Klarinet Archive - Posting 000540.txt from 1995/12

From: Undetermined origin c/o Postmaster <POSTMASTER@-----.BITNET>
Subj:
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 1995 13:35:05 -0500

<055DB30D84FE5001*/c=us/admd=attmail/prmd=gov+usace/o=NPP01/ou=CENPP-CO-S/s=Gre
ep/g=Larry/i=A/=MHS>
Date: 20 Dec 1995 18:03:17 Z
From: "Larry A Greep" <Larry.A.Greep@-----.mil>
To: "KLARINET%VCCSCENT.BITNET@-----.EDU"
<KLARINET%VCCSCENT.BITNET@-----.EDU> (Return requested)
Subject: Ego
MIME-Version: 1.0

Holiday Greetings to All on the List!!

I've been monitoring the list for months and have seen commentary come and go on
various subjects, and I've been tempted to enter my two-cents worth on occaision
only to have someone else who was quicker on the keys than myself providing
essentially the words I would have used. The reason I chose to stir the pot in
this writing is to solicit responses from educators and playing professionals
alike concerning "ego".

Although my day job is in the engineering profession, I've been involved with
music (playing the clarinet, in particular) for over forty years and have
observed, been the brunt of, and probably have been guilty myself of the "big
ego syndrome". List subjects have discussed competition/competitiveness in the
clarinet community, and I don't discount the notion that regardless of the type
training we may receive (musical or otherwise), once formal education "ends",
survival means competition. IMHO competition is healthy, normal, and a fact of
life. But competition can breed a sinister and destructive aspect to the
players at large...namely in the "better than thou" attitude.

A recent experience caused me to surface the subject of ego because over the
years I have tried to rid myself of ego concerns only to have someone wave
theirs in front of me. I'm probably showing my thin skin, but having attended
the last ten years of ICA conferences and rubbed elbows with the world's great
artists, I have come to know and observe humility at the highest levels. I have
also seen a great deal of humility and open-mindedness displayed on this list.
What concerns me is the attitude of some young, aspiring artists who figure they
are going to take the world by storm with their technical prowess and relatively
naive, superficial approach to music. Private lessons have strengthened their
technical ability and facility, and in certain instances, they may have the good
fortune to participate in a recognized musical organization. An instructor
"with an attitude" may have that attitude rub off on the student and perpetuate
the trait. Granted, depending on the attitude, this may not be all bad, but I
have observed in my local area (as you may be aware of similar instances in your
own backyard) a trend of self-absorption and smugness exhibited by a number of
high school and college-aged students of a particular teacher, when in fact
these students (IMO) who DO play all the notes cleanly and accurately, but lack
the musicianship and tone production that I would consider noteworthy. My most
recent run-in with THE EGO occurred at a holiday performance, and when all was
sung and played, the individual playing next to me stated, "with ringers like me
around, you can count on me to help you out in time of need." Needless to say I
was floored by this encounter, and quickly headed for the nearest exit! Where
did this attitude come from? I was not overly impressed by the individual's
playing during the performance (and I'm sure they weren't of mine), but knowing
the background of where this individual has been and where they are headed, I
cringe to think of the rude awakening they will probably endure sometime in the
future. And that's the sadness I see in fomenting "attitude" in students.

For those of you who teach and "live and die by the clarinet", how do you deal
with this aspect in your handling of students and colleagues??? I know, I know,
I shouldn't let it bother me, but ideally I'd rather be consumed with the next
musical phrase than having to put up with a "hot dog" trying to impress a fellow
participant. I realize that in a community band/wind ensemble/orchestra
setting, playing characteristics, abilities, etc. are relative between striving
musicians. I try to place my individual perspective and focus on the music, not
my ability/inability to play the instrument.

I open the door for all to enter.

Larry Greep
Portland, OR