Musicians and Their Eyes
In addition to the physical effort of practicing the wear and tear on the eyes is a major part of being a musician. Often we read music with a terrible little light on a music stand. Other times we read manuscripts that are very small and/or very dim and poorly copied. Then there are times when we read in very bright light. We also practice late into the night and have to rely on artificial light.
So the musician uses his eyes often badly and it can show up later in life with all sorts of problems.
Musicians and Reading
In addition to reading the notes that one has to learn and play you will often find that musicians are avid readers of words as well. There are many situations when the musician will resort to reading a book as relaxation or as a method of using the time waiting to play.
There are many musicians who make their living playing in theater pits. In Music Theater there is often dialogue as well as the music. So instead of sitting and possibly sleeping through the dialogue musicians often have something to read which they can open on their stand and really not give anyone the impression they are not paying attention to what is going on.
Also there is the time backstage before a performance and during the intervals or intermissions as well. Often a book is the best form of using this extra time.
One experience which I will share is the time I was working with Charles Rosen, the famous American pianist. I happened to drop into the concert hall where he was practicing one day before the performance. I had a sneaky look and discovered he was actually reading a book while playing the piano. I later asked him about this and he explained that there were passages that he felt he had to practice in such a way that they would become absolutely automatic. He found that, for him, reading early 19th century poetry whilst playing these passages was the best way to accomplish this end. I must admit that I tried it and found it impossible, but then I admit readily I am not a Charles Rosen.
Conclusion
There are many situations where reading a book is a wonderful experience. Musicians have extra ways that mere mortals cannot often experience. I don't intend to suggest that this is the way to read a book, but it is a reality in the world of music.
In addition to the physical effort of practicing the wear and tear on the eyes is a major part of being a musician. Often we read music with a terrible little light on a music stand. Other times we read manuscripts that are very small and/or very dim and poorly copied. Then there are times when we read in very bright light. We also practice late into the night and have to rely on artificial light.
So the musician uses his eyes often badly and it can show up later in life with all sorts of problems.
Musicians and Reading
In addition to reading the notes that one has to learn and play you will often find that musicians are avid readers of words as well. There are many situations when the musician will resort to reading a book as relaxation or as a method of using the time waiting to play.
There are many musicians who make their living playing in theater pits. In Music Theater there is often dialogue as well as the music. So instead of sitting and possibly sleeping through the dialogue musicians often have something to read which they can open on their stand and really not give anyone the impression they are not paying attention to what is going on.
Also there is the time backstage before a performance and during the intervals or intermissions as well. Often a book is the best form of using this extra time.
One experience which I will share is the time I was working with Charles Rosen, the famous American pianist. I happened to drop into the concert hall where he was practicing one day before the performance. I had a sneaky look and discovered he was actually reading a book while playing the piano. I later asked him about this and he explained that there were passages that he felt he had to practice in such a way that they would become absolutely automatic. He found that, for him, reading early 19th century poetry whilst playing these passages was the best way to accomplish this end. I must admit that I tried it and found it impossible, but then I admit readily I am not a Charles Rosen.
Conclusion
There are many situations where reading a book is a wonderful experience. Musicians have extra ways that mere mortals cannot often experience. I don't intend to suggest that this is the way to read a book, but it is a reality in the world of music.
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