 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bflatclarinetist
Date: 2005-05-23 16:08
I'm wondering what requirements or essentials does it take to be a professional musician? List in order from the most important to the least. Thanks!
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2005-05-23 16:46
..."professional musician"
But what is a professional musician?
The schoolteacher who teaches small children? Member of an orchestra? The guy who makes up jingles for commercials? The rock star making millions before dying of an overdose?
Guts? No, I think you need guts for most careers.
The only thing I can think of is a good ear for music, something which, despite my love of music, I don't possess.
Steve
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Author: clarinetmajr
Date: 2005-05-23 16:54
determination
focus
perseverance
dedication
confidence
accuracy....
not in any particular order
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-05-23 17:12
Ah! A chance to repeat the best advice I was ever given on this subject.
Wide-Eyed Me (to a teacher who thought highly of my work): "Gee, Mr. Teacher, do you think I could be a professional musician?"
Wise Teacher: "If you want to."
-OR-
A conversation with my husband, musing about the breakup of our son's engagement:
Me: "Why do you think our marriage has worked out?
Him: "Because we both want it to."
The older I get, the more I understand than in any pursuit, the will to do it, and to keep doing it, is what distinguishes the successful in any endeavor.
Susan
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Author: bflatclarinetist
Date: 2005-05-23 17:12
By professional musician I was thinking a member of an orchestra. Are there any other factors to consider besides your spirit or attitude?
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-05-23 17:13
bflat -
In approximate order it takes:
1. RELIABILITY. Because if you miss, even once, you'll never be asked back. Even if you're sick, tired or depressed, there are no excuses.
(a) Physical stamina. Really. Jack Brymer puts it first. If you can't take the hard work, the late hours, the rushing from one service to the next and still be at your best every time, then nothing else counts.
(b) Always being available. It takes years to work your way to the top in a tough market. It takes only one slip to lose it. Joseph Eger, the top freelance horn player in NYC, wrote that he could never take a vacation, because if he missed even one call, the contractor would hire the next player in line, who would be the #1 call from then on.
(c) Being on time, and a little early, to **every** rehearsal and **every** performance.
(d) Counting every rest perfectly -- twice as hard as when you're playing.
(e) Playing every rhythm perfectly.
(f) Making every entrance perfectly.
(g) Playing perfectly together with everyone else.
(h) Playing perfectly in tune.
(i) Playing every note, with zero mistakes.
(j) Coming to the first rehearsal with the part perfectly mastered.
(k) Coming to every rehearsal with several good reeds, an instrument in perfect repair (including silent keywork), and an extra instrument.
(l) Being properly dressed for every performance.
2. FAST LEARNING.
(a) Great sight reading.
(b) Ability to do a great concert on one or at most two rehearsals. That's all professionals ever get.
3. PERSONALITY.
(a) Being "easy" all the time.
(b) Never, ever showing up the conductor or the other players, even (especially) when you know a lot more than they do.
(c) No pissing and moaning, even if others do.
(d) Doing what the conductor wants, even if it's wrong.
(e) Playing beautifully, all the time.
(f) Being able to defend yourself. There are lots of sharp elbows in the business. You need to be able to give as good as you get, or you'll be trampled.
Note that there's nothing about being a master of your instrument. That's assumed.
Some of these items (e.g., proper dress) may seem trivial. They're not. The world is full of people who play just as well as you do, or even better. Your reputation for reliability, quickness and ability to get along is what you sell.
I'm sure John Moses, who knows more than the rest of us combined, will have insightful additions.
Ken Shaw
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-05-23 19:22
Always be aware that no matter how well you've played in the past, or what your reputation is, people generally only remember and judge you by your last performance...GBK
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2005-05-23 21:57
>>Note that there's nothing about being a master of your instrument. That's assumed.
>>Some of these items (e.g., proper dress) may seem trivial. They're not. The world is full of people who play just as well as you do, or even better. Your reputation for reliability, quickness and ability to get along is what you sell.
Ken, I think this excellent and very wise advice can be applied to many other situations as well.
Steve
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2005-05-24 16:25
Being a successful perfomer requires a great deal of time and practice.
It also requires that one learns ensemble skills to the highest degree no matter what. Players with excellent internal rythmn coupled with a fine technique seem to get further in their careers...added to this one also has to enjoy working with people in situations of varying stress, fatigue et. al.
Recently I did a film recording which required a great deal of patience due to the nature of the way the music was dubbed into the soundtracik. Added to this was the fact the sessions all went overtime because the director was unhappy with the music editing made things very frazzled.
The real key is to be able to concentrate no matter the venue and or hall you are playing in..whether in front of camera or in front of microphones one must not allow any conditions to interfere with the way you play and concentrate.
David Dow
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2005-05-24 20:46
Excellent comments and suggestions Ken & All:
I might add "networking" to some of the comments.
In my lectures on this very subject, networking is an idea that often comes up. By networking I mean, using all your musical & personal skills to make your musical voice heard to as many people as possible.
Start networking at school, keep up with your personal and professional contacts through college, and wind up at the professional level with many contacts, friends, helpers, subs, students, contractors, conductors, and just regular people, who all know you and your playing well.
You will need the help and support of others to be truly successful. But most of all, you will be a total musician and artist when you learn to help others.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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