Amateur Musical Theatre

[bass_dinger]

I am considering whether I want to look for a local amateur dramatic musical group, and audition as their bass player. 

 

So far, I have found a local group, which I will go to see shortly. 

 

But I wondered if anyone here has had experience of orchestra pit work. I am not a proficient reader, but can manage with a few hours of practice. 

 

Should I bother? Will it be a great musical experience? Or will I be beset by problems and stress?

Edited August 4 by bass_dinger

[knirirr]

I have not done this, though Mrs. knirirr is a member of the local group so I have seen what they do, including being roped in once for a non-singing part because they were short of men. Apparently, being short of men is a very common scenario and you might find them attempting to persuade you to do that - I am frequently asked if I will return, this time to sing.

All the rehearsal appears to be with the MD playing piano, and the MD's favourite players (which includes a bassist) are brought in at the last minute, usually being handed the sheet music and starting to rehearse on the Sunday before the Thursday when the first performance happens. So, being good at reading would be an advantage. I am told it is fun, though.

[fretmeister]

Do it.

 

I joined a music and performing arts educational trust about 12 years ago.

I have learned a huge amount since then.

 

reading skills will improve quickly. You won’t ever sight read a new tune at a gig. Put the time in at home and you’ll be fine.

 

You’ll get used to playing in just about everything other than E and 4/4 as well.

[itu]

I did it years ago with few groups. Not much money involved, but lots of playing, and nice people.

 

If you can mute your instrument easily, learn to do it quickly now. A tab with scores, and a pedal page turner (like Dragonfly or similar) are worth a lot. Extra set of strings, cables, and batteries are a must. DI box may save you if your amp breaks.

 

I remember that I drank somewhat during two weeks with one group, but found quickly, that it's one really bad habit: I wasn't that sharp anymore, and the amounts rose very quickly. Not to mention the costs. I played just fine, but I wanted to be sharp to support the band and the actors. Then I made a decision that playing and drinking in front of people is not my way to perform.

[peteb]

7 minutes ago, itu said:

I remember that I drank somewhat during two weeks with one group, but found quickly, that it's one really bad habit: I wasn't that sharp anymore, and the amounts rose very quickly. Not to mention the costs. I played just fine, but I wanted to be sharp to support the band and the actors. Then I made a decision that playing and drinking in front of people is not my way to perform.

 

When I was a teenager, I worked in a professional theatre as a stagehand for a panto season. The bass player in the pit had a beautiful olympic white precision, which increased my resolve to buy one as soon as possible (I actually bought my first P bass while I was working there)! 

 

The pit guys were great, but I remember that they all drank like fishes! Whenever they had a break in the show, they would quickly decamp to the pub across the road for a swift half then sprint back to take their places seconds before their next cue! They would have a few more during the intermission, then be back in the pub as soon as the curtain went down. No one said a word - I think that in the late 70s, playing and drinking was very much an expected thing for pro musos... 

 

[haruki]

I do about 4-5 shows a year and really enjoy it... its a challenge and good for your sight reading but I like the variety of music that you get in these shows.  Its also nice to work with a  local group of actors/singers-who have been working on the show for months before the band turns up.  I feel I owe it to them not to screw up too much.    I've usually done it when get the music a week or two before band/dress rehearsals so at at least I know where  the tricky bits are gonna be.

 

Best bits for me the chance to when you get lots of people singing together - these shows usually end some big ensemble numbers.

 

I agree with Itu above - need to able to mute when not playing.  and be tolerant of the sound guys which can be variable.  I prefer it when you are in pit in front the the stage but some shows the band are in a separate  room with headphones and watching it all through a monitor etc.  

Overall its challenging but worth it IMHO.

 

 

 

 

 

[itu]

4 minutes ago, peteb said:

No one said a word - I think that in the late 70s, playing and drinking was very much an expected thing for pro musos...

So sad and true.

 

I saw a big change happening in the 90's. Many of my friends stopped smoking, many decided not to drink anymore, but chose to drive their equipment home. Of course some of the players continued to drink and smoke, but most of them are in really bad shape now. Some of them can not even play anymore. Few have died.

 

I try to find my high time from music, and sports. That requires more work than beer, but I just feel better (no hangovers!). And no, I am not a pro player at all, but when I see people enjoying themselves on the floor, I know why I have played that bass so much.

