 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-05-07 14:09
I play simply as a hobby. I play in small community groups and don't plan on making it pro. Ever. There's a faint glimpse of playing in a wedding band as I get older, but that's not really a goal, more of something that just MAY happen, but I don't care if it does.
With this in mind, would you think I should even minor in music? I'm taking these music theory classes, and quite frankly have skipped the last week and a half (I'm skipping as I write this message). I find it too slowpaced at my college and I'm way ahead of the class and bored out of my mind. Also, since I'm not trying to make a careeer out of it, I was wondering how much learning to connect I-iv chords really are.
Would it be advisable to simply take private lessons and learn more on my own since I don't want to go pro? I just feel as though I'll be getting a lot of "extra" information if I get a minor or major that I'll never end up using.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-05-07 14:25
Yes, its generally a minimal money-earner! I, briefly, considered a musical [cl/sax] career, but eng and chem had both greater appeal and prospects for substantial employment prior to WW2, so I relegated it to the hobby status, 2 yrs in MSC [now MSU] band, had late afternoon labs later!, have never been sorry. So, cl etc is now a great retirement hobby/sci-study interest!! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-05-07 14:33
If you're certain you won't need any formal academic background in music, I'd say take lessons and concentrate on enjoying the clarinet.
But if there's a chance in the future you might want to become a music professional (I'm thinking teacher, band director, etc.), having that formal training under your belt will give you the leg up you need to get where you want to be. If you have a music minor, it'll take relatively few additional hours to complete a music degree and get you ready for the next steps you'll need to take.
Like you, I pursued a music minor (was a music major but changed to communications). But I ended up taking enough history electives to qualify for a double major in communications and history. In the end, I was only a recital away from a music minor, but the double major made it unnecessary. Still, the groundwork is there if I ever get the hankering to go back.
It's tough to know now how you'll feel in 15-20 years or so. If you've got the time and the means and the desire, lay the groundwork for flexibility in the future..
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Brian Peterson
Date: 2003-05-07 14:42
I guess that playing clarinet is for me "just a hobby", and yet it seems to me that the word "hobby" implies a kind of afterthought activity, something you do out in the garage on the weekends.
I much prefer the word "amateur", at least in its more literal meaning, "one who loves". Next to my family, playing clarinet and making music with other "amateurs" is truly one of the great loves of my life.
Brian Peterson
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-05-07 14:50
Alexi -
If you're ahead of the class, go and ask interesting questions. You're throwing away an opportunity. Whatever you know, the prof definitely knows more. If the prof is too busy finishing up the semester, ask outside of class.
I hate to throw your tag-line back at you, but this is a try-to-be situation, doing your best for yourself. One of the things to learn in college is to recognize opportunities, and even make your own. This one is dropped in your lap. Go for it.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-05-07 15:00
Alexi,
No matter what your ultimate goal is with respect to playing music and/or the clarinet, you will certainly get more enjoyment out of it, at whatever level, if you play better and know more about it. Never turn down an opportunity to learn and/or improve, whatever the subject!
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Author: rockymountainbo
Date: 2003-05-07 15:36
I regret not taking music classes when I was in college. Now, my main goal is to get me a Master's in Music. For a few years, I was a professional rock musician and hated the industry. It sucks you dry and leaves nothing left of its love so I left it for good. I still play my guitar, still perform at open mics and record often as well (www.mp3.com/recycledcitizen). However, since I was introduced to jazz (about 5 months ago) and started playing the clarinet, I so wished I had gone with what it was that I wanted to really study because I simply love, live and breathe music. It's my life and has been since age 2 (according to my mother). Now, I have to practice hard for 2 or 3 years before I can even consider being good enough to pass an audition to get into a school. I am doing it for me and not a career. Maybe one day I will teach musicology or something, but I want to get the degree for me.
So, if you love music, love the instrument and think somewhere deep inside that there is even a hint of a possibility you might want to know as much as you possibly can about music and your instrument (no matter what it is), i say take the classes.
I think people who lose the desire to learn are quickly dying. People ask me why I am always taking some kind of class (French, computers, math, etc.) and I tell them that I love to learn.
You know what I tell high school kids that ask me about college? I tell them they will regret not going, but never regret having gone after it is over. The same will probably go for these classes. This is such a small section of your life. Enjoy it and take advantage of your opportunities.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-05-07 15:57
Very well said, Rockymountainbo. The classes I regret most are the ones I put off taking.
