Home Forums Progress Review Star Spangled Banner / national anthem in a set list

Viewing 7 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • #20779
      superblonde
      Keymaster

      I dragged my fellow group of guys out for ad hoc busking and we were performing some songs. We don’t have many songs that we know as a group, so we were repeating the same songs a lot over the course of about 90 mins of being out, which is okay because the audience was constantly changing anyway (passers by). I asked the guys if they wanted to do Star Spangled Banner and they got really uncomfortable, like, “uhh that’s not a good song for here” or “it’s not really the right time” or “I’m not sure about that now” … so we didn’t do it. To me it is a song with meaning yet a song like any other, we perform it in good form not joking around with it or anything bizarre. Am I missing something with wanting to perform the Star Spangled Banner in a set list, not at totally arbitrary times, but I mean, just in general along with other songs?

      I'm an intermediate student of Metal Method. I play seitannic heavy metal. All Kale Seitan! ♯ ♮ ♭ ø ° Δ ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬
      And on the Seventh Day, Mustaine said: ∇ ⨯ E = - ∂B / ∂t ; and there was Thrash; and it had a ♭3; and it was good.

    • #20781
      safetyblitz
      Participant

      Am I missing something with wanting to perform the Star Spangled Banner in a set list, not at totally arbitrary times, but I mean, just in general along with other songs?

      One issue is that your bandmates might be worried that they will play it poorly and be judged harshly by people who might perceive them to be “disrespecting” the anthem.

      Another possible issue with playing a national anthem in a casual setting is that it creates social expectations for the people around you. At an event people choose to attend, with a scheduled start time where it’s understood that the anthem is played before the start of the event (e.g. a baseball game), most people are happy to conform to social norms and dutifully pay attention and even sing along when the anthem is played. But when you play it ad hoc surrounded by people who are indifferent to your presence, many will still feel obligated to stop what they’re doing out of deferrence for the symbolism of the anthem, even though they aren’t interested in listening to *you* in particular. If they’re particularly easy-going and/or patriotic, it might be a fun surprise… *once*. But even done just once in a come-and-go setting, some folks who feel they have to respond a certain way when they hear the anthem may feel you’re unfairly creating a social burden for them if you spontaneously play it in a random setting.

      Edit: The other thing about national anthem as “part of a set list”, is that rock shows are inherently casual events. Unless you’re opening the day, a la Hendrix at Woodstock, many people will be uncomfortable with the juxtaposition of the sense of decorum they associate with the anthem versus the casual “don’t give a frick” vibe of a rock show. In the *worst* case, people might think you’re making fun of the anthem, which, while it might be an artistic goal for some, will turn most audiences against you.

      At a classical concert, where the tone is usually less casual, I could see a conductor introducing a performance of the anthem with a friendly invitation to the audience to stand if they choose. Even then, I think it would make more sense as the opening performance rather than somewhere further in the program.

    • #20782
      superblonde
      Keymaster

      Yea, I can see that.
      It makes me wonder though if the anthem is embedded like in a medley, if it would be taken with the same hesitation, or not. I’ve seen plenty of guitarist bust out several measures of it, in the middle of another hendrix song (cant remember the details tho).

      I'm an intermediate student of Metal Method. I play seitannic heavy metal. All Kale Seitan! ♯ ♮ ♭ ø ° Δ ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬
      And on the Seventh Day, Mustaine said: ∇ ⨯ E = - ∂B / ∂t ; and there was Thrash; and it had a ♭3; and it was good.

    • #20787
      grondak
      Participant

      Ask them, one on one, what the issue is.  My guess is they are worried that the song evokes nationalistic pride, which is not in vogue in all locales.

      I can play it, though. I learned it on bass a few weeks ago.

      Metal Method is helping me across the board!

    • #20788
      grondak
      Participant

      Here’s the music I started with.

       

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner#/media/File:2_Star_Spangled_Banner.png

      The forum won’t let me attach my bass track in GP6, so you’ll have to hum along. 🙂

       

      Metal Method is helping me across the board!

    • #20789
      superblonde
      Keymaster

      Yeah. Phil Anselmo is not invited. :-/

      Didnt know you were playing bass these days. Get funky!

      I'm an intermediate student of Metal Method. I play seitannic heavy metal. All Kale Seitan! ♯ ♮ ♭ ø ° Δ ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬
      And on the Seventh Day, Mustaine said: ∇ ⨯ E = - ∂B / ∂t ; and there was Thrash; and it had a ♭3; and it was good.

    • #20790
      grondak
      Participant

      I am not yet licensed for slap and pop. I only have my learner’s permit.

      I do love funk, though– I have my tickets for Earth, Wind, and Fire in April!

      Metal Method is helping me across the board!

    • #21209
      Byron
      Participant

      I suspect their minds have been poisoned by Progressive, PC nonsense and they’re worried someone might claim to be “offended.”

Viewing 7 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.