Dude, the on-stage volume is too high. Who's running the PA? Where's your monitor? Frankie, you are forced to overblow (just to be heard) and that sucks. I know.
@@FoolishFrankie It really does, I've only recently started performing live at bars, and I've gotten that this wants to make me crawl into a hole and die feeling several times when I just botched something I've attempted. Your videos are a great inspiration, keep doing what you are doing.
Mate, you are amazing. Most people won't know if you make a mistake and keep going, and those of us who do notice will be musicians who have made similar mistakes. Keep up the great work, and thank you for being a true inspiration to the rest of us!
@@FoolishFrankie Keeping the whole solo in this video, it's such a cool move. Blessings to you. It's very reassuring for beginning musicians to see that everyone's human. The funny thing is, the audience probably barely noticed. A lot of people have a tin ear...
When I played for a company that booked wedding bands back in the day, the cardinal rule was NEVER introduce yourself to the other musicians in view of the buyers. They never wanted anyone to know that the musicians in the band never played together before....
Yeah, we've had the same rule with my Christmas Caroling group for years. Although, sometimes it's been fun after praise for a particularly good version of a requested song to say "you know, that's the first time this group of four has ever done that, so thanks very much" just to see their shocked faces!
Interesting! I’m kinda aware of the optics too so I make sure to get to know people when setting up or on breaks away from the guests. But I guess some people may not be thinking about that.
Yep, I had a guy in the audience on a bourbon Street gig here in New Orleans. Ask how many years the band was together I told him it was our second week together lol
In a cover band I play with there are 4 saxes and I can guarantee you we have all flubbed the altissimo but it never stopped us from trying again at the next gig. It's all part of becoming a better sax player. Great video man and much respect.
It's refreshing to see this subject addressed in a youtube video. It takes me back to the fifties and our high school dance band. We each got paid $6 or $7 for playing the "after-game" dances in the cafeteria. We always had stock charts. But one day some kids from another high school joined us to play some tunes for a school general assembly. Later I heard one of the mathematics teachers ask another teacher, "How can these kids just come from a different school and they all play well together without any written music?" I didn't interrupt her or say anything. She had kicked me out of her algebra class the previous year. College dance band was next and we became musician's union members (on the recommendation of our instructor). And many of us played "casuals" . The same after college except some become members of established bands. I didn't have a regular gig but played with some strangers, some acquaintances, and some friends. I explain it this way: work all day at your regular job, go home, eat, get dressed for the gig, drive to a place you've never been to previously, get set up and play with some people you've just met. You might have a drink or two during the breaks, finish the gig, put the bass in the car drive home in the late night (early morning), don't hit the elephant on the highway (in California?), make it home, sleep for 4 or 5 hours, go to work the next day. A lot of musicians die in accidents. A couple of things I've noticed: drummers each seem to have their own style (everyone does) but they seem to be very good at listening and understanding the phrasing of the soloists and the group and are able to do little things that "introduce" the soloists and are good at accenting in ways that improve the tune. Yes, I miss those days.
That musicians die in car accidents is related to the fact, they are more on the road, than the average person, pretty often each band member drives his own car and they're pretty tired after the gig, have to cleanup the place and not always a sound company is hired, so the band has the sound system, the sound man, no assistants, everything to bring to the car. Okay, thanks the carts we can ease it, especially when the way between stage and parking is long. Today also light is needed, some bands also have some background to install.
@@robfriedrich2822 Good points. It was less complicated in my day. My bass never had any amplification so, of course, I liked to play smaller rooms. Piano players had it harder. I remember the various piano players: first thing they'd do is greet us and sit down, check the piano bench (some brought their own soft seat cushion) then they would run some scales/arpeggios to see which piano keys were out of tune or non-functional, check to see if the pedals worked, etc. Every gig was different for them.
@@nemo227 That's was the reason for instruments, like the Rhodes electric piano or all the Wurlitzer type electric kalimba pianos. Also for the small transistor organs. Thanks to the new technology we could transport the studio sound on stage, have reliable keyboards, small sound systems that sounds big.
very much appreciate that you show the failures as well as the successes! it's nice to know that nobody nails everything perfectly every time. and even then, your supposed "failure" definitely sounds fine in context anyway, even if they weren't the notes you were shooting for.
Young man.. you are Sooo on the money. Even touring bands rehearse this way when members live out of state and have a corporate event that needs a new song added the day of show. This is why I encourage all young musicians to learn to sight read and solo in many styles. I’ve had to read & learn songs minutes before a sold out show. I would tape the chart to my floor tom or by my high hat pedal. Great video for young Tik Tok musicians wanting to understand what Real working musicians do. I’m a fan. 🎼👍
Man thank you so much, this comment means more than you know. I respect my fellow musician’s so much so when someone like you watches and takes the time to comment something like this it means the world. Much love🙏🏻
Thank you so much for leaving in the altissimo mishap. Seeing a professional having moments of pinching too hard makes me feel better about failing basic octave changes as a beginner. Very insightful video Frankie 🥰🥰
hey Frankie, not sure if you'll see this comment, but I'm super beyond excited for the growth you've seen recently. I've been following you since like, 7k after I found one of your saxophone omeagle videos, and I feel you're finally getting the recognition that you deserve :) here's to many more awesome videos, and thanks again for being an inspiration to saxophonists everywhere!
