Whilst my muse is temporarily absent, a little joke poking fun at viola players, who fellow orchestral players will know are not overly intelligent :
A young up-and-coming professional viola player gets his first taste of orchestral playing, and is sat next to the section's ancient / veteran principle 1st desk viola player.
At each rehearsal and actual performance, the younger musician notes how the veteran player always follows a certain "ritual", i.e. : he takes out a piece of old and crumpled paper from his breast pocket, reads what is written on it very attentively, refolds the paper and places it back in his pocket, takes his bow and begins to play, as per the conductor's cue.
This scenario repeats itself over a period of several months whilst the younger player learns to take his position in the orchestra.
One day, unable to suppress his curiosity, the younger viola player asks the veteran :
"Why, Herr Schmitt, do you always take out that old bit of paper and read it before you play?"
Old veteran replies : "Very simple, young man : on the paper are written important instructions".
"Oh yes?" replies the younger player. "Can I see?"
Veteran gives paper to younger player. Younger player reads : "Take bow in your right hand. Hold viola with your left hand."
QED.
We 'cellists hold violinists in the same esteem, by the way.
A young up-and-coming professional viola player gets his first taste of orchestral playing, and is sat next to the section's ancient / veteran principle 1st desk viola player.
At each rehearsal and actual performance, the younger musician notes how the veteran player always follows a certain "ritual", i.e. : he takes out a piece of old and crumpled paper from his breast pocket, reads what is written on it very attentively, refolds the paper and places it back in his pocket, takes his bow and begins to play, as per the conductor's cue.
This scenario repeats itself over a period of several months whilst the younger player learns to take his position in the orchestra.
One day, unable to suppress his curiosity, the younger viola player asks the veteran :
"Why, Herr Schmitt, do you always take out that old bit of paper and read it before you play?"
Old veteran replies : "Very simple, young man : on the paper are written important instructions".
"Oh yes?" replies the younger player. "Can I see?"
Veteran gives paper to younger player. Younger player reads : "Take bow in your right hand. Hold viola with your left hand."
QED.
We 'cellists hold violinists in the same esteem, by the way.
.
. Hopefully I got you a little bit!
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