As a singer in the 21^st century, we are expected to branch out and gain performance experience any way we can. With opera companies are closing their doors, it’s hard for singers to find work. Many singers have turned to creating their own opportunities by putting together recitals and small chamber works. Many venues want you to put together a large program in a very short amount of time, and for large pieces, many companies hire a prompter to help with the words. What do you do when you don’t have time to memorize all of that music or have to learn a very large piece of music in a short amount of tie? We sat down with Cliff Dawson, Technical Sales Director for Staffords On Stage, to get some insight on how Stageprompter can help musicians of all genres.

What is Stageprompter and who created it?

Paul Stafford, from Cambridge, England created the first Stageprompter over 10 years ago.  He wanted a device that his band could use to remember lyrics without the audience realizing. He tried using music stands and iPads, but didn’t like that his audience knew he needed an occasional prompt. He wanted to use a screen, and quickly realized if he concealed it in a cabinet that resembled a monitor speaker, no one would know it was there. After years of refinements, today’s Stageprompter Wedge03 is the highest standard in the industry. It’s crafted with the finest materials and components, so it will hold up to years of whatever the road may throw at it. This commitment to quality is why you can always rely on a Stageprompter to be there when you need it and hidden when you don’t.

Why do musicians rely on teleprompters to display their lyrics? 

We tend to think of professional artists as larger than life, but they are still human and can make mistakes. Most of us have seen performances where a singer has forgotten their words. Some handle it better than others, but it’s always disruptive. Our products help keep this from happening. Above all, our product gives performers extra confidence. Even veteran musicians can get stage fright when they’re onstage. Not having to worry about forgetting lyrics can add a boost of self-assurance that resonates with your audience.

What makes your product different than using a tablet or other device to display their music?

There are a lot of very nice apps for displaying lyrics on iPads and tablets. However, the size of the screen means it must be positioned on a stand, which makes it vulnerable to being knocked over. Also, the audience will clearly see that you are using a prompter. Our product sits on the floor and looks like an audio wedge monitor, which, depending on the venue and genre, may already be on the stage. The screen is large enough that it can be seen, and the font size can be changed to suit the performer’s preference.

In addition to being covert, the Stageprompter has been designed and constructed to do only one thing and to do it very well. Unlike an iPad, tablet, or PC, you’ll never have to worry about pop ups on screen during a performance or the hassle of maintaining yet another computer and its operating system.  We’ve had a few customers buy one of our units after suffering through this during a show.  There is no keyboard or mouse, no cooling fans, and no battery back up needed.

Do the lyrics scroll on the screen?

No, and for good reason. With scrolling lyrics, you must program the rate in which the lyric moves. If the musicians are singing or playing at a slightly different tempo, the correct words will not be visible when you need them.  Our screens are static, so the image of the lyrics is always in the same position for reference. Scrolling lyrics also tend to keep the singer’s vision fixed on the screen and not on the audience.  Artists should know their music very well and may only need help getting started on the first few words of a verse. Having a static reference point available when needed enables the singer to move freely and perform confidently.

What types of genres could benefit from your product?

While our product seems to favor rock-n-roll artists, there are plenty of performers in all types of music who use a Stageprompter.  However, they are also popular with classical musicians as well as singers of gospel, country, and other genres. In fact, some of our products are used in worship services, corporate events, and professional speaking.  We even have a few customers who use one to do stand up comedy. 

You can learn more about Staffords On Stage and Stageprompter products by visiting their website at stageprompter.com.

This is a paid advertisement by Stageprompter USA.