Water on stage?

Ekim Gram · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 4:31 pm Post subject: Water on stage?

Hi all,

I'm just curious as to what the etiquette here is. Say you're performing a lengthy Bruckner or Mahler symphony - we brass players need to stay nice and hydrated so that we can play (at least I know I do). I've seen every member of Wynton's big band walk on stage with at least one bottle of water, I've been to recitals where a clear glass of water has rested on a stool or nearby, but as far as my experiences go I've never seen anybody on stage in an orchestra concert with anything besides perhaps a purse.
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tubbs831 · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 6:33 pm Post subject:

I've seen the guys at the BSO with what looks like little paper cups full of water. I know I'd definitely need more hydration than that if I was playing a Mahler Symphony!

trpt2 · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 6:38 pm Post subject: water

Sure It's Water ?????

Mikeytrpt · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 6:40 pm Post subject:

Didn't Fiedler start that tradition?

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cjl · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 6:54 pm Post subject:

I don't play in anything but a regional-type orchestra, but I believe in keeping it as unobtrusive as possible. If I take a bottle of water on, I'll remove the label and keep it to the side. I have also used a clear, plastic cup. I try to sneak a quick drink, if and when needed.

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Fuzzy Dunlop · Veteran Member Joined: 25 Jun 2011 Posts: 196

trpt2 · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 7:16 pm Post subject: water

Didn't Fiedler start that tradition?

Could well be- a keg in the green room....

razeontherock · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 7:24 pm Post subject:

Rapier232 · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:02 pm Post subject:

I always take a Camelbak water bottle on stage and put it by my stand
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trumpetera · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:18 am Post subject:

I used to bring water on stage just in case I would get nervous and drymouthed.

Turned out that if I drink water, I DO get dryer in my mouth- aparently, I need the saliva in there and the water washes it away.....

Kept bringing watercups on stage/pit for a while, more of a psychological thing. Always ended up downing it after the concert!

A mental picture of a sliced lemon works better for me....
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Nonsense Eliminator · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 5:04 am Post subject:

Motrpt1 · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:01 am Post subject:

The only thing I'd add is that if you do use a water bottle, take off the label before going onstage. No need to be a musical advertisement for bottled water companies.
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christiwans · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:15 am Post subject:

A Nalgene brand or similar bottle is acceptable too.. but I would avoid really bright colors. I have one smoke gray colored bottle that I use specifically for concerts (my other bottle is HIGHLIGHTER YELLOW).
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tptptp · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:52 pm Post subject:

Once when playing in church, I reached down and took a sip of my water. Then I noticed that it was some brand that was in a square-sided bottle that looked a lot like a bottle of gin. Never knew if anyone else thought about that.
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cheiden · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:25 pm Post subject:

I got lambasted once by the other members of a quintet I was subbing with for having an small blue Aquafina bottle during a performance. I was told that water bottles specifically are bad form. My teacher acknowledged that it's sometime more accepted to use a generic glass/cup instead and he routinely traveled with a medium size blue plastic glass for just that purpose. Personally I think it's much ado about nothing and unless I'm told otherwise I keep one small bottle at my feet and a spare in my gig bag.
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Andy Del · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:58 pm Post subject: