5 Hours To Prepare: Christmas Gig Vlog 2023

Here's a vlog about the time I played a Christmas show at the Byham! I don't really do a lot of pit orchestra work so this was a good experience. Hope you all have a good holiday season:)
Check out behind the scenes from this gig on Patreon: / foolishfrankie
Oh also here's my flute disclaimer: I am aware my flute angle should be not as steep, and that I play with a side embouchure due to the way my lips are shaped. I'm not interested in becoming a great flute player, so I've never made a huge effort to fix these things. Maybe that's a dumb decision, but I just don't enjoy playing flute as much as I enjoy the other things in my life. And I also rarely get paid to play it so I'm fine with it. I do, however, still strive to do the best I can do on whatever gig I'm on.
Background music:
Overwatch Holiday event music
Fortnite festive lobby music
Holiday Party - Mr. Woox
#musician #musicianlife #saxophone
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Management: [e-mail]
📷Camera gear: www.amazon.com/shop/foolishfr...
🎷My alto: sweetwater.sjv.io/nLgOWV
🎷My tenor (use code "FOOLISHFRANKIE" for $150 off!) www.nexussaxophones.com/store...
My alto mouthpiece: www.bostonsaxshop.com/shop/p/...
My tenor mouthpiece: amzn.to/462xcMl
Boston Sax Shop reeds: www.bostonsaxshop.com/shop/al...
This video contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission when purchases are made through the links above which helps support the channel🤗

[@FoolishFrankie]

Watch outtakes from this vlog on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/foolishfrankie

[@Mizzz224]

Do you play tenor or alto?

[@ggplaygames_YT]

hey can you teach me on a stream how to play a song

[@alpiano353]

This is the real life of a musician! Many people don't realize how much work and dedication is needed to achieve these results. It's so interesting to see your "behind the scenes" vlog. Thanks for sharing, keep up the great work! 👏👏👋🙂✨️🎄🎵🎶💙🎹 AL

[@FoolishFrankie]

Much love🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@welder3857]

Fr, whenever I play piano at any gig I feel like all the work I put in pays off but also not? Idk but these days people look at singers more than who's playing the backing haha. I mean no hate on singers but ig that's the pain on pianists who only play with pop singers for some sad reason.

[@iChopBlocks1410]

The bari player switching between bari and bass clarinet is so cool

[@FoolishFrankie]

That’s Rick Matt!🔥

[@beekeepstrack]

The editing is just so fun. The flute training montage... the scramble to find the chart... the 🤨emoji that accurately replicates your own expression about ten seconds later...

[@FoolishFrankie]

LOL well thank you!!

[@dannyo.r.r9058]

The og fortnite winter sound track dang that brought up some memories.

[@Overlycomplicatedswede]

Me personally as a bass trombonist I think this is an excellent representation of how much time we spend either back stage or at home just being very picky with are selves with even the simplest of things.

[@viljosaukko6349]

I think you handled the flute part in "It's beginning to look like christmas" very well even tho it isn't your main instrument. Well done dude!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@Liquidhun]

Let's be honest. Reading through a gig after a 4 hours long rehearsal is one thing. But doing it next to Ricky is giving it an extra layer. Well done! Happy holidays!

[@FoolishFrankie]

LOL thank you you too!!

[@crankycorner16]

Flute was good! I would be nervous but you're a professional. Fun gig tho or maybe it's just you being fun for all of us. Keep smiling, you're great. 🎷

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you 🥺🙏🏻

[@lightningkachow895]

Gig vlogs are my favorite! And that it’s a Christmas Vlog is a great gift 🎁

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you🥺🙏🏻

[@peterbrough2461]

Will always remember Montreal 1980 or 81, a New Years Eve gig at my local. He had a last-minute sax player who would sit beside me at the bar studying the charts between sets. Anyways, in the last set David started a call/response with him. The guy matched him note for note, and David made it more and complicated and growly, and ... Must have been almost ten minutes of David challenging him. It was amazing.

