest way to do it.
Strictly uses a band because the couples need to adjust the tempo of the song they're dancing to. It's the easiest way to do it.
Originally Posted by StigOfTheKrump:
“This questions had been asked about 3000 times before. :sleep:
Strictly uses a band because the couples need to adjust the tempo of the song they're dancing to. It's the easiest way to do it.”
“This questions had been asked about 3000 times before. :sleep:
Strictly uses a band because the couples need to adjust the tempo of the song they're dancing to. It's the easiest way to do it.”
I don't think that is the reason. Remember they train to recorded music.
Originally Posted by Paace:
“I don't think that is the reason. Remember they train to recorded music.”
“I don't think that is the reason. Remember they train to recorded music.”
Well, unless the band are fibbing, that's the way they do it.
Originally Posted by LIZALYNN:
“Why can't the dancing be done to just the band lpaying instead of every instrument being drowned out by loud singers. It is so off putting.”
“Why can't the dancing be done to just the band lpaying instead of every instrument being drowned out by loud singers. It is so off putting.”
Nothing quite beats dancing to live music - providing it is played correctly! Unfortunately the Strictly band very often plays the music at the wrong tempo which can make the dances look wrong.
Absolutely agree about the singers though. I don't like dancing to music with singers - especially ballroom, not quite so bad with the Latin (providing the singers don't drown out the music!)
I think it has more to do with how they edit the track to fit the 90 seconds maybe? Also if the band play at the wrong tempo, then it's down to the couple because they can request tempo changes in the dress run.
I don't think the band and singers are necessarily bad, I just think whoever is responsible for mixing the sound often does a pretty dire job. A lot of dances seem to lose their energy because the percussion is completely drowned out by the other instruments. Also it's unfair to expect two male and two female singers to have the vocal range to cover any song the professionals select - the singers are quite good when they get something in their range. Maybe adding two extra singers would help?
I don't think the band and singers are necessarily bad, I just think whoever is responsible for mixing the sound often does a pretty dire job. A lot of dances seem to lose their energy because the percussion is completely drowned out by the other instruments. Also it's unfair to expect two male and two female singers to have the vocal range to cover any song the professionals select - the singers are quite good when they get something in their range. Maybe adding two extra singers would help?
The one thing as far as I can remember the BBC never reveal is the sound of the recorded music the couples train too for hours and days .
I would like to know do they train just to just a music track or music with voices.
I would like to know do they train just to just a music track or music with voices.
They train to music with voices. They take the recording of the song, then Dave Arch edits it down to 90 seconds in consultation with the pro, so they can keep the parts of the song they want. Then Dave gives them a copy of the track, which is what they train to during the week. Meanwhile, he listens to the track and creates the sheet music for the singers and band. On the Friday rehearsal, the couples still practice with the recorded tracks. Then on the Saturday rehearsal, the band and singers come in, they get their music and the couples dance to the band playing the track. At this point, the couples can request any changes they want e.g. tempo. Then of course, we have the live show on the Saturday night.
All that is purely from memory of an ITT behind the scenes, so if anyone remembers differently, feel free to correct me.
All that is purely from memory of an ITT behind the scenes, so if anyone remembers differently, feel free to correct me.
I think the singers do best with the old classic type numbers - Nat King Cole, Sinatra, that kind of stuff. I had to mute the crucifixion of Sweet Child o' Mine on Saturday! 
Originally Posted by echad:
“They train to music with voices. They take the recording of the song, then Dave Arch edits it down to 90 seconds in consultation with the pro, so they can keep the parts of the song they want. Then Dave gives them a copy of the track, which is what they train to during the week. Meanwhile, he listens to the track and creates the sheet music for the singers and band. On the Friday rehearsal, the couples still practice with the recorded tracks. Then on the Saturday rehearsal, the band and singers come in, they get their music and the couples dance to the band playing the track. At this point, the couples can request any changes they want e.g. tempo. Then of course, we have the live show on the Saturday night.
