it's often puzzled me
that it is (mostly) only bands in this sense of the word that don't have music in front of them.

The part for an individual in an orchestra, provided they are of an appropriate standard, can't be any harder to remember, so why do they need music? You can argue that it is because of the dynamics or whatever, but I can remember when I need to play louder or quiet or fast or slow or whatever.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 25 Feb 2010, 15:09, 2 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Because orchestral musicians have absolutely no rhythm or feel whatsoever.
They're trained to be machines that only do what they're told, in much the same way as one of those old organs with the punched paper music roll things... They're essentially covers bands don't forget, and we all know that they're generally the ones who couldn't make it with they're own ideas.

There's no arguing how incredibly good some of them are are playing what they're told and of course there will be exceptions to the rule but it think that's what it boils down to. They don't have to think about what they're playing so would have no idea how to if it was ever required.

That and the fact that every conductor/whatever probably has a slightly different arrangement of the same piece so even if they did 'learn' the stuff it would never sound any good all together as they'd all be playing differently. Also quite difficult to have a 'band practice' when each song is an hour long or whatever...
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Thu 25 Feb 2010, 15:28, Reply)

nicely explained
however, an hour long song is easy!

try doing it when you are stoned as a mofo!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 25 Feb 2010, 16:57, Reply)

Miles Davis
was flabbergasted to discover that Hendrix couldn't read music.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 25 Feb 2010, 15:36, Reply)

I used to be able to read music
but I forgot how when it became of no use.

I can sight read and play tablature pretty well, but don't even do that much any more, since my ear developed.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 25 Feb 2010, 16:58, Reply)