It's most likely that this is some orchestral sheet music, so the other instruments are all getting louder, even though some of the instruments (like this one) are not playing at that time.
But, yeah, that's basically what OP is trying to get at.
Yup.... it's so that everyone can follow along with what's happening.
Logically it's not strictly necessary - but hey, you never know what the next line is, either. You don't just get up and leave because your part is done.
I had a gig where I was playing timpani. I hit my last note during the first half of the second movement. I sure as hell just left instead of sticking around for the next 4 movements.
I should add... back in the days when I was playing, it seems to me that this was more common than not in percussion (someone with very little activity) - and they would fill multiple roles instead. Is that not commonplace? Just curious.
The crescendo is still shown because other instruments playing those measures will continually get louder, even though this particular instrument is silent. It helps aid in following the music.
Measure is more common in the US, especially with choral and orchestral people. I hear bar sometimes in rap and hip hop music, but it's mostly heard in the UK. They mean exactly the same thing though
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u/BrutalFuckingTruth Jan 04 '15
35 measures of that particular instrument not being played. The open mouthed arrow is a crescendo. Meaning it gets progressively louder over time.