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Post by Tales From Band Camp on Feb 19, 2006 17:50:20 GMT -5
Here's a handout we rec'd. I thought it might be helpful! Rehearsal Etiquette for Ensemble Performers -some general principles- [/b] 1. Come to a rehearsal musically prepared. Practice the week, particularly the more challenging sections. Coming to rehearsal without playing any during the previous week is disservice to you as well as the band. 2. Arrive early enough so that you are warmed up and ready to play at the starting time of the rehearsal. 3. Bring a pencil to rehearsal and use it. 4. Avoid talking in rehearsals. As a section leader, try to give only those comments which are absolutely important to those in your section during the rehearsal. Any time the conductor is speaking to the ensemble, it is considered extremely rude for a band member to be speaking too. 5. While you are performing, focus on the music and nothing else. Obviously, break times are needed and will be given for you to let loose and relax. 6. Be a team player. Balance, blend, intonation, listen all the time. Don’t think to yourself, “this is how it’s done” and then paste it all over everybody. 7. Stop playing when the conductor stops. Some people have the annoying habit of practicing a lick they just finished when the conductor stops and others make it all too apparent how carefully they do not watch the conductor by playing for several measures after the conductor has stopped conducting. As adapted from “Rehearsal Etiquette for Ensemble Performers” in Advance, October 2003.
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Post by dumb major on Feb 19, 2006 19:47:29 GMT -5
Our band sure needs to follow these rules! Our rehearsals= :gossip:
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Post by javelin on Feb 19, 2006 20:47:51 GMT -5
1, 6, and 7... If our band would do those things (note the "would" because they are most certainly capable), we'd be a lot further along and I wouldn't know too well what the ceiling of our band room looks like.
This is excellent. Gah, I'm a bit of a hypocrite though...
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Post by musicscifigirl on Feb 19, 2006 20:56:49 GMT -5
Well, sometimes the band director just stops conducting to listen, but yeah, you should stop when he actually cuts you off lol. I agree with the pencil thing. They are very handy things, especially during Honors Bands that you don't have time to really work so you can just make notes to yourself.
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Post by Scott Benson II on Feb 19, 2006 22:36:15 GMT -5
1. Never be satisfied with the tuning note. Fussing about the pitch takes attention away from the podium and puts it on you, where it belongs. 2. When raising the music stand, be sure the top comes off and spills the music on the floor. 3. Complain about the temperature of the rehearsal room, the lighting, crowded space, or a draft. It's best to do this when the conductor is under pressure. 4. Look the other way just before cues. 5. Never have the proper mute, a spare set of strings, or extra reeds. Percussion players must never have all their equipment. 6. Ask for a re-audition or seating change. Ask often. Give the impression you're about to quit. 7. Let the conductor know you're there as a personal favor. 8. Pluck the strings as if you are checking tuning at every opportunity, especially when the conductor is giving instructions. Brass players: drop mutes. Percussionists have a wide variety of dropable items, but cymbals are unquestionably the best because they roll around for several seconds. 9. Loudly blow water from the keys during pauses (Horn, oboe and clarinet players are trained to do this from birth). 10. Long after a passage has gone by, ask the conductor if your C# was in tune. This is especially effective if you had no C# or were not playing at the time. (If he catches you, pretend to be correcting a note in your part.) 11. At dramatic moments in the music (while the conductor is emoting) be busy marking your music so that the climaxes will sound empty and disappointing. 12. Wait until well into a rehearsal before letting the conductor know you don't have the music. 13. Look at your watch frequently. Shake it in disbelief occasionally. 14. Tell the conductor, "I can't find the beat." Conductors are always sensitive about their "stick technique", so challenge it frequently. 15. As the conductor if he has listened to the Bernstein recording of the piece. Imply that he could learn a thing or two from it. Also good: ask "Is this the first time you've conducted this piece?" 16. When rehearsing a difficult passage, screw up your face and shake your head indicating that you'll never be able to play it. Don't say anything: make him wonder. 17. If your articulation differs from that of others playing the same phrase, stick to your guns. Do not ask the conductor which is correct until backstage just before the concert. 18. Find an excuse to leave rehearsal about 15 minutes early so that others will become restless and start to pack up and fidget. 19. During applause, smile weakly or show no expression at all. Better yet, nonchalantly put away your instrument. Make the conductor feel he is keeping you from doing something really important.
It is time that players reminded their conductors of the facts of life: just who do conductors think they are, anyway?
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Post by the_sousabone on Feb 19, 2006 23:15:50 GMT -5
lol scott thats great
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Post by javelin on Feb 20, 2006 18:08:00 GMT -5
Oh! I remember that ^ from somewhere! This is fantastic!
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Post by Duel of the Flutes on Feb 20, 2006 22:46:49 GMT -5
7. Stop playing when the conductor stops. Some people have the annoying habit of practicing a lick they just finished when the conductor stops and others make it all too apparent how carefully they do not watch the conductor by playing for several measures after the conductor has stopped conducting. now, if only our band could figure that out, everything would be good.
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clarinet361
Band Nerd
Music teacher looking for a job...
Posts: 220
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Post by clarinet361 on Feb 20, 2006 23:02:07 GMT -5
What is kind of funny, is that just today we had a discussion (more like given a lecture) about rehearsal etiquette/ expectations.
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Post by musicscifigirl on Feb 20, 2006 23:05:37 GMT -5
I think Flutist Kes has what Scott Bension II posted in her band notebook
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Post by tuttiflutieoboist on Feb 20, 2006 23:48:48 GMT -5
Scott, we'll make sure to remember those great tips at John P. Sousa Memorial School, especially since you made sure to point them out. *evil grin* The real etiquette tips are good to remember. The problem is...most of the people on here enjoy band and want to make the most of it, so they probably already try to follow those tips. If only we could get those out to other (not-so-enthusiastic) band members.
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Post by Keyboard_Countessa on Feb 22, 2006 10:47:29 GMT -5
Our band could do better in regards to 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7. Practices would go so much smoother.
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Post by dumb major on Feb 22, 2006 16:17:57 GMT -5
while I find Scott's thing really funny, it's also kind of depressing because I think those are the rules our band lives by...no wonder we're so bad.
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brassqueen1988
Band Nerd
But this I know, if I must die, I am a brother of KKPsi
Posts: 404
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Post by brassqueen1988 on Feb 23, 2006 14:00:06 GMT -5
Scott's list is what my band's rehearsal etiquite is, Amy's is what we should be. We have bad rehearsal etiquite, particularly with talking when the BD is and not being prepared.
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