This is 100% my experience as well. The regular wedding band I play in is a 10-piece. While it's not technically contract for hire, with 10 people there's ALWAYS at least one sub on every gig. We send out the set lists with keys in advance, work up any special request during sound check and just watch each other closely for transitions, breaks, and the ending. It works - most of the time :) And every once in a while (translation at least once or twice on every gig) the band leader calls out a song that's not anywhere on the set list and hopefully enough people know it to pull it off! The biggest thing I learned that I wish I could have shared with younger me is that at a wedding, people are just there to dance and have a good time. If you make a mistake - so what - almost guaranteed no one noticed. Just keep the beat going and you can work through any mistakes. Same thing for playing cocktail piano (which I frequently do before the main reception). I used to get so nervous, but then I realized not a single person was paying any attention to me - then I was able to just relax and have fun with it. Now I look forward to that hour of cocktail piano because I can play whatever I want!
There's something about ... crafts (is that the word I'm looking for?) like this or dancing or comedy and etc that when people are deep into it, you can just DO it with others without needing to practice or train beforehand that I adore and respect so much. Like I remember seeing a friend at a wedding dance Texas Two Step with this girl on the dance floor and it was amazing. Afterwards, I asked him how long has he known her and he responded "since the beginning of that song." My mind was blown and I feel the same way here. There's no rehearsal and yall can just jam and riff off just a few notes beforehand and it feels so good.
Guitarist here. Played in a band that did open mic nights so often playing on the fly stuff you’ve never done before. Always tried to get the start of the solo right before default pentatonics… 😂
That was awesome. I love hearing other musicians thought process through the prep phase. Im currently playing in an 80s cover band and we have a show in Mississippi Friday, Florida Saturday, and Alabama on monday. All bar shows but its exciting all the same.
Well night one went well, but our singer got a cough so night 2 is off. Still on for Monday though. Next time we have this kinda show schedule I'm making a poster. Lol
Hi Frankie, want to let you know that I look up to you. I am twelve, and you've inspired my sax journey a lot. I was about to quit saxophone 1 and a half years ago, and then I came across your videos and realized how beautiful of an instrument the sax is. Keep up the amazing work! ❤
1. I’m an oboist in my school’s advanced band, in my 7th year of playing my instrument, and I’ve gotten to try improvising solos in a Latin piece we’re doing this year called El Paseo! I’ve been having so much fun with it, even though I don’t have a lot of music theory knowledge lol. I’ve mainly been doing quarter and eighth notes, so nothing super crazy, but I think my improvs have sounded pretty good just about every time we run through the piece in our rehearsals. You’ve been a huge inspiration for me in trying it out, and I’m glad I tried it in the first place, and glad I’ve found it so fun! And 2. I love the Littleroot Town music playing near the end of the video!!
Pretty often, musicians of the performing band are the only ones, who recognized the mistake. As long it fits, it won't be recognized as something unintended.
@@FoolishFrankie I am musician and couldn't recognize your mistake. Sometimes a mistake can be turned into a new variation. Do you use printed music or iPad? I know about the Atmobyte song lister app for windows, the leader recalls the song, the musicians can get it in two forms, maybe lyrics and chords and lyrics, chords and melody line or leadsheet and leadsheet with solo instruments or so. The main advantage is, you can spontaneously change your play list, all musicians have on their displays the same song, the lead singer also turns the pages.
And ZOMG... the feels on the altissimo bit. I can only hit it perfectly when I'm screwing around. In an actual song/solo... Love and hugs for sharing the reality there.
Always love seeing a more in depth video. I love viewing the preparations and the last minute changes, along with seeing how it works out. Amazing work!
Hey, always be Foolish Frankie. That's what we're here for, you know. Show us your good, your bad, your best and your worst. We'll always have your back. I'm not a musician in any possible way, yet I find your videos super interesting and insightful. Great job to everyone in the band. 🎉
Extremely informative, and helpful! To echo somebody else, it's both interesting and quite fascinating at the same time to see things fully come together, especially before gigs such as this. Great job to everybody performing here.
Man that's awesome! Thanks so much for checking this out. I don't take it lightly when other musicians watch my stuff and say they enjoy it. Much love🙏🏻
I've been a gigging guitarist/singer for about a year now and even though I don't play sax like you, all your videos have been SOOOOOO SOSOSOSOS Helpful so THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE GIG VLOGS!!! You're so great! I love being able to see behind the curtain and how you prepare everything... It really is inspiring me to keep hustling and keep growing in my craft! Thank you for these! I also loved the subtle Pokemon gen3 theme in the end of the video :P Keep up the great work!
What a clean solo, good to see you didn’t cut out altísimo, you went for it you stuck it out and you gained experience and recognition for it. Total win!
This is so spot on. I had a gig last weekend -first time with the group and first rehearsal was Monday with gig on Saturday. Had to look for charts because the horns in the group didn’t have all the music, so I had to write some of it out too. Some of the music I wrote was transcribed, but the easier tunes I just wrote down letter names. It’s a a lot of work, but so satisfying to know how much you’re seeing your growth in real time. Love this channel ❤ 🎺
Super nice!! This is the reality of being a working musician. People generally have no idea just how many questionable moments and mistakes happen on stage that they never even notice - the professionalism is evident when you see everyone rolling right along gracefully adjusting and adapting to every little twist and turn, all while smiling and engaging the crowd. This guy is a first call player. Bam.
Love what you're doing here Frankie! One of the groups I work with plays together in a similar fashion. We have about 30 people who take turns covering different roles in the band. The group practices once per year to add about a dozen new songs over 2 or 3 weeks.
