Concert Etiquette 101

These are not in any significant order. Just a list of general guidelines for those who have no clue.

1. I live in the West, so the general uniform for anything is Jean and a T-Shirt. Even at funerals and wedding receptions. I use this general rule. The more you pay for the concert the more you should dress up. And if it's a recital of someone you know, you should probably don something a little nicer than Jeans and a T-shirt out of common courtesy and respect.
2. Don't clap in between movements.
3. Turn off your cell phone, iPod, pager, iPad, laptop, and all that other stuff. And keep it off. Even if you get a freaking text. It can wait.
3. Don't talk. Especially while someone is performing. Wait until the clapping begins to say something if you can't control your word vomit.
4. Don't be late. And if you are, sneak in during clapping.
5. Learn a little bit about the composer/piece/style of music before you declare you don't like it. Program notes are useful for learning stuff like that.
6. If you are there supporting a performer, tell them they did good, even if they were atrocious. What went wrong is for them to discuss with their private lesson instructor or other teacher.
7. If in supporting the performer, and they play something really weird that you don't like (see rule #5) don't tell them it was weird and you didn't like it. They probably worked their butt off learning it and may absolutely adore that piece or composer. You don't have to say anything about whether or not you enjoyed it, but do tell them they did well.
8. Only give standing ovations if the performance was phenomenal.
9. Don't fall asleep. And if you're supporting someone, don't fall asleep and admit to falling asleep.
10. Enjoy the concert/performance as much as possible and think about what it made you think about, remember, or feel!!