Band

I used to be in the band. We took part at the National Day Parades, Singapore Youth Festival celebrations, Interschool Outdoor Band competitions, and indoor band competitions as well. We had moved from being a Brass Band to Military Band to a Symphonic Band.

We had a music teacher, a band Instructor, a Drum Major, A Band Leader and a few section leaders. During play, we would be divided into 1st player, 2nd player, 3rd player, and the soloist. Basically, the musical pieces for band are written for different tunes and tones for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd players, and they are meant to blend in together and make the overall tone "round" or "full". Some pieces - especially those written for indoor ones - will have parts for the Soloist. For us, it did not matter whether we would be selected to play 1st, 2nd or 3rd part because each part would require the same amount of attention and effort. In fact, although the first parts were always much easier to remember, they would oftentimes be a little harder to master also. The 3rd parts would sound a little "off" sometimes but if you concentrate enough, you will enjoy how your sound blends with the whole team, not so much how terribly "off" your own playing might sound. But then, that's making music.

I thought the art of managing the workforce is similar to that of the conductor's or band instructor's art of conduting the band. We need someone to teach the individual skills in handling the instrument. Cause and effect. Listen to the sound they make - right or wrong. Unless they are tone-deaf still, they can be coached and trained into becoming the best players in the market. There was someone in charge of getting funds, buying new and repairing/replacing old instruments. The teacher in charge of us was also responsible for helping the band participate in the competitions, for booking auditoriums, transport, and one year (after I had left the school), the juniors were so lucky to be able to go play overseas! I only got to play at the Istana and shook hands with the President (once only)!

Anyway, the art of Management is something like making effort to bring a musical piece to life. There is no music with just good trumpeters blasting away and drowning the French-horns. What happens if the the clarinets play too hard until they squeak all the way? Can't imagine the din. I feel the conductor has the gift to listen for subtle tones from each of the players and engages each accordingly to the musical piece. There may be variations according to interpretation. But the practices and rehearsals and the impromptu twiches of the wand/hand will work magic. Hence, there should not be any confusion and experiences shared between players and conductor will make the art of music easier and easier.

Also, there is the art of coaching and self-practice. Through the coaching process, the player learns to overcome his/her weaknesses, correct those mistakes and gain more mastery over more difficult pieces. To me personally, to be a good musician, a tuned ear is very very important. That's the ultimate skill I wish to master. Everyone learns to listen to his or her own sound and adjust that to blend in with the sound that he/she hears from the rest.

This is vital to the art of synchronising and harmonising with everybody else and it decides what kind of music it will be. I realise I don't like conducting. Given a choice, I am just happy being just a musician. And I will be a happy one. Give me a song in my heart and I memorise it and I will play it in different ways.

I will hate to have to manage a terribly stubborn Trombone, a proud flutist or the soft but self-centred Horn.
Some of us do have problem understanding each other. The situation gets trickier when those who have been so motivated and wishing to lead, finally met one another ....