Random Ramblings

Random Ramblings........

As they say 'up north in Yorkshire' (allegedly) "Thars nowt so queer as folk" or, better still in my opinion, "Thars only me and thee that's sane - and I'm not too sure about thee!".

With such thoughts in mind, the outside observer might be forgiven for thinking that every person involved in Banding must, by definition, have origins in that esteemed county! And don't just say "Oh yes, I've met a few characters alright" - remember, you are those 'characters'!

These 'Random Ramblings' are just a few 'observations' of an amused (or should that be 'bemused') bandsperson!

Now are you a 'Musician' or a 'Music Maker'?

'Daft question you may think but worth some consideration!

You know the situation - on holiday - pouring with rain - so you look along the shelf of books that all holiday 'lets' seem to have for something to read.

In my case, I found a little hardback book called 'The well tempered String Quartet'. Chapter 1 explained an interesting theory regarding the sort of person who chooses to play a musical instrument as part of such a quartet. They were either "Musicians" or "Music Makers" . The same distinction is probably true of people in Brass Bands. How to tell the difference? Well.........

A "Musician", you see, is someone whose approach is that of a 'professional' or, at very least, aspires to be so. Musicians are singled minded, dedicated people. For them music is a serious business and not to be taken lightly - it's an art form for heaven's sake!

At home the wall of their lounge will be adorned with framed exam certificates with nothing less than a 'Merit'  (the only 'Pass' they ever had was when they were aged 7 and doing Grade 3!) They are people who practice regularly - they will spend hours, days, weeks even, working on that 'tricky' (aka 'impossible') passage full of semiquavers in some dodgy minor key and packed with accidentals! Their mantra is 'PPP' (Perfection, Perfection,Perfection!)

Of course the 'piece' (sorry- 'composition') has to be played exactly as the composer intended or not at all. They worry and talk about (in loud voices) tempos and dynamics even when they can't play all the notes yet! Musicians are primarily soloists/ principle players at heart - and if they really do have to play with others  (the group should really be called the something 'sinfonia' or 'ensemble') then fellow players are only there to provide the accompaniment for their own virtouso performances.

And performance is the right word. Music is not to be 'played' - it is to be 'experienced'! Musicians, you see, play not just with lips and fingers but involve their whole body. Brows must be furrowed (to indicate extreme concentration);shoulders will rise (not just the high notes Mark K.) and fall and heads will sway - the floppier the hair the better (not you this time Mark). Indeed, if the eyes ever get past half open it is only to observe the expected looks of wonder and admiration on the faces of their audience and other 'band members'.In the musicians mind, every little village venue is the Albert Hall and every re-worked popular TV theme a Championship Level Test Piece.The notes they are playing may be "pp" but the ego of the player is "fff". You get the picture?

Now "Music Makers" are a far more gregarious bunch! They positively seek out the companionship of others in their musical efforts. There is safety in numbers - that way the (frequent) mistakes can always be blamed on the person next to you!

To them, any idea of 'PPP' (see above) is about as remote as the Pole Star. Not that they lack ambition! They really do have to desire to do well, but any nod of approval from the Bandmaster towards them is about as rare as a win on the Lottery! And 'home practice'? Well, to be fair, this does feature regularly in the well meant list of New Year Resolutions (and we know what happens to them!) usually sandwiched between 'Must clean all that junk out of the spare bedroom' and 'Need to paint the downstairs loo'.

Music is, after all, just a recreational activity and learning to play an instrument convinces them that they really are spending their leisure time in a meaningful, productive manner! Even that boring rehearsal when the Bandmaster insists on endlessly dissecting his/her favourite piece (it's the 'musician' in him/her you know!) still beats mowing the lawn or doing the washing up - although it has to be said that the end result of either of these activities would probably be of greater lasting benefit. But why choose music at all? Well joining a band is more active than water colour painting but less hazardous to health than free-fall parachuting!

Not that 'music makers' are entirely devoid of 'musician' tendencies. Indeed they can occasionally exhibit all the traits of musical rivalry associated with that 'fff' ego! Now be honest - what player nominated as 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc. in a section has, at some time, not thought that they could make a better job than their 'principle' in that 'solo' or 'one only' section that their 'leader' so jealously guards as their own and never shares around. At the very least music makers fancy a bit of the action with a 'tune' now and again rather than just providing the chords or 'pom pom pom' accompaniment.

No, 'music makers' certainly have delusions of grandeur alright, but, deep in their hearts, they know their limitations. And they can always take comfort in knowing that, to the average listener/observer, the person who plays any instrument at all will seem like an expert! The 'music maker' can 'talk a good tune' and will appear to be a 'musician'.

Me? 'Musician' or 'Music Maker' ?

Well, it is the end of the rehearsal so shall I .........

(a) spend another ten minutes on that dodgy semiquaver run half way down the second page

(b) go and have a drink?

You know what - all this blowing don't half make you thirsty!

But..... if all this technical music mallarky really starts to cause you grief - don't give up banding - become a percussionist. [No don't go Stu - Joke - it's a joke!]