Music (band) rehearsal ettiquette question concerning pencils?

Question:This is such a stupid question, but...

my experience with pencils in band, orchestra, etc.. reherasals (not only in being the poor sap who forgot my pencil and had to ask to borrow others, but also in how other people who needed to borrow mine behaved) is this. However, I had someone tell me (quite forcefully, and so that everyone could hear) that I was apparently mistaken. Since I don't want to be rude and could be wrong, I would appreciate if someone could clarify for me..

My understanding is that when you need to borrow a pencil from someone during rehearsal without any breaks to run and get one, that it is common practice to ask once or maybe twice, but once it is generally established that you need to use their pencil for the rest of the rehearsal and they have given their permission, it is okay not to waste time, breath, and the conductors patience with extraneous conversations between members, by asking every time you want to pick it up. Obviously you give deference to

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: This is such a stupid question, but...

my experience with pencils in band, orchestra, etc.. reherasals (not only in being the poor sap who forgot my pencil and had to ask to borrow others, but also in how other people who needed to borrow mine behaved) is this. However, I had someone tell me (quite forcefully, and so that everyone could hear) that I was apparently mistaken. Since I don't want to be rude and could be wrong, I would appreciate if someone could clarify for me..

My understanding is that when you need to borrow a pencil from someone during rehearsal without any breaks to run and get one, that it is common practice to ask once or maybe twice, but once it is generally established that you need to use their pencil for the rest of the rehearsal and they have given their permission, it is okay not to waste time, breath, and the conductors patience with extraneous conversations between members, by asking every time you want to pick it up. Obviously you give deference to

This isn't a dumb question, I quite understand.
I would tell you to consider the members sitting around you in your rehearsals. I've been playing in a wind ensemble with some of the same people for a long time, so we often borrow pencils and related from our neighbors without thinking twice. My sections are always small and friendly (I'm a bass clarinetist), so I'm lucky to have others in my section who don't mind.
But, if your seat/stand partners are mean or unfriendly, I would just ask to use the pencil each time, or, just make a mental note of what you need to mark and do it when you get home.

You may also consider carrying a box of pencils in your case, backpack, or hiding one somewhere in your classroom:)

I would keep the pencil on my stand but within reaching distance of the one you borrowed it from so they could access it too. Look at them before you set it down and nod that it is there for them too, acknowledge their kindness, but keep it within your own reach because you will need it and don't want to interrupt rehearsal to ask anyone else to borrow theirs.

I have ADD as well and it is not a stupid question. I am going to give an oblique answer however, so I need to warn you ahead of time. I take a small pen and make a tiny hole in my paper folder. Then I push one or two pencils into the hole or holes that I made. When I get to a rehearsal, I don't have to remember my pencil at all, since it is always waiting for me in the folder. I also keep a couple of pencils in my case. The only way to be absolutely sure not to get caught up in these misunderstandings, is to be the one that always has the extra pencils for others to borrow.

Nothing in a rehearsal is taken for granted. If you borrow a pencil in the middle of the rehearsal, it may be the only pencil that the other musician has. It is better to ask someone before the rehearsal, ask one of the assistants or even the director before the rehearsal begins. If the pencil is borrowed, at least offer to return it. By the way, no conversation is required to borrow a pencil. Brush up on your non verbal communication. To borrow a pencil, simply get the person's attention, make a scribbling motion with your hand, and make a thank you motion when they lend you the writing implement. If they don't want the pencil returned, they will simply make a refusing motion when you offer it. If they do want it returned, you have avoided a confrontation.
Hope this helps.

It depends on how much you of a' marker' you are! If u use one a lot then chances are you are going to have a few in your case! But if you rarely use them well I guess that you will need to borrow one occaisonally! I would ask before the rehearsal starts.

On the whole I wouldnt assume that they had 'rights' to my pencil for the whole of rehearsal. I rarely mark orchestral music so Its just not something I would think of! I would just assume that, since I rarely use one, that you needed to use it once! But if I was a big marker then I would be worried that you would have it when I needed it! esp if you were a big marker too! I would suck it up and go without a pencil for the rehearsal! Suffer the consequences, try to remember what was said and go with the flow of the music you create together!