thoughtcrumbs

Fat chords beat sixteenth notes

Sixteen German violinists are petitioning their labor board for a pay raise, based on the fact that they play more notes per piece than other musicians. After debating a surcharge per sixteenth note, they eventually agreed to demand a flat fee. From my experience playing the piano for the Guam Symphony, I'd say the pianist easily vies for the most-notes crown -- those fat chords can have eight notes each. But, if we're handing out bonuses, maybe the bass and tuba players should charge for extra instrument weight. Or the woodwind players could get an ick-factor allowance for having to empty their spit valves. (Hear the full story on NPR)