[@excru3506]

love this- your editing and playing is really coming along. this is probably your favorite video i’ve watched now.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you so much that means a lot!!

[@excru3506]

⁠@@FoolishFrankiecaught that sneaky switch to the overtone fingering at 4:38 :)

[@jathnielkivori9712]

Been a subscriber since earlier this year, and for the most part, you still inspire me to continue playing Alto sax and Bari Sax

[@FoolishFrankie]

That’s awesome to hear!!🙌🏻

[@justinjohansen5992]

Who are you with? “The Band” …works every time 😎

[@saskiamcintyre5757]

I've just started learning how to double with Flute - thanks for keeping it real and showing us all that it's possible!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!!🙏🏻

[@EdenStoneReal]

Camera shots look so good! Love the video format too!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you so much!!

[@EdenStoneReal]

@@FoolishFrankie Thanks for responding!

[@bhabi7071]

Very well done. What a great idea. I really appreciate your candor. You show your good stuff (not surprising, you are a gifted dedicated musician), and you show your misses Comment that "he still thinks it sounds bad" was precious I've been there many times in similar situations. Can't wait for next installment Well done

[@FoolishFrankie]

Much love🙏🏻

[@dukeofrodtown1705]

Always nice to see shows like this from the pit musician's perspective! Merry Christmas once more, Frankie - loved this video. Out of curiosity, other than this Christmas spectacular, have you done other pit work in the past?

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you Duke you too!! And I haven’t really, I think I maybe did some stuff in high school but rarely anything professionally

[@dukeofrodtown1705]

@@FoolishFrankie Ah fair enough!

[@ronniebeal4922]

Love these, Keep posting them!

[@ogbeisibor3193]

Looks like the older guy playing beside you has never had a problem with a saxophone 😂😂😂

[@deathrebel7543]

It was awesome to see a type of gig dynamic between all the switching instruments!

[@beccarobertsonn]

Gig vlogs are always my favorite!! Happy Holidays, Frankie! 😀

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you so much Becca you too🥺🙏🏻

[@smithsmithy7149]

Love these vlogs, Frankie. Keep up the good work!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!

[@ltDoesntWork]

thanks for the great video, looking forward to the next!!

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@narkoiuy5075]

My day just got better with this video 😊

[@FoolishFrankie]

🥺🙏🏻

[@itsMooonyy]

These are literally my favorite videos to watch. I could watch these all day

[@FoolishFrankie]

🥺 🙏🏻

[@benjamintomell5608]

It is so much fun to watch you work. It is inspiring to see how seriously you take your job, but how much enjoyment it brings to you as well. Your content always brightens my day.

[@FoolishFrankie]

That means so much thank you🥺🙏🏻

[@Paula_Limberg]

Hahaaa ending was hilarious! Loved hearing your reflections on the style of gig - I’ve definitely been in similar situations before, where we’re basically just set up to be tired, but have to try our best anyway!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Glad you enjoyed it!🙏🏻

[@lukeserrano62]

Your best one yet! Great stuff and merry Xmas from a fellow sax player Down Under experiencing all the same highs and lows on gigs!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Ayyy this is such a cool comment, all the way across the world and still can relate. Much love🙏🏻

[@EricPalmerBlog]

Have a great Christmas!!! I have learned a lot from your saxophone work, which is built on strong fundamentals.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you you too!!

[@cmur2]

Gig vlogs are my favvvv

[@rihley9176]

MORE LIKE THIS PLEASEEEEE

[@bhabi7071]

...Totally relateable moments... - "The 'new version'...2013". 🙂 - Forgetting to mark in 4 bar drum solo. Then continuing to play. YES. Been there. I'm thinking....why is everyone is in the wrong place...cant be me. 😅 $200 more to play Sweet Caroline. (Though as a Red Sox fan, that, might make me unsubscribe 😂) - " I'm not taking any comments on my flute technique at this time". 😂 (If a trumpet player tries to comment, tell them you'll listen when they stop trying different mouthpieces) SUCH A FUN AND HONEST VLOG. It's the kind of thing that should required viewing at music school after some pompous teacher's counterpoint class. "Now for reality ... Make sure you get your parking ticket validated". Your attitude is positively infectious.

