Klarinet Archive - Posting 000232.txt from 2006/02

From: "Kevin Fay" <kevinfay3020@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] The clarinet at Indiana University
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 23:27:08 -0500

Oliver Seely posted:

<<<A member of a group with which I have played recently commented that when
he began to consider going pro he found himself at auditions with three
hundred other clarinetists. When his teacher lost his job with a local
symphony orchestra because of budget cuts, his teacher became a barber. Not
wanting to follow in his teacher's footsteps, he went to law school and now
works in the District Attorney's Office.>>>

Tom Henson replied:

<<<As a follow up to all of those amateur clarinetist on this list like
myself, let me just say, we may have it better in some respects than those
that make a living at it. Those blessed with good careers and jobs can
afford to buy good equipment and have the time to indulge their passion on
the side.>>>

I was all of 19 when I realized that (a) I loved playing clarinet but (b)
liked eating, too. It's very, very, very, very hard to make a decent living
as a performing musician. Most folks have to teach to make ends meet, which
is an entirely different gig. I don't have the temperament to teach anyone
younger than the second year of law school, so things looked pretty grim.

I've known too many great musicians who either got burned out from constant
performance, or burned out by teaching unappreciative children. Playing at
a high level every day is taxing - it turns into work. Worse would be
having a Gig From Hell but gritting one's teeth because you need the money.

As Tom said, I think we amateurs have it better. We can afford to do it for
love (the basis of the word amateur!) and not the money. I don't play gigs
for anyone I don't like.

. . . there are a very fortunate few professional musicians who really love
their jobs. I applaud them. Most kids going into music should take a
really hard look first, though.

IMHO, of course.

kjf

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