[Lozz196]

Yep I think the 90s brought about less drinking when performing, possibly due to more diligence on drinking & driving by the police. What was pretty much the norm in the 80s became frowned upon, def a good move imo. Safer roads, better performances from bands, what’s not to like.

[simonlittle]

@bass_dinger It’s a great idea to get involved with these groups. I fell into playing for loads of amateur dramatic groups all over Essex and East London whilst I was at college and it was fantastic experience. 
As @harukimentioned earlier it’s brilliant for improving your sight-reading and you’ll get to play a huge variety of music in a multitude of styles. Also a great way to meet other musicians and build up some contacts. I’d recommend it to anyone 

[TimR]

2 hours ago, bass_dinger said:

I am considering whether I want to look for a local amateur dramatic musical group, and audition as their bass player. 

 

So far, I have found a local group, which I will go to see shortly. 

 

But I wondered if anyone here has had experience of orchestra pit work. I am not a proficient reader, but can manage with a few hours of practice. 

 

Should I bother? Will it be a great musical experience? Or will I be beset by problems and stress?

 

100% do it.

 

Pro pit players that play the same tune night after night for weeks on end are bound to end up filling the time with something else.

 

With an amateur group, in my experience, the music will be known months in advance as the actors like to rehearse as much as some cover bands do!  You may only have 3 or 4 actual performances.

 

The majority of the ones I have done, the MD will rehearse the singers and you'll come in for the technical and dress rehearsals, but there will be nothing to stop you going to the other rehearsals. If the MD is any good you'll get chord charts as well as a score, and the bass line (if there is one written) may not be that important. It all depends what they're doing. 

[Staggering on]

Do it.

You will probably have a chance to play music that is not what you usually play and that is a good thing and although it can be a challenge and you will come out of the experience as a better player. Once you play one show word gets around about your ability and you move up the call list. I have found that is important to 1) show up on time 2) understand that the MD is the boss so do what he says 3) understand that you are not the show now, you are a supporting part of it 4) be prepared for a lot of "hurry up and wait time" at rehearsals 5) practice and really know your music.

The best ones I have played have had a couple of band rehearsals before working with the cast so music problems are solved ahead of time.

You will meet musicians that you don't know and that can lead to all sorts of good things, sit back and enjoy it.

 

[StingRayBoy42]

Do it!

It's great fun, your reading and musical knowledge will improve, you'll meet other musicians (who will all have new jokes and good stories about other shows they've done), you'll have a laugh, you'll play stuff you'd never usually play, you'll (hopefully?) earn a few quid, it's another string to your bow, you'll learn the joy of playing in 6 flats... Do it!

[peteb]

3 hours ago, itu said:

So sad and true.

 

I saw a big change happening in the 90's. Many of my friends stopped smoking, many decided not to drink anymore, but chose to drive their equipment home. Of course some of the players continued to drink and smoke, but most of them are in really bad shape now. Some of them can not even play anymore. Few have died.

 

I try to find my high time from music, and sports. That requires more work than beer, but I just feel better (no hangovers!). And no, I am not a pro player at all, but when I see people enjoying themselves on the floor, I know why I have played that bass so much.

 

I've kinda got mixed feelings about that. We were all pretty heavy drinkers back in the 80s and we had a lot of fun, as well as creating some pretty good bands that did quite well. I know a few people that had problems with booze, but funnily enough, the ones who did actually drink themselves to death were generally non musos. A couple of friends did have drug issues, but fortunately I never had an addictive personality, so it was never a problem for me. I stopped smoking 20 years ago and started drinking a bit less a few years later, when a doctor told me if I started drinking in moderation then I wouldn't need to quit completely. 

 

I have a few friends from the old days who still drink too much. To be frank, drinking like you did when you were 25 when you're 60 isn't a great look, even if they are still in reasonable health. Once you get older, good health is something that you can no longer take for granted. 

 

[NHM]

It's great fun and you'll see a different side of being a musician and a bass player. I've done a few pit jobs including playing two Gilbert and Sullivan operettas' double bass part on electric bass as there wasn't a db player available. As long as you get the music in advance so you can work out what all those squiggles mean in your own time...