recently started playing in a new community band and the lead trumpet player was a high school band director for a couple of years. He is directing one piece at next weeks concert and he stated that when an eigth note is tied to any other note [such as a quarter or half note] the composer does not want the tied note played the eigth that is tied on but that to hold the note the full value before the eigth. the eigth note is actually a rest. This was confusing to me as I was always used to playing the notes to their value and the resting to the value of the rest that was written. He was very emphatic that this was how composers get someone to play a whole-half or quarter note to their correct value. I guess at 60 yrs. of age I learn something new all the time. To the good musicians out there have I been wrong all these years or is he full of beans?

Unless there is some specific style he is looking for he is full of beans.

If the composer wanted a rest he would have put in a rest. That said, my music director periodically has us make as a penciled change to the music the articulation you described, but only when he wants a particular change, not as a policy.

Originally Posted by Dave Mickley

recently started playing in a new community band and the lead trumpet player was a high school band director for a couple of years. He is directing one piece at next weeks concert and he stated that when an eigth note is tied to any other note [such as a quarter or half note] the composer does not want the tied note played the eigth that is tied on but that to hold the note the full value before the eigth. the eigth note is actually a rest. This was confusing to me as I was always used to playing the notes to their value and the resting to the value of the rest that was written. He was very emphatic that this was how composers get someone to play a whole-half or quarter note to their correct value. I guess at 60 yrs. of age I learn something new all the time. To the good musicians out there have I been wrong all these years or is he full of beans?

that's one of the silliest things I've ever heard. It's an eighth NOTE not an eighth rest!

bigtiny

For some reason, I've seen this and heard that same excuse several times. Here's my take on it: Do what you need to do to get tehe call back! Ha. If the director wants you to cut off the tie, do it. If he/she wants you to play through it, do it.

As far as the whole "composer wanted it this way" comment.... Is the composer still alive? Try calling them and ask! Ha.

If they don't want it as written, and they can't describe w/o confusion, then ask him to "sing it".

Originally Posted by Bear

For some reason, I've seen this and heard that same excuse several times. Here's my take on it: Do what you need to do to get tehe call back! Ha. If the director wants you to cut off the tie, do it. If he/she wants you to play through it, do it..

I agree with Bear. The director sounds bonkers to me, but if that's what he wants then play it. At the end of the day he's calling the shots, so go with the flow if you want to keep the gig...

Was it the composer or the arranger who added the "extra eighth?" I've seen this "trick" used before, (and have used it myself) when arranging. It works. Besides, the conductor is always right, even when they are wrong!

Originally Posted by Vulgano Brother

Was it the composer or the arranger who added the "extra eighth?" I've seen this "trick" used before, (and have used it myself) when arranging. It works. Besides, the conductor is always right, even when they are wrong!

I have always been of the opinion that "conductors are most resistant to taking direction". That does not mean that those of us under their direction have the priveledge of disputing their direction in any way.




OLDLOU>>

I always pencil in any directions that a director asks for because in the course of my playing days it seems that many directors change the music to fit their interpretation of what each piece should sound like[they hold the stick so play what they want]. The reason that I posed the question is that said director made a blanket statement stating that "all" composores use this method to get the player to make sure they play the note that is tied to the eigth to get full value and to "never" play the eigth note,it is a rest.. I always thought if they were concerned to play a half or quarter note to full value they would put a line over it. I always try to play to the directors wishes.