I understand you probably feel differently about this than I do, but I really appreciate seeing that even extremely talented, well trained musicians like yourself can bung up a solo or a part every once in a while. I'm VERY much an amateur trumpet player, and I've played multiple gigs at this point, and almost every single gig (if not all of them) I've clammed up or mis-hit a note at least once. Whenever that happens, I feel like throwing the trumpet, and then myself, out a window, so it's very helpful to see that it's not that uncommon a part of life. Also, you're amazing. Love these videos.
Nice vid Frankie. Love your sound. This took me back to my days doing gigs in Philly. Eventually I just stuck with my 9 to 5 though. It's always about $$$ at the end of the day.
My man, I can't thank you enough for keeping the stuff you didn't like. People need to know it's never going to be perfect. It's a big thing I try to get my students to understand: If you let every mistake stop you, you just aren't going to get anywhere or do anything.
Sooo true, I've always been so hard on myself for making mistakes and decided it's important for me to share mine to provide comfort for others because IT IS THE PROCESS, there's no way around it. Much love🙏🏻
I have played lots of party band gigs like extra player, because many gigs don't need sax. And in small country (where I live) they just call "We need some sax". Max. 1 rehearsal and thats it (Band is there usually only for me, so I don't want take their time too much). Many of these gigs are weddings of people over 30 years old, and they wants 90's music. In this country euro pop was big number then. There's absolutely no space to sax. (What would you play on sax to Darude - Sandstorm) If there are some possibility to play sax, there are usually 3 horns section sheet. It's to me somehow hard to play those "lead" trumpet parts, because they are very rhythmically and only with sax, those just dont work (However, I played once September lead trumpet part. It worked suprisingly well). So I decided to play just some fills and solos, if there's time and place. Then suprisingly often after gigs people (Mostly silver foxes) come to tell. "You play some youngsters music, but that sax bring me back to my youth". Maybe that's the point of it in my case. Although it is sometimes challenging, the reward awaits at the end. Or at least I hope so. 😄 ps. I Love my party band part-time job. ps. ps. I felt that altissimo miss. That happens to me too. 😃
I worked at a private community clubhouse that would host weddings, birthdays. dances, all sorts of things that would use live music, Everytime there was a live band, i rarely saw a rehearsal, maybe a quick sound check then thats it.
It's weird how different gigging cultures are from country to country. I've worked as audio-tech and played as a bass player in coverbands as well in The Netherlands. From my experience, here it's all fixed lineups with the occasional slot-in if somebody can't make it. Bands like those tend to play most of the wedding gigs out here with mostly fixed setlists and mashups and usually there's room for 1 to 2 requests for the evening. The bands that slot in and out musicians all the time are usually reserved for the larger shows that potentially draw in stadiums of crowds or tv-shows.
This is very interesting! I've played many gigs with little or no rehearsal, but as I don't read music, and have no formal music training, I rely on winging it! Generally, I'll ask for a setlist with keys, so I can do a little prep, but for most of the gig I'll be following the other musicians, with the occasional guitar lick thrown in to make it seem like I know what I'm doing. Like the well known sax solo in this video, it can unravel somewhat if the band plays a song with a specific guitar solo that I don't know by heart (or can't play at speed), but 99% of these gigs have been fine. It helps to act like I've been playing with this band for years, too.
I totally agree. I know a lot of musicians look down on these gigs, but I see it as an opportunity to hone my craft in a forgiving environment. Thanks for the reminder!🙏🏻
Great to see an honest take on covers gig prep! In NZ where I live there a few lazy musicians who don’t learn the music properly within the scene; I’ll spend extra time sorting out basic charts so at least the band can hang together. Then a chat thru between sound check and gig; and it’s usually solid. Nothing like just turning up and playing and not having to prep though….!
My friend in high school, in the 80s was an excellent drummer. He got hooked up with this wedding band of all guys in their 50s. They were like a mini Big Band orchestra, with the satin tuxes and everything. We made a lot of fun of him and he took it really well. We asked him how much he made for a gig and he said $400. Someone said that's not much for a band that big. He said no, that was just his cut. Turned out those old dudes were THE wedding band for the richest people around. We didn't make fun of him any more.
Weddings definitely pay the best and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work on things I need to work on in my playing in front of a very forgiving (drunk) audience!
Ah memories... It's actually quite common for bands with original repertoire to include a dep or two. In this case, send charts and links to a recordings or even mockups in advance. If you're the dep - at least look at and listen to them. In good pro circles, there's sometimes even a player or two doing it like a session - cold from paper.
Once you get to a certain level, everything comes together at the last minute, whether it's something like this where you play off of a list of standards or things where the music was finished the day of and you sight read it in performance. You're often expected to be able to show up and play with either a sound check rehearsal or no rehearsal at all.
I appreciate you not cutting at the altissimo part. I've definitely went for altissimo during a gig just to either squeak horribly or make a stuffy odd noise lol. Also I can't imagine a time when any performance is perfect.
Thanks for this, i wanted to cut it so bad but it felt inauthentic. I’m just trying to work out my altissimo stuff lately and wedding gigs are a very forgiving environment so I figured it’s the best way to learn
Great video, that was insightful. I got a laugh out of the botched altissimo. I botched an altissimo line at the Reno Jazz Festival many years ago in college and I wanted to crawl in a hole too.
