What makes the ideal amateur orchestral player?

Note quality	Dynamics	Instrumental mastery	Timing
Etiquette	Watching & listening	Your score	Your comments
Further reading	Good conductors?

We've listed here a number of characteristics which go to make an excellent amateur orchestral player. Our conductor Geoffrey Bushell pulled this list together from research on the internet, and from his own experience. It isn't a definitive list, and you may not agree with everything, but it's a start. Why not take this self assessment by ticking the boxes where you think you are already doing what is suggested. At the end, you'll be able to privately calculate your score to see how you are doing, and separately send any comments on the assessment criteria.

1 - Note quality

1 Has accurate intonation on every note
2 Studies (and idolises) the sound and styles of those who have gone before
3 Has a minds-eye view of the desired sound
4 Produces a good tone quality throughout instrument range at all dynamics
5 Phrases passages sensitively
6 Crafts a sound envelope for each note
7 Attends to quality of start and end of notes
8 Uses vibrato appropriately
9 Plays staccato short without loss of tone quality

2 - Dynamics

10 Varies dynamics appropriately
11 Is able to play a genuine pianissimo

3 - Instrumental mastery

12 Good at sightreading
13 Able to transpose at sight as normally required for the instrument
14 Able to play in all the clefs commonly used for the instrument
15 Able to fill in missing parts (including transposition or different clefs)
16 Committed to learning from teachers or more experienced players
17 Committed to private practice
18 Overpractices difficult passages to be in the 'safety zone' in case of unexpected tempi etc

4 - Timing

19 Keeps an internal time clock ticking throughout all playing
20 Plays rhythms accurately (eg triplets, duplets, dotted notes)
21 Senses how fast a piece should go (thus not relying totally on the conductor)
22 When too difficult, knows what to leave out
23 Adapts bow length (strings) and keeps fingers near keyholes (woodwind) in faster music to avoid slowing down
24 Always counts rests and doesn't rely on the conductor for entries
25 Knows in advance the geography of repeats

5 - Concert / rehearsal etiquette

26 Photocopies music without prompting to cover awkward page turns
27 Arrives before rehearsal start time in order to tune
28 Is ready to tune when A is given
29 Does not talk or play when other sections are tuning or being rehearsed
30 Memorises passages to allow full attention to conductor during awkward corners
31 Brings pencil and eraser to rehearsal, and uses them
32 Has mute ready at hand at all times
33 Notes conductor's guidance and acts upon it at next rehearsal without reminding
34 Briefs guests and absentees on issues previously discussed (eg which repeats to do)

6 - Watching and listening

35 Listens to what is going on around the orchestra, and adapts playing accordingly
36 Looks up at conductor at beginning and end of phrases
37 Establishes appropriate eye contact with the conductor for guidance on interpretation
38 Thinks of own part as contributing to a whole performance
39 Hands over phrases to the next soloist
40 Accompanies orchestral players and soloists at an appropriate dynamic
41 Asks fellow players and/or conductor for feedback
42 Other players say 'wow' when they first year you play

Calculate your score

You scored out of or %.

Send us your comments on our self assessment questionnaire

Do you agree with the above criteria? If you have any improvement suggestions, please complete the form - your response will be submitted to our conductor Geoffrey Bushell, and may be used to improve the list. Please be assured that your self-assessment score is private and will not be sent.

Further interesting reading

Faking!

Conductors

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What makes a good conductor?