Awkward Page Turns--what to do?

[Chuck(G)]

I'm working on some orchestra parts and have a problem wtih a nasty page turn. Where to break the page? See a sample of what I'm talking about here. What's shown is currently where the new page starts--the previous page looks a lot like this.

Any suggestions would be welome. The tempo here is quarter = 112.

Thanks!

[Dan Schultz]

I usually just run a copy of one of the pages to put alongside the other one. When I'm done with the page, I sometimes just drop it on the floor (discretely, of course!).

[WoodSheddin]

I thought the violin section was used to things like this cause their parts go so long without breaks. the stand partner turns.

[Chuck(G)]

I thought the violin section was used to things like this cause their parts go so long without breaks. the stand partner turns.

You're probably right, Sean. I'll run this one by the principals before I commit it to paper and see what they think. They may say "no biggie".

[iiipopes]

I have also used the extra photocopy method and pulled it, usually not so discretely, in going to the next page. I've also taped as many as four sheets together to be able to keep pulling them along until there was a break and I could just dump the mess for the next section.

That is tough. Good luck!

[Chuck(G)]

rewrite it on finale small enough and you can fit a page turn in where a rest is.

I can make it as small (or large) as I want in Sibelius. There are limits to how far you can crowd or shrink things (e.g. changing the note spacing rules to cram 'em closer together) before you start to hear grumbling. The problem is that there aren't any convenient rests anywhere.

[Dan Schultz]

I have also used the extra photocopy method and pulled it, usually not so discretely, in going to the next page. I've also taped as many as four sheets together to be able to keep pulling them along until there was a break and I could just dump the mess for the next section.

That is tough. Good luck!

I had to read the tuba part from a full score once. The pages were copies and taped together to form a line of paper about 15' long. The plan was to drag it across the stand. It was an outdoor gig and the wind unfurled the whole damned mess and sent me and another tuba player scrambling to the deck to pick it all back up. All heck... you don't need much tuba for The Adagio from Rodrigo's Concierto, anyway!

[JB]

I'm working on some orchestra parts and have a problem wtih a nasty page turn. Where to break the page? See a sample of what I'm talking about here. What's shown is currently where the new page starts--the previous page looks a lot like this.

Any suggestions would be welome. The tempo here is quarter = 112.

Thanks!

Looks as if the first spot to consider would be placing the page turn between m 139 and 140. The player has two empty beats to see the half note coming up, play it while the page is being turned by the stand partner, then has the empty first two beats of m140 to prepare (visually) for the next half note on beat 3.


.

[Chuck(G)]

Looks as if the first spot to consider would be placing the page turn between m 139 and 140. The player has two empty beats to see the half note coming up, play it while the page is being turned by the stand partner, then has the empty first two beats of m140 to prepare (visually) for the next half note on beat 3. .

That would have been my guess, too, but it's the 20 or so measures preceding this page that look just like the first few measures on this page--i.e. lots of 16ths. I've concluded that, as there is much more than a page of 16ths, there is no good place.

[Uncle Buck]

Maybe this is considered heretical, but I have turned pages while playing before. With some instruments it would be easier than with others, but my experiences on a Conn 3J are that it isn't too difficult to reach the left arm over the instrument and turn the page without an interruption in playing.

[Chuck(G)]

Put all of that mess on TWO pages that face each other.

Leave part of one page blank, if you need to.

Add some more junk to the end of the SECOND page until there is a place with an easy page turn.

If I just add an extra "cover page", it'll work out. Great idea, Joe--thanks!

[windshieldbug]

I'd see if using bar repeat symbols could make it any easier.

But it IS the norm that the second seat player turns the page if it absolutely, positively has to be done.

Then again, there's a lot of photocopies that follow these works from orchestra to orchestra when the works are rented.

See how bad it MUST be. Then try to put the worst turns on facing pages. Blank, or title pages are fine, even in the middle of a work.

And you'd be amazed at how adept string players can be with their bows when sweeping a hard turn with the proper prep!

[iiipopes]

Uh, having the second chair player turn the music is a great idea, for those sections that have two players per stand! How many orchestras have two tubas on a regular basis?

[Chuck(G)]

You're right--they don't; but this is a violin part.

Everyone's suggestions have been very valuable. I'm going to use a combination of "same as" markings and perhaps change where the fold occurs.

Here's a link to the result. If the violins can't turn the page, and catch up on their needlepoint in 11 measures, then I give up.

[Rick Denney]

rewrite it on finale small enough and you can fit a page turn in where a rest is.

Spoken like a young'un who still has good eyesight.

Rick "who needs those black spots big" Denney

[windshieldbug]

Rick - That's why you were born to play the tuba!

Chuck - That certainly looks easier than before... and if they have eyes like Rick's, let THEM blow it up... you did your job!

[Chuck(G)]

boy! now that's a first.
..............

You're quite welcome, Joe!