Klarinet Archive - Posting 000228.txt from 2005/12

From: Gordon Ross <gtg@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Pieces that Drive you Nuts (was Nutcracker)
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 04:17:00 -0500

On Thu, 29 Dec 2005, KEVIN J FAY wrote:
> Adam has hit the nail on the head, I think. Why do we say that people
> "play" clarinet? Would it not be just as appropriate to say that we "work"
> clarinet?
>
> My language skills other than English are rudimentary at best - I wonder if
> our German, Spanish or Italian friends have the same double entendre.

In the Welsh language you "sing" an instrument. Quite logical for many
instruments (especally wind)

> Two questions - one philosophic, one fun.
>
> 1) What makes you a "professional"? Is it because you get paid to do what
> other people do for recreation - like clarinet or golf?
>
> . . . or is it that you had better be good at it next Tuesday or you don't
> eat?

IMHO, being "professional" is doing something to a certain (high)
standard, usually backed up with the knowledge of why to do something in
a certain way, rather than just because "it works".

I don't think you need to be paid to be a professional. In life I've seen
people who claim to be "professional" at their work (because they make a
living from that skill) but are not professional in their skill &
knowledge - i.e. *I* wouldn't pay them to do that job.

> Does making one's "play" into "work" suck all the joy out of the
> endeavor?

It depends how lucky you are. Some people manage to find a job they enjoy
that is tied to a hobby of theirs and still take pleasure in their work.
Many others don't, and after a while hate doing the endeavor they once
loved & enjoyed.

GTG

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