[postlink]http://newbestmotivator.blogspot.com/2009/06/why-they-are-not-smiling-by-seymour.html[/postlink]
One of (us) once heard the principal clarinetist of a major American orchestra ask the conductor whether he wanted the notes with dots over them".....short, or like the brass were playing them?" [A dot over a not indicates that it is to be played short.] This rather complex statement, masquerading as a question, conveyed both the musician's lack of respect for the brass players in question, and scorn for the conductor's failure to notice the problem. But to fit the myth of the omniscient conductor, the comment had to be phrased as a question, for how could a musician possibly inform an omniscient being? The myth dictates that a musician can only tap into that well of knowledge, not add to it.
One of (us) once heard the principal clarinetist of a major American orchestra ask the conductor whether he wanted the notes with dots over them".....short, or like the brass were playing them?" [A dot over a not indicates that it is to be played short.] This rather complex statement, masquerading as a question, conveyed both the musician's lack of respect for the brass players in question, and scorn for the conductor's failure to notice the problem. But to fit the myth of the omniscient conductor, the comment had to be phrased as a question, for how could a musician possibly inform an omniscient being? The myth dictates that a musician can only tap into that well of knowledge, not add to it.