A Classical music question

[Arvon]

How come of all the instruments only the piano player needs a page turner? Most (like all) of the other instruments are played with two hands and have the same page turning problem. Is it just that piano player are just wimps?

[Aelia Jusa]

There are a few differences - pianists playing solo or in front of orchestras are usually playing for the whole piece of music, or virtually (obviously not all pieces are the same), and are usually using both hands the entire time. So if they had to turn their own pages it would disrupt the music. Other instruments in the orchestra often have times when they're not playing or not using both hands and can turn their own pages. Speaking from my own experience, the times when it was impossible to turn the page because I was playing with both hands (clarinet) across the page turn I would recopy the score so I could see the next page as well so the problem was removed.

Also not all instruments use both hands - most brass instruments don't for example, or at least, it is easy for one hand to be removed from the instrument to turn the page because the hand is only needed for supporting the instrument.

Another thing I suppose is that the pianist is the only one playing the particular part of the piece - whereas nearly all other instruments are playing together with at least one other instrument. So one person can turn the page while others continues playing without the music suddenly stopping.

[robertthebard]

I think they are just wimps. I played the cello for eight years, and I managed to turn my own pages...

[Bungleau]

I recall having seen orchestra performances where the lower-level chair turns the page. First violin doesn't, but whoever's sharing their music stand does it for both of them.

I don't bother with that... and yes, drummers still have to deal with sheet music as well. I tape three to five pages together and use stand extenders... or hunt after someone with a two-page copy of the music

[Raistlin Majere]

Originally posted by Bungleau: I recall having seen orchestra performances where the lower-level chair turns the page. First violin doesn't, but whoever's sharing their music stand does it for both of them. I don't bother with that... and yes, drummers still have to deal with sheet music as well. I tape three to five pages together and use stand extenders... or hunt after someone with a two-page copy of the music

A page-turner for a drummer would require special wage bonuses for hazardous work...atleast I wouldnt get within a 10-foot radius of someone banging away at the drums without a very decent pay

[Lauren]

Originally posted by Aelia Jusa: There are a few differences - pianists playing solo or in front of orchestras are usually playing for the whole piece of music, or virtually (obviously not all pieces are the same), and are usually using both hands the entire time. So if they had to turn their own pages it would disrupt the music. Other instruments in the orchestra often have times when they're not playing or not using both hands and can turn their own pages. Speaking from my own experience, the times when it was impossible to turn the page because I was playing with both hands (clarinet) across the page turn I would recopy the score so I could see the next page as well so the problem was removed. Also not all instruments use both hands - most brass instruments don't for example, or at least, it is easy for one hand to be removed from the instrument to turn the page because the hand is only needed for supporting the instrument. Another thing I suppose is that the pianist is the only one playing the particular part of the piece - whereas nearly all other instruments are playing together with at least one other instrument. So one person can turn the page while others continues playing without the music suddenly stopping.

That sounds pretty much about right... and it's true not all instruments have the exact same parts as I too know that from experience (Tenor Saxophone and Clarinet) but also the person having a break knows when to come back in because they have to concentrate on the music as well and listen for their cue.

Another reason why a pianist has a page turner is because they are more the center of attention and it would seem weird if the pianist had to turn pages, and in order to do that has to stop playing so there would be a big pause of awkward silence.