Author Topic: Pit Orchestra for The Brothers Grimm (Read 425 times)

fmm · « **on:** May 02, 2011, 04:25:52 PM »

Playing in the pit for The Brothers Grimm in St. Cloud, MN. This is a new, original show.

Pit # 97.

811952 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2011, 08:05:21 AM »

Cool. Keeps those reading chops fresh!

John

pauldo · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2011, 04:07:01 PM »

Aint' nothing like the pits to keep you on your toes and the adrenaline flowing!

Sounds like it should be a really fun show!

charles_holmes · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2011, 09:37:49 PM »

Great! I'm in the pit this Friday and Saturday but I have to leave during the bows on Saturday to get to my rock gig by 9:00 to give me time to set up for the 10pm gig.
I had a really bad rehearsal tonight(reading-wise). For some reason I just couldnt put the snycopation with the notes, compounded by key changes, meters switching from 2/4 to 7/8 to 5/8....Grrrrrrr...I was really frustrated!!!!Then I started getting self concious(sp) (Yikes)
So I just got finished playing through a couple of the tunes just to build my confidence,reassure myself not to quit playing all together...You ever have one of those days??!!!

charles_holmes · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2011, 09:38:49 PM »

Great! I'm in the pit this Friday and Saturday but I have to leave during the bows to get to my rock gig by 9:00 to give me time to set up for the 10pm gig.
I had a really bad rehearsal tonight(reading-wise). For some reason I just couldnt put the snycopation with the notes, compounded by key changes, meters switching from 2/4 to 7/8 to 5/8....Grrrrrrr...I was really frustrated!!!!Then I started getting self concious(sp) (Yikes)
So I just got finished playing through a couple of the tunes just to build my confidence,reassure myself not to quit playing all together...You ever have one of those days??!!!

rustyg61 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2011, 12:08:06 AM »

Hang in there Charles! I have days/nights where my fingers freeze up on the simplest patterns! It's almost like I'm paralyzed for a split second! I think you just have to relax & let the music flow, don't fight it. Good luck!

811952 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2011, 06:32:50 AM »

Charles, it's something I struggle with as well. Rhythms are hard for me to read, and key changes are always a challenge. Doing it more is the only way I know of to get better at it. I know some of the books I've played don't have the greatest or most complete notation either..

The big band I play with uses custom arrangements done by the guy who founded the band some 60+ years ago, and the key signatures are shown only at the key changes. Miss one and it terrifically hard to get back on track until the next one. I would like to think it teaches me to pay better attention to details, but sadly it hasn't so far..

John

charles_holmes · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2011, 08:53:53 PM »

Sorry for that double post! I let the music flow tonight like you said Rusty and it was not too bad of a rehearsal. Tomorrow is the actual performance I'm feeling sorta better reading-wise. Thankfully I'm not using custom arangements John! I will try and be more focused during the show and get plenty of sleep tonight. Well it's off to the pit!

rustyg61 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2011, 09:14:29 PM »

Good to hear Charles! Sometimes you just gotta let the auto pilot take over & try not to think about what you're playing! When I learn a new song, if I'm struggling with it, I will stop & come back to it the next day or a couple of days later, & many times I'm able to play the song after being away from it. It's like it give's it time to soak into your brain & then you don't have to think so hard about hitting the notes, they flow much easier.

fmm · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2011, 09:31:09 PM »

We did our first 2 shows today, 700 middle school kids for each.

The fire alarm went off during the second show, so 700 kids had to be herded out of the building, then back in.