HUGE respect for showing everything. But in all honesty, as a non-musician, I wouldn't even know that was a mistake if you didn't explain it. Fake it til you make it definitely works HAHA
Found this video recommended on my feed! Really accurate and can relate. I’m guessing you may also be part of an IML “band” because I don’t know any other company that operates that way. One thing I like about them is that there are no strict commitments (you’re expected to take x amount of gigs) and no rehearsals (except I heard for extremely high profile corporate gig), plus I get to meet and network (befriend) with tons of musicians I wouldn’t have otherwise been acquainted with. We just all make sure that we do our homework. If you’re moving somewhere and a chapter there exists too, your details can also be transferred. I do play for another band still, for half of us music is not their main trade, so they need the rehearsal. But the rehearsals are planned strategically, if there are x amount of new songs for some upcoming gigs. I know a couple of other companies around, they usually put together musicians into more stable bands, and I had subbed for a couple of them. Pretty sure they also rehearse sometimes. I had only got asked to rehearse for one of them (and they usually have monthly mandatory on-season rehearsals).
I love seeing the behind the scenes! I want to start gigging eventually when I have time! Also while watching this video I thought of something that would be cool! If the bride or groom joined in and played for a song. I feel like I would want to do that when and if I ever get married, though just for a song or two because it may take away from the actually wedding day considering it's a day for the couple that's getting married.
I love that you showed your attempt to go altissimo and it just didn't come out. Been there, done that. Sometimes the reed just isn't ready to go and neither are the chops. Thanks for an interesting video.
@@FoolishFrankie your awesome I like the part when you take requests from girls and stuff I started taking sax lessons in late March and I've been practicing since then someday I want to do it for a living right now I'm looking for a new job I wanna play in front of good looking women and stuff I just got to keep practicing that's all
Doing jam sessions like crazy helps a lot too... You just don't get paid here but, also, you can try pretty crazy stuff that wouldn't fly on a wedding gig. That sneaky solo , been there too. Just forget about a transcribed solo existe, go full steam, damn the torpedos into it. The audience doesn't know any better, and if you manage to do a crazy or memorable solo, they'll be here cheering like crazy 🤣... A jam session a week keeps the squeaks at bay
Full performance of this mashup is on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/FoolishFrankie
Can't wait to watch!!
thats why wedding bands n that sound shit
Dude, the on-stage volume is too high. Who's running the PA? Where's your monitor? Frankie, you are forced to overblow (just to be heard) and that sucks. I know.
I appreciate that you showcase your failures and your success. Makes me feel better about my own mistakes as a player.
This means more than you know, I'm always trying to be authentic and honest so I'm glad it gives you a little bit of comfort🙏🏻
@@FoolishFrankie It really does, I've only recently started performing live at bars, and I've gotten that this wants to make me crawl into a hole and die feeling several times when I just botched something I've attempted. Your videos are a great inspiration, keep doing what you are doing.
Mate, you are amazing. Most people won't know if you make a mistake and keep going, and those of us who do notice will be musicians who have made similar mistakes. Keep up the great work, and thank you for being a true inspiration to the rest of us!
@@HungryTradie Interestingly, some mistakes aren't recognizable for musicians, who wonder, where it was.
@@FoolishFrankie Keeping the whole solo in this video, it's such a cool move. Blessings to you. It's very reassuring for beginning musicians to see that everyone's human.
The funny thing is, the audience probably barely noticed. A lot of people have a tin ear...
the most credible part of this entire scenario is the ‘we’re not gonna do that’ thing absolutely being done at the gig
LMAO
When I played for a company that booked wedding bands back in the day, the cardinal rule was NEVER introduce yourself to the other musicians in view of the buyers. They never wanted anyone to know that the musicians in the band never played together before....
True
Yeah, we've had the same rule with my Christmas Caroling group for years. Although, sometimes it's been fun after praise for a particularly good version of a requested song to say "you know, that's the first time this group of four has ever done that, so thanks very much" just to see their shocked faces!
Interesting! I’m kinda aware of the optics too so I make sure to get to know people when setting up or on breaks away from the guests. But I guess some people may not be thinking about that.
Yep, I had a guy in the audience on a bourbon Street gig here in New Orleans. Ask how many years the band was together I told him it was our second week together lol
I have SO much respect for you, showing your failures along with your successes is soo hard. Proud of you man, keep up the amazing work!
Much love🙏🏻
In a cover band I play with there are 4 saxes and I can guarantee you we have all flubbed the altissimo but it never stopped us from trying again at the next gig. It's all part of becoming a better sax player. Great video man and much respect.
🙏🏻🙏🏻
I love the fact that you don't edit your imperfections, but instead highlight them. More like this, please!!
It's refreshing to see this subject addressed in a youtube video. It takes me back to the fifties and our high school dance band. We each got paid $6 or $7 for playing the "after-game" dances in the cafeteria. We always had stock charts. But one day some kids from another high school joined us to play some tunes for a school general assembly. Later I heard one of the mathematics teachers ask another teacher, "How can these kids just come from a different school and they all play well together without any written music?" I didn't interrupt her or say anything. She had kicked me out of her algebra class the previous year.
College dance band was next and we became musician's union members (on the recommendation of our instructor). And many of us played "casuals" . The same after college except some become members of established bands. I didn't have a regular gig but played with some strangers, some acquaintances, and some friends. I explain it this way: work all day at your regular job, go home, eat, get dressed for the gig, drive to a place you've never been to previously, get set up and play with some people you've just met. You might have a drink or two during the breaks, finish the gig, put the bass in the car drive home in the late night (early morning), don't hit the elephant on the highway (in California?), make it home, sleep for 4 or 5 hours, go to work the next day.
A lot of musicians die in accidents.
A couple of things I've noticed: drummers each seem to have their own style (everyone does) but they seem to be very good at listening and understanding the phrasing of the soloists and the group and are able to do little things that "introduce" the soloists and are good at accenting in ways that improve the tune.
