Klarinet Archive - Posting 000296.txt from 2004/02

From: Jim George <klarinetix@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] to repeat or not repeat
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2004 00:11:16 -0500

Hi Mark,

A 'VAMP' is a special type of repeat in a musical. It is usually marked as
such. It is used more and more this days because of the profuse use of
underscoring. I guess that contemporary musical composers and producers
seem to think that there must be background music during every scene,
between the musical numbers. It becomes more like playing a live version of
a TV show or movie.

To make this work, a vamp is used a critical time when a the underscoring
music leads into a song or next stage action. The timing of the dialog
and/or stage business may be different each night. The typical vamp (not
always) has the singer, on stage, sing during the last time the vamp is
played. If you can hear the singer its a cinch.

The typical way for a conductor to signal coming out of a vamp is to
conduct with one hand while holding the index finger of the other hand
pointed up in the air. Then when it is time to 'come out of the vamp' the
same index finger is pointed down, in time with the music to coincide with
the first beat of the measure after the vamp. The gesture is more like
pointing to the down beat and is done as big and grandiose or subtle as is
warranted.

But be aware, the conductor, many times also has to cue the singer.
Theoretically, this usually isn't necessary, since the conductor can hear
and see the singer start, but it still happens a lot. Conductors love to be
in control.

As Nancy has said, being flexible is the key. Anything can and does happen.
Usually after the first couple of live performances, things settle down and
vamps become predictable in length. Of course, thats' when everybody's
guard is down and mistakes occur.

Also, a good conductor prepares the orchestra with emergency signals, like
tapping his head to go to the top and some of the other examples already
mentioned. When all else fails shouting out bar numbers to catch a singer
in the fast lane does work.

=JiM=

At 07:27 AM 2/17/2004, you wrote:

>A question for those of you that play a lot of musicals: Has anyone
>seen a conductor use or used as a conductor any effective signals to
>indicate whether to take a repeat again or go on? (I had one conductor
>who I believe was trying to do an impersonation of a vamp to indicate
>that we were to vamp in the musical sense; I am sorry to say she failed
>miserably in this.) Last year in _Play On!_ we were in disagreement as
>to whether to repeat a section or go on to the next -- which happened to
>be the same tune modulated up a half step. This is a situation to be
>avoided.
>
>Mark Thiel
>
>
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