This sounds like fun, but hard work...

**bassybill** · #1 02-03-2009, 03:15 PM

Playing in musical shows is something I always find a most educational experience. If nothing else, it really sharpens my reading up.

I’ve got a week long gig playing in the pit band for a local production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and the charts look a bit hellish, but great fun. Anybody else played this gig and willing to give me some views on where a bass player can really slip up?

Here’s a little sample for folks who like a bit of proper old time 1920’s schmaltz, performed with considerable panache. Gotta love this, yes?

http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder...TMM%20Cast.mp3

superbassman2000 · #2 02-04-2009, 08:05 AM

I have played in a few pits, and its a lot of fun--the music is usually pretty upbeat and like you said, it really sharpens the reading skills.

Where can you slip up? I would say in the professionalism. Learn the music. Listen to the other players and the singers--get the song down to the point where you aren't necessarily reading from the music so that you can keep an eye on the music director because there are generally a lot of vamps and time changes. Also, don't goof around during rehearsals--not to say don't have fun, but don't be playing when someone is talking and don't throw in any fills unless you are asked to.

other than that, have fun--i am not big into theater, but the people are fun, the music is fun and you'll have a good time!

**bassybill** · #3 02-04-2009, 12:44 PM

That's good advice, in my experience. I always over-estimate how well I have the stuff down before rehearsals, and have been caught out once or twice as a result. These charts are pretty tough reading (for me), lots of stops/starts/directed stuff/key changes et cetera. So, yeah, I'll be woodshedding a bit with these before band call.

Incidentally, for this sort of gig, I use a Jazz bass with EMGs (absolutely DEAD quiet electrically, which is a must for this type of gig where you can be sitting almost on top of your amp and other folk's gear in a cramped orchestra pit) and strung with flats, which give the bass a nice old school vibe that suits the music really well, imo.

manutabora · #4 02-04-2009, 01:00 PM

Beware of opening night parties, you will suddently find yourself surrounded by interesting... and drunk... people.
But yeah, musicals are fun to play. Good job scoring the gig, now make sure they call you back

superbassman2000 · #5 02-04-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Incidentally, for this sort of gig, I use a Jazz bass with EMGs (absolutely DEAD quiet electrically, which is a must for this type of gig where you can be sitting almost on top of your amp and other folk's gear in a cramped orchestra pit) and strung with flats, which give the bass a nice old school vibe that suits the music really well, imo.

lol in the last musical i played in the pit for, we actually played on a platform above the stage and i had to sit on my cab because of the lack of room haha!

Also note that time accounts for 99% of the music imo. A lot of what i have played in the past (although i have never played the musical you are doing) is just root notes or I-V basslines and the drummer is out in the ether--a lot like jazz music. The right notes are important, but keeping time is super important!

**bassybill** · #6 02-04-2009, 11:17 PM

Absolutely agree on the time element. And I've also learned that one of the best ways of coping with this is to try and sit so you have one eye on the conductor/MD and one eye on the stage.

**bassybill** · #7 04-05-2009, 04:04 AM

Well, this production finished last night, so I've played the charts eight times this week (band call, dress rehearsal, six shows). I'm worn out! But it went really well, judging by audience reaction and comments from people in the company - their best ever, apparently.

The band was really good, there were some top class pro players in there and I felt out of my depth at the first rehearsal. But I soon got into it and the guys seemed to think I did okay. The MD has asked me back to do next year's show (Annie Get Your Gun), so I can't have been THAT bad. I've also been booked to do Little Shop of Horrors (one of my own favourites, great fun for a bassist) later this year for a school production. So, well worth all the hard work this week, I've loved it and learned a good deal in the process, too, despite this being my tenth show run to date.