Yes, I miss those days.
That musicians die in car accidents is related to the fact, they are more on the road, than the average person, pretty often each band member drives his own car and they're pretty tired after the gig, have to cleanup the place and not always a sound company is hired, so the band has the sound system, the sound man, no assistants, everything to bring to the car. Okay, thanks the carts we can ease it, especially when the way between stage and parking is long.
Today also light is needed, some bands also have some background to install.
@@robfriedrich2822 Good points. It was less complicated in my day. My bass never had any amplification so, of course, I liked to play smaller rooms. Piano players had it harder. I remember the various piano players: first thing they'd do is greet us and sit down, check the piano bench (some brought their own soft seat cushion) then they would run some scales/arpeggios to see which piano keys were out of tune or non-functional, check to see if the pedals worked, etc. Every gig was different for them.
@@nemo227 That's was the reason for instruments, like the Rhodes electric piano or all the Wurlitzer type electric kalimba pianos. Also for the small transistor organs.
Thanks to the new technology we could transport the studio sound on stage, have reliable keyboards, small sound systems that sounds big.
very much appreciate that you show the failures as well as the successes! it's nice to know that nobody nails everything perfectly every time. and even then, your supposed "failure" definitely sounds fine in context anyway, even if they weren't the notes you were shooting for.
Thanks so much 🙏🏻
Young man.. you are Sooo on the money. Even touring bands rehearse this way when members live out of state and have a corporate event that needs a new song added the day of show. This is why I encourage all young musicians to learn to sight read and solo in many styles. I’ve had to read & learn songs minutes before a sold out show.
I would tape the chart to my floor tom or by my high hat pedal. Great video for young Tik Tok musicians wanting to understand what Real working musicians do. I’m a fan. 🎼👍
Man thank you so much, this comment means more than you know. I respect my fellow musician’s so much so when someone like you watches and takes the time to comment something like this it means the world. Much love🙏🏻
Thank you so much for leaving in the altissimo mishap. Seeing a professional having moments of pinching too hard makes me feel better about failing basic octave changes as a beginner. Very insightful video Frankie 🥰🥰
Ahh thank you I'm glad it can provide some comfort! Thanks for watching🙏🏻
hey Frankie, not sure if you'll see this comment, but I'm super beyond excited for the growth you've seen recently. I've been following you since like, 7k after I found one of your saxophone omeagle videos, and I feel you're finally getting the recognition that you deserve :) here's to many more awesome videos, and thanks again for being an inspiration to saxophonists everywhere!
Ahh hey thanks I really appreciate you watching me for so long and for the kind words🥺🙏🏻
This is great, it’s nice to see that wedding band experience is internationally universal. Even down to the “sax solo” signal haha😂
This is 100% my experience as well. The regular wedding band I play in is a 10-piece. While it's not technically contract for hire, with 10 people there's ALWAYS at least one sub on every gig. We send out the set lists with keys in advance, work up any special request during sound check and just watch each other closely for transitions, breaks, and the ending. It works - most of the time :) And every once in a while (translation at least once or twice on every gig) the band leader calls out a song that's not anywhere on the set list and hopefully enough people know it to pull it off! The biggest thing I learned that I wish I could have shared with younger me is that at a wedding, people are just there to dance and have a good time. If you make a mistake - so what - almost guaranteed no one noticed. Just keep the beat going and you can work through any mistakes. Same thing for playing cocktail piano (which I frequently do before the main reception). I used to get so nervous, but then I realized not a single person was paying any attention to me - then I was able to just relax and have fun with it. Now I look forward to that hour of cocktail piano because I can play whatever I want!
There's something about ... crafts (is that the word I'm looking for?) like this or dancing or comedy and etc that when people are deep into it, you can just DO it with others without needing to practice or train beforehand that I adore and respect so much. Like I remember seeing a friend at a wedding dance Texas Two Step with this girl on the dance floor and it was amazing. Afterwards, I asked him how long has he known her and he responded "since the beginning of that song." My mind was blown and I feel the same way here. There's no rehearsal and yall can just jam and riff off just a few notes beforehand and it feels so good.
Just like you did around 6:40, I am a huge believer in starting the solo similar to the recording. Most people only recognize the beginning anyways
Yes!!! Great way to get your footing and people will recognize it!
Guitarist here. Played in a band that did open mic nights so often playing on the fly stuff you’ve never done before. Always tried to get the start of the solo right before default pentatonics… 😂
so appreciate you sharing those moments which don't go according to plan - makes us mere mortals feel sooooo much better about our playing!
Thanks for watching🙏🏻
That was awesome. I love hearing other musicians thought process through the prep phase. Im currently playing in an 80s cover band and we have a show in Mississippi Friday, Florida Saturday, and Alabama on monday. All bar shows but its exciting all the same.
Ahh that’s awesome I hope they go well!!
Hell yeah man! I live in Birmingham, AL but I travel up to Huntsville to gig in a jazz band. Love to see another southern musician!
Well night one went well, but our singer got a cough so night 2 is off. Still on for Monday though. Next time we have this kinda show schedule I'm making a poster. Lol
This is so interesting just listening to your conversation and seeing it all come together. Awesome work!
