Chad Thorne Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 I was approached last weekend by a bassist acquaintance who aske me if I could take a gig playing in the pit for a local production of "Sound Of Music." I said that I wished I could, but my reading chops are not that good. She said, "It's easy, mostly quarter notes." I thought, "Well, I know all the songs from 'SOM,' probably I can fake my way through it." The fact that there was actually pay involved for two rehearsals and five performances swung me. I got the charts Sunday and freaked out. There was all this "incidental" music! Called my friend. "You'll be fine. I always feel the same way before a show." She gave me the name and number of one of the keyboardists. That person told me, "You'll do fine! Besides, you're all we have..." So I went to the first rehearsal last evening. The musical director was, in fact, happy all out of proportion to see me. (This was very last minute.) And so off we went. An uuexpeted plus was that they had an amp there for me, I don't have to haul mine. (It's a Laney keyboard amp. Do I care? No, I do not.) And guess what? I did alright! By 'alright,' I mean "Not nearly as awful as I thought I would;" but I was learning the whole way through, and by the time this show ends I'll bet my reading chops will be improved. Biggest problem I had was getting partway through a piece,flaking out, and losing my place. Aforementioned keyboardist was sitting right next to me and graciously would whisper "114!" when she saw me trying to see where she was. Most of the score is in F, C or G; second biggest problem I has was when the bastards suddenly changed key to Db or Bb, lol, mostly because I'm not accustomed to thinking in those keys. One more rehearsal tonight, then four evening shows and a Saturday matinee. I can't say that this will ever be my favorite gig, more like a job. But it beats working at the 7-11! and it does put me in a position that challenges my skills. I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard W Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Nice! Assume you will crush "Do-Re-Mi." "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b5pilot Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Atta boy Chad! Some day I must sit down and force my lazy self to really learn how to read. Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Nice! Assume you will crush "Do-Re-Mi." Bahahahaha! Great one, Rich! "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Chad, your world is enlarging every day! good for you! Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngoldsby Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Cool story, Chad! Glad it worked out. www.goldsby.de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric VB Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Well done, Chad! I've had to pass on these offers so far because they didn't fit my schedule. Please keep us updated, Chad, so we know what to expect should we find ourselves in your shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Chad, your world is enlarging every day! I was thinking the same thing when reading this thread. It seems Chad has opened himself up to opportunities, and they come a knocking! Very cool! Keep us updated, man!! May I suggest a blog entitled "Chad's Stories From The Pit" ? "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted November 19, 2013 Author Share Posted November 19, 2013 Nice! Assume you will crush "Do-Re-Mi." Well, of course, but I think my tour-de-force is really "I Am Sixteen, Going On Seventeen." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil W Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Good one Chad...I have recently been sight reading a little too at gigs - if I can finally do it anyone can so I'm not surprised you rocked! http://philwbass.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Nice! Assume you will crush "Do-Re-Mi." Well, of course, but I think my tour-de-force is really "I Am Sixteen, Going On Seventeen." I have always, and I mean always loved "The Sound Of Music". My favorite song is "My Favorite Things", but really I like all of them! "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted November 19, 2013 Author Share Posted November 19, 2013 Nice! Assume you will crush "Do-Re-Mi." Well, of course, but I think my tour-de-force is really "I Am Sixteen, Going On Seventeen." I have always, and I mean always loved "The Sound Of Music". My favorite song is "My Favorite Things", but really I like all of them! I told the young people in the cast that I first saw Sound Of Music when it first came out in 1965. I was 12...and, yes, I've loved it ever since, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard W Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 I grew up near a movie theater that kept The Sound of Music in its schedule for years after the film came out. I remember getting choked at that closing scene of the family crossing the Alps into Switzerland while "Climb Every Mountain" played--the first time I was really moved by a film. Interesting trivia: after they left Europe, the Von Trapp family briefly lived in suburban Philadelphia in a house just around the corner from where I live now. "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imogene Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Chad, I had an almost identical experience years ago. It was a church Christmas musical (big church, talented players) and they had percussion, strings, brass, wood everything. Then there was our standard rhythm section with me and my electric bass. I got string bass notation for my parts, and while I was familiar with most of the songs, it was intimidating. I remember telling the band leader/conductor/friend that this was over my head and I'm in too deep. He said the same as your friend, "you'll be fine" and I worked at it and I was, indeed, fine. Best learning experience of my life, I still like to watch the video of that performance, it was very good in more ways than just the band stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 so cool Sir... "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottom End Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Very cool opportunity, break a leg, err, break a string? "Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, yet you cannot play upon me.'