Musicians and travel - Page 3

Hags888 · 09-04-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilboinsa

Yeah, but it still beats crunching numbers in an office all day.....:)

This is probably off topic from the original post, and first, let me apologize for my first "rant." But as a professional musician, this is exactly the stereotype that bothers me. Being a musician is a job, just like anything else. Every job has it's positives and negatives. What bothers me the most about the "musician job" stereotype is that most people don't see it as a "real job." Musicians are sometimes viewed as slackers, free-spirits, and even "pan-handlers." Music performance is viewed as entertainment, which is essentially the same as "play-time" for the average joe.

In terms of the "work involved" to become a professional musician consider this:

1. Practice time. It takes a dedicated person decades of practing several hours *every* day to reach a level of proficiency needed to be a successful professsional musician. What other "job" requires this much study, time and investment?

2. Job Applications. Most professional musicians have taken dozens of auditions and have sent their resume to many different places. It can cost a person up to $500 for every audition or job interview they take. Meaning, after 10 auditions/interviews a person has spend $5K in just the interview process! What other job is like that? Heck, some companies will even pay prospective employees to come out visit them for a job interview.

3. Competition. The competition is so fierce that typically 100 people show up to the interview for 1 job. Again, how is this like any "regular job" interview process?

4. Maintenence/Professional Development. Once you finally land a coveted job as a professional musician, all the work that got you the job doesn't stop. You still have to maintain your high level of musicianship through practicing. In addition, most professional musicians have a minmum of a masters degree.

5. There are many other things I've left off the list, like paying for school, self-promotion/marketing, or any other "self-employment" costs. While being a professional musician clearly isn't the same as "crunching numbers", it's a still a job, and it still requires "work" just like any other "regular job"...in some sense, maybe more.

So, the next time someone calls being a professional musician "easy" or "not a real job"...take the time to inform them.

Ned Kelly Jazz · 09-04-2006, 01:47 PM

I went on vacation last month and they had me check in everything. But when they noticed that I was checking in my horn they told me it's OK to handcarry it but I was told that I needed to throw away all my slide oil and valve oil.

40cal · 09-04-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hags888

This is probably off topic from the original post, and first, let me apologize for my first "rant." But as a professional musician, this is exactly the stereotype that bothers me. Being a musician is a job, just like anything else. Every job has it's positives and negatives. What bothers me the most about the "musician job" stereotype is that most people don't see it as a "real job." Musicians are sometimes viewed as slackers, free-spirits, and even "pan-handlers." Music performance is viewed as entertainment, which is essentially the same as "play-time" for the average joe.

In terms of the "work involved" to become a professional musician consider this:

1. Practice time. It takes a dedicated person decades of practing several hours *every* day to reach a level of proficiency needed to be a successful professsional musician. What other "job" requires this much study, time and investment?

2. Job Applications. Most professional musicians have taken dozens of auditions and have sent their resume to many different places. It can cost a person up to $500 for every audition or job interview they take. Meaning, after 10 auditions/interviews a person has spend $5K in just the interview process! What other job is like that? Heck, some companies will even pay prospective employees to come out visit them for a job interview.

3. Competition. The competition is so fierce that typically 100 people show up to the interview for 1 job. Again, how is this like any "regular job" interview process?

4. Maintenence/Professional Development. Once you finally land a coveted job as a professional musician, all the work that got you the job doesn't stop. You still have to maintain your high level of musicianship through practicing. In addition, most professional musicians have a minmum of a masters degree.

5. There are many other things I've left off the list, like paying for school, self-promotion/marketing, or any other "self-employment" costs. While being a professional musician clearly isn't the same as "crunching numbers", it's a still a job, and it still requires "work" just like any other "regular job"...in some sense, maybe more.

So, the next time someone calls being a professional musician "easy" or "not a real job"...take the time to inform them.

ahhh....ok.............now back to your regularly scheduled program.

40cal · 09-04-2006, 02:05 PM

At least people generally are not shooting, spitting, slapping, yelling, kicking, punching or fustigating at you. And bonus, you don't usually have to pick up dead bodies with a shovel so it can't be all that bad.

09-04-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40cal

And bonus, you don't usually have to pick up dead bodies with a shovel so it can't be all that bad.

