Great fun, seeing the conductor multi-tasking here, paying attention to everything and everyone around him, and playing the piano as well. I'm impressed with his overall demeanor too, as he remains totally relaxed and in control, while still engaged. And I enjoyed his appreciative 'ow!' at around 2:35 - I'm sure he probably did it every night for consistency's sake, but it was unexpected! Thank you for sharing this cool look at the inner workings of a broadway show.
This isn’t a click track, it’s a metronome and the reason it’s being used is to not coordinate the technical aspects but it’s to avoid him actually having to conduct because he’s playing piano.
This is called a "Click Track". Its for use for normally the musicians only. The dancers cant hear it. Normally they have the click in one ear, and any pre-recorded vocals, instruments in the other, but this depends on the player. This is very normal to have a few additions pre-recorded to pad out the show.
It’s not a click track, it’s just a metronome. It’s often used on musicals where the conductor is on keys and has a lot to play. Click tracks will have specific counts and have a voice over that counts it in. This conductor starts the metronome and starts on any beat.
This is awesome! Is there any chance you have an would be willing to post part 2 of beat as well as the curtain call? It would really really be amazing if you could! Happy Holidays!
Actually it’s just so he doesn’t have to conduct whilst playing. Dancers will sing and dance to the music no matter what the tempo, they won’t realise unless it’s really off. I’ve done shows where the end timing of the show varied by almost 5 minutes because of different MDs conducting.
@@DavidCherrie It's for both though. You can piano/conduct any show without a metronome but it's very hard to keep this consistent while doing so, even with the best drummer. I have conducted this show from the piano, and the director/choreographer was on us about keeping the tempos very specific, so I can completely understand why it is clicked. This number in particular is extremely difficult to sing and dance and can easily rush without it.
@@alextirrellRI maybe in amateur productions metronomes are used for timing but not professional productions. Professional musicians particularly conductors can keep very good time, including drummers. There is a very tight relationship in these kind of shows where a conductor relies on their drummer to keep time. They do these shows 8 times a week and they can tell the difference between 120bpm and 130bpm. I’m rock and roll shows, the timing is primarily kept by the drummer rather than the conductor. We Will Rock You, Rock of Ages, Jersey Boys all shows that rely greatly on the drummer during songs than the conductor. Conductor is just basically there to start and stop the song. Click tracks / metronomes are only ever used on productions like Hairspray where the conductor is playing an instrument. You Can’t Stop the Beat is actually known by the cast as You Can’t Stop to Breathe. No musical where the conductor purely conducts the entire show do not use a click track / metronome. They may use a metronome when teching in a new musical where the music is still being written but once it’s set, they don’t use it anymore. Only time when a conductor conducting the entire show will listen to a click track will be if the show uses pre-recorded singing or instruments or because they are syncing video / projections.
Does he have music in front of him. He never looks at it if he does, but he sure does keep his eyes glued to the cast the whole time. So fascinating to watch.
@@gjbtlr When I saw the show when it closed, Lon was still doing it after all those years. I think his music stand only had a crossword puzzle book on it.
The bass sounds awesome, such a good song and great band. I gotta say though, this piano conducting for this song definitely illustrates how in certain circumstances, the conductor is not really much of a factor. Not really cues, the click track eliminates any need to do anything to help keep time. Sure its nice to have a click be perfect, but I think that removes a bit of the human element to the whole performance. This performance (although awesome) looks very boring for this guy. Looks like he's done the show a few too many times. I figured that if there is a camera on him that he would be doing something worthy of a camera no?
Hey Tinkle, in this kind of show where it's a band situation over an orchestra you do find that once you're into the big songs like this that there isn't much call for conducting/cue-ing, particularly given this is the original Broadway cast, the band will have been playing it for long enough to know their entries. On the click front, it's there because it's a dance number and key to making sure that tempi are accurate throughout all performances and there's no drifting faster or slower (a dancers nightmare in this instance - they're already going like the clappers!) it's a common occurrence in professional theatre. He'll be cue-ing singers in throughout other numbers in the show, hence the camera, also used to the musicians monitors so they know to be ready for the next number and again for cues elsewhere in the score. However, I do agree he could look a lot more enthusiastic! If I was in his seat I'd be dancing around all over the shop! :')
itinkle He’s not on camera to show off or provide content to youtube... this is a feed of the conductor that the actors and technical departments see for cues.
Can tell you from experience, do shows that are all click tracked and sync’d to lighting and now vision using time code is very boring. This show though isn’t click tracked but just uses a metronome to avoid conducting every beat. Although my preference is that on conductor cam where the MD is playing keys is to have the keyboard in shot if possible. The stage manager doesn’t listen to the metronome and when the conductor is not conducting, you can pick up on cues by watching them play notes.
