[Trombone-l] Rules for Rehearsal

[bonemstr@america.net]

This appears to be a common problem, Jeff.
I play in a group of seasoned players with the same problem you  
describe. Doesn't matter what the director is saying or to whom,  
people continue their own practicing, doodling and other antics while  
the director is trying to lead or assist the rest of us. The director  
is a trumpet player and admits that the trumpets are the worst  
offenders, always asking 'WHERE are we starting?' or 'What did you  
say?" On the other hand, the trombones have the least problems keeping  
quiet. Hmmm...
When I was in school, talking while the director was on the podium was  
sufficient to wararnt an eraser or tuba mouthpiece launched in your  
direction.
And, the older the player, the more they resent being called on the  
carpet for this kind of behavior...

Quoting Jeff Thompson <7cuh-asb6 at spamex.com>:

> I used to play in a community concert band for five or six years.   
> The socializing and talking during rehearsal was rampant. We used to  
>  rehearse once a week on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 pm. We took a ten   
> minute break at 8 pm. That was the designated time to socialize. It   
> didn't help. There was still a lot of yakking during rehearsals.
>
> There was one set of people who nearly made me blow a gasket! They   
> talked at every stoppage in the rehearsal. When the director   
> announced which measure number
> we would play at next, they never heard him. So, they invariably   
> asked, again, where are we starting?
>
> One of these guys also made a near annual plea to the rest of the   
> band to be quiet during rehearsal so we could all hear the director.  
>  I could barely contain my laughter, as he was the primary offender!
>
> Jeff Thompson
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