ShoreMusic.org Forums ShoreMusic.org Common Time : General Discussion Paradigm Shift

Paradigm - n. A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.

Paradigm Shift - n. acceptance by a majority of a changed belief, attitude, or way of doing things.

Tonight at Community Band rehearsal, I overheard the trumpet section deciding who would play each part for a particular song, and it made me realize a major difference in thinking between the adult musician and the high school musician.

I think it's worth discussing here because it really affects how one approaches music, and it is crucial to the maturation process of the musician.

Many students have the misconception that those who play the 1st parts are achieving some higher standard than those who play the 2nd and 3rd parts (and even the crucial 4th parts). There seems to be some level of bragging right for those playing the first parts. What is the result of this type of thinking? No one wants to play the 2nd and 3rd parts.

I remember this same feeling when I was in high school. I always wanted to play the first parts because it often had the melody and was more recognizable than the harmony. It took me a long time to realize how important the other parts are to the overall sound of the music.

I believe this is also a direct result of competition honor bands, such as All Shore and district. Think about it, everyone auditions and are ranked by how well they perform. Those who rank highest are given the 1st parts.

Okay, so what am I getting at? Well, at rehearsal tonight, I overheard the trumpets talking about who would cover each part. They realized that no one was covering the 2nd part and someone spoke up. "We need to have the 2nd part covered". Another player immediately spoke up and offered to cover it. The whole process took less than 10 seconds, and we were playing. I'm wondering at what point the musician matures to the point where they realize the importance of all of the parts. It takes everyone to make a piece sound great, and it takes all parts to make a whole.

What are your thoughts on this?

i agree i remember when i was in my old skool and mr groulx would talk to us about how important those "lower" parts are and i remember in middle school where i would compete with the other tuba player for the first part but you know it doesnt matter to what YOU are playing but what the band is playing

i also agree, i thought the same thing about the first trumpet parts, until now. They are really important but you never really think about it, until u actually play the piece with all the parts, then u realize "oh snap, it sounds pretty cool..."

i think that every part is important. think about it if you dident have every part it would be incomplete . its like a car with no engine or like cereal without the milk it just dosent make sense. so whoever says that the first part is the most important dosent appreciate the whole song.

chup

If there are no supporting parts, the end result sounds very flimsy..or thin...like it has gaping holes in it. It's ironic too, because often the 2nd and 3rd parts are more difficult in their own way. They might not have the same technical challenges, but they can be difficult to keep up with for the simple reason that they don't have the main melody. It requires a much more independent player who can be confident that they are playing correctly.

I think that it is actully harder to play the less known parts because it makes your mind think. Your brain will say, "this is wrong" even when its the correct thing. So the second parts would be more of a challege and are also very importent to be heard.

Hanna O'Toole
Lefty