Klarinet Archive - Posting 000254.txt from 2003/03

From: Sean Osborn <feanor33@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] anger and jealousy
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 12:44:46 -0500

Rebecca,

There's been a lot of advice given. Most of it is pretty good advice for
someone about to give up their dream of being a professional musician. But
I'm not sure you should give it up. However, you do need have a certain
level of drive (that Kevin Fay mentioned) to succeed as a professional,
which was your stated goal. And as a professional, I know what those things
are.

Are you willing to sacrifice other parts of your life to music. Other
hobbies and interests and activities? For the next several years, you will
have very little time for other pursuits.

Do you love music enough to put up with the music BUSINESS, which is just a
slimy (and perhaps more so) that any other business?

Are you willing to drive several hours, take busses, work extra jobs, to do
whatever you need to to get the education you need to succeed?

If you answered yes, then you need to start on that road, and begin
practicing four hours a night. Go to music stores (in person or on line)
and look through the clarinet music. Buy everything that looks interesting
and learn it.

My advice may seem harsh, but getting good enough to be a professional
musician is tough, and there's no room for being coddled.

Now, this is not to say that you can't be happy in music and NOT be a
professional. As the hundreds on this list can testify, music is a huge
part of their lives and gives them joy, even though they don't make their
living at it. Choosing not to be a pro also doesn't mean you have to give
up the idea of being a great player either. Kevin Fay, for example, is
quite a good clarinettist and musician, though not professional.

But if you want to be a professional, there are some clear steps you have
to take, and the only relavent good piece of advice I saw for that came
from Robyn:

>P.S. Don't be angry. Be inspired. Find those people who play better than
>you and hang around them. Learn from them. Find out what they are doing
>to be so good.

I second it, and will go further to contradict some bad advice offered by
another.
Get a good teacher now - the best you can find (in order - Curtis, then
Juilliard or Eastman tie, then others). But when choosing a
college/conservatory/university - go for the best SCHOOL regardless of
whether the teacher is any good. It is most important in you undergrad
years to be surrounded by many many excellent clarinettists and musicians.
If your teacher is also great - wonderful, but that combination is in short
supply these days. If your teacher is not so great, that's ok, because you
can always travel to take lessons on the side with a teacher who IS
great. After you get your Bachelors degree, if you still want to pursue
your career and you don't yet have a job, go for a Master's Degree with the
best teacher you can find, even if they teach at a school with only two
music majors. In my opinion, Eric Mandat is the best clarinet teacher
there is today, though there are several really good ones out there.

I believe that anyone can be a professional musician, because I do not
believe in talent. With a strong desire for it, a love of music, good
teachers, and a willingness to work hard, anyone can do it.

I wish you the best of luck with your dream, and I hope my advice was helpful.

Sean Osborn

www.geocities.com/osbornmusic/
www.mp3.com/metopera/

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