[@FoolishFrankie]

This comment means so much thank you🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@TheDanSebastian]

ok, now I am officially a fan. Keep jazzin' baby! cheers!

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@MissGimpsAlot]

Thanks for showing good posture!! You wont regret it. My trumpet days are long gone due to an arm injury made much worse from bad posture.... Nuff said. Take care of yourself. Make healthy choices. Merry Christmas 🌲🌲🙏🙏

[@FoolishFrankie]

Oof my posture is definitely something I'm trying to work on still!! I appreciate the encouragement!

[@FNBRVolts]

love watching these kinds of videos it helps me see what the life would be like. I want to do this so badly later on.

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@tinywest]

A fun watch. Great video!!!!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you so much!

[@explodeywolf3619]

Wow, you are AMAZING!!!

[@FoolishFrankie]

I appreciate the kind words!!

[@bobblues1158]

Great! Been there done that! Saved all my money and financed my jazz career. Good luck!

[@pianopratico703]

Bela gig !!

[@mamtrithuc]

love this video

[@FoolishFrankie]

❤️🙏🏻

[@matthewrayner3793]

Just a pleasure, as always. I play bari/bass clarinet (amateur) and recently, in what was meant to be a clarinet concert for me,, I was asked to play bari for another band in the same concert - I only got their music on the day too and no run-through. I had to play in every tune in the concert switching between the two bands. OK, so it was simple enough stuff, but I think I had similar feeling afterwards of 'yes, I might actually be able do this'.

[@GeoffStrehlMusic]

Brother, you're a hero!

[@FoolishFrankie]

I don’t know about that, I’m just trying to stay afloat!!🙏🏻

[@Elloliott]

this is great ngl

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!

[@JarrettMusic]

I had to do something similar like 2 weeks ago. I'm a Sophomore in HS and had to play with my state's Wind Ensemble. Had about a day to learn Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" and John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" on top of like 4 other "easier" pieces on the set list (Charlie Brown Christmas Medley, Grinch, Christmas on Broadway-John Higgins arrangment ect.) Always so much fun with limited time :))

[@jacoposcalzi1929]

Very good

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!

[@Jm4steam]

Nice coverage of what goes on for a performance. Sounded good too.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thanks a lot!

[@diydave9581]

So real man! I remember my first happy birthday… first salsa happy birthday was a trip. First time playing with your old teacher. Totally. Good times buddy!

[@contentcreater0542]

super cool

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!

[@anonymoushumanhi]

That transition into your gig fit was SO SMOOTH! You, very respectfully, look great! I always love seeing people dress up for gigs. I’m gonna do a ‘20s look for the gig after next because I am very much extra. By the way, the flute sounded great to me! That’s a difficult part and it beautifully blended. If it was flawed, it certainly wasn’t noticeable, but I totally understand the perfectionism. I LOVE that you get to play with your high school teacher. I’m still in touch with mine and hope to someday perform with him, but I’d be a bloody mess, he was like a dad to me. Happy holidays, Frankie! Thanks for the quality content. ♥️ Edit: um ignore the wording for the ENTIRE high school teacher part I’m just now realizing how horrible that sounds ☠️

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you so much!! Happy holidays to you too!

[@Lamefoureyes]

Hey Frankie I finally did it! I pulled the trigger on an ewi solo and im having a blast waking up my fingers from a long, 16 year hibernation.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Ayyy that’s so awesome to hear congrats!!

[@HarryPotter-qo6di]

You are the reason I want to play the saxophone, thank you :)

[@FoolishFrankie]

That’s awesome to hear thank you!!🥺🙏🏻

[@ashtonhynes1745]

I literally love you

[@FoolishFrankie]

❤️

[@potato4481]

Cheeky overwatch cameo at the start there

[@FoolishFrankie]

👀

[@txsphere]

The flute tone practice paid off.

