 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: thegreatestmusician
Date: 2006-07-14 14:38
hey all, i'm defitnitely an aspiring musician, always growing and learning. i've been playing the clarinet for 10 years and 6 years in orchestra. however, i'm a music minor in college at the moment. is there a chance i could play pro with many years of experience i've had in orchestra? in addition to my learning, i plan to pursue more pro qualifications. i've decided to stick with the ABRSM pro diplomas. would this help?
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2006-07-14 21:41
You know you're a pro when people come up unasked and put money in your hat.
Bob A
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Author: msloss
Date: 2006-07-15 00:53
So Bob, that means your a pro when people look at you and think "my god, somebody buy this guy a sandwich and a shave" and throw a buck at you?
That's regrettably so true...
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Author: rgames
Date: 2006-07-15 01:15
-- How do you know when you reach pro level?
Simple - when you get your first payment for a gig .
Seriously, though, your question seems to imply that you think there's a single, linear progression to becoming a professional musician; there's not. Just go out and start doing auditions and looking for gigs. Most major orchestras list auditions in the International Musician; local orchestras tend to be more word-of-mouth so get involved in your local music scene and find out. You can also get some info on clarinet spots on this forum. Getting in the game is the first step towards success.
Good luck,
rgames
____________________________
Richard G. Ames
Composer - Arranger - Producer
www.rgamesmusic.com
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Author: 2E
Date: 2006-07-15 02:13
How do you know when you reach pro level?
Thats a simple one - you don't.
Don't be thinking that there's a point where you should stop improving because your a proffesional clarinettist, theres always something more to music. If you think you've completely conquered the clarinet and think you're a pro, not only are you up yourself, but get more pro. Always challenge yourself with new things, and get better at them. Try aural stuff, learn to double tongue, teach yourself perfect pitch, get past altissimo C (your double top D's etc) or attempt multiphonics. Easier yet, just take up another instrument and get good at that.
When are you "good" on the clarinet? When you can play the scherzo from Midsummer Nights Dream up to speed and with technical perfection. The Neilsen Concerto, the Copland Concerto, the Mozart Concerto. The list goes on forever. Just don't hit a professional level and think "Great! I can stop getting better now." :P
Enjoy, 2E
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Author: allencole
Date: 2006-07-15 02:37
The whole question sounds like an invitation to a buch of Jeff Foxworthy style one-liners. Maybe this would be a good thread for that very thing.
Allen Cole
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2006-07-15 03:58
I know i'm not playing professionally yet... but last year it was really cool to recieve professional compensation when I played with members of the CPO at a concert.
The director was really pleased with my playing and complimented on it too.. it felt really good.
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2006-07-15 04:08
Quote:
Don't be thinking that there's a point where you should stop improving because your a proffesional clarinettist, theres always something more to music. If you think you've completely conquered the clarinet and think you're a pro, not only are you up yourself, but get more pro. Always challenge yourself with new things, and get better at them. Try aural stuff, learn to double tongue, teach yourself perfect pitch, get past altissimo C (your double top D's etc) or attempt multiphonics. That sounds like FANTASTIC advice to me. I'm not even close to where I'd like to be right now, but I've decided to do just this. I'm working on what are considered advanced techniques while also working on some very difficult pieces (and of course still working on my scales . . . MAN do those need work!!! lol). I spent a little time working and perfecting that glissando that is used in rhapsody in blue. Now I can perform it on command. Right now I'm working on a smooth glissando from high C down to lower clarion C (basically, the reverse of the opening to rhapsody in blue) and working on glissing the chalemeau register. Once I get those under my fingers (pun intended), I'll pick another technique while still focusing on those difficult literature pieces, all the while playing in my band and doing what needs to be done there.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: JoueJolie
Date: 2006-07-15 04:21
How do you know when you are a professional musician?
That's a great question. I don't think there is a great answer to it though. The best answer I can think of is you are a professional musician when your musician colleagues, musicians who are more experienced (like teachers and conductors) and your audience refer to you as a professional. I suppose this comes at different times and in different places for everyone.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-07-15 09:11
Only thing I can add is there are a lot of different type of professional playing and each takes a completely different personality imho. Maybe that's just as important as (if not more than) playing level.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2006-07-15 12:31
Hi,
You know you have pretty much become a professional when you start getting calls for gigs from people you do not know ("hey, you worked with...and he said..."). The "word' gets out pretty quickly, both good and bad.
I have worked with a lot of players that were OK musicians but definately not pros. In the jazz field, these people don't know the tunes, can't improvise very well, have marginal tone/technique, can't backup a singer, are not able to develop a harmony line behind the melody, and generally just don't get it. If you are working shows or wind ensemble jobs, you need to be able to sight-read like crazy with a fine tone and great technique.
And then the three most important words, experience, experience, experience.
HRL
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Author: FDF
Date: 2006-07-15 18:58
There is a lot of good advice here, but my favorite was from 2E. who said:
Thats a simple one - you don't.
Don't be thinking that there's a point where you should stop improving because your a proffesional clarinettist, theres always something more to music. If you think you've completely conquered the clarinet and think you're a pro, not only are you up yourself, but get more pro. Always challenge yourself with new things, and get better at them. Try aural stuff, learn to double tongue, teach yourself perfect pitch, get past altissimo C (your double top D's etc) or attempt multiphonics. Easier yet, just take up another instrument and get good at that.
When are you "good" on the clarinet? When you can play the scherzo from Midsummer Nights Dream up to speed and with technical perfection. The Neilsen Concerto, the Copland Concerto, the Mozart Concerto. The list goes on forever. Just don't hit a professional level and think "Great! I can stop getting better now." :P
Enjoy, 2E
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Author: joeyscl
Date: 2006-07-23 17:49
When all your Colleagues are Professional Musicians?
...just a thought
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-07-23 18:22
"When are you "good" on the clarinet? When you can play the scherzo from Midsummer Nights Dream up to speed and with technical perfection. The Neilsen Concerto, the Copland Concerto, the Mozart Concerto. The list goes on forever."
What if you are not at all interested in playing these or any similar pieces? Does that mean you can't be good on the clarinet....?
Post Edited (2006-07-23 18:57)
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Author: Avie
Date: 2006-07-24 01:35
I guess when you are making money at it you are a Pro. Most sports also have that ruling ![[toast]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley15.gif)
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Author: hans
Date: 2006-07-24 13:00
thegreatestmusician,
how do you know when you reach pro level?
Maybe it's when you can make a living by playing clarinet, i.e., without having to take other jobs to support your clarinet habit.
Hans
Post Edited (2006-07-24 14:36)
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