talkmagic.co.uk

Well, here's the thing. I'm setting up my first stage performance. I'm a very musical person, I love music, and I want to add background music to the show. Is this a good idea?

If so, what are some good songs that are about magic, or sound magical? I'm very into rock and metal. The heavier the better, but classic rock stuff works too. I'd love your opinions and ideas! Thanks!

Music can add to a stage show incredibly well - but can also be a big distraction. This is especially true if you're using non-instrumental pieces as backing for any phases of your routine where you will be talking.

You might want to also consider investigating any possible copyright infringement you may find yourself committing, if you decide to use the music of others in a commercial show.

cheers,


Sean

It's not so much an issue of copyright as you're not passing it off as your own work - you do however need to play PRS - which is usually something like 3% of your takings, which will enable you to play copyrighted music in a show.

Check out this site for more

http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx

The Alan Parsons Project have made a number of songs with magical themes.

They also have some really great instrumental songs.

Thanks for the help, you guys. That's what I was thinking. I probably shouldn't use anything with vocals. And I was wondering about copyright infringement. Thanks for that site! Thanks!

I do a patter show, and I have music to walk on. No more. If you are talking music is a distraction. If you are not talking, spend some time and co-ordinate your movements to the music.
For instance my ex-wife had a wonderful act in which the music changed constantly to fit what she was doing. When she performed the colour-changing records (a precurser of CDs) the music reflected the colour of the records. 99 Red Balloons changed instantly to Yellow Submarine as the red record went yellow.
Another effect that illustrates this is the vanishing radio. Most of the guys I see using it regularly just vanish the radio and continue with their act. But really if the radio vanishes the music MUST end at the exact same time.
It takes a lot of work to get a music routine working right, but it is well worth it.
I love hard rock behind illusions. Far better than vanilla pop songs. Good luck. Tony.

TonyB wrote: the colour-changing records (a precurser of CDs)

And, of course, for the youngsters... CDs were the precursor to MP3s (and other forms of digital downloads!)