[@geraldwatkins3543]

Hired with the legends. Keep up the good work.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Much love🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@kintorey1195]

Very good job! ^_^

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!

[@Tugboat_City]

You sound great next to a baritone sax. You should play with them more often!

[@user-mf3qp4is5f]

just got done with two christmas gigs (one fell on my BIRTHDAY. that was rough…) and it’s crazy to say the least. one was a gig that i played in a small local club. many were surprised by how young our 8 man band was (i’m the youngest in the band as i was 13 at the time) and how well we sounded. we had two weeks to prepare for that gig, we had 0 weeks and one day to prepare for a church gig we were invited to that night which happened to fall on my birthday which was the next day. when we arrived a whole band was there and next thing u know THEYRE LIVE STREAMING AND THREE OF OUR 8 PEOPLE SHOWED UP. i was right in front of the live stream. so fun 😭 the club gig was beautiful, everything went great…we don’t talk about the church gig 😭 love being a musician

[@noahkane26]

Have you ever gigged with a saxophonist named Ric Hayden? He was my high school band director at Knoch. About 50 minutes north of Pittsburgh

[@FoolishFrankie]

I haven’t unfortunately but I’m sure we’ll cross paths at some point!

[@francoismoran8270]

Dude you are an inspiration! And I love how you sneakily use those Fortnite lobby music, they are so good!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you and yes that’s one of the best songs in the game!!

[@jhazo7974]

Frankie bro u overcriticise yourself man your amazing 👏👏

[@FoolishFrankie]

I appreciate the kind words🙏🏻

[@okiedokieartiechokie8458]

Frankie is the GOAT

[@FoolishFrankie]

No u🥺

[@Jeb251]

Glad to see im not the only one that puts their mouthpiece cap on the flute headjoint 😄

[@FoolishFrankie]

It’s the most convenient spot!

[@jacobweber1359]

Ofc you gotta do Mr. DeFade’s iconic spring sound effect after any joke he does 😂😂😂 2:04, amazing gig vlog and amazing playing

[@FoolishFrankie]

LOL it was so funny we did it at the same time😂 thank you!!

[@Redheadeddude41]

Now this is a vlog. Keep at it. - from Erie, PA

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@jbreezy101]

Ur lucky living there this coming year. 4/8/24… total eclipse of the sun

[@Redheadeddude41]

@@jbreezy101 when the last eclipse happened we all looked up the next one and were like “no way, right over us” Can’t believe it’s already coming up

[@adammcconnell7693]

that fortnite christmas music is my fav ever

[@FoolishFrankie]

Mine too!

[@kaleem_k]

I had a duo gig last week - our rehearsal was much easier: pick ~25 tunes from the Real xmas book. Thanks for this vlog!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Those gigs are great!!

[@madshron]

You’re great! It’s so coo, that you work with Eric love local Pittsburghers.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!!

[@Quinnjmoore]

The Fortnite Christmas music 😂😂

[@FoolishFrankie]

Iconic!

[@waynestock17]

@8:07 That glare 😅 you sounded awesome dude rolled with the punches.

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@jarnelldemesme8081]

that bari sax player was not having those slip ups🤣🤣🤣

[@FoolishFrankie]

LMAO I think the camera angle made it seem worse than it was

[@yoiamhere4737]

Just wanted to write. Your content and whole persona as a gigging musician is exactly what I want to be! I'm going into music college next year for bass guitar, and you're a big inspiration and treat to watch! Hope you have a great holiday season Frankie! Also 1 question: were you brought in to fill in for a sax player last minute for this show? Or did you know of the gig before the day of?

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!! And I was called for this gig a month before the show, but I didn’t know what any of the tunes would be until the rehearsal

[@miggs23]

Don’t normally watch you, but as a sax player in HS, this was cool!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you I appreciate you checking this out!!

