subject: Guitar For Kids -- Wanna Play In An Orchestra Pit? [print this page] Have ya ever been to the theater and seen shows like "The Lion King", or "Riverdance", or "Wicked" or "Phantom of the Opera"?
Have you seen where the orchestra or band usually sets up and plays for these shows?
It's called an orchestra pit.
Is this something that you think that you might like to do?
It's a verrrrrry cool gig (job).
Just how good are these people, and what do ya have to do to get a gig like that?
Make no mistake. These folks are very good at what they do. To break into this "fraternity", you need to be able to:
1. Be a monster reader and read chord charts and lead sheets.
2. Have different types of guitars and specialty instruments.
3. Be a great overall musician
4. Have good equipment
5. Be available when they call you and be 100% reliable
6. You must be familiar with the shows
So how do ya break into this biz?
Big time productions are not willing to pay you to learn the music. There is just not enough rehearsal time. So you will have to have an idea what you need to play before you audition for the part.
You do this of course by becoming familiar with the show AND your part in it. In short, ya need experience.
How?
Volunteer for community theater and learn the shows that way.
Actually go SEE the shows and listen to what the guitar player (if there is one for that show) is doing.
You have to have something to offer that maybe your competition (other guitarists trying to do the same thing) doesn't do as well as you -- like being versatile and able to play in all styles. Remember that it's NOT ABOUT YOU. They are probably not looking for a great soloist -- they are looking for someone to fit in and play the style of the music correctly.
Make contacts by playing with other musicians as much as you can. Sooner or later you will run into someone who does these gigs once in awhile. If you impress this person, he or she may put you on his "sub list" -- That means if for some reason he or she cannot make a pit gig when called, you will be called to "sub".
And if THAT happens, you had better deliver. If you mess it up, you probably won't get a second chance.
Sounds nerve-wracking don't it?
But that's the way it is if you want to ride with the big boys (and gals).
So...
Be VERY good at what you do. Be able to play all styles of music (versatile). Have multiple guitars because each style has a different sound. Be able to play the mandolin, banjo, or ukulele -- These are called "specialty" instruments. The more of these that you can play well enough, the more valuable you are.
Be absolutely dependable and have your own "sub list" (a qualified sub list).
As a beginner, you are far from being able to do any of this. But at least now you have an idea of what it is that ya have to do.
First, last and foremost, be very good at what you do.