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-05-07 16:19
Alexi...I would agree with many of the opinions expressed above to the effect that getting a music minor is certainly not a waste, even though you may never turn pro. Your problem seems to be that the course you are currently enrolled in is simply too elementary for you and you get bored. I certainly can relate to that. But are there any other music course options within your college that would challenge you more? Or could you take some more advanced course at Rutgers that would give you credit at your own college? Good luck!
Henry
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Author: ken
Date: 2003-05-07 17:14
If you intend on minoring in music with the same lack of conviction you display attending your music theory class, I'd seriously consider dropping the course ... if for any reason to do society a favor and leave your chair empty for the next person who really wants it.
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Author: wjk
Date: 2003-05-07 17:25
I make my living doing something other than music--- but music adds immeasurably to my life. You may find that music even faciliates/helps the career you eventually choose. The study of music is never, in my opinion, a waste. It makes you a better person!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-05-07 18:00
I've tried to ask interesting questions in Theory class however the teacher always eventually says that we must "press on" and pressing on in this case means another few days of review. So I would show up to class, answer all the questions, then be loathed by the other students. So I figured since we're doing nothing but reviewing at this point, I'll spare myself and the others of me.
Perhaps I'm just the typical "confused college kid" right now. I don't know what's ahead of me. I was considering doing this and that, music got thrown in there after two years of not playing the clarinet (and coming back with a love for it stronger than I've ever had), however I feel so behind that I'll never catch up to those clarinet players who have made allstate and were studying hard at the instrument for many more years than I. So I dismiss it as a hobby. Certainly one I enjoy (putting off most of my other daily life to get my practicing in - which doesn't make my parents very happy). Not to mention the added pressures of my entire family and all my friends saying, "It's a great hobby, but don't major in it. Just get lessons and play it on the side. Don't waste money on the college credits". And since I'm paying for my college with no help from anyone, it very well could be a waste since I'm not sure I can handle playing as a full time occupation.
my biggest issue is the money. I do love to learn new things, I have a complex similar to Rockymountainbo. I want to get a bachelor's in math. Then go back for a degree in physics. Then mechanical engineering, then aeronautical engineering, and throw into the mixture the music that this post is about. Then the "hobbies" that I love, including but not limited to skydiving, music, muscle cars, reading (the classics), movies, and playing baseball. which ALSO all cost a hefty penny. I love all these things, but can't concievably do them all.
True, my tag line added on to every post is better a never-was than never-tried-to-be. However I've never really aimed to be a professional musician. Just to play for fun, for charities, for nursing homes, anywhere where money ISN'T involved and it's just for the pleasure of making other people happy. So why do I need a degree for that?
Thanks for all the replies. I've gotten a variety of responses here and will be taking them into account. Sigh. The pressures of being a twenty year old college student being forced to pick a major and with it the rest of your life.
Alexi
PS - All those mentioned above are pretty much the reason I want to become a schoolteacher. I like dealing with people, as well as the time off which I think is great. Two months every year off in a row - in which to pursue my other hobbies and interests to the fullest. That way I'll be able to participate in what I love without watching from the sidelines like I see my parents and many others being forced to do with the hours they work.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: William
Date: 2003-05-07 18:22
Maybe play in wedding bands????? As for the "maybe want to" gigging later in life, you will need to know how to play the sax family as well--clarinet alone is not enough. And there is no better time to start that than right now.
I would forget a formal minor in music--that being worthless to useless anyway--and simply take the music classes that interest you. Some private clarinet lessons, theory and arranging courses and the like. Joining the college jazz lab would also provide some valuable experiance.
You don't need to be a music minor (or major) to enjoy music for the rest of your life. Just need to know how to play--and the more instruments (sax/flute, etc) and the more styles of music (versatility) you are good at will only enhance your future love. Keep asking those questions and insist on
answers--that's what those college profs are being paid for (by your tuition).
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-05-07 18:31
I also play saxaphone. Haven't played lately but I'm joining a church band over the summer break so I can get back in touch with my alto (I prefer tenor). Forgot to add on that little bit. IU'll be posting about that later on as well.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-05-07 18:47
Alexi....Obviously, noone can accuse you of not trying!!! And that's wonderful, but IMHO you are overdoing it a bit. You cannot become an expert at everything without running the risk of totally burning yourself out at an early age. Try to relax a bit and concentrate on just a few of the areas you mention. From all I've seen, you are very talented (even your English is way above average!) and you'll go far by anyone's standards.
