Strong Two: The Second Violin

“It takes more grace than pen can tell to play the second fiddle well.”

It has been said that the most difficult instrument to play in an orchestra is the second violin. The reason is that the person playing the first violin plays the melody, the tune that people know and recognize. The second violinist plays the harmony. The harmony is more difficult because the violinist must know how to harmonize the music as well as play higher notes as he moves his fingers up the throat of the fiddle.  It takes much practice to play this part well. The purpose of the second fiddle is to play a supporting role and compliment the first fiddle, thus making the first fiddle look and sound good. The audience does not realize that the second fiddler is playing his heart out in order to make the first fiddler look good; yet the second fiddler does not get any credit for what is played. Thus, this part is unglamorous.

Leonard Berstein, the famous conductor of the New York Philharmonic said, “I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm—that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.”

It’s interesting to me that it is the person in the number two seat who has the ability to create or disturb the harmony in the orchestra.

As a Strong Two, I have the power of harmony in my hands. I have found that there are four things I can do in order to keep harmony in our organization.

1) Stay Committed

2) Add Value to the Vision & the Leader

3) Anticipate the Leader’s Needs & Meet Them

4) Execute with Excellence

Over the next few posts, I am going to expand on these four things, and how I have come to value them as a Strong Two.

Second Fiddle

The hardest instrument to play
Is second fiddle, so they say
And I believe this is so
I’ve tried, but haven’t mastered it though
It takes more grace than pen can tell
To play the second fiddle well.

To softly play in harmony
While others shine in melody
At times to even pause and rest
While others give their best
It takes more grace than pen can tell
To play the second fiddle well.

While others are honored so
It seldom plays a grand solo
Yet in the background keeps its place
While others in the spotlights face
It takes more grace that pen can tell
To play the second fiddle well.

The second fiddle compliments
All the other instruments
While faithful to keep time and tone
Tis of great price and worth unknown
It takes more grace than pen can tell
To play the second fiddle well.

The master looks for those who he
Can use in his great symphony
Tis but a few can bend and blend
On whom he always can depend
It takes more grace than pen can tell
To play the second fiddle well.

Author Unknown