Equipment: Not a Topic to Talk About?

Recently Derek Wright posted in his site an article titled “Being a Professional That People Like To Work With.” In it he gives several tips of things to do and not do as you start a career in music including this item.

9. Don’t talk about equipment: This rule is hardest for me to follow. I’ve always been an equipment enthusiast. I love to talk about the newest horns, mouthpieces, cases, pedagogical tools, and accessories. However, talking about equipment comes with the danger that you’ll unknowingly insult someone. Not only that, but many horn players strongly dislike any equipment talk. A lot of talk about equipment can quickly alienate you from these people.

I found this one especially interesting as actually not only was I his major professor for his DMA but I am also one of those people who is interested in equipment and has an eagle eye when it comes to knowing pretty fast what anyone is playing on. But Derek has a point and I can think of at least two additional reasons why it is a topic to be careful about when out there playing gigs.

• The perception of blend issue. If they (whoever they are) think you are playing a horn like they play they will like you better, and you are best not saying much about horns and mouthpieces if they like what they think you are playing. They may think you are playing a Conn when it is actually a Hoyer, etc.
• Many players are actually pretty ignorant on the topic. It is almost like there is a false pride they have in not knowing anything about equipment, they just use the mouthpiece they got in 6th grade or as an undergrad on a horn that a teacher helped them buy and go forward from there. Maybe they are on a great setup for them but I think this type of player in the end has an above average chance to play themselves into problems if they are not willing to explore at least subtle changes as they age. But I digress.

In any event it was not a topic I had thought about much in terms of gigs but I can see the point Derek is making. Some will take asking them about their horn or mouthpiece as sort of a personal question rather than just idle chit-chat, along the lines of asking them how much money they make or how much their house cost. It is another sin to add to the list of deadly sins of horn players. When in doubt keep your mouth shut.