Home > Baker's Student Encyclopedia of Music > Page Turner

A necessary adjunct to the pianist in a chamber music ensemble, and to a piano accompanist in song recitals. He or she sits on the left side of the player and turns the music page holding the right tip of the page delicately between the fingers.

Under no circumstances should the page turner put his or her arm across the pianist's field of vision, and any facial expression of aesthetic delight or, still worse, a grimace of disgust are impermissible. Any attempt at humming, rhythmic breathing, or similar musical or unmusical sounds are verboten. An ideal page turner, therefore, must be unobtrusive, respectful, and helpful.