We are well into rehearsing for our Fall concerts. Occasionally we are asked how we prepare – how often do we rehearse, do we ever fight, what tools or devices might we use to facilitate our work.
Like most musicians we always have a metronome close by. Depending on when and where we are working we actually have an array from an old school plug in electric model (good and loud) to a old Dr. Beat (pretty loud) to phone apps (not so loud, but portable). And we have been known to use a tuner on occasion as well.
Of course the most important tool (beyond your brain and your ears) is a pencil. (A no. 1 — none of that light weight no. 2 business). But what to write on? Of course, we write directly on our music (a good eraser is also important!), but what about when you aren’t sure the message needs to be in there forever…?
And thus, the post it. Ok, I know that is a brand name, so I should call it what? Paper with a sticky part that you can temporarily affix to other paper….Too long! Suzanne is the biggest lover of the post it. Truly, she is a post it artist, using a variety of colors and sizes inform her of different practice goals, questions for composers and other transient information.
But her devotion to the post it is infectious. I, too, dabble in post it use. While not as committed to the post it as Suzanne (my numerous notebooks would be jealous), I do like a post it on my music to keep me on track. Usually it goes on a specific spot, but as pictured above, I found all of Ed Cionek’s fabulous ‘Bad Robots’ needed tempo work — so right on the front cover it goes. Hopefully, my practice will pay off and the little sticky paper will go to post it heaven (also known as the trash!).
You may ask – what about Matt? Does he too partake of post it use? Truthfully, not so much. For him, post it’s are a fine wine, to be used ever so sparingly. Once in a very long while.
But he does agree about the pencil — have a good one, nice and sharp and a really good eraser.