I like to think of orchestras as their own micro societies. You have a hierarchy, with the conductor, concert master, and section leaders. You have rituals, such as rehearsals, sound checks, and performances. And, as with any society, there are rules or moral codes.

Using the term ‘section etiquette’ makes it sound more complicated than it is. Ultimately, what I’m discussing here is how musicians, especially percussionists, interact with each other. The rules below aren’t complex — there are only three — but they’re useful for promoting section harmony.