The Gig Game
How quickly should you respond to an email offering a gig?
As soon as possible. (24 hours max)
Who in the section asks questions of the conductor?
The principal player.
What is the appropriate way to warm up before a concert? (3)
- Quietly
- No etudes or excerpts
- Nothing obviously from the concert music
What should your face and body do while people are applauding? (3)
Smile; look at the audience; hands holding instrument (not shuffling music).
What should you ALWAYS have with you on a gig, besides your instrument? (4)
Pencil; valve oil; all mutes; music.
What are three ways you can establish yourself as a gigging musician in a new city (without stepping on other peoples' toes)?
1. Take a lesson with the nearest orchestra's principal player and the local university professor.
2. Take low paying gigs (community bands, etc).
3. Contact area schools and mention that if they don't have a trumpet teacher already working with their students, you'd love to teach a masterclass/lessons/etc.
How well should you know your music before the first rehearsal (provided that you received music in advance)?
You should be 100% familiar with your music.
Regardless of your gender, what should be on your feet? (2)
Closed toed shoes; socks that cover all of your skin.
When are handshakes, fist bumps, high fives, etc. appropriate? (2)
Offstage, after the concert.
You forgot your mute for a gig. What do you do?
You should never have forgotten your mute.
You've committed to an Easter gig. You're offered a better, higher paying gig that conflicts with your existing gig. What do you do?
Keep your original gig. You're committed.
Where should your phone be during rehearsal, and when is it appropriate to use it?
In your case/purse; during breaks.
When should you be in your seat prior to the concert?
How should you remove mutes and turn pages? (2)
Quietly, not during delicate sections.
Your spit valve spring breaks. Look in your case right now--what are you going to use to fix it?
Rubber band, hair tie, shoe string, paper clip, clothes pin, bread tie.
You have a health emergency and need to bail on a gig. What is the first step you should take? (Multiple choice)
a. Arrange for a sub to take your place
b. Notify the contractor/personnel manager
c. Tell your friend (who is also on the gig) to pass along that you won't be there
d. Contact the conductor
b. Notify the contractor/personnel manager
When is it appropriate to talk to others during a rehearsal?
Only during breaks/personnel changes. Otherwise, there is no need.*
*A principal giving a quick note to the section at an appropriate time is the only exception.
A minimum of 30 minutes before.
True of False: It is ok to count your measures of rest using a whisper and to conduct through them.
False. Count discretely. Don't move your lips or make sound. You should not conduct and if you are using your fingers to count, make sure they are not visible to the audience.
You have to play a piece in D major and your first valve is completely stuck. Give the fingerings you'll use for each note of the D Major scale. 3, 2, 1 GO.
F# 123
G 13
B 13
C# 123
Top D 13
What are the five things you should never talk about on a gig?
1. Another person
2. How unprepared you are
3. Your pay
4. Things that bring the mood down (traffic, weather, politics, complaining in general, etc.)
5. Personal oversharing
How should you respond to something the conductor requests of you?
Positively and in the affirmative.
Top 3 Most Common Pre-concert etiquette violations
1. Talking to someone while they're trying to prepare/warm up.
2. Playing someone else's music (AND/OR music obviously from the concert's content).
3. Conversational content that isn't constructive or professional.
On the concert, you should play the music the way it was _________. Don't be a _____.
Rehearsed
Hero*
*There are other acceptable answers here that may or may not be appropriate for an academic setting.
You only have your Bb trumpet and you are playing first trumpet on Don Juan. What notes do you play in the first measure?
F# G# A# C# F# G# A#