Etiquette

[haybied]

Is there a resource of the most common orchestra/band etiquette? A book, article, etc.?

[bort]

Sit down, shut up, and don't be late.

[Ferguson]

That video is a good one. I added it to my blog. It's also more for the commercial musician. I looked for some other tips online, and many tend to be string-specific when talking about orchestra etiquette. You may be able to put your own guide together simply by combining the many replies to may get here. I'll start with a few...

Most of these will boil down to one thing:
- Do nothing to make the contractor or conductor worry; their jobs are difficult enough already. (Have you ever tried herding cats?)

Here are variations:
- Always be early; never be late.
- Don't show off. Many players there are better than you. Sometimes all of them are.
- Try to be self aware - view your behavior and demeanor from the perspective of others. Would you like what you see?
- Don't complain about others. Yes, that viola player is not the best in town, but he's pleasant, reliable, and plays the right notes. For most contractors, that's good enough.
- Look good, and smile - it's show business.
- If you hope to play with that group again, don't drop out and take another gig at the last minute, even if it pays more.

And my favorite...a circled note on the part means "tacit".

-F

[Ferguson]

Bring a pencil. Sharpened. Bring an extra. In fact, bring a few, and happily give them away to any adjacent musician who asks, "Can I borrow your pencil?"
Say: "Yes, here you are, keep it." You're paying it forward to all the future section mates who now won't be irritated by this person's pencil-free asshattery.

Here's a link to a company that offers custom printed pencils, 24 for $8.50, not bad. I think I would have mine printed to read, "I forgot my pencil."

http://www.orientaltrading.com/red-pers ... 51467%2018

-F
/I carry a pocket size pencil sharpener that looks like a nose (the pencil goes in the nostril hole, lulz)
//The Horn Guys gives away pencils
///They read We're not happy until you're not happy!

[Tom]

Here's another one for the 21st century musician...

Don't bring your damn phone into the rehearsal or concert with you and make sure it isn't going to be buzzing or dinging away in your case either.

The other big stuff has already been covered:

Be early
Be prepared (instrument/music/pencil/wardrobe)
Be nice
Say "thank you"
Go home when it's over

I will also add a few other things to keep in mind:

Don't interrupt a rehearsal to ask a question (especially if you should already know the answer)
Don't offer suggestions or opinions to anyone on any subject, especially on music and/or their own playing

[Mark]

Here is another one I just sat near at a performance:

If the 60+ audience that supports your ensemble is horrified by your haircut (e.g. Mohawk) fix your hair.

Usually, I'm onstage when I'm at performances, but when I do sit in the audience, in the last couple of years I have noticed an increase in audience remarks such as: "Look at that jerk with the purple mullet".

[Three Valves]

Usually, I'm onstage when I'm at performances, but when I do sit in the audience, in the last couple of years I have noticed an increase in audience remarks such as: "Look at that jerk with the purple mullet".

That is NOT what I said.

I said "Who let that Canadian on stage??"

[roweenie]

Things you don't learn in music school, with Jon-Erik Kellso.
https://youtu.be/BIdrf-byxfk

I went to "music school" with Jon. He's a really good fella and a hell of a good trumpet player.

Yes indeed - I played a gig with him about a month ago. Not only a fine musician, but a really nice guy, too. I used to work with him quite regularly, "back in the day".

Don't complain about others. Yes, that viola player is not the best in town, but he's pleasant, reliable, and plays the right notes. For most contractors, that's good enough.

Truer words have never been uttered than these.

[Ulli]

Be quiet after the last note, and don't fold the music stand in this second. Don't shout finish time!

[Bowerybum]

Robert Mitchum on acting........................or tuba playing..........................or whatever.

"This is not a tough job. You read a script. If you like the part and the money is O.K., you do it. Then you remember your lines. You show up on time. You do what the director tells you to do. When you finish, you rest and then go on to the next part. That's it."

On posture:

"People think I have an interesting walk. Hell, I'm just trying to hold my gut in."

On fitness:

"How do I keep fit? I lay down a lot."

"Listen. I got three expressions: looking left, looking right and looking straight ahead."

[Ferguson]

Be quiet after the last note, and don't fold the music stand in this second. Don't shout finish time!

Boffo_done.jpg

[jon112780]

The little fork is for salad.

The big spoon is for dessert.

[kontrabass]

A lot of these are unwritten rules since they're based on two principles: 1) be considerate of your fellow musicians, and 2) understand your place in the broader social ritual of the concert.

Breaches in etiquette tend to come from being blinded by ego. Thinking the experience is all about you and your world-class sound. When players think instead about how they can make everyone around them feel great about the experience of making music together, good etiquette follows naturally.

[PaulMaybery]

Ettiquette is usually referred to by musical organizations (and others) as deportment.
This very subject of stage deportment in relation to symphony orchestra was the clinic topic of a Selmer Clarinetist/Clinician, Rosario "Rosy" Mazzeo. Some of you may remember back in the 1970's he developed a modified Boehm system for the clarinet, the "Mazzeo System" that was produced by Selmer. Rosy was the bass clarinetist with the Boston Symphony and was also an advocate of the Fibercane reed. Okay - the point: Rosy had put together a pamphlet, disributed by Selmer, on stage deportment in the orchestra. In it he covered many subjects from warming up on stage, what to bring onto the stage, how to conduct oneself so as to visually give a good professional image to the orchestra. A lot of it was common sense. There was one, as a conductor I particularly appreciated. That being: the orchestra musicians should never walk or stand on the conductor's podium. I know in amateur situations, in small venues, musicians often step on and over the podium to get to their seats, and in silly situations I've even seen people standing their, waving their arms pretending to be the maestro. That does show a lack of respect. Other subjects such as how to address the conductor in rehearsal, or even what to wear to rehearsal. Remember, those were the days when a jacket and tie were requisites in many white collar jobs. But when it comes down to it, it is all about image.

[Michael Bush]

A director summed it up very cleanly, I think, by saying, "Don't be a distraction."

[Rick F]

A lot of these are really good. There's one I haven't read yet...

When emptying the water from your horn, you don't need to blow a tremendess amount of air thru the horn. Just enough to break the surface tension. Remember, it's like a megaphone so that airy sound can be heard pretty far back in the audience.

[PaulMaybery]

The oboist who has to force blow water from under the keys and makes that d%^m hissing sound, or ... who needs to shave reeds or take the entire instrument apart during someone elses solo or during that sublimely poignant section in the slow movement.

[jr2262euph]

Observation from MANY concerts:

Don't turn the page until the choir stops singing.

[Three Valves]

no farting

Not loudly, anyway...

[swillafew]

Years ago a trombonist friend warmed up on all the Fortissimo audition favorites just before the music started at his opera orchestra's performance. The local paper reviewed the performance and there was a dry mention about his antics. He thought he was getting a compliment.