At 1:41 AM +0100 2/28/10, SN jef chippewa wrote:
so, since there are 2 to a stand in the string section, are they only half as likely to flub / miss an entry as the rest of the orchestra? :-)
Or twice as likely? (Two heads are better than one, but too many cooks spoil the broth!)
actually the question is whether fewer cues in general are needed in string parts, not just because there are 2 to a desk but also because for tutti entries (this piece often doesn't use full sections) the section leaders can be expected to help the conductor in cuing entries?
There are often fewer cues simply because the strings tend to play more of the time and don't have as many long rests to count. Cues should be used (personal opinion) only when there might be danger of a wrong or missed entrance. Some cues in late 19th century parts just get in the way, because it would be much easier just to count the bars of rest. (Most of us CAN count, you know!) And yes, as a section principal I consider it my responsibility to make the entrances clear to those behind me. Our present conductor isn't big on giving every single entrance.
I hope you're differentiating in your cues between those to help an entrance and those that might need to be played if a player is missing. That occurred to me about your question about C trumpet and Bb piccolo trumpet cues. You should have a specific reason for deciding to provide a cue.
Reading 2 to a stand has absolutely nothing to do with any of this. I'm surprised you'd even bring it up.
i've also often seen musicians pointing with the bow, i'm assuming this is done just for orientation in long passages they don't play in? or is it to point out an entry the desk missed ;-) ?
It's obviously to point out something, but it's useless to speculate what it is because it could be almost anything: a divisi mark or a pizz or arco that the engraver put in a bad place, for one. But during a long rest it could indeed be agreeing on when we hit a rehearsal mark, especially in a mid-20th century chart where the stupid decision was made to break multirests every 5 bars! I often count bars rest with my fingers (using ASL) because it becomes automatic, and my stand partner will look down to confirm her mental count.
John -- John R. Howell, Assoc. Prof. of Music Virginia Tech Department of Music College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences Blacksburg, Virginia, U.S.A. 24061-0240 Vox (540) 231-8411 Fax (540) 231-5034 (mailto:[email protected]) http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/howell/howell.html "We never play anything the same way once." Shelly Manne's definition of jazz musicians. _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [email protected] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