Could you please post good morning baltimore or run and tell that please? what can i do to get you to put up the whole show? i will do anything. literally name it. hopefully we will all pitch in but i will do what ever it takes.
It’s not his piano. It will be a seperate device that then goes into the mix for all the musicians to hear so he doesn’t have to conduct and just play the keyboard.
It is when you're doing a dance number that needs a consistent tempo every performance. I've conducted this from the piano without a click -- it's pretty intense. I would feel much more relaxed too if I didn't have to worry about the tempo. Mamma Mia and Rock of Ages are a couple shows I've used click/metronome on -- it's an invaluable tool for the modern MD -- a lot of the shows being developed today use them, as well as loops, Ableton, etc.
Great fun, seeing the conductor multi-tasking here, paying attention to everything and everyone around him, and playing the piano as well. I'm impressed with his overall demeanor too, as he remains totally relaxed and in control, while still engaged. And I enjoyed his appreciative 'ow!' at around 2:35 - I'm sure he probably did it every night for consistency's sake, but it was unexpected! Thank you for sharing this cool look at the inner workings of a broadway show.
this is awesome its a part of broadway not may people never see and the musicians really bring a lot to a show .
Heaven for musicians who suffer from stage fright :D
Hell Yeah!
Pit bands are cool
Click track is also used for Technical Aspects of the show also. The Click Track can be synced with Timecode to trigger lighting cues/visualizations.
This isn’t a click track, it’s a metronome and the reason it’s being used is to not coordinate the technical aspects but it’s to avoid him actually having to conduct because he’s playing piano.
Dear God, this band is on fire.
Looks so cool to see the conductor helping the cast out with the music. Hairspray Rocks!
he looks so cool and relaxed. :)
Love how much he enjoys the drop at 3:24!
Thanks man for uploading this! I'm playing Bass in my old school's production and this really helped getting the main riff down pat!
No probs. Give me a shout if you need anymore!
Yes please! That would be fantastic if possible
2:33 - *OW!*
@DPfaltz We did hairspary here in New Zealand this year used Click track synced with timecode to trigger Lighting cues and the visuals
I love to see a conductor’s absolute musically!
chewing gum in the pit? oh my...
bloody hell this is good
This is called a "Click Track". Its for use for normally the musicians only. The dancers cant hear it. Normally they have the click in one ear, and any pre-recorded vocals, instruments in the other, but this depends on the player. This is very normal to have a few additions pre-recorded to pad out the show.
It’s not a click track, it’s just a metronome. It’s often used on musicals where the conductor is on keys and has a lot to play. Click tracks will have specific counts and have a voice over that counts it in. This conductor starts the metronome and starts on any beat.
The child like glee toward the end of the video, you can just see it in his face!
I am a student conductor for my school and we did hairspray I was like so nervous and we got through it but I was so scared
This conductor is SO hot! Who is he? 😍
Can you upload the rest of the songs? :)
ua-cam.com/video/FHTaxKLtu9s/v-deo.html
Hi! This is a great video!! Do you have more (or the whole show) from this show with the conductor cam? Thanks!
This is awesome! Is there any chance you have an would be willing to post part 2 of beat as well as the curtain call? It would really really be amazing if you could! Happy Holidays!
That would be amazing
@musicalpatrick would you have anymore of this video still?
It's for consistent tempo. So the dancers dance to the exact same tempo each night...
Actually it’s just so he doesn’t have to conduct whilst playing. Dancers will sing and dance to the music no matter what the tempo, they won’t realise unless it’s really off. I’ve done shows where the end timing of the show varied by almost 5 minutes because of different MDs conducting.
@@DavidCherrie It's for both though. You can piano/conduct any show without a metronome but it's very hard to keep this consistent while doing so, even with the best drummer. I have conducted this show from the piano, and the director/choreographer was on us about keeping the tempos very specific, so I can completely understand why it is clicked. This number in particular is extremely difficult to sing and dance and can easily rush without it.
@@alextirrellRI maybe in amateur productions metronomes are used for timing but not professional productions. Professional musicians particularly conductors can keep very good time, including drummers. There is a very tight relationship in these kind of shows where a conductor relies on their drummer to keep time. They do these shows 8 times a week and they can tell the difference between 120bpm and 130bpm. I’m rock and roll shows, the timing is primarily kept by the drummer rather than the conductor. We Will Rock You, Rock of Ages, Jersey Boys all shows that rely greatly on the drummer during songs than the conductor. Conductor is just basically there to start and stop the song.
Click tracks / metronomes are only ever used on productions like Hairspray where the conductor is playing an instrument. You Can’t Stop the Beat is actually known by the cast as You Can’t Stop to Breathe. No musical where the conductor purely conducts the entire show do not use a click track / metronome. They may use a metronome when teching in a new musical where the music is still being written but once it’s set, they don’t use it anymore. Only time when a conductor conducting the entire show will listen to a click track will be if the show uses pre-recorded singing or instruments or because they are syncing video / projections.
