As I was practicing in the music building this morning, it struck me that it is possible to crudely categorize some of the practicing I hear in the basement.
PlonkersThese pianists play a thudding/wandering style of music. They should be commended for their musical focus: they seem to meditate on a single refrain for hours. Years.
OrchestralsThe virtuous orchestra members who practice their parts. I have only praise for this group: there are a lot of things that would be more fun to practice.
HowlersThe singers who never seem to progress beyond the warm-up phase. "AAaaahh-ah-ah-ah-ah-a-e-ooooooooo, aeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooeeeeeeeeeea" Shriek Shriek.
AfterglosUsually a small congregation of talents-- destined for Vespers, or Afterglow, or Not. They have to practice that little solo refrain... ("One more time, One more time: Aaaaaaaaa")
MaestrosThese people dazzle me with scherzic glissandos, lush vibrato, and the extraordinary gift of never-ever sounding bad. Sometimes I feel like rushing off to call Deutsche Grammophon.
SchizomusiacsBach, Bloch, Brahms, Bartok. Oh, blast, what about Mozart? All in 5 minutes.
Players"Never stop. Not until you've played the last note. "
Bar-enders"Never finish a phrase. Micromanaging is key."
... enough for now.