All that is purely from memory of an ITT behind the scenes, so if anyone remembers differently, feel free to correct me.”
“They train to music with voices. They take the recording of the song, then Dave Arch edits it down to 90 seconds in consultation with the pro, so they can keep the parts of the song they want. Then Dave gives them a copy of the track, which is what they train to during the week. Meanwhile, he listens to the track and creates the sheet music for the singers and band. On the Friday rehearsal, the couples still practice with the recorded tracks. Then on the Saturday rehearsal, the band and singers come in, they get their music and the couples dance to the band playing the track. At this point, the couples can request any changes they want e.g. tempo. Then of course, we have the live show on the Saturday night.
All that is purely from memory of an ITT behind the scenes, so if anyone remembers differently, feel free to correct me.
”
Thanks echad. So just to be clear, all the couples train to a recording of their specific track, done by the Dave Arch band.
I get a little tired about reading the singers singing off key, too fast, too slow, not good enough. If you really want off-key singing, just switch to ITV for the X-Factor, and you know what? They did use auto-tune to some of the really terrible acts.
Being classically trained, I do have a ear for the pitch and often and not (like 95% or more), the SCD singers had absolutely NO problems with their singing, key-wise.
:sleep::sleep::sleep:
Being classically trained, I do have a ear for the pitch and often and not (like 95% or more), the SCD singers had absolutely NO problems with their singing, key-wise.
:sleep::sleep::sleep:
Presumably the reason for sung tracks is partly also owing to what they think the viewers might want? I'd hazard a guess they've made a conscious decision to use very recent popular music as something of a crowd-pleaser, which, perhaps less so than older stuff, isn't always going to translate well into /be recognisable in instrumental form.
Originally Posted by Paace:
“Thanks echad. So just to be clear, all the couples train to a recording of their specific track, done by the Dave Arch band.”
“Thanks echad. So just to be clear, all the couples train to a recording of their specific track, done by the Dave Arch band.”
They train to the actual track by the original artist, but parts of the song are cut to reduce it to 90 seconds (by Dave Arch). They don't hear the band's version until the Saturday rehearsal. For example, if you watch ITT on a Friday, then the couple that show a little bit of their dance are performing to the original track, not the Strictly band version.
Originally Posted by SCD-Observer:
“I get a little tired about reading the singers singing off key, too fast, too slow, not good enough. If you really want off-key singing, just switch to ITV for the X-Factor, and you know what? They did use auto-tune to some of the really terrible acts.
Being classically trained, I do have a ear for the pitch and often and not (like 95% or more), the SCD singers had absolutely NO problems with their singing, key-wise.
:sleep::sleep::sleep:”
“I get a little tired about reading the singers singing off key, too fast, too slow, not good enough. If you really want off-key singing, just switch to ITV for the X-Factor, and you know what? They did use auto-tune to some of the really terrible acts.
Being classically trained, I do have a ear for the pitch and often and not (like 95% or more), the SCD singers had absolutely NO problems with their singing, key-wise.
:sleep::sleep::sleep:”
I don't get the complaining either, I think they're good, there's the odd note that makes you wince but considering the range of songs and the sheer amount of singing that they do live, I think they're pretty good.
Originally Posted by echad:
“They train to music with voices. They take the recording of the song, then Dave Arch edits it down to 90 seconds in consultation with the pro, so they can keep the parts of the song they want. Then Dave gives them a copy of the track, which is what they train to during the week. Meanwhile, he listens to the track and creates the sheet music for the singers and band. On the Friday rehearsal, the couples still practice with the recorded tracks. Then on the Saturday rehearsal, the band and singers come in, they get their music and the couples dance to the band playing the track. At this point, the couples can request any changes they want e.g. tempo. Then of course, we have the live show on the Saturday night.
All that is purely from memory of an ITT behind the scenes, so if anyone remembers differently, feel free to correct me.”
