Drumming in a Musical Pit - vol 1

I have drummed for many musicals over the last several years. This video shows a typical day of me playing a show.
I helped Fond du Lac high school with their production of the Addams Family.
Enjoy!
Drumming in a Musical Pit - vol 2: • Drumming in a Musical ...

[@binguslover3544]

This behind-the-scenes glimpse was awesome to see-- that looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing, Rob!

[@abigailstradler4923]

This was much more interesting than I thought it would be! I enjoyed your inside look at a high school musical. Gotta say, though, that's quite the professional hook up for a high school, they must have a substantial tax base. Our 'theatre' doubled as the cafeteria!

[@spurgear]

Almost 25 years ago, my HS did Grease - I was cast as the main brain, Vince Fontaine, for my big radio voice. It was the biggest musical theatre production in our school at that date. I will never forget the night we did dress with the pit band - the show took on a whole new life with live music from a group of adults like yourself that volunteered their time. Thank you for sharing and contributing your time for these growing performers.

[@RobMilanowski]

It’s never too late to get involved with theatre again. Most areas have a community theater group. Lots of great opportunities to get involved. You’ll have a great time, I’m sure.

[@TheYellowmyth]

That was generous of you to volunteer your time to the high school. It's a great way to spend your free time, doing what you enjoy. You seem to be good at drumming and cooking. Keep the videos coming.

[@richhillbass]

Really enjoyed video ! What nice pit and very cool isolation booth !! Very pro !!In my area high school pay 50-75 per show , which is what I was paid 50 years ago for similar work so it is a labor of love for the pros they bring in HS musical budgets pay about 1/3 of a community theater -in my experience and market

[@shoobie]

Another cozy and heartwarming video, Rob! Looking forward to more of your vlogs. Cheers!

[@lukedunlap9543]

This high school has amazing auditorium, amazing orchestra pit and amazing drum booth and I love it!

[@RobMilanowski]

yes… I think it’s a great theatre. I’m lucky to be able to play there every once in a while.

[@davidhuckstep9703]

Great video very well done

[@threedimensionaldesign]

Wow. The fact that you played for the musical "The Addams Family" is amazing. My highschool is doing this musical this February, and I'm doing percussion in the pit. I'm watching this video the day before the first pit practice, so thanks for helping me out a bit.

[@RobMilanowski]

Thanks for the comment! My advice to you would be to make sure you know the music before the first rehearsal. Come prepared and be confident. There is a lot of cool, percussion in this musical. I was covering set and miscellaneous percussion. We had a percussionist that had a very large amount of instruments he was covering. I think you will have a blast.

[@markmilanowski]

This was so good! Someday your kids will be able to show your grand kids who their grandpa was. You are becoming quite the influencer. Your videos are so refreshing.

[@RobMilanowski]

Thanks… that comment was both uplifting and depressing. I must take after you.. luv u!

[@dianegriffiths5377]

You have talent!

[@deanconstable4778]

Thanks so much for the insight! Great job

[@RobMilanowski]

You are very welcome. And thanks!

[@vractivracti7525]

I played this book last summer -- Huge blast! I loved the Latin scores in it but I have to say it was a challenge to get a lot of the auxiliary set up haha.

[@RobMilanowski]

Yes, this is a fun show to do. I’ve done it a few times now and every production I find something else that I like. Thanks for commenting!

[@JohnnygSawyer]

Oh Man, I always wanted to be a pit musician but, I haven't had the opportunity yet. Great Job !!!

[@RobMilanowski]

Thanks. Musicals are my favorite gigs. It’s great putting everything together and seeing it come to life.

[@ryderchristensen303]

This last spring I also had the opportunity to drum for my high school production of the Addams Family. It’s super cool to see the similarities and unique aspects of the setup, production, and playing itsself! Awesome!!

[@RobMilanowski]

Thanks for commenting. I love the 5/4 - 6/4 stuff in this show. It’s definitely a fun show to play.

[@Arbigale]

Looking for more drumming vlogs😊😊

[@RobMilanowski]

I hope to do more. I really should have made a video this past weekend showing my percussion work in a Symphonic Band. It was a pretty serious concert and I didn’t want to be distracted by filming and playing. More drumming will happen!

[@braydencranford3926]

Thank you for this video I’m interested in getting into this

[@RobMilanowski]

You should!

[@zombiewoof3589]

Great video! Are you playing along to a click track? I've always wondered this in musical productions like this one.

