Eleven Suggestions When Rehearsing With Your Accompanist- (Reprinted from January 3, 2013)

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This may seem to be an off subject for a trumpet blog but I felt the need to voice my thoughts on the subject.

Here are a few truths about the services offered be our fair accompanists when preparing for a concert or recital.

Undisputable truths:
Accompanists-
• play way more notes than the soloist
• receive less rewards and credit
• turn more pages
• put up with more wining and excuses
• spend more time on the music than most soloists
• sometimes are not even listed on the program
• expected to play for everyone, even those they don’t like
• Point out more errors in the solo performance than is realized by the player
• is forced to play must they don’t like
• sacrifice time from their own practicing to help others
• are expected to help everyone for they are “accompanists”

To all of you unsung heroes of the keyboard, I would like to further the appreciation to this time honored fraternity by giving the uninitiated some pointers on how accompanists should be treated.

1. If you are in your accompanists home for your rehearsal consider the following- Would you like to have someone come to your house and dribble water all over your floors? If you are to play in someone’s home, be prepared by bringing your own condensation entrapment absorbent

2. (DOG TRAINING PADS WORK GREAT AND HOLD A LOT OF WATER).

3. While you are playing, remember that not everyone enjoys a trumpet blasting in their ears (ALWAYS POINT YOUR INSTRUMENT IN A NON COMBATIVE DIRECTION).

4. Give your accompanists readable music to play (TRYING TO PLAY OFF THIRD GENERATION ZEROX COPIES CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT).

5. Your accompanists time is worth being compensated for (EVERYONE CAN USE MONEY BUT EVEN A SIMPLE THANK YOU CARD WOULD HELP THE NEXT TIME YOU WANT THEM TO PLAY FOR YOU).

6. During and at the end of your performance, recognize to the audience the wonderful work your accompanists has been doing (CHANCES ARE VERY GOOD THAT YOU AUDIENCE THINKS YOUR ACCOMPANISTS IS DOING A BETTER JOB THAN YOU ANYWAY).

7. Ask your accompanists early enough ahead to give them time to practice your music (USUALLY THE ACCOMPANISTS GETS THE MUSIC AFTER THE SOLOIST HAS ALREADY LEARNED HIS/HER MUSIC).

8. When asking, be polite and thankful if they accept your invitation (REMEMBER, THEY ARE DOING THIS AS A FAVOR TO YOU).

9. Ask your accompanists for their opinion as to how you can improve your playing (IN MANY CASES, AS AN OBSERVER, THEY CAN BE VERY HELPFUL).

10. Working with another performer makes this an ensemble not a solo (WHEN THE PIANISTS IS PLAYING, REFRAIN FORM DUMPING WATER LOUDLY ON THE FLOOR OR BLOWING YOUR NOSE).

11. The piano is an instrument, not a table (IF YOU NEED TO USE MUTES, PLACE THEM ON A MUSIC STAND OR SMALL TABLE. YOU WOULDN’T WANT THE ACCOMPANIST TO WALK OVER AND HANGE SOMETHING ON YOUR BELL WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PLAY).

Bruce was a member of the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, School of Music in Cedar Falls from 1969 until his retirement in 1999. He has performed with many well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope, Jim Nabors, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Anita Bryant, Carman Cavalara, Victor Borgie, the Four Freshman, Blackstone the Magician, Bobby Vinton and John Davidson.

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3 thoughts on “Eleven Suggestions When Rehearsing With Your Accompanist- (Reprinted from January 3, 2013)”

  1. Vern

    I just had to laugh! All these points should be obvious, but how many times have I (we all?) seen them violated.

    • Bruce Chidester

      It is sad to think how most of us have overlooked the accompanists true value and dedication.

      Thanks for the comment and keep on laughing, life’s too short anyway.

  2. Roland

    Hi mates, nice paragraph and pleasant arguments commented here, I am genuinely enjoying by these.

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