“They train to music with voices. They take the recording of the song, then Dave Arch edits it down to 90 seconds in consultation with the pro, so they can keep the parts of the song they want. Then Dave gives them a copy of the track, which is what they train to during the week. Meanwhile, he listens to the track and creates the sheet music for the singers and band. On the Friday rehearsal, the couples still practice with the recorded tracks. Then on the Saturday rehearsal, the band and singers come in, they get their music and the couples dance to the band playing the track. At this point, the couples can request any changes they want e.g. tempo. Then of course, we have the live show on the Saturday night.
All that is purely from memory of an ITT behind the scenes, so if anyone remembers differently, feel free to correct me.
”
THANK YOU!!!! I have always wondered
Originally Posted by LIZALYNN:
“Why can't the dancing be done to just the band lpaying instead of every instrument being drowned out by loud singers. It is so off putting.”
“Why can't the dancing be done to just the band lpaying instead of every instrument being drowned out by loud singers. It is so off putting.”
Very good point. The singers need not sing every tune. It would be nice to have the band just play.
It does and has happened occasionally hasn't it, I seem to remember Zoe and Ian's tango being one example.
Originally Posted by Sallyforth:
“It does and has happened occasionally hasn't it, I seem to remember Zoe and Ian's tango being one example.”
“It does and has happened occasionally hasn't it, I seem to remember Zoe and Ian's tango being one example.”
Tangos should never be danced to singing - it's just wrong! Same with paso.
Originally Posted by SCD-Observer:
“I get a little tired about reading the singers singing off key, too fast, too slow, not good enough. If you really want off-key singing, just switch to ITV for the X-Factor, and you know what? They did use auto-tune to some of the really terrible acts.
Being classically trained, I do have a ear for the pitch and often and not (like 95% or more), the SCD singers had absolutely NO problems with their singing, key-wise.
:sleep::sleep::sleep:”
“I get a little tired about reading the singers singing off key, too fast, too slow, not good enough. If you really want off-key singing, just switch to ITV for the X-Factor, and you know what? They did use auto-tune to some of the really terrible acts.
Being classically trained, I do have a ear for the pitch and often and not (like 95% or more), the SCD singers had absolutely NO problems with their singing, key-wise.
:sleep::sleep::sleep:”
I wouldn't argue with what you are saying, but just because someone gets the pitch/key right doesn't necessarily mean they are pleasant to listen to.
It's a bit like saying because someone gets - say - a rumba on time it's a good rumba. Essential though good timing is, there is a lot more to it than that.
SCDBand on Twitter have just tweeted this article and I thought I'd post it in here too.
http://strictlycomedancingband.com/S...and/Press.html
http://strictlycomedancingband.com/S...and/Press.html
Originally Posted by echad:
“They train to the actual track by the original artist, but parts of the song are cut to reduce it to 90 seconds (by Dave Arch). They don't hear the band's version until the Saturday rehearsal. For example, if you watch ITT on a Friday, then the couple that show a little bit of their dance are performing to the original track, not the Strictly band version.”
“They train to the actual track by the original artist, but parts of the song are cut to reduce it to 90 seconds (by Dave Arch). They don't hear the band's version until the Saturday rehearsal. For example, if you watch ITT on a Friday, then the couple that show a little bit of their dance are performing to the original track, not the Strictly band version.
”
Thats the point I was originally making .
All the couples do their training to a recording of the track by some artist . Surely it would be easier for the amateurs to dance on the Saturday dance day to the actual music they trained too, then to have to adjust to the band..
I prefer the band being there because they usually do an excellent job.
Originally Posted by Dilly 1:
“SCDBand on Twitter have just tweeted this article and I thought I'd post it in here too.
http://strictlycomedancingband.com/S...and/Press.html”
“SCDBand on Twitter have just tweeted this article and I thought I'd post it in here too.
http://strictlycomedancingband.com/S...and/Press.html”
Thanks for posting that Dilly. I know i've given them a hard time on occassion but I do think that in general they do a great job... especially given how little time they have to rehearse.
One thing though, why were they calling the bassist Trevor Barry? Anyone who follows Monkseals blog knows his real name is Man In The Hat!
