I expect most of us have become aware over the last few days of the (now viral) video of a classical violist handling an interruption from a Nokia ringtone while he was playing a solo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uub0z8wJfhU&feature=youtu.be (the interruption starts at 30").
Question is, how would any of us deal with the situation under similar circumstances? Probably "not at all" could be the answer in a pub session, but there are other occasions where such an interruption would really spoil the music, such as a sean nos singer, or a fiddler playing a slow air on stage.
Fyi, that Nokia ringtone in the video is a small section from a guitar piece "Grand Vals" by the Spanish composer Francesco Tarrega, speeded up by Nokia.
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
I was on stage performing a sad and poignant recitation at a concert a couple of years ago. I had just got to the part in the recitation where the wife had died. The line being "We knelt down at her bedside as her spirit went above" A phone started ringing right in front of me, so I said " Tell them she can't come to the phone cos she's just died" It got a great laugh but ruined the recitation.
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
@Jon Kiparsky, most definitely, and a stark contrast with some performers (there are orchestral conductors who come to mind) who throw spectacular wobblies if a phone or digital watch alarm goes off.
@Jusa Nutter Eejit, not only that, but he managed to fit in a bit of improvisation as well.
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
Gino Lupari was singing an unaccompanied sad ballad in a small venue when someone's phone went off. He stopped and insisted that the person answer the phone and tell the other person where he was. Wished him and the caller well, suggested that he might stand everyone a drink at the interval and then jumped straight back into the song re-creating all the mood required in an instant. Like nothing had happened.
Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
I expect most of us have become aware over the last few days of the (now viral) video of a classical violist handling an interruption from a Nokia ringtone while he was playing a solo -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uub0z8wJfhU&feature=youtu.be (the interruption starts at 30").
Question is, how would any of us deal with the situation under similar circumstances? Probably "not at all" could be the answer in a pub session, but there are other occasions where such an interruption would really spoil the music, such as a sean nos singer, or a fiddler playing a slow air on stage.
Fyi, that Nokia ringtone in the video is a small section from a guitar piece "Grand Vals" by the Spanish composer Francesco Tarrega, speeded up by Nokia.
# Posted on January 24th 2012 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
I'd just abruptly cut to playing along with the ringtone.
# Posted on January 24th 2012 by Jack Campin
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
I thought he was going to eviscerate the disgusting brain-dead neophile in a display of musical temperament to end them all.
.
Perhaps, though, mercy here triumphed over judgement
# Posted on January 24th 2012 by nicholas
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
I'd pick up my own phone and pretend it was me at the other end.
# Posted on January 24th 2012 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
Here is the Tarrega extract as used for the ringtone:
M: 3/4
L: 1/8
R: waltz
K: Amaj
ed F2 G2 | cB D2 E2 | BA C2E2 | A2 z2 z2 ||
# Posted on January 24th 2012 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
I was on stage performing a sad and poignant recitation at a concert a couple of years ago. I had just got to the part in the recitation where the wife had died. The line being "We knelt down at her bedside as her spirit went above" A phone started ringing right in front of me, so I said " Tell them she can't come to the phone cos she's just died" It got a great laugh but ruined the recitation.
# Posted on January 24th 2012 by Free Reed
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
That fiddler definitely gets points for grace under pressure.
# Posted on January 24th 2012 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
That clip is an excellent example of somebody picking up a tune on the fly, at speed - and after only two times through no less!
# Posted on January 24th 2012 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
@Jon Kiparsky, most definitely, and a stark contrast with some performers (there are orchestral conductors who come to mind) who throw spectacular wobblies if a phone or digital watch alarm goes off.
@Jusa Nutter Eejit, not only that, but he managed to fit in a bit of improvisation as well.
# Posted on January 25th 2012 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
Gino Lupari was singing an unaccompanied sad ballad in a small venue when someone's phone went off. He stopped and insisted that the person answer the phone and tell the other person where he was. Wished him and the caller well, suggested that he might stand everyone a drink at the interval and then jumped straight back into the song re-creating all the mood required in an instant. Like nothing had happened.
# Posted on January 25th 2012 by Donough
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
In view of these comments, and those elsewhere, I think we can say that Lukas Kmit's career has not been harmed in any way by the video.
# Posted on January 25th 2012 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Ringtone (and other) interruptions while playing.
I need to try that sometime.
# Posted on January 27th 2012 by an fidleir