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For an orchestra musician, it's a life of few full rests
Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | December 5, 2004 | Michael Adams

Posted on 12/05/2004 5:46:36 AM PST by rhema

click here to read article


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To: jdsteel

I know this.....just a little sarcasm


21 posted on 12/05/2004 6:35:49 AM PST by NRA1995 (Yew jes' go and lay yore hand on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan and I think yer gonna fin'lly understand)
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To: NRA1995

The author describes the 2½ hour rehearsal rule as seemingly virtuous, but it is probably dictated by a collective bargaining agreement with the musicians' union.


22 posted on 12/05/2004 6:39:43 AM PST by UserFPC
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To: rhema
I expected to see a "despite it all" comment in the article, but it's all negative.

If it's such a tough life, perhaps he should find other work.
23 posted on 12/05/2004 6:52:49 AM PST by Semi Civil Servant
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To: Semi Civil Servant

I wondered the same thing. Why not end with how much he loves it anyway? He seemed "angry"...like someone had scoffed at what he does for a living (some would say it isn't a living).

That said, I loved the post. I've been learning violin (classical, but I love fiddle) for almost 2 years now. I started late (at 51) but I just love it and I'm progressing enough to actually think I might make a community orchestra in a few years. That's my ultimate goal, though I could play for my own enjoyment and be content.

What's the difference between a violin and a fiddle?
A violin has strings. A fiddle has "strangs".

What's the difference between a violin and a fiddle?
You don't mind spillin' beer on a fiddle.

A fun thread.


24 posted on 12/05/2004 7:41:11 AM PST by GOP_Proud ("Get your hands off him!" (President George W. Bush))
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To: GOP_Proud

As a former full-time musician (weirdo), I can say that they are weirdos. I'd bet you $1000 that you are exactly right...someone made him feel bad about his profession and he had to write this nacissistic essay that is really nothing but a big self-justifying whine job. Nobody cares that he feels worthless and we all laugh.

What a fun thread.


25 posted on 12/05/2004 8:13:54 AM PST by bust (A biased media is the biggest threat to our democracy...)
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To: bust
New conductor, anxious to dominate the orchestra, sneaks into the music library and writes a flat sign in front of a B natural in an obscure clarinet part of a certain overture. First rehearsal, conductor calls that overture, halfway in, angrily stops the orchestra, and shouts, "Who played that B flat in the clarinet part?"

"No," says the lead clarinetist. "Some asshole wrote a flat sign in here, but we played a B natural, just like we were supposed to."

From popular music. Benny Goodman was famous for constantly firing and replacing personnel. He was always famous for his absent-mindedness. He hired a new trumpet player, band traveled all the way to Los Angeles, where he fired the guy.

The trumpeter, at desperate loose ends, found a club gig in Los Angeles to keep him going. One of his pals from the Goodman band brought Benny down to the club, where Benny, impressed, hired him.

Trumpeter took his friend aside.

"But Benny just fired me," he protested.

"Yeah," his friend explained, "but Benny doesn't know that."

26 posted on 12/05/2004 8:26:21 AM PST by MoralSense
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To: martin_fierro; Charles Henrickson

Orchestra musicians are a strange bunch, that's fer sure...

All that sax and violins, and they always seem to be to playing with their pianist...


27 posted on 12/05/2004 8:37:47 AM PST by mikrofon (Bach, humbug!)
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To: rhema
For example, rehearsals are 2½ hours long and nobody is late. Ever. At exactly 10 a.m. the orchestra tunes and the rehearsal starts. Precisely 2½ hours later, the orchestra stops. Even if we are in the middle of a phrase, the rehearsal is ended.

So he works 5 hours a day, starting at 10 AM? Meaning he's free to go home at 3 PM? Cry me a river buddy...

28 posted on 12/05/2004 2:58:27 PM PST by MikeD (Columnated ruins domino...)
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To: Tares

bttt


29 posted on 12/05/2004 6:23:57 PM PST by Tares
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To: rhema

is this a publicly subsidized whining liberal artsy fartsy type alert?


30 posted on 12/05/2004 6:25:41 PM PST by the invisib1e hand (if a man lives long enough, he gets to see the same thing over and over.)
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To: rhema

Goodness, I didn't know there were so many viola jokes.

I played it briefly in high school then gave it up because I didn't want to devote my life to learing viola clef. Trying to keep bass and treble clef straight while playing both cello and alto sax was hard enough.


31 posted on 12/05/2004 6:27:48 PM PST by Not A Snowbird (Official RKBA Landscaper and Arborist, Pajama Duchess of Green Leafy Things)
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To: Semi Civil Servant
If it's such a tough life, perhaps he should find other work.

The operative word there is "work." You don't want to really hear him whine, do ya?

32 posted on 12/05/2004 6:27:54 PM PST by the invisib1e hand (if a man lives long enough, he gets to see the same thing over and over.)
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To: MikeD
So he works 5 hours a day, starting at 10 AM? Meaning he's free to go home at 3 PM?

Ever sat through one of those rehearsals? I may be a singer, but I know darn well and good how much work goes into being an instrumentalist. The hours and hours of time spent getting fingering and bowing right isn't much different than the hours and hours we singers spend getting note intervals correct and working on rhythm.

And then there's the little matter of staying in shape so that you can have the endurance needed for a 2 hour concert. Music is a lot more work than it looks on the surface.

33 posted on 12/05/2004 6:33:46 PM PST by Desdemona
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To: billorites
How do you describe a viola player with perfect pitch?

One who can get it into the dumpster without hitting the sides.

Ok, Ok, don't flame me. I know that this is a modified oboe joke.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)

LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

34 posted on 12/05/2004 6:36:01 PM PST by LonePalm (Commander and Chef)
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To: billorites

Wow. You're on the ball. Post #3 - viola jokes right outta the box.


35 posted on 12/05/2004 6:38:37 PM PST by SaveTheChief ("It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech." - Senator Zell Miller)
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To: beyond the sea
What's the difference between a viola and an onion? No one cries when you cut up a viola.

i laughed until i cried...

what do you think of the cello?

36 posted on 12/05/2004 6:39:01 PM PST by the invisib1e hand (if a man lives long enough, he gets to see the same thing over and over.)
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To: billorites
How do you get a dozen violists to play in tune?

That one is my personal favorites. You can also substitute the oboe for the viola -- for completely different reasons, of course.

37 posted on 12/05/2004 6:40:56 PM PST by SaveTheChief ("It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech." - Senator Zell Miller)
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To: rhema

How much do orchestra musicians earn? I'm sure it depends on the instrument, but I'd like to know.


38 posted on 12/05/2004 6:57:15 PM PST by bat1816
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To: Desdemona

I'm not an orchestral player, but I've played guitar, trumpet, bass guitar, and piano in stage bands, jazz bands, and church worship teams off and on for years. I realize you don't just walk in off the street and start playing. However, the author talked about working for five hours a day. I've put in 12 hour days at work, then had to go on to 3-4 hour rehearsals in preparation for Sunday morning worship. Music takes some work and talent, but it's not rocket science. If nothing else, there's not enough aluminum foil or unpaid weekend hours in an orchestra to qualify as rocket science...


39 posted on 12/05/2004 8:09:03 PM PST by MikeD (Columnated ruins domino...)
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Comment #40 Removed by Moderator


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