ear pieces

[pamnez]

Can anyone please explain to me why performers wear ear pieces when they are singing? What is their purpose? Your answer could settle an arguement.

[rugeleyboy]

i would say it's so they can hear the music behind them as the moniters are at the front of the stage?

[Bluemukka]

Yes - they are usually in front of the speakers and if they weren't wearing an earpiece the vocals would not be in time with the music.

[mushroom25]

never was this more graphically demonstrated than with All About Eve's performance of Martha's Harbour on TOTP in 1988, when Julianne Regan completely lost her starting point......

[easytiger3]

It also helps you to sing in tune. Rather than having to try and compete with music bouncing off the walls around you, if you can hear yourself directly in your ear it really makes a difference. This is also why some people stick their finger in their ear when they sing

[Ollie_P]

I agree, I stick my fingers in my ears whenever Mariah Carey sings and her songs sound so much better.

[pamnez]

Many thanks to all who answered. I have proved my hubby wrong. YES.

[andy-hughes]

In-ear monitors provide a better service than standard stage monitors because the sound can be individually mixed to suit the musician or vocalist. Some singers like to hear the whole band,. some just like guitars, and so on, and drummers in particular can mix their drum sound in with the band through in-ears, which double as defenders from the noise they make.