Klarinet Archive - Posting 000693.txt from 2001/11

From: HatNYC62@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] re: so you want to do this for a living
Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2001 21:34:53 -0500

I don't think there is any need to quote any of Clark's excellent post. Let
me respond to it briefly.

My post was directed more towards the person who wants to play the clarinet.
Probably the majority of truly successful freelancers (let's for the moment
define successful as making enough to halfway support a family) play at least
some saxophone and usually some flute and piccolo as well.

Let me say now that learning these instruments is a very good idea. The
younger the better. I certainly wish I had done so.

I can't argue with what you say about orchestras. It's true that many people
there hate their jobs.

But some orchestral players make a very decent living with very good
benefits. This is possible in freelancing too but when something like
September 11th happens, the impact is more direct on freelancers. It's a
precarious business.

I also note that many freelancers would love to get their hands on an
orchestra job. Even many extremely successful ones. What I don't hear from
freelancers are things like "I wish I wasn't playing so much orchestral
music!" That's one reason I suggest being prepared as an orchestral player.
The musical knowledge that goes into it applies to a lot of things outside
orchestral playing.

If a young person would like to become a freelancer, or at least have the
option of becoming one, the choice of school and teacher becomes more
complicated but remains very important. I am sure others on the list are more
qualified to comment on this.

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