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Default 03-31-2010, 08:45 PM

Well we've wrapped up the 3-week run of Joseph and it was a blast! Sure I made mistakes but I'm the only one who noticed most of them it seems. I learned a lot and also was able to avoid a lot of mistakes or learning the "hard way" thanks to the many tips I got my you guys on these various forums (the Internet is a great tool for this type of info sharing!). So THANK YOU to everyone!!!! And now I'll share the key points I've gathered when it comes to playing these types of theatre productions. Hopefully these tips can help somebody else when they get the chance to play one of these shows...


MUSIC TIPS:

* If you don't do this for a living (and maybe your sight reading isn't that great) then getting a copy of the CD (or download the YouTube clips, etc.) and listening to it over and over again (until you know the show by heart) will really help your comfort level when faced with playing to a long score. Of course, you want to read/learn the score but having that overall feel for the songs/show will make it much less stressful when being handed 80-100 pages of music and being told to play it!

* Make a copy of the chart (if possible) so you can write lots of notes in it. Otherwise, write your notes in pencil (lightly) since you'll probably have to erase them when you return the chart. Of course, light pencil is harder to see (especially on the fly) so having your own copy to mark up as needed is best (you can then use a Sharpie and a highlighter (great for those repeat signs you may otherwise miss)!

* Make notes on the page BEFORE regarding gear changes (e.g., switching off your distortion before you're 2 measures into the next song, a ballad that is supposed to be soft and remantic!)

* Make sure you have the dialogue (actor's lines) BEFORE each cue in the score (you'll probably need to write it in yourself) and try to get as familiar with these lines as possible. That way, if an actor skips a line you still know where it should have been and can more easily follow the leader for the next cue, etc. (Yes, actors make mistakes - your job is to be able to adapt on the fly - the show must go on!)

* Before each tune glance at the guy next to you - are you on the right tune? Always a good idea to double-check everything... it can prevent you from diving into the next song only to find out you skipped a song when you flipped the page!

* Plan to layout a little early (if possible) when making major changes (e.g., switching guitars) between songs. You'll appreciate the extra time as it goes by FAST (especially if an actor skips a line and a cue comes early!).

* Don't be afraid to write in even the simple stuff (especially if you're sight reading chops aren't up to par - this helped me a LOT). Write in "Key = E" if you can't remember if it's 3 or 4 sharps in the key signature.

* Keep it simple - many composers don't know the guitar that well and will over-write chord symbols, etc. (e.g., If the chart says to go from C7 to C6 to C7b5 all in one measure, stick to the most basic form). And don't worry about bringing out the bass notes as the bass will be doing that - so you can leave out redundant walk-downs C/b, C/a, etc.

* Trust your ears - playing with a full orchestra is different than playing with a 4 piece rock band. If you think of the overall sound as a canvas or quilt then your piece of the overall picture will be a lot smaller since you have to share the landscape with more instruments and parts. Try things like play a 2-3 string version of the chord rather than a full barre-chord. Don't "step on the toes" of the instruments (and notes) around you... learn to share the (music/sonic) road and you'll sound better overall.

* Know your parts but also know if and when it may be OK to go off the score since this can enhance the song. Also, once you work out your part, be consistent with it since the actors and/or other band members may be listening for a certain musical cue from you... don't surprise them by throwing in a new lick every show (e.g., in the Joseph song "One More Angel in Heaven" a few extra country licks can really enhance the overall song, but the trumpet part has a cue where it is supposed to pick up the melody from the guitar so make sure what you're playing fits the overall song without getting in the way of the other parts).

* If you get lost, take a breath and get your bearing before jumping back in - "When in doubt, lay OUT" (i.e., unless you're the featured instrument nobody will probably notice if you don't play for a measure or two, but they WILL notice if you play the wrong thing at the wrong time!)

* When in doubt, follow the piano... they'll probably the most important of all the instruments (at least for most shows) and everything else is just icing on the cake (albeit the drummer/bass rhythm section or the horn section adding fills/melody on top, or you the guitar player!).


GEAR and SETUP TIPS:

* If your pedal board is too big it can get in the way of the music stand's feet so you may want to just place the pedals on the floor and not use your full board.

* Use 2 music stands (no matter how tight the pit) as it's always better to lay out 4 pages across two stands than to miss a part because of a slow/or missed page turn.

* If you can make a copy of the score then tape the pages together so that each song becomes a single (wide) sheet of paper. Most songs are 3-5 pages, which will fit nicely across 2 music stands. This is great if there are repeats that would otherwise make you flip back and forth in the score. Now you can keep your hands on your guitar for the entire song and just flip between songs! Taping the pages together prevents dropping a page or them getting out of order.

* Make sure your view of the conductor is right above your music stand. Peripheral vision is key (e.g., not playing a big loud chord after a cut off, not hitting an accent or fill too early or too late, etc.).

* Get your own monitor (if possible) and point (along with your amp) at your ears so you have a great mix at your position. You're less likely to have your volume get away from you if the amp is aimed at your ears and not your butt, side, etc.

* Show up on time and allow yourself extra time for setting up, etc. If you're leaving your gear set up between show dates then "on time" means giving yourself an extra 15-30 minutes before the mandated call time. If you've got to set up then get there 45-60 minutes early (better to be there early and have some extra time to kill rather than make everyone else wait while you finish setting up, even if you were there "on time" exactly at the posted call time).

* Make sure you gear is in top working order (fresh strings, new batteries, good cables, etc.) and that you have spares of everything (tubes, amp fuse, strings, power supply, picks, etc.).

* Be sure you can get the sound/tone you want at LOW volume levels. Actors may not always be on mics and it is them the audience is there to see so you have to play at a level that supports them but doesn't overpower them.

* Have your volume settings balanced between your pedals - the sound guy has more important things to focus on (e.g., the actors' mics, etc.) than keeping your guitar levels in check.

* Use a volume pedal at the END of your chain (after delay/reverb, etc.) so you can use it as a mute/kill switch in case of a major mistake! Nothing worse than hearing "mistake, mistake, mistake" from your DD-20 (LOL)!

* Think through/walk yourself through the motions of how you'll be setup and make changes (switch instruments), etc. so that you don't draw attention to yourself (and away from the actors on stage).

* If you will be seen then dress in black or whatever manner of dress as instructed by the music director. If you're not sure what to wear then ask before the show.

* Always run a quick sound check with the entire band (and some singers if possible) to make sure you can hear yourself in the monitor - once the show starts its too late to be messing with monitor levels.

* Get a little clip-on light (Big Lots sells a battery powered 2-pak for $10) that you can put down at your feet (pedalboard) as it may be pretty dark in the pit. Just make sure you're the only one who sees the light.

* Turn off your cell phone!


AND LASTLY:

* Be polite and helpful so that everyone remembers you as a great guy to have in the next production. Making friends with the conductor/music director, the sound guy and your musicians will go a long way to ensure a smooth show and a call back (or recommendation) for future shows.

* Have FUN - how you feel will come thru in how you play!

* Remember, it's not all about you - this is a play and not a concert - you're job is to accompany the actors on stage... making them look ('er sound) good is what makes you look good.


.
MMCQUAIN * Rock, Blues, Christian player * mmcquain@mcquain.com
Gibson Les Paul Studio 60's Tribute, Breedlove Acoustic/Electric
Egnater, Dean Markley, D'Addario, various effect pedals
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