-Hamlet Guitar solos last 30 seconds, the bass line lasts for the whole song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 I remember getting choked at that closing scene of the family crossing the Alps into Switzerland while "Climb Every Mountain" played... I get a little teary when even these kids sing that wonderfully harmonized, a capella version of "The Sound Of Music." I got string bass notation for my parts Yeah - "What is this 'arco' you speak of?" lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Right on Chad, most of all, enjoy! Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seamy ALB Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Sweet gig Chad, good luck with it!! Just saying yes is brilliant!! http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Little-Bitter/185235472447 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 As most of you know, I play a lot of sight-reading gigs. Last night I stepped it up a notch and brought my fretless. That meant that I was playing a fretless without looking at the neck. Fortunately it worked out and no one even knew I was playing the fretless until I told them. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 crazy.... "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 ...Last night I stepped it up a notch and brought my fretless. That meant that I was playing a fretless without looking at the neck. Fortunately it worked out and no one even knew I was playing the fretless until I told them. You're good, you! - Here's a question which is not rhetorical: If no one realized you were playing a fretless, why would you? I ask this because I had a fretless bass once; realized I was playing it exactly like a fretted bass (no "mwah") but with the added stress of having to worry about intonation. So I got rid of it. Not a criticism! I guess I really am a bass guitarist, frets and all... I'm liking this gig, but it is rapidly becoming a job. A very pleasant job, but a job nonetheless...The biggest payoffs are 1) the money; 2) how my sight-reading is improving every night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonofabill Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 So awesome, I just PMed you, I am in the same boat!! "We'll learn ALL from EVERYONE" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Chad, others in the band didn't notice, but I certainly did. I liked the sound and feel of my fretless and I should probably paly it a lot more. For most of my gigs that would mean bringing to basses because the fretless doesn't have the punch needed for the dance tunes that I would be playing in the later sets of the evening. In the big band, where everyone is sight-reading, people have their heads buried in the charts and really only are paying attention to the people around them (so that their section will be tight). They don't really hear the rhythm section, just the feel created by it. I think everyone on the forum has had a time when they get a new bass or amp and play it in their band and no one notices the differences. I've got many thousands of dollars worth of gear but as far as the other players I work with go, I could play a Squier and they wouldn't care. I don't notice if someone brings a different trumpet or saxophone. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 Chad, others in the band didn't notice, but I certainly did. I liked the sound and feel of my fretless and I should probably paly it a lot more. For most of my gigs that would mean bringing to basses because the fretless doesn't have the punch needed for the dance tunes that I would be playing in the later sets of the evening. In the big band, where everyone is sight-reading, people have their heads buried in the charts and really only are paying attention to the people around them (so that their section will be tight). They don't really hear the rhythm section, just the feel created by it. I think everyone on the forum has had a time when they get a new bass or amp and play it in their band and no one notices the differences. I've got many thousands of dollars worth of gear but as far as the other players I work with go, I could play a Squier and they wouldn't care. I don't notice if someone brings a different trumpet or saxophone. O.K., den. I get that! Play that fretless in good health! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I had a fretless bass once; realized I was playing it exactly like a fretted bass (no "mwah") but with the added stress of having to worry about intonation. I once played a gig in the first week of January, it had snowed like hell (bad choice of words, I guess) and I really did not feel like taking the Fender out in such cold, bad weather conditions - especially since it was a recent purchase. So I grabbed my cheap 100.- Palmer fretless bass and played that for the entire set. This was back in the Dapper Dans days so it was mostly speedy rock'n'roll played too darn fast. Listening back on the recordings I realized that I sound like myself no matter what bass I play. I think the only people who really noticed I was playing a fretless, were the other bass players (we were the first of three bands to play that night). For myself, it was good to notice I could survive a set without TOO much intonation errors. So my next "decent" (read: expensive) bass will most likely be a fretless one. Once you get over the intonation hang-up it becomes a regular bass with an optional "mwah" thrown in "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Best reason to buy a fretless: [video:youtube] A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFLA Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Maybe better - a LIVE version: or (my Favorite): Jim Confirmed RoscoeHead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imogene Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Listening back on the recordings I realized that I sound like myself no matter what bass I play. My experience as well. I sometimes bring my old Peavey Fury to gigs and nobody notices (at least they don't say anything). It sets up, plays and sounds excellent (and barely 8lbs) but I still feel a little self conscious. But back to sight reading and fretless. Those string bass guys do it (with a bow no less!) all the time. I'm sure that John Goldsby would have a lot to say on this topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I actually find reading the easiest on URB, even easier than fretted EB. I do OK in the meat and potato area on fretless but when playing up above the octave it is difficult. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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