Many musicians (myself included) complain about decibel levels. Many of us have suffered hearing loss or other woes. But now that earplugs are required one group is not happy.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence has ordered its bandsmen to wear earplugs to conform with health and safety laws.
All military musicians will now be required to “plug up” before playing their noisy instruments to protect their hearing.
The charity RNID said it fully backed the move.
But some bandsmen are concerned it could impair their performance, making them play out of tune or out of time.
I think it’s mostly that we, like most people, don’t like being told that we have to do something. But I could be wrong, of course. I do wonder how many of the members were already using earplugs.
I still struggle using mine. When they are in I hear my tongue clacking away, and I lose all sense of involvement in the orchestra, as I feel very removed from everything. I guess the only solution that would make us all more happy would be to stop blasting away quite so much.
Except maybe then the brass and percussion wouldn’t be happy? Dunno!
