My First Musical - Tips???

nathanmcnathan · #1 10-20-2008, 03:30 PM

Hey everybody. I've just been hired for my first (paid) musical. I've done one before, but it was last year for school, for music class (we were combined with drama and put on a production). The musical is "Urinetown The Musical". There are 2 dress rehearsals I have to attend, and 12 shows. I'm really excited, it sounds like a fun musical. I have almost no experience with this though, from a professional level. Any tips from the seasoned (old

) professionals out there?
Thanks!

nathanmcnathan · #2 10-20-2008, 06:01 PM

I should mention that I'm on electric bass instead of double bass, and I'm really wishing that I'd posted this on the BG side. Can any mods move this over to the BG side for me?
Thanks!!

Marcus Johnson · #3 10-20-2008, 06:12 PM

Pee beforehand.

This show is playing here in a month, sounds interesting. Nathan, do you have any specific questions regarding pit work?.... I've done a bunch of it.

Treyzer · #4 10-20-2008, 06:15 PM

Marcus,

In terms of mentoring, I think that about covers it!!

for anyone who is real serious.... I'm Kidding!

txstatebass · #5 10-20-2008, 06:18 PM

Try to get into the cast party after the last show. Those actor chicks can be a lot of fun.

nathanmcnathan · #6 10-20-2008, 06:19 PM

Not any specific questions, really. Just any general advice will be really helpful. I've never done this before outside of school. Usually they don't hire students, but my music teacher is friends with the musical director and recommended me. I don't really have any worries about the material, I'm a pretty versatile player and I can nail lots of different styles and feels really well. So, any advice is really appreciated.
Thanks!

nathanmcnathan · #7 10-20-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txstatebass

Try to get into the cast party after the last show. Those actor chicks can be a lot of fun.

Well, I'm only 17, but that sounds like some good advice!

txstatebass · #8 10-20-2008, 06:32 PM

seriously, though, bring your eyes. Actors are NOTORIOUS for missing cues, dropping lines, etc. Try to memorize as much as possible so you can follow the conductor. Especially memorize the first 8 or so bars of the tune so you can figure out what's going on. Circle EVERY key signature, keep your music in order (check it before every night). The better you play, the more the actor-chicks will like you.

Marcus Johnson · #9 10-20-2008, 08:49 PM

Two things spring to mind.... often the layout of a pit band can be weird if you're used to sitting right next to the drummer.... sometimes he's a mile away. So be ready for that possibility.

Also.... just lay out all the charts carefully so you can burn right through them, because the tunes come up fast in some shows. Open 'em up, and layer them so you can grab the edge and just toss them on the floor as they go by. Check out some video of the live Sinatra bands, you'll see charts flying all over the place.

Stan Haskins · #10 10-20-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Two things spring to mind.... often the layout of a pit band can be weird if you're used to sitting right next to the drummer.... sometimes he's a mile away. So be ready for that possibility.

Also.... just lay out all the charts carefully so you can burn right through them, because the tunes come up fast in some shows. Open 'em up, and layer them so you can grab the edge and just toss them on the floor as they go by. Check out some video of the live Sinatra bands, you'll see charts flying all over the place.

+1. Make sure you practice page turns, cuts, repeats, and whatnot. Mark everything clearly. Leaf through the book and practice the tempo changes in your head. Know how (or if) the conductor (or Musical director, or whatever) cues entrances and tempo changes.

Above all, relax and be confident. Don't stress about your mistakes, or draw attention to them.

Oh, and DON"T TRY TO FOLLOW THE SINGERS! Follow the conductor, or drummer, or strongest player in the pit.

conte2music · #11 10-20-2008, 09:30 PM

AVOID the "actor chicks"!!!!...haha

-Know what's in 2 and what's in 4...most of the theater books are written in two because the composer was paid by the measure or page, but mark in what the conductor is up to.

-Get to the gig early. Wierd stuff happens (actor gets ill, a tune needs transposed, the director changes some blocking and they need to add a new vamp). Take a good book and just be there incase/when wierd stuff like this happens you'll be there to get the note and have a chance to work it before curtain.

-Make certain you can see the conductor, and if you can sneak a front row seat...do it! If there isn't a conductor...try to get a seat with the left hand of the main pianist in sight.

-Write in vocal cues!

-If you have an electric keyboard or a piano that is in tune...use a quality pedal tuner that will mute your bass. I have the boss chromatic tuner and it's so great for silent tune ups

-Keep in mind that your job is to make the vocalists sound good and you'll do fine. Simplify your lines and make clarity your main goal.

I toured with a production all last year, and even after 100 shows wierd stuff happens...so don't zone out

neilG · #12 10-20-2008, 11:23 PM

Start protecting your ears NOW, while you're young. Pits can get really loud, especially if there's a drummer. And floss regularly.

bejoyous · #13 10-21-2008, 05:41 AM

Try to get two stands so you can spread out those 5 page charts where there is no chance to turn the page (or invest in some Stand Outs - they are a good investment). The extra stand is also a handy place to keep stuff.

Don't drink coffee before the show to stay awake till 10:30 or you'll have to pee when you can't get out. Take some vitamins instead.

Aim to arrive at least a 1/2 hour ahead of down beat. Let the powers-that-be know you are there, then leave them alone. They have enough to worry about.

Bruce Lindfield · #14 10-21-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanmcnathan

The musical is "Urinetown The Musical".

Whaaaaattt!!??

Come on - you're kidding right....

[As we say here - 'taking the piss'!]

Marcus Johnson · #15 10-21-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Whaaaaattt!!??

Come on - you're kidding right....

[As we say here - 'taking the piss'!]

That's what I thought too.... 'til I saw the posters all over town!

One more thing, Nathan.... since you're playing slab on this one, some kind of mute switch can be handy for the sections of dialogue when you're not playing. If you don't have one, it's a good idea to turn down the bass' volume at those times, just to avoid the possibility of an impromptu "solo".

nathanmcnathan · #16 10-21-2008, 02:36 PM

OK, so I forgot to mention that the 'band' is just me, a drummer, and keyboardist. We're not going to be too loud, but I always protect my hearing (I've already lost about 10% hearing in my right ear). I'm going out this week to buy a tuner pedal that can mute my bass, and to get some nice new patch cables. Anything else I should think of?
Thanks!

nathanmcnathan · #17 10-21-2008, 08:06 PM

Ok, so has anybody played this musical before? What can I expect? Standard notation or chord changes? Lots of key changes?

nathanmcnathan · #18 10-23-2008, 07:31 PM

OK, I bought a tuner pedal today!

Phil Smith · #19 10-23-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanmcnathan

Ok, so has anybody played this musical before? What can I expect? Standard notation or chord changes? Lots of key changes?

You mean you haven't seen the book yet??? How's you're reading?

The book is more than likely organized in such a way to minimize pages turns if you have just the bass part. When you get the book play through it as many times as you can on your own.

nathanmcnathan · #20 10-24-2008, 01:57 PM

OK, so I just got the book today. Some tricky key changes and key signatures, but nothing too tough. Actually, looks pretty fun.