Glad you enjoyed it!!🙏🏻
Hi Frankie, want to let you know that I look up to you. I am twelve, and you've inspired my sax journey a lot. I was about to quit saxophone 1 and a half years ago, and then I came across your videos and realized how beautiful of an instrument the sax is. Keep up the amazing work! ❤
This is so awesome thank you🥺🙏🏻
1. I’m an oboist in my school’s advanced band, in my 7th year of playing my instrument, and I’ve gotten to try improvising solos in a Latin piece we’re doing this year called El Paseo! I’ve been having so much fun with it, even though I don’t have a lot of music theory knowledge lol. I’ve mainly been doing quarter and eighth notes, so nothing super crazy, but I think my improvs have sounded pretty good just about every time we run through the piece in our rehearsals. You’ve been a huge inspiration for me in trying it out, and I’m glad I tried it in the first place, and glad I’ve found it so fun!
And 2. I love the Littleroot Town music playing near the end of the video!!
That’s awesome to hear I’m glad you’re having fun!! And good ears, that’s from my video game group’s last gig:)
Pretty often, musicians of the performing band are the only ones, who recognized the mistake. As long it fits, it won't be recognized as something unintended.
Yeah, unfortunately I don’t care about what the audience thinks but do care about what the other musicians think😂
@@FoolishFrankie I am musician and couldn't recognize your mistake.
Sometimes a mistake can be turned into a new variation.
Do you use printed music or iPad?
I know about the Atmobyte song lister app for windows, the leader recalls the song, the musicians can get it in two forms, maybe lyrics and chords and lyrics, chords and melody line or leadsheet and leadsheet with solo instruments or so.
The main advantage is, you can spontaneously change your play list, all musicians have on their displays the same song, the lead singer also turns the pages.
Making me really appreciate all the gigs where I got one whole rehearsal! Love the universal hand signs... can confirm they are indeed universal!
And ZOMG... the feels on the altissimo bit. I can only hit it perfectly when I'm screwing around. In an actual song/solo... Love and hugs for sharing the reality there.
Always love seeing a more in depth video. I love viewing the preparations and the last minute changes, along with seeing how it works out. Amazing work!
Thank you!🙏🏻
This performance was awesome despite your little failure. No one is perfect. I appreciate that you show that you are only human. Big respect! 😊
You could have easily edited that solo out, but you chose to keep it. And for that, good sir, we salute you!
🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hey, always be Foolish Frankie. That's what we're here for, you know. Show us your good, your bad, your best and your worst. We'll always have your back.
I'm not a musician in any possible way, yet I find your videos super interesting and insightful. Great job to everyone in the band. 🎉
Thank you so much Abel🥺🙏🏻
Extremely informative, and helpful! To echo somebody else, it's both interesting and quite fascinating at the same time to see things fully come together, especially before gigs such as this. Great job to everybody performing here.
Thank you🙏🏻🙏🏻
7:05 kudos Frankie, I completely agree with keeping the "less polished" aspects, I'm all for it !
I'm a working musician in Austria. These kind of videos are so interesting. Really enjoyed it. Cheers buddy.
Man that's awesome! Thanks so much for checking this out. I don't take it lightly when other musicians watch my stuff and say they enjoy it. Much love🙏🏻
i struggle with the altissimos too, i admire your braveness of showing those parts when not always everything goes well
🙏🏻🙏🏻
I've been a gigging guitarist/singer for about a year now and even though I don't play sax like you, all your videos have been SOOOOOO SOSOSOSOS Helpful so THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE GIG VLOGS!!! You're so great! I love being able to see behind the curtain and how you prepare everything... It really is inspiring me to keep hustling and keep growing in my craft! Thank you for these! I also loved the subtle Pokemon gen3 theme in the end of the video :P Keep up the great work!
This means a lot thank you🥺🙏🏻
What a clean solo, good to see you didn’t cut out altísimo, you went for it you stuck it out and you gained experience and recognition for it. Total win!
Much love🙏🏻🙏🏻
man the altissimo stuff is so relatable... huge props for being genuine in your videos. massive w
Much love🙏🏻
I enjoyed your videos, brings back to many memories :)
Glad you like them!
Loving this so much! Looking forward to a series on this!
This is so spot on. I had a gig last weekend -first time with the group and first rehearsal was Monday with gig on Saturday. Had to look for charts because the horns in the group didn’t have all the music, so I had to write some of it out too. Some of the music I wrote was transcribed, but the easier tunes I just wrote down letter names. It’s a a lot of work, but so satisfying to know how much you’re seeing your growth in real time. Love this channel ❤ 🎺
Super nice!! This is the reality of being a working musician. People generally have no idea just how many questionable moments and mistakes happen on stage that they never even notice - the professionalism is evident when you see everyone rolling right along gracefully adjusting and adapting to every little twist and turn, all while smiling and engaging the crowd.
This guy is a first call player. Bam.
Very true!! Thanks for the kind words and for watching🙏🏻🙏🏻
So much respect for you Young Lion!
Much love🙏🏻🙏🏻
Love what you're doing here Frankie! One of the groups I work with plays together in a similar fashion. We have about 30 people who take turns covering different roles in the band. The group practices once per year to add about a dozen new songs over 2 or 3 weeks.
U rule dude. Thank you for this content, specially for the honesty of messing up like we all do, and showing it! Cheers,
Much love🙏🏻
the reaction at the end of your solo was the most realistic thing I've ever seen, couldn't relate more haha! Still sounded great! Love the tone
Much love🙏🏻
I love that you kept the altissimo part. You're a real one.
Always trying to be honest🙏🏻
Thx for sharing , your eyes tell what you think about your solo. really enjoyed showing the process.
Thank you🙏🏻
Thanks for another great video. I play bass in a casual jazz band and have learned a lot and gained inspiration from you. Please keep it up!
Thank you for the kind words🙏🏻
You guys nailed it! It sounded great. I guarantee nobody at that party noticed the small mistake.
