 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-03-29 13:02
As one of the late-but-avid learners of clarinet, I wonder whether my passion as amateur is just what is best for the love of music, or I will eventually be wanting for more, even though that could mean more pain than gain...
Will people need to go to conservatories/music universities to become 'real' clarinet players, or could we be(or learn to be) just content with what we enjoy now:i.e. everyday practice, occasional not-for-profit performances, meeting people with the same interest in the instrument, feeling of self-fulfillment, etc?
Any suggestion or story would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Lucy Lee Jang
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2004-03-29 13:39
I've been an amateur for years, always improving, but aware that I'll never be a professional (unless you count being paid for being in college marching band years ago). It's possible to be satisfied as an untrained amateur. One should make music simply because one enjoys doing so. Getting paid for it or being able to make a career of it is, in my opinion, just an added benefit that some (who are talented and have worked hard) get to enjoy.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-29 13:56
Sigh. I had a great, lengthy, rambling post to reply but my new internet provider has been botching up my posts and losing all the information I typed. So I guess I'll have to keep it short and sweet. Which I'm sure a lot of people out there are THANKFUL for since I tend to drone on for quite a while.....
I personally play for fun. However I love it so much, that I've decided to try to get a degree in music performance. I feel that attempting a second dimploma certiainly can't HURT (I'm currently attempting to get a B.S. in Math). And if, after getting a degree, a door opens to play professionally, I'm not sure what I'd do. I may take it and use it as part of my living making up the difference with a parttime job. I may try to make music a fulltime breadwinner (is that an oxymoron?). Or I may decline any jobs and strictly play for fun in community bands. I don't know. But I'm not worried about it and will rather deal with that issue when(if) it arises in the future. For now I'm happy to practice, learn more and make a 'formal' study of the clarinet, and just be able to stop, look back and say, "Hey. I think I've gotten better than I was a few months ago . . . "
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-03-29 14:52
CC and Don P, I have considered myself to be a modestly-skillful [but still amateur] cl'ist for many years, lacking the devotion/practice/lessons needed for "professionalism", my now "inactive" membership in AFM, Local 94 not-withstanding, but just "Do It For Love" [as in a Chorus Line song] , with infrequent [honorarium] profit.. I'm sure many of us BBoarders are in this category, Welcome. The communications and learnings achieved seem to complete [with some challenge] my interests/career in engineering/science for an enjoyable retirement. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Rachel
Date: 2004-03-30 01:16
Happy amateur, hoping one day to be a happy professional.
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-03-30 13:13
Don P,
You confirmed the reason why we should make music. It's always nice to get others' confirmation on things that I vaguely agree or sometimes forget the importance of.
sfalexi,
What a pity. I've noticed you provide in-depth (and in-length^^) analysis on many issues in this BBoard. Still, what you wrote is helpful. Being open
to future opportunities sounds like a good idea; much much better than worrying about something you don't know now!
Don B, Rachel,
Thanks for your input.
As many of us BBoarders, I fully enjoy being a happy amateur, but again, I'll stay open to any option/possibility to go on to the next step if needed
at least in 3-5 years time. For the time being, practice for my next lesson is what I care most...along with 2 kids + hubby and work as interpreter.
Lucy Lee Jang
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-03-30 16:45
I have been a professional clarinetist for ALMOST 20 years and can say that the rewards are immense.
I play Principal Clarinet with a regional orchestra and play as a sub for a variety of ensembles...variety being the key...
I also love teaching which some players hate...
If you think you are in the zone of going to that level there are always a few things that should be considered:
PRO Playing like anything has its ups and downs....there are some things about North American culture in general that denigrate the idea of being a classical musician.
.however, among Orchestral performers there is an incredible and supportive group of performers who value each others as artists...
I also think that we don't get on the Bulletin Board enough input from Professional Clarinetists...it seem apart from Greg Smith, and John Moses, Ken Shaw and GBK and Walter Grabner we don't really hear enough about the tough elements of orchestral or even recital playing...
A fine performer really needs to have their head "screwed" on pretty straight....
ego is something that really can cause alot of professional development trouble...you have to know how to get the best out of yourself and at the same time be accomodating...I have worked with so many conductors and players who are really socially so inept it is a wonder they are even employed....
On the plus side you have to be able to put up with all the eccentricities of other players...but you got to be strong and even say your "Piece"
when it comes down to issues....
too many people devalue or undervalue their own innate ability
some players simply
don't last very long because they can't hack the difficult rehearsal or even the tough learning curve of a given piece...some music cannot be learned overnight...so in retrospect you have to have staying power.
