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Double Bass Stupid me not understanding DC al coda

J

Jacowherearthou

Oct 18, 2008
50
42
#1
Ever been talked to like a moron because you were stupid enough to ask about al coda's which always confused the hell out of you in choir and orchestra? Boy do I regret that now.
"That's middle school learning." I'll wait while you google it and translate the italian then talk to you like your a moron. I put all my bass music in the trash bag by the garage but retrieved it later.
Stupid.
 
#2
Thanks for the reminder for me to treat all of my colleagues with grace.

No one should ever shame you for not knowing something. I firmly believe in the Lucky 10,000. Learning new things at all ages keeps our brains vibrant, and there is a difference between ignorance from lack of experience, and purposeful ignorance where one is not *interested* in learning new things.

You asked a question, and questions are good. Don't stop asking them.
 
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#3
Jacowherearthou said:
Ever been talked to like a moron because you were stupid enough to ask about al coda's which always confused the hell out of you in choir and orchestra? Boy do I regret that now.
"That's middle school learning." I'll wait while you google it and translate the italian then talk to you like your a moron. I put all my bass music in the trash bag by the garage but retrieved it later.
Stupid.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it isn’t like every composer marks the coda the same way either. Did you ever need to hunt for it?
 
#6
I've never understood people who put down others in such a despicable way; don't they understand that their behavior and attitude teaches you not to trust them and reinforces the notion that, in addition to being untrustworthy, they have zero people skills? Why do they feel it is necessary to announce in unmistakable terms that it is they who are inferior? This person's behavior says everything (negative) about them and nothing about you.
 
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#7
Jazzdogg said:
I've never understood people who put down others in such a despicable way; don't they understand that their behavior and attitude teaches you not to trust them and reinforces the notion that, in addition to being untrustworthy, they have zero people skills? Why do they feel it is necessary to announce in unmistakable terms that it is they who are inferior? This person's behavior says everything (negative) about them and nothing about you.
Click to expand...

I've had teachers where it was part of their educational strategy.
 
#9
I think the most difficult part of music - reading or performing by memory - is the "roadmap" of the piece or song. You'd think there would be some consistency after all these years, right? Yet, different publishers use slightly different signs for these markings.

My cover band rehearsed last night and what is the thing that we had to stop for? The roadmap. IS it the bridge after the 2nd chorus? Does it just do half the form for the guitar solo?

Orchestra or cover band, the form almost always causes more issue than the actual playing of the part.
 
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#11
Don't feel bad! I bet you've played through codas and know exactly what it does, just have never seen it's written form! There's nothing wrong with that, so don't allow someone to make you feel inadequate for this!
I remember playing for a church a few times. It was one of those hillsong type churches, so the songs were nothing crazy in form or arrangement. A few of the tunes I couldn't find examples of, so I asked for the notation... Holy moly what a confusing mess.
 
#12
Not codas but about other things-- the marking N.V. and mute markings, in my own personal experience. I was made to feel like a moron when I asked about them in rehearsal, but it was a professional gig, so I deserved it. But, I learned from it and moved on. There are other examples in my career, where I also felt like a moron for asking, but I learned and I moved on. I can't possibly know everything, so I could forgive myself and move on. It's funny how these instances happened less and less over time because I didn't want to look like a moron, and I spent more time studying the written score in advance of rehearsals and looking things up before the rehearsals started. So it's been quite a while since I felt stupid in rehearsal, and it has been quite some time since someone made me feel stupid. It's funny how fear of public humiliation motivates some people like me to prepare as much as I can, in advance. So, I kind of appreciate that first conductor calling me out for not knowing my terminology, although at the time I didn't appreciate it. Forgive yourself. Move on.
 
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#14
What a weird thing to go on an ego trip about. Real professionals don't talk to each other like this. If something needs to be clarified, then just do that. Old fashioned repeat systems like this are pretty obscure outside of some very specific repertoire, so it doesn't shock me if somebody needs an explanation or refresher. It's confusing. Has anyone ever NOT messed up a Strauss waltz at some point?

Toscanini was a jerk, and that was a very different time. A conductor who spoke like him in rehearsals today would have a very difficult time finding work.
 
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