Excuses for bad playing

[scotchgirl]

I think most of us have come across the situation when a player blames bad playing on a part that's been "personalised" by someone else (added marks, sometimes alternative fingering etc.).

I had to order a new copy of a baritone part for Partita before because my part had been written all over, and when I tried to erase it, it took the print off!! I literally couldn't read what was originally written under about 30% of the music and used to sit in the first few rehearsals, not playing for those bits!

 

[lynchie]

I was just reading that and thinking the same thing, I have uttered the words 'sorry, wrong clef..' before now.

Well at least there's a few of us then...

 

[iancwilx]

What about ancient parts that have been created by a photostat machine.(hopefully legally)
Quite often they have large areas that have become so faint as to be illegible.
Stave lines invisible and accidentals that are indecipherable.
Sometimes pages are sellotaped together with the tape obliterating the last half bar of each stave all the way down the left hand page.
All these are fair excuses for a bit of musical guess work.
Librarians blithely hand out these useless parts year in and year out, and year in year out we ask for them to be replaced - no chance !!
AND - Why is it always the bass parts that have been carelessly reproduced and taped together ?
Rant, Rant, Rant, Rant, Rant, Rant, Rant................!!
Phew ! - I feel better fror that !

- Wilkie

 

[WoodenFlugel]

AND - Why is it always the bass parts that have been carelessly reproduced and taped together ?

Because bass players don't matter that much?


<ducks>

 

[iancwilx]

Because bass players don't matter that much?


<ducks>

We are discriminated against because other sections are jealous that we are indispensable !!
I await with interest for Stuart Haigh and the rest of the bass boys (and girls) to respond.
Sic 'em Stu !!!

- Wilkie

 

[The Wherryman]

As a librarian, I would like to comment on some of these points.

What about ancient parts that have been created by a photostat machine.(hopefully legally). Quite often they have large areas that have become so faint as to be illegible. Stave lines invisible and accidentals that are indecipherable. Wilkie

A few minutes spent with a fine line marker can usually restore such parts (not always, I admit)

Sometimes pages are sellotaped together with the tape obliterating the last half bar of each stave all the way down the left hand page.Wilkie

I never use Sellotape. In time it yellows and dries out and the pages fall apart again. I only use PH7-70 Conservation Tape. More expensive, yes, but it is acid-free, non-yellowing, has good adhesion and it is intended to "hinge", so repeated folding doesn't cause it to crack. And I normally only ever use it on the reverse side of the music.

Librarians blithely hand out these useless parts year in and year out, and year in year out we ask for them to be replaced - no chance !! Wilkie

If it's that much of a problem, why don't you offer yourself as librarian. Ha, I thought not. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep a library in good order, not least because of the way some players treat the music sheets. But if you have a genuine complaint in this respect, don't just moan about it, take it up with the committee.

AND - Why is it always the bass parts that have been carelessly reproduced and taped together? Wilkie

Probably because it was done by a player who borrowed the part from his neighbour, copied it and slapped it together any-old-how, without any thought for the future.

Rant, Rant, Rant, Rant, Rant, Rant, Rant................!!
Phew ! - I feel better for that !- Wilkie

Yes, so do I

 

[cornetcheese]

A few classics I have heard from players in rehearsal!

"Ah, I'm sorry, I was thinking in baroque pitch!" (from a trom player when tuning!)

"I am following you, but it's the rest of the band who're out of time" (from a 2nd baritone player)

and my personal favourite

"These semiquavers are much easier to play faster" (from a trom player in rehearsal when playing Cossack Wedding Dance... Who then proceeded to completely annihilate it after I took the notched the tempo up for him in the gig!

Bless!

 

[rachelbaritone]

My favourite of the excuses I've heard came from our 2nd euph player, Tom, a couple of years ago. Still has me chuckling today.

I think the euphs were playing a rather nice duetted part when Tom abruptly stopped playing. He then informed the whole band, as he does, 'Sorry, I just had a bit of sick come up!'

 

[Llamedos]

I'm only the librarian....but we thought it'd look better if there was no empty seats....

I love it!!!:clap:

 

[Llamedos]

As a librarian, I would like to comment on some of these points.

A few minutes spent with a fine line marker can usually restore such parts (not always, I admit)

I never use Sellotape. In time it yellows and dries out and the pages fall apart again. I only use PH7-70 Conservation Tape. More expensive, yes, but it is acid-free, non-yellowing, has good adhesion and it is intended to "hinge", so repeated folding doesn't cause it to crack. And I normally only ever use it on the reverse side of the music.

If it's that much of a problem, why don't you offer yourself as librarian. Ha, I thought not. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep a library in good order, not least because of the way some players treat the music sheets. But if you have a genuine complaint in this respect, don't just moan about it, take it up with the committee.

Probably because it was done by a player who borrowed the part from his neighbour, copied it and slapped it together any-old-how, without any thought for the future.



Yes, so do I

Geoff-just wondering what your thoughts are on people who write on their copies with biro and not pencil which can be removed!!!

 

[Bert Smales]

As Eric Morcombe said to Andrew Privett/Andre Previn - 'I'm playing all the right notes, not necessarily in the right order'

 

[Llamedos]

As Eric Morcombe said to Andrew Privett/Andre Previn - 'I'm playing all the right notes, not necessarily in the right order'

I love that quote. Did Les Dawson say something similar do you know.....?:clap:

 

[StellaJohnson]

I love that quote. Did Les Dawson say something similar do you know.....?:clap:

I think he just played deliberatly wrong, out of tune notes which was very clever for a guy that was a good piano player

 

[Hells Bones]

Aye, and every now and then you get the Les Dawson Brass Band playing!

 

[GeordieSop]

Even tho i'm getting a lot more consistant lately with my playing i still have a couple of 'Day Days'. Don't think a player should give excuses for bad playing. If i don't play as good as i know i can play i'll just say i played ****.. END OF. then prombply give myself a severe thrashing so i'll not do it again.

 

[drummergurl]

the best one i ever heard for bad playing was this "i put the wrong valves down" not expecting this sudden honesty, the whole band fell about laughing.

 

[Farmer Giles]

Even tho i'm getting a lot more consistant lately with my playing i still have a couple of 'Day Days'. Don't think a player should give excuses for bad playing. If i don't play as good as i know i can play i'll just say i played ****.. END OF. then prombply give myself a severe thrashing so i'll not do it again.

know what you mean.
i have apologied to the MD on numerous occasions (either in person or via email) after a gig or rehearsal when i have felt my performance was not up to par.

slightly OT, but the best excuse i've heard was from my cousin when he couldn't make rehearsal because he had but a tangy twiglet through his top lip..... as if !

 

[paddo]

excuses!! said a few posts ago that i had, had a bad practice, could not do owt right!! sorted it!! i needed glasses lol. i know sounds daft but after years of near perfect eye sight you or i didnt any way want to admit it, so band on monday and wehhheeeee i can see the notes, life is so much clearer lol......

 

[hicks]

excuses!! said a few posts ago that i had, had a bad practice, could not do owt right!! sorted it!! i needed glasses lol. i know sounds daft but after years of near perfect eye sight you or i didnt any way want to admit it, so band on monday and wehhheeeee i can see the notes, life is so much clearer lol......

Well it's understandable Paddo, you are getting on a bit now aren't you? :tongue:

 

[iancwilx]

Well it's understandable Paddo, you are getting on a bit now aren't you? :tongue:

Nah ! - Paddo's a spring chicken compared to some of us grumpy old gits. (Generous Intelligent Tuba Supremacists).

He's just coming into his prime !!

- Wilkie (t'other one.)