@@DavidCherrie Do you have any music directing experience? I feel you are making some generalizations.
@@alextirrellRI yup, trained and work with them for a living doing commercial productions in Australia for the past 13 years.
Does he have music in front of him. He never looks at it if he does, but he sure does keep his eyes glued to the cast the whole time. So fascinating to watch.
After all the rehearsing, followed by eight shows a week, he doesn't need his music. It's all from memory.
@@gjbtlr When I saw the show when it closed, Lon was still doing it after all those years. I think his music stand only had a crossword puzzle book on it.
Awsome
please post more!
ua-cam.com/video/FHTaxKLtu9s/v-deo.html
Currently MD/kbd1 for a production in 2015,
You wouldn't happen to have the full video ?
Would like to study the conductor
I don't know, so no one rushes or drags?
The bass sounds awesome, such a good song and great band. I gotta say though, this piano conducting for this song definitely illustrates how in certain circumstances, the conductor is not really much of a factor. Not really cues, the click track eliminates any need to do anything to help keep time. Sure its nice to have a click be perfect, but I think that removes a bit of the human element to the whole performance. This performance (although awesome) looks very boring for this guy. Looks like he's done the show a few too many times. I figured that if there is a camera on him that he would be doing something worthy of a camera no?
Hey Tinkle, in this kind of show where it's a band situation over an orchestra you do find that once you're into the big songs like this that there isn't much call for conducting/cue-ing, particularly given this is the original Broadway cast, the band will have been playing it for long enough to know their entries. On the click front, it's there because it's a dance number and key to making sure that tempi are accurate throughout all performances and there's no drifting faster or slower (a dancers nightmare in this instance - they're already going like the clappers!) it's a common occurrence in professional theatre. He'll be cue-ing singers in throughout other numbers in the show, hence the camera, also used to the musicians monitors so they know to be ready for the next number and again for cues elsewhere in the score. However, I do agree he could look a lot more enthusiastic! If I was in his seat I'd be dancing around all over the shop! :')
itinkle He’s not on camera to show off or provide content to youtube... this is a feed of the conductor that the actors and technical departments see for cues.
Can tell you from experience, do shows that are all click tracked and sync’d to lighting and now vision using time code is very boring. This show though isn’t click tracked but just uses a metronome to avoid conducting every beat. Although my preference is that on conductor cam where the MD is playing keys is to have the keyboard in shot if possible. The stage manager doesn’t listen to the metronome and when the conductor is not conducting, you can pick up on cues by watching them play notes.
Have you possibly got welcome to the sixties it's my favourite song in the whole show, or would you be able to send me it thank you
Could you please post good morning baltimore or run and tell that please? what can i do to get you to put up the whole show? i will do anything. literally name it. hopefully we will all pitch in but i will do what ever it takes.
Mark Beasy aha only just seen this. drop me a messagd and I'll send it
im guessing metronome?
How are you running the click/metronome
Luke Walker It’s on his digital piano.
Think it's a Boss DB-90 rhythm watch???????
It’s not his piano. It will be a seperate device that then goes into the mix for all the musicians to hear so he doesn’t have to conduct and just play the keyboard.
Does anyone know the name of this conductor? :)
Lon Hoyt, original music director for Bway.
+Tom Prince He should come back and be musical director for NBC's upcoming broadcast of Hairspray.
Jacob Reesor I agree although the background music was a bit loud at times. But the show overall was excellent.
Why does he say temperature ??
Where ?????
VolcalexV2 4:06
Oh, Dr. Beat.... lol
Hi, How come you give a 1234 at the start of the number if the band can see you? Thanks
Laurence Stannard he just count them in- and the band can see him. They've got screens and see the signal from the conductors cam
I know they can see him, so why does he bother with a count in?
Its just for extra safety to make sure all the band come in, just in case they are daydreaming or chatting (Which they do often)
And as the click is going on, it gives a clearer indication of which click is beat one :)
I saw Hairspray the week it opened and it seemed as thought not everyone could see him directly. I'm sure they all had video monitors and earphones.
Where is the conducting? Looks like a lot of piano playing.
Was he chewing gum or something?
yes
Who was playing Tracy here?
theatremusician Marissa Jaret Winokour
Crap...this is not what real conductors and MDs do.
Wdym he is a real conductor
uhh... pretty sure he is a real conductor AND MD.... smh
It is when you're doing a dance number that needs a consistent tempo every performance.
I've conducted this from the piano without a click -- it's pretty intense. I would feel much more relaxed too if I didn't have to worry about the tempo. Mamma Mia and Rock of Ages are a couple shows I've used click/metronome on -- it's an invaluable tool for the modern MD -- a lot of the shows being developed today use them, as well as loops, Ableton, etc.