(And you didn't even mention girls!)
Good luck.
Henry
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2003-05-08 01:50
Alexi, itIt has to be your call, but from all you have shared on the board I can tell that you are already an excellent player and can only get better with private lessons and practice on your own. It sounds like you are already good enough to pursue the things you want in music without a music minor. However, if you plan to get a college degree in something, I can't see how it would hurt you though to have the music minor. The added knowledge will only benefit you. So I guess to sum up, you probably don't need a music minor to get you where you want, but it will certainly be of some help.
Leonard
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Author: PJ
Date: 2003-05-08 02:40
I can't help but see a little of what I went through at that age in your remarks. I went through the exact same thing and eventually ended up dropping music all together. Mainly because I'd only been playing the clarinet for about 9 months before I began at the University. I was so far behind everyone else in the section and couldn't move beyond last chair. I quit it out of disgust.
I took a couple of years off and worked with a private teacher to 'learn' the instrument. That's what I wanted to do to start with, play the clarinet for fun...or so I thought. After a break and realizing that there were issues in my life that were adding to my confusion, facing them head on and just plain old growing up a bit, I went back full steam ahead as a Performance Major. I've not looked back since and don't regret a minute of what I went through. When I went back, I moved up to first chair in the symphonic wind ensemble and concert band, played first part in the clarinet choir and enjoyed every minute of it.
Now, I'm getting ready to begin working on my D.M.A in Performance. Do I have a promise of a job just because I have all of these initials after my name? Probably not. What I do have is the knowledge and understanding of everything it takes to be musician...not just a clarinetist.
My suggestion to you is to first find out if there is a proficiency exam you can take to by-pass the level of Theory you are in. Theory is a VERY important base in any musical endeavor. You may find out that you are less advanced than you think you are and merely comprehending more easily and quickly the information given to you than others in the class. So what if the other students glare at you when you speak up! Are they paying your tuition?!?!?!!? I didn't think so!
Incidentally, I had played piano (and studied for many years with a gentleman with his Master's in Piano Performance from Eastman ) prior entering college. Guess what I DIDN'T major in. Go figure! It did, however, get me some quick cash when someone needed music for a wedding or funeral on the weekends.
Take a break, get your general core classes over with and then HIT IT HARD. You may find out that you wanted to do this all along.
Good luck. Hey, nobody said life was easy did they???
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-05-08 02:49
PJ,
I took the proficiency exam and didn't even place out of the pre-theory class. My professer simply signed a waiver letting me take theory one in hopes that I would catch on to what I missed (a few things like inversions, melodic/harmonic/natural minors, the names of intervals, etc.). WHat ended up happening is that I comprehend the material well while others don't. I actually showed up early one day without realizing it and simply walked in and sat down in the theory II class and began to answer their questions (most correct, some not). Then after about ten minutes I looked around and didn't recognize anyone in the class.
That's another thing which makes me skeptical for theory II. I have a feeling it'll be the same situation as theory I. While I know it'd be unfair to teach at the pace of the fastest person in the class, it's really hard on those people who comprehend it easily and have to wait for others to catch up before finally being taught something new.
Thanks to the many responses in this board (some of which were VERY forward and, while close, may have quite made the rank of constructive criticism, but I can understand why people would be upset), I have many new ideas and possible methods of improving to ponder over the summer. Thanks everyone for helping me clear my thoughts and giving the personal stories which make me realize, "Wow. I'm not the only one like this . . ."
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: jenna
Date: 2003-05-08 04:16
Man, I completely understand where you are coming from.
I don't really have any earth shattering advice myself, mainly because I am as unexperienced as you.
I defintely tend to feel a little overwhelmed, especially on the board sometimes, just because I don't have major musical aspirations. It's just something I enjoy doing, and I can do fairly well. I must have missed the lessons some people have had on ambition and competition.
Your original post just made me think about that.
I was considering a music minor, but I might let it fall to the wayside and just take some classes as electives. You never know, though, so we shall see. I defintely, as I said, see your point. That was the story of my high school career in music.
If you want to talk to someone that appears to be in the same boat, email me or IM me on AIM. I like to chat.
Good Luck
jenna
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