# Need tips on playing in an orchestra as a Blind Musician

Category: Jam Session

## Post 1 by Deadnight Warrior (Zone BBS Addict) on Thursday, 21-Jul-2011 0:17:19

Well, as the title says, I need tips and suggestions about playing in an orchestra as a blind musician. To be more specific, I would like to know how other blind musicians on here have worked with the conducter. My biggest problem is playing pieces where the tempo changes in the middle of the piece. Thanks in advance.

## Post 2 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Saturday, 30-Jul-2011 5:40:19

If you're reading braille music, or listening to recordings of the piece and you know your part well, you'll know where the tempo changes are. Are you working with a teacher in private lessons ouside of rehearsal on your part so he or she can assist you one-on-one?
I'd also suggest geting professional recordings of the pieces you're playing, if you can, because It's important to go into each rehearsal knowing, nott just your part, but everyone else's part too. This way you can grit your teeth when something's dreadfully wrong because you know someone else is screwing up and they've got the sheet music right in front of them. lol More importantly, being involved in an orchestra like this will help you develop as a musician.
When I was involved with my local youth symphony for the last two years of high school, I can recall hours of having to listen to tapes jus to memorize everything because I played by ear. There wasn't a teacher around here who knew Braille music to teach me. Good luck.

## Post 3 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Saturday, 30-Jul-2011 5:44:30

One more thing: If there are times where you aren't playing and you have your instrument down or in rest position, have your stand partner tap you on he arm when the conductor gives your section the cue to get ready to play. same goes for putting the instrumen down again.
If you need more advice, please feel free to contact me via private message, private quicknote, etc.

## Post 4 by Deadnight Warrior (Zone BBS Addict) on Sunday, 31-Jul-2011 0:31:59

Thanks. Our performance was a few days ago, and what I ended up doing was having the horn player in front of me tap my keyboard stand to let me know when the sections were changing. The sections weren't always the same length, so it wasn't something that I could memorize.

## Post 5 by SavannahPhilHarmonicMusician (Veteran Zoner) on Wednesday, 14-Sep-2011 13:38:11

That is great that you are performing with an orchestra. You both should check out www.menvi.org Very good networking there.