[@RobMilanowski]

No click on this one. This one relied on the music director to have the tempos pretty precise. Some of the bigger productions that rely on a consistent tempo for light and staging synchronization will use a click to make sure the music lines up. We had a few situations this past weekend where the actor jumped in a couple beats early on an odd time measure. If we would have been using a click I’m afraid things would have fallen apart. We recovered well.

[@samuelharmoko250]

I wish our high school had a real pit, somewhat of a shame considering it’s brand new

[@RobMilanowski]

That unfortunate it doesn’t have a pit. This one is really nice. I’ve been in a few others that are very tight. Someone on your school board probably does not value the arts as much as others. That’s a shame.

[@leejmusic9321]

I used to use a Roland td50 k2 when I did pit work. Found it a lot easier than acoustic drums

[@RobMilanowski]

Yes.. I have a td-17. I have used that on 4 or 5 shows. The sound guys love it. One cable to their board and they don’t need to worry about my sound getting into other mics.

[@leejmusic9321]

@@RobMilanowski yeah so much easier, you can choose your own levels for each tom, cymbal etc. Love the video keep making them

[@MayoNeighs27]

Hi mate what is your crash setup? And love the playing, currently prepping for my grade 8 exams

[@RobMilanowski]

I’m using a 16” Zildjian, thin crash, and a 16” thin, trashy crash. I don’t know the maker. I bought it from some guy online for a few dollars. It is some sort of a beginner cymbal but I really like the rough sound it gives. I also have an 8” splash, a 20” ride and a set of 13” K/Z hi-hats (all Zildjian)

[@audioshedtv850]

Thanks for the great video! What is the name of the device to switch pages on your tablet?? That would make my life so much easier. Greetings from The Netherlands.

[@RobMilanowski]

It is made by AirTurn. It is called TAP. It is a Bluetooth device that connects to your tablet. Unfortunately I think AirTurn has discontinued making this product.

[@theguy6245]

Dawg when I did the musical for my high school we played next to the stage with less equipment that a busker

[@RobMilanowski]

Yes, we are pretty fortunate to have the space that we have.

[@MayoNeighs27]

Is that your own drumkit or is it pre made for the shows?

[@RobMilanowski]

That is my own kit. It’s a 4 piece Gretsch kit. The one thing I do not like about shows is the setup and tear down of all my equipment. Pits are usually pretty small. If anyone is set up before me, moving other people’s stuff to get my stuff in can be tricky.

[@MayoNeighs27]

@@RobMilanowski damn that sounds terrible, have you asked the band ates for any help mate? And its a beautiful kit. It always feels like moving house lmao

[@lukedunlap9543]

I wonder if Jasper School District cafeteria or the auditorium has the amazing seating chart and amazing orchestra pit.

[@RobMilanowski]

I’m not sure. We are pretty lucky in this town. A good amount of money was dedicated to the theater program. We have a nice theater and a nice pit.

[@lukedunlap9543]

I don't have to play the drums on Broadway for the first time, right? Because it's 2 hours and 16 minutes broadway shows and because my hands are so tired if I do this.

[@RobMilanowski]

Fortunately, many musicals have little breaks in between each of the songs. After all, they’re trying to tell a story and sometimes words are needed in between the songs to let the audience know what’s going on.

[@algilbert2347]

How are your in-ears mixed?

[@RobMilanowski]

We got lucky with this show. The school hired a sound company that had Aviom personal mixers for everyone in the pit. I had control of my own mix. During rehearsals I tweaked the channels until I got something that worked for me.

[@avanti6476]

do you know how to find these musical gigs?

[@RobMilanowski]

Usually I find my musical gigs by people recommending me. Having a good contact base helps. Once you do one (and show up on time, come prepared, and play consistently good) your name will be passed to other directors that are looking for musicians.

[@lukedunlap9543]

How am I supposed to get drum notes sheets from Chromebook?

[@RobMilanowski]

I use an App called MobileSheets. It is an Android App that runs on the Chromebook.

[@lukedunlap9543]

How did you use it?

[@RobMilanowski]

@@lukedunlap9543 You need to scan your music and create a PDF file. You then import the pdf file into MobileSheets. MobileSheets then is used to display your sheet music.

[@Arbigale]

Do you listen to a click sir?

[@RobMilanowski]

No, this one was done strictly by watching the music director. That was probably best in this case because the high school actors are sometimes fluid with their interpretation of where the best is. Lol