Thanks so much😂
I understand you probably feel differently about this than I do, but I really appreciate seeing that even extremely talented, well trained musicians like yourself can bung up a solo or a part every once in a while. I'm VERY much an amateur trumpet player, and I've played multiple gigs at this point, and almost every single gig (if not all of them) I've clammed up or mis-hit a note at least once. Whenever that happens, I feel like throwing the trumpet, and then myself, out a window, so it's very helpful to see that it's not that uncommon a part of life. Also, you're amazing. Love these videos.
Much love 🙏🏻
Must be amazing to get to work with so many amazing musicians all the time!
And the others must feel the same way about you!
I’m definitely grateful🙏🏻
Not gonna lie, your vids are funny, interesting, and informational. You're one of the best sax youtubers out there!
I appreciate you🙏🏻🙏🏻
As an aspiring musician, showing failures and challenges is so important and so comforting. Thank you for that.
It’s crucial!!!
Great video! Keep posting when you fail too, it's important and we understand it!
I always will!!
Fab. . . and well done for including the full solo!
🙏🏻🙏🏻
Nice F.F.! Very nice transition between tunes. Nice work guys. See you soon
Thanks for showing the vulnerability of the "mistakes'. Love your vids!
Much love🙏🏻🙏🏻
Foolish-Too Real-Frankie, awesome and honest video.
Much love🙏🏻
Thank you for keeping in the altissimo "failure", i hate social media fakeness and watch you for your genuine nature
much love🙏🏻
End of the night, bro! Few guests were analyzing your solo (if any)! No worries! Appreciate you keeping it real! 😅
Nice vid Frankie. Love your sound. This took me back to my days doing gigs in Philly. Eventually I just stuck with my 9 to 5 though. It's always about $$$ at the end of the day.
My man, I can't thank you enough for keeping the stuff you didn't like. People need to know it's never going to be perfect. It's a big thing I try to get my students to understand:
If you let every mistake stop you, you just aren't going to get anywhere or do anything.
Sooo true, I've always been so hard on myself for making mistakes and decided it's important for me to share mine to provide comfort for others because IT IS THE PROCESS, there's no way around it. Much love🙏🏻
The amount of times I have boofed at a gig is uncountable for me. Glad you kept in the mistakes! Well done!!
Thank you🙏🏻🙏🏻
I have played lots of party band gigs like extra player, because many gigs don't need sax. And in small country (where I live) they just call "We need some sax". Max. 1 rehearsal and thats it (Band is there usually only for me, so I don't want take their time too much). Many of these gigs are weddings of people over 30 years old, and they wants 90's music. In this country euro pop was big number then. There's absolutely no space to sax. (What would you play on sax to Darude - Sandstorm) If there are some possibility to play sax, there are usually 3 horns section sheet. It's to me somehow hard to play those "lead" trumpet parts, because they are very rhythmically and only with sax, those just dont work (However, I played once September lead trumpet part. It worked suprisingly well). So I decided to play just some fills and solos, if there's time and place. Then suprisingly often after gigs people (Mostly silver foxes) come to tell. "You play some youngsters music, but that sax bring me back to my youth". Maybe that's the point of it in my case. Although it is sometimes challenging, the reward awaits at the end. Or at least I hope so. 😄 ps. I Love my party band part-time job. ps. ps. I felt that altissimo miss. That happens to me too. 😃
I worked at a private community clubhouse that would host weddings, birthdays. dances, all sorts of things that would use live music, Everytime there was a live band, i rarely saw a rehearsal, maybe a quick sound check then thats it.
It's weird how different gigging cultures are from country to country. I've worked as audio-tech and played as a bass player in coverbands as well in The Netherlands. From my experience, here it's all fixed lineups with the occasional slot-in if somebody can't make it. Bands like those tend to play most of the wedding gigs out here with mostly fixed setlists and mashups and usually there's room for 1 to 2 requests for the evening.
The bands that slot in and out musicians all the time are usually reserved for the larger shows that potentially draw in stadiums of crowds or tv-shows.
You have no idea how much impact your content has on gigging musicians.
This comment means a lot🙏🏻🙏🏻
This is very interesting! I've played many gigs with little or no rehearsal, but as I don't read music, and have no formal music training, I rely on winging it! Generally, I'll ask for a setlist with keys, so I can do a little prep, but for most of the gig I'll be following the other musicians, with the occasional guitar lick thrown in to make it seem like I know what I'm doing. Like the well known sax solo in this video, it can unravel somewhat if the band plays a song with a specific guitar solo that I don't know by heart (or can't play at speed), but 99% of these gigs have been fine. It helps to act like I've been playing with this band for years, too.
Still love you popping off with that solo, sure you messed up that middle bit but honestly amazing job, it sounded amazing
Thank you🙏🏻
This experience will give you such a great grounding for wherever your career takes you.
I totally agree. I know a lot of musicians look down on these gigs, but I see it as an opportunity to hone my craft in a forgiving environment. Thanks for the reminder!🙏🏻
As a sax player who's only been playing for one a half years, you impress me so much I aspire to be like you with my sax playing
🥺🙏🏻
I love the way you look at the camera with your eyes in 'silent comment'!! Too funny!
Excellent video and editing!
Thank you very much!🙏🏻
💛 More, please 🎵
Very enlightening on how wedding bands communicate! Great video!
Thank you!
“But I will not succumb to the social media pressure of only sharing your success” damn I respect that a lot
I appreciate that🙏🏻
Dude we've all been in that "heat of the moment altissimo not cooperating". Thanks for sharing, reminds me that I'm not trash.
