SECOND CHAIR
No one wants to play second fiddle. With everyone playing melody, however well they may do so individually, they can only produce discord because each will differ a bit in their concept of the tune. Their efforts will never produce harmony.
To allow oneself to be placed a second chair to play second fiddle is, to many, a mark of shame – an insult. It is judged to make on seem inferior and it is “un-American”.
We, as a nation, have been placed in first chair. We play the melody. We “call the tune”you might say, and unless we find others who are willing to play second violin we are without harmony and proper contrast and embellishment or harmonic agreement.
Even thought we might not like to admit it, many of us were born to play second fiddle. It is not a badge of dishonor but, rather a special mark of merit. You may not realize it, but not everyone can play second fiddle well. It demands an exceptional sense of cooperative involvement some people simply cannot learn to handle
You don't have to be an expert in music to realize there is a tremendous difference between a lone person singing a solo when other voices - bass, tenor, baritone – are added. Your favorite quartet group simple cannot exist without cooperative action and genuine understanding of the essential nature of each contribution to the musical whole.
It holds true in many other aspects of modern living, too.
It is highly unlikely that the one hundred and seven nations, less or more, which make up the United Nation group will all be ready,willing or able to fill second chair positions with competence. And, all are not qualified to aspire to seat in the String Section. Some will be better suited to be in the Brass Section, Woodwinds, or Tympani. Percussion players are needed just as vitally as are second chair violinists because, while the added group of string bring harmony, the tympani persons pace the piece being played.
Only in working together, so that all talents are orchestrated and used wisely, can we even hope to bring forth a worthy production.
A.L.M. January 29, 2003 [c370wds]