[@miggs23]

@@FoolishFrankie for sure bro, and what I meant is I haven’t really checked out the page, definitely subscribed, seen the reels, and you’re crazy talented. I’ll stay tuned bro. 😎

[@johne8369]

Dude. What is that show?! Lol. Looks like you boys had fun tho! Merry Xmas.

[@user-eb3tq9zl6t]

BARIIIII YEAAAAAAAAA U R LITRLY BARI

[@nonbinosaur9808]

Hey! I love Mr. Matt, he is one of my teachers!!!

[@FoolishFrankie]

He’s awesome!

[@jazzlrdx9944]

Eric in his Eric dolphy bag at 5:37 😂

[@mbbepic2032]

I had a moment when I opened Overwatch behind this and I heard the Overwatch Christmas music twice.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Omg😂😂

[@wifi_888]

I just got flashbanged by the OW Christmas song in the beginning of this video wth.

[@FoolishFrankie]

LOL

[@rosalamars7894]

I always love your vlogs, so gun and interesting to see what’s happening leading up and during the gig! I was wondering what the name of the song is you play at 2:12?

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you! And it’s called Quando Quando Quando

[@aaronpineda5596]

"elp yourself to some gas" That got me 😂😂😂

[@FoolishFrankie]

LOL it's an iconic line from that show!!

[@wolfwarren6376]

Loved this vlog. Having been the director for gigs that were charts gigs and didn’t have any rehearsal time except for sound checks, this felt very much to me like a great example of what we do in the semi-pro and pro musician world. So, thank you for sharing! Wasn’t aware you played flute! Do you play other doubling instruments aside from tenor and flute? Maybe soprano or baritone?

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you I try to show that side!! And I mostly just play tenor/alto

[@Swizzyon60hz]

W video

[@FoolishFrankie]

W person for watching🙏🏻

[@kboyer1011]

FLUTE? Awesome Frankie. You're a pro!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Barely😂 thank you!!

[@lukethompson2909]

Love the vids do you offer lesson and if not where would you recommend I look for one

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you! And I don’t offer lessons. You could try to reach out to my saxophone teacher from high school and see if he’s taking any new students: [e-mail]

[@strictlyroots7343]

I've had many discussions with musicians about the value of learning to read music. It's simple - if you can't read you are severely limiting the kind of work you can get.

[@FoolishFrankie]

That is true. And the same is often true if you can’t play things by ear!

[@P1kaSans]

my final orchestra concert was on wednesday! we played two pieces in a church

[@FoolishFrankie]

Ayyy that's awesome I hope it went well!!

[@P1kaSans]

@@FoolishFrankie it did! my final concert, not in band, was yesterday! it went pretty well, tho at some points i did rush and slow down, but it still went very well!

[@ts4z]

I'm enjoying these videos. What kind of alto is that? I thought I finally got a look at the engraving, and I still can't tell. Thank you!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!! It’s an Eastman 52nd st, linked in description!

[@henrysimcox9195]

Not saying you did bad with the flute but have you heard Rick play flute he is amazing

[@Seanythecool1]

so early yhis is crazy

[@Bounded42]

The fortnite music slaps

[@FoolishFrankie]

It’s iconic!

[@jonathanmarks4835]

Rick at 4:15 😂

[@FoolishFrankie]

LOL I know right!

[@stevewow2256]

0:58 THE FORNITE SONG

[@FoolishFrankie]

Good ears:)

[@parkerheckman6897]

22 mins ago wild

[@FoolishFrankie]

👀👀

[@johne8369]

Check out Todd groves - broadway flute doubling ninja

[@christopherstump1004]

Do you ever post where you will be performing ahead of a public gig?

[@FoolishFrankie]

Yes usually on my Instagram stories. I think I’m going to try and build an email list for this though

[@vacuumlover1]

Was that a low c bass clarinet?

[@fatty4life406]

Frankie Flutish

[@Lapislasul]

At 0:58 isn’t that the fortnite festive music

[@FoolishFrankie]

Yes! Good ears, it’s one of my favorite VGM songs:)