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3,381 Posts
So........
Not to often anymore do I feel like ranting, but I just need to vent tonight as I just hired musicians for 2 Musicals (about 11 people each) for a good chunk of change. If I pay well ... I want it done right. I am not asking for favors, I am employing musicians
I REALLY like doing things the way they were intended to be done.
Below is a list of things that have actually happened over the years and some more than once or twice.
#1.
No, I will not hire you to play the reed 3 Oboe doubling book. Its because you don't play oboe. No you cant just do it on flute. NO YOU CANT DO IT ON C Clarinet. and Furthermore NO YOU CANT PLAY IT ON SOPRANO SAXOPHONE!!!!! In short - if there is somebody out there who is able and available to play that book - I will hire them. If nobody is available, I will look for new players that can do it. If I still fall short - THEN AND ONLY THEN will I THINK about covering it on another instrument.
As a repair tech you wouldn't want me to use clarinet pads in your piccolo would you? Why should the audience listen to a C Clarinet when an Oboe was the intention?
#2
Why did I not hire you this year? Well, I couldn't find a reason to. Every musician has an upside and a down side to hiring them. As along as the upside outweighs the downs side, you are valuable as a musician to me. If you were the most amazing player on the planet then I could overlook the fact that you complain alot. Heck I might even overlook the rides you need all the time to the gig. But you are just an average player, with alot of un necessary drama. Thats why I didn't hire you this year!
#3
Why doesn't the drummer own a ratchet? A bell tree? Slide whistle? A set of bells that wasn't bought at a Toys R Us? It always seems like there is SOMETHING a drummer needs and doesn't own. I don't want to hear the excuse that it is too expensive when I am sitting there with my Weissman Picc, Haynes Flute, Buffet Clarinet, Mark VI Alto and all the associated gear in front of me!! Oh ya - thats why I didn't hire YOU!
#4
You are my friend. You were not the right one for the gig this year. I know you can play flute but why should I hire you - the flute doubler - to play the "All Flute" book this year when I can hire a professional Flautist that will sound amazing and eat the book up and make it seem like child's play? Yes I know you can get the job done. I just want the people hiring me to be happy so I can keep being their contractor for years to come. It's not a personal decision - please understand that. Maybe next year (unless you cry too much about it)
#5
Yes I hired you last year. No I don't have anything for you this year. Don't call me - I'll call you.
#6
No - I want you on the whole run. 3 Rehearsals and 3 Shows. I don't want you to sub out 2 dates. Why Should I hire you to do 2/3rds of the show when the guy that would sub for you can do just as good of job and he is available for the whole gig?
#7
What do you mean you are sending in a sub tomorrow? Is there a problem? No, you just got a higher paying gig for tomorrow night? Does that mean that if I can find somebody who will play the rest of the run for less money I can call you and tell you to stay home? (actually heard a contractor say that to a musician .... IT WAS AMAZING!!)
Anyhow,
I feel better now.
Charlie
Not to often anymore do I feel like ranting, but I just need to vent tonight as I just hired musicians for 2 Musicals (about 11 people each) for a good chunk of change. If I pay well ... I want it done right. I am not asking for favors, I am employing musicians
I REALLY like doing things the way they were intended to be done.
Below is a list of things that have actually happened over the years and some more than once or twice.
#1.
No, I will not hire you to play the reed 3 Oboe doubling book. Its because you don't play oboe. No you cant just do it on flute. NO YOU CANT DO IT ON C Clarinet. and Furthermore NO YOU CANT PLAY IT ON SOPRANO SAXOPHONE!!!!! In short - if there is somebody out there who is able and available to play that book - I will hire them. If nobody is available, I will look for new players that can do it. If I still fall short - THEN AND ONLY THEN will I THINK about covering it on another instrument.
As a repair tech you wouldn't want me to use clarinet pads in your piccolo would you? Why should the audience listen to a C Clarinet when an Oboe was the intention?
#2
Why did I not hire you this year? Well, I couldn't find a reason to. Every musician has an upside and a down side to hiring them. As along as the upside outweighs the downs side, you are valuable as a musician to me. If you were the most amazing player on the planet then I could overlook the fact that you complain alot. Heck I might even overlook the rides you need all the time to the gig. But you are just an average player, with alot of un necessary drama. Thats why I didn't hire you this year!
#3
Why doesn't the drummer own a ratchet? A bell tree? Slide whistle? A set of bells that wasn't bought at a Toys R Us? It always seems like there is SOMETHING a drummer needs and doesn't own. I don't want to hear the excuse that it is too expensive when I am sitting there with my Weissman Picc, Haynes Flute, Buffet Clarinet, Mark VI Alto and all the associated gear in front of me!! Oh ya - thats why I didn't hire YOU!
#4
You are my friend. You were not the right one for the gig this year. I know you can play flute but why should I hire you - the flute doubler - to play the "All Flute" book this year when I can hire a professional Flautist that will sound amazing and eat the book up and make it seem like child's play? Yes I know you can get the job done. I just want the people hiring me to be happy so I can keep being their contractor for years to come. It's not a personal decision - please understand that. Maybe next year (unless you cry too much about it)
#5
Yes I hired you last year. No I don't have anything for you this year. Don't call me - I'll call you.
#6
No - I want you on the whole run. 3 Rehearsals and 3 Shows. I don't want you to sub out 2 dates. Why Should I hire you to do 2/3rds of the show when the guy that would sub for you can do just as good of job and he is available for the whole gig?
#7
What do you mean you are sending in a sub tomorrow? Is there a problem? No, you just got a higher paying gig for tomorrow night? Does that mean that if I can find somebody who will play the rest of the run for less money I can call you and tell you to stay home? (actually heard a contractor say that to a musician .... IT WAS AMAZING!!)
Anyhow,
I feel better now.
Charlie