It’s all part of the process!🙏🏻
Great to see an honest take on covers gig prep! In NZ where I live there a few lazy musicians who don’t learn the music properly within the scene; I’ll spend extra time sorting out basic charts so at least the band can hang together. Then a chat thru between sound check and gig; and it’s usually solid. Nothing like just turning up and playing and not having to prep though….!
Thank you so much! Those kinds of musicians are so frustrating, I’m the same way with charts!
My friend in high school, in the 80s was an excellent drummer. He got hooked up with this wedding band of all guys in their 50s. They were like a mini Big Band orchestra, with the satin tuxes and everything. We made a lot of fun of him and he took it really well. We asked him how much he made for a gig and he said $400. Someone said that's not much for a band that big. He said no, that was just his cut. Turned out those old dudes were THE wedding band for the richest people around. We didn't make fun of him any more.
Weddings definitely pay the best and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work on things I need to work on in my playing in front of a very forgiving (drunk) audience!
Ah memories...
It's actually quite common for bands with original repertoire to include a dep or two. In this case, send charts and links to a recordings or even mockups in advance. If you're the dep - at least look at and listen to them. In good pro circles, there's sometimes even a player or two doing it like a session - cold from paper.
Once you get to a certain level, everything comes together at the last minute, whether it's something like this where you play off of a list of standards or things where the music was finished the day of and you sight read it in performance. You're often expected to be able to show up and play with either a sound check rehearsal or no rehearsal at all.
I subscribed because you didn't cut out the solo mistakes.
🙏🏻🙏🏻
Im glad im not the only one who who blows a high-pressure altissimo passage from time to time.
Super interesting! Didn't know how much prep work is involved. It's just more than playing a few tunes.
Depends on the gig, some of them are more plug and play but usually there are a few tunes you need to prepare!🙏🏻
I love this. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!🙏🏻
I appreciate you not cutting at the altissimo part. I've definitely went for altissimo during a gig just to either squeak horribly or make a stuffy odd noise lol. Also I can't imagine a time when any performance is perfect.
Thanks for this, i wanted to cut it so bad but it felt inauthentic. I’m just trying to work out my altissimo stuff lately and wedding gigs are a very forgiving environment so I figured it’s the best way to learn
Great video, that was insightful. I got a laugh out of the botched altissimo. I botched an altissimo line at the Reno Jazz Festival many years ago in college and I wanted to crawl in a hole too.
Thank you!! And oof I'm glad that feeling is shared😅
HUGE respect for showing everything. But in all honesty, as a non-musician, I wouldn't even know that was a mistake if you didn't explain it. Fake it til you make it definitely works HAHA
Great video man, very informative with a bit of humor. Subbed
Thank you!!
Found this video recommended on my feed! Really accurate and can relate. I’m guessing you may also be part of an IML “band” because I don’t know any other company that operates that way. One thing I like about them is that there are no strict commitments (you’re expected to take x amount of gigs) and no rehearsals (except I heard for extremely high profile corporate gig), plus I get to meet and network (befriend) with tons of musicians I wouldn’t have otherwise been acquainted with. We just all make sure that we do our homework. If you’re moving somewhere and a chapter there exists too, your details can also be transferred.
I do play for another band still, for half of us music is not their main trade, so they need the rehearsal. But the rehearsals are planned strategically, if there are x amount of new songs for some upcoming gigs. I know a couple of other companies around, they usually put together musicians into more stable bands, and I had subbed for a couple of them. Pretty sure they also rehearse sometimes. I had only got asked to rehearse for one of them (and they usually have monthly mandatory on-season rehearsals).
LOVE your videos Frankie! Big big fan in Seoul Korea. U r awesome in every way
Glad you like them!🙏🏻
I love seeing the behind the scenes! I want to start gigging eventually when I have time! Also while watching this video I thought of something that would be cool! If the bride or groom joined in and played for a song. I feel like I would want to do that when and if I ever get married, though just for a song or two because it may take away from the actually wedding day considering it's a day for the couple that's getting married.
That happens on some weddings!!
I love that you showed your attempt to go altissimo and it just didn't come out. Been there, done that. Sometimes the reed just isn't ready to go and neither are the chops. Thanks for an interesting video.
I’m a huge Sam Cooke fan, can’t believe there’s enough fans to want to listen to his Harlem album redone! Happy to hear it
The Littleroot town music in the background is so peaceful.
🥺🙏🏻
This is a really interesting channel.
I have always wondered how these kinds of bands operated.
Thank you!!
This was really interesting, thanks :)
Glad you enjoyed it!
You did a great job thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
@@FoolishFrankie your awesome I like the part when you take requests from girls and stuff I started taking sax lessons in late March and I've been practicing since then someday I want to do it for a living right now I'm looking for a new job I wanna play in front of good looking women and stuff I just got to keep practicing that's all
Watching this while playing osrs, I did NOT expect that sound effect, I was absolutely terrified for a brief instant
LOL that’s awesome, I haven’t played in a few months I love that game though
Man I love this
Love the Littlerooth theme at the end❤
Doing jam sessions like crazy helps a lot too... You just don't get paid here but, also, you can try pretty crazy stuff that wouldn't fly on a wedding gig. That sneaky solo , been there too. Just forget about a transcribed solo existe, go full steam, damn the torpedos into it. The audience doesn't know any better, and if you manage to do a crazy or memorable solo, they'll be here cheering like crazy 🤣...
A jam session a week keeps the squeaks at bay
A talented bunch!
🙏🏻🙏🏻