No, but there was this bass player I played with once...

Bruce Lee · 09-04-2006, 04:20 PM

Soooo... Alex... nice to have you back Stateside!

Looks like you had a GOLDEN time in the UK!

Can't wait to read your "handywork" about your new babies!
Dang... triplets! Who knew? I could swear that I read something about a new Pelican case. Looks like the "storks and pelicans" were good to you!

In case you're reading this, Leigh... I haven't called you anything resembling a bird. I'm merely speaking metaphorically.

Cheers!
Bruce

Hags888 · 09-04-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40cal

At least people generally are not shooting, spitting, slapping, yelling, kicking, punching or fustigating at you. And bonus, you don't usually have to pick up dead bodies with a shovel so it can't be all that bad.

heh. I'm not saying the life of a professional musician is bad. 'cause it isn't, I love it! I'm just saying, hey, it's work, and it's a real job too. I probably said it with too heavy of a hand...I'll try not to be so dogmatic next time..

40cal · 09-04-2006, 07:17 PM

I was just bustin your chops bro'.....

I think you are correct, a lot of people don't realize how much work goes in to being a professional musician.

Alex Yates · 09-05-2006, 04:28 PM

Ahem......here is the last bit of 'regularly scheduled programming'

. I promised pictures of the Pelican case with the horns inside. It looks a bit rough on the inside because I literally cut my Wolfpak apart and slid it right in. I will eventually fix it up nice with some upholstery after refreshing the foam. It fits perfectly inside will a little room for music.

frank · 09-05-2006, 05:15 PM

Verrrry nice case, Alex! oh, yes the content seems quite ok, too...

(btw: the mailbox is still empty...

)

09-04-2006, 01:47 PM	#22 (permalink)
Ned Kelly Jazz New Friend Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 9	I went on vacation last month and they had me check in everything. But when they noticed that I was checking in my horn they told me it's OK to handcarry it but I was told that I needed to throw away all my slide oil and valve oil. __________________ Greetings from Hong Kong!

09-04-2006, 02:05 PM	#24 (permalink)
40cal Forte User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,273	At least people generally are not shooting, spitting, slapping, yelling, kicking, punching or fustigating at you. And bonus, you don't usually have to pick up dead bodies with a shovel so it can't be all that bad. __________________ “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day so that my child may have peace.” Thomas Paine 1737-1809 “That’s all the bullets we had, or we would have shot him more,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd

09-04-2006, 04:20 PM	#26 (permalink)
Bruce Lee Piano User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: HOUSTON, TEXAS Posts: 463	Soooo... Alex... nice to have you back Stateside! Looks like you had a GOLDEN time in the UK! Can't wait to read your "handywork" about your new babies! Dang... triplets! Who knew? I could swear that I read something about a new *Pelican* case. Looks like the "storks and pelicans" were good to you! In case you're reading this, Leigh... I haven't called you anything resembling a bird. I'm merely speaking metaphorically. Cheers! Bruce __________________ brucelee@northernbrass.com ECLIPSE TRUMPETS - AUTHORIZED DEALER The "TEATRO", by Lee/McKinney GR Technologies/Northern Brass Mpc's - Dealer http://www.northernbrass.com (281) 485-1919

09-04-2006, 07:17 PM	#28 (permalink)
40cal Forte User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,273	I was just bustin your chops bro'..... I think you are correct, a lot of people don't realize how much work goes in to being a professional musician. __________________ “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day so that my child may have peace.” Thomas Paine 1737-1809 “That’s all the bullets we had, or we would have shot him more,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd

09-05-2006, 04:28 PM	#29 (permalink)
Alex Yates Forte User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,405	Pics of Pelican case filled Ahem......here is the last bit of 'regularly scheduled programming' . I promised pictures of the Pelican case with the horns inside. It looks a bit rough on the inside because I literally cut my Wolfpak apart and slid it right in. I will eventually fix it up nice with some upholstery after refreshing the foam. It fits perfectly inside will a little room for music.

09-05-2006, 05:15 PM	#30 (permalink)
frank Piano User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 423	Verrrry nice case, Alex! oh, yes the content seems quite ok, too... (btw: the mailbox is still empty... ) __________________

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