As to my own experience..I have always seen the very finest of players are those who have highly developed social skill...in a nutshell 'they are decent and nice people!"
Once again,
the real key is being able to be flexible and have a sense of what is fair and right...apart from that I also know that there will never be a Conductor every player will like...!!!
As to myself, I love orchestral work and in fact my Work PERIOD !!
Right now I have 3 orchestral concerts with my orchestra this month and a batch of musicals..
.I really enjoy it and the challenges every day brings...
David Dow
Post Edited (2004-03-30 16:46)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-03-30 18:33
David Dow makes many fine points.
I too play in a regional orchestra and enjoy the challenge immensely. Good orchestral playing takes a very special type of person with a specific mind set. All ego must be left at home.
For me the greatest challenge and excitement are the constantly changing programs and the subsequent preparation involved.
Many players do not like the pressure of having to be at 110% readiness all the time.
However, some thrive on it...GBK
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-03-30 21:10
Here's an idea - if you feel you don't have the drive or the time to practice the extensive hours to be professional, why not offer your services as a volunteer for your closest professional orchestra? There are always a multitude of things that need to be done, and all of them important in one way or another. I bet that if you just call the orchestra and speak with the GM you'd be snapped up in no time and given something to do.
This volunteering usually doesn't take up so much of your time that you can't practice and have your lessons, besides play with your favourite band or chamber group, and as an educated musician you'd be filling a real need.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-30 21:35
Quote:
This volunteering usually doesn't take up so much of your time that you can't practice and have your lessons, besides play with your favourite band or chamber group, and as an educated musician you'd be filling a real need. Plus I bet you'd get free admittance to a lot of shows, as well as make a lot of connections in the clarinet world, AND (given time to get to know you) probably be offerred a discount rate on lessons by at least ONE of the pros in the orchestra. Not bad for giving up some time to help out the pros . . .
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-03-31 05:46
I'm a college student, working hard to become a 'real' clarinetist. Working hard is the main point, I guess. You've gotta wanna work for it. I see many other clarinetists here who think that one day, they'll finish their degree and go out into the professional world. I think you've gotta know that 'If it is to be, it's up to me', and you're not going anywhere if you're not realistic, work HAAAAARD, and make sacrifices. One girl I know says "I'm gonna be the BEST" but she's not the one practising 4 hours a day, and seems to get headaches when orchestra rehearsals come up...
Another factor is that I am very critical of my own playing - and so I doubt very much I will ever enjoy my own playing again, ever. It was a very sad realisation at first, but now it has become an invaluable tool, a 'secret weapon' almost! My attitude is, basically, that you're on stage to give the audience the experience, not yourself. This way, I can deliver a musical experience 100% for my audience, which is exactly the point of getting up on stage. Music is about the composer, the music, the audience, or the audition panel. It's really not about ME, if I can't play a passage in orchestra, too bad, I go practise it.
So, to summarise, I believe that the choice to be a 'real' musician is to give up that enjoyment that you get out of your own playing specifially. This is't to say you can't enjoy music - in fact in enhances listening to others and playing in an ensemble, listening to a recording of your recital and realise that even though you weren't up there having the time of your life as far as musical experiences goes, the audience sure was!
It's rather paradoxical... You're removed emotionally from the music while you play it, yet at the same time you're so close to it and know exactly what's happening.
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-03-31 13:23
Thank you all for your insightful comments. I feel even honored by the fact that some of the pros in the BBoard took time to offer their views.
As an amatuer you can be as narcissitic(and happy?) as you want to be , but as pro you should be philanthropic(or catering more to your audience) in the sense that the "ego" part should be "left at home"?...Interesting.
Eccentric yes, but not egoistic. Another interesting point.
Lucy Lee Jang
Post Edited (2004-03-31 13:27)
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-03-31 15:57
And a good one. I think that for a "professional" as the clarinet world seems to define it (full-time, at least part of that classical), being happy is beside the point. They do what they do because they believe in it. Art as responsibility (albeit a very abstract responsibility).
(D Dow) >> PRO Playing like anything has its ups and downs....there are some things about North American culture in general that denigrate the idea of being a classical musician. <<
See above re definition of a pro clarinetist...also, David, what *are* some of those things? Is it all related to the broad public just not "getting" the music and supporting the music?
I even sense misunderstanding, even tension sometimes, between classical and nonclassical musicians. Presumably based on judging one another thru a different ethos.
Post Edited (2004-03-31 16:06)
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