3 Reasons for Understanding

Having been bombarded in the last two (or so) days with complaints like those I used to make, I've come to realize that I'm no longer compelled to find an outlet for all the noise and strange sounds that're emitted during band practices. I'm not sure if it's because I've come to terms with the fact that these people aren't going to change no matter how much you try, or if I've already convinced myself that playing music is the last thing on some peoples' minds, or if I'm just too tired to care. Looking back through all my angsty and frustrated posts I do kind of miss getting pissed off at simple mistakes which shouldn't be made, and attitudes which should be shoved into a grater and mashed into tiny little bits, but through all that you learn to comprehend that these people are people too, and that they have valid reasons for being the way they are. And here today, I've decided to shed some light on our noise-darkened lives.

3 Reasons Why Some People Are The Way They Are

1. With the popularity of sites such as Facebook and Twitter, it is evident that the world is shifting towards a global state of social-networking. People now have an irreverent need to know what their friends are doing at every time of the day, and every little bit of news, relevant or otherwise, has to be fed to them right at that moment. Also, with all the avenues available to them to gather information, their brains are faced with a sensory overload, and can't focus on whatever is right in front of their face at that particular point in time unless they're shoved right in the heart of it. In this light, it is perfectly understandable that certain individuals have to talk during the brief lulls in practice. Not just when the rest of the people aren't playing, but also when other people are playing and they aren't. This irresistable urge to talk eventually leads to situations whereby, when addressed, they are unable to give a coherent reply, and usually end up spouting gibberish such as, "Har? (random letter of the alphabet) is it?", or to rephrase simple instructions in their own words (possibly related in some way to a reduction in volume), which may also be the fault of some lingering need to treat conversation as an English Language comprehension exercise.
2. It is a natural human reaction to shy away from things that you fear, and a conventional source of fear is responsibility. Of course, if a mistake is made, the first reaction a normal person would have when confronted with his mistake and a suggestion as to how to make it better would be to? Turn and speak to a friend. This interaction with a trusted individual bolsters confidence and partially erases any guilt felt at that moment for the incorrect action. As such, any person who makes mistakes serious enough to cause an entire band to halt mid-piece would, logically, immediately turn away and speak to another person beside them and ignore the centrally placed accuser, even if the accuser were to suggest a method in which the mistake could be easily rectified.
3. Every living being is born with the innate ability and instinct to defend itself in some way against threats and danger. When implored by individuals to focus/pay attention/take things more seriously on the brink of an important event, the inherent response is to divert their attention to something else which raises their position to one in a more positive light, such as arriving early for practice. Of course, it is common knowledge that arriving early is an effective way of instantaneously improving performance. Take exams for example, going to an exam early and chatting to a friend about recent activities and plans to visit a shopping mall after the paper would, obviously, lead to a marked improvement in grades, and even this would receive a boost if, during the paper itself, the person were to constantly chat with his neighbor and half-heartedly inscribe some symbols on the test. I mean, what better way could there possibly be to improve grades?

In light of all the above, we should give thanks for people who come for practice early, spend the entire practice ignoring the conductor, and treat the entire practice as a way to make friends and advance their section camaraderie. Physical attendance is, without a doubt, such a large sacrifice to certain individuals that they feel justified to let their minds flit away over the bright blue (or black, depending on time of day) horizon.

I dedicate this post to the long suffering members who've come to speak to me, and Mr. Oura, who should get a haircut.

No doubt, some people will question the author, myself, as to why someone who has been singled out for missing practices by Prof Ho has the right to write this post, and the answer is this: I don't feel that I have to inform you of my reasons for not attending practice, because I know if they're valid or not. I pay attention during practice. Do you? I discuss the nuances of the pieces like intonation, articulation, dynamics, and simpler things like where to breathe and accidentals. Do you? I look and listen at/to the conductor and the rest of the band. Do you? I try to play music. Do you?