I'm doing a show that calls for both DB and BG. Do you bring a stand for both? I'm not even sure about the amount of room in the pit. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
What show is it? I did a show last summer where I had to double. I only used a stand for the electric. I left it plugged it with the volume down, and made sure I had enough room to lay down my DB. Good luck!
The show is Honk, the story of the ugly duckling. My problem is, I remember last year with this particular theater group, the pit was kind of crowded. I went to a rehearsal today and the music director asked if I wouldn't mind bringing both. I don't own a DB stand either, so if I use one, I'll have to shell out the $$.
See if there's room to lay it rib down on a chair.
Don't know why I didn't think of that. I've actually rested it that way at times. Thanks Eric! Guess I'll have to insist on getting enough space. DB stands seem risky.
If there's not room in the pit for you to lay the DB down or have a chair to put it on, I'd ask the MD to either make that happen or pick which bass is the one for the whole show. DB stands are risky in the best of circumstances, and an accident waiting to happen in a pit.
I think it's reasonable to assume that if they want you to play both you will be given enough room. The thought of a DB stand in a pit is pretty scary.
If they don't pay it, pick the instrument you are most comfortable with or make sure there is enough room available by being first in the pit and letting everyone know you'll be taking up 2 people's worth of space.
When I play in a pit I usually put the endpin all the way in and get used to playing that way. This lessens the chance of a broken scrolls and no one scrapes their shin on your spike.
Don't do anything stupid like wearing the electric while you are playing the upright. Guaranteed scratched bass and a sore back.
Who is telling you you have to double this show? I played it with electric, and was able to vary my tones enough (my choice) to satisfy myself as an experienced theatre bassist.
Some of the geekier community music directors do that- they think they have to hire a doubler. Or even a bassist who only plays upright. Others (most) don't care so much. I've played a LOT of shows with just electric fretted or fretted and fretless, and the MDs allowed me the latitude to play the instruments I chose for that show.
Most pits in community shows seriously don't have floor space room for an upright, a stool, a stand, and one or more basses and amps. That's a lot of floor space.
You can be very compact with a small electric (a short scale or a headless- I play a Spirit frequently) and a compact combo amp.
If the money is good enough, try to make this work somehow. If not, either don't play the show or tell the MD you are going to play electric. It is sort of a dopey score, I don't recall it as being one of my favorites by any means.
Last edited by MichaelVee : 07-12-2010 at 08:01 PM.
No big deal. The MD isn't demanding anything. It came up on some of the longer tied whole note arco things at rehearsal. I'm certainly not gonna sweat it. I don't expect anything $wise and I pretty much do these things for the fun of it. Not my favorite show either, but I know my kids will come and enjoy it. Hopefully, I can make the switches without hitting the reed guy in the head with my bass.
Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
I've actually rested it that way at times. Thanks Eric! Guess I'll have to insist on getting enough space. DB stands seem risky.
I wonder if I could get triple scale?
