Bear

Ok,
So what would y'all say to those of us who want to play, with all my heart, but KNOW we ain't good enough with all the other trumpet players out there? I would LOVE to audition and win a gig playing a lead book somewhere and not have to have a "secular" job, but there is no way that would happen to a cat like me. Now, I've wanted to teach since I can remeber pickin' up my horn and blowin' the first notes, but I also wanna play. Everytime I hear a good section layin' it down, it just tears my heart out with yearnin'... grrrr... But I can't compete. Self defeatist? prolly, but I know it's true. lol.

Heavens2kadonka

I was like that, until I switched embochures.

In six weeks, I am back to the point I was after SIX YEARS of playing with my other embochure. Its ridiculous. I am guessing that in about two-three weeks, my accuracy and tonguing will be back in order, and I'll start actually going beyond where I was in December!

You dont always have to be a "natural" to get to the pinnacle.

Teaching students is also a good way to get you paying more attention to fundamentals and the little things that add up.

Being self-defeatist doesnt help either, Bear.

Van

__________________
Stage 1 California Light
'94 Bach Strad 37
1900 Eb Cornet

LOUD Steve Patrick 10 1/2 C
LOUD LM93

trickg

ST, ALL good points. I can remember a time in my life when I thought that money didn't matter that much - I was much younger and very idealistic. Life has a way of crashing into your best laid plans and dreams and yes, money DOES matter.....a lot. It isn't the be all/end all of everything, but the situations that you presented are very real and happen all the time with no stretch of the imagination whatsoever.

Lara, if you really want to go into music, by all means do it, but if you think that you could be happy doing music part time and be a biologist for your day, paying gig, do that because I would tend to think that it pays better.

__________________
Patrick Gleason
email me at: trickg1@hotmail.com

"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
"At my signal, unleash hell."
- Maximus Decimus Meridius

gzent

Lara,

ST makes great points , as usual, about money mattering.

Its easy to be passionate about a career when you are young and not 'paying the bills'. The reality is, can you deal with the down side of limited income? Like ST said, when you have a family you cannot put your personal desires so high that your family suffers.

Getting career advice from kids who are only a few years older and still in school - hmm - does that sound sensible?

Once again, consider what the, ahem, mature guys like ST, Patrick and myself have said and pray for guidance. God will show you the best path if you let him!

Greg

PS - No, money doesn't make you happy. Only personal fulfillment gives happiness and that is most easily achieved when you trust in God.

__________________
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revalation
And the mind's true liberation

dizforprez

gzent

Sensible?

You guys act like if she goes into music she will be living off food stamps for the rest of her life. MOST careers in music provide decent money. yeah she might never make 100K, but she could very well make 40+

and by the way "God helps those that help themselves".

gzent

Jason,

Sorry if I touched a nerve, or if you are still in college. But I know a heck a lot more about life at 41 years old than I did at 21 or 31! I thought I had it all figured out and that anyone who told me otherwise was a 'stupid old fool'.

It wasn't until I had a few years of working, paying the bills and raising kids that I found out that the 'stupid old fools' were right about a lot of things and I was wrong.

"MOST careers in music provide decent money". That's a pretty general statement. Would you like to be more specific? Like HS teachers, college teachers, technicians, orchestral players, freelance - there's a WIDE spectrum of careers in music and money being made.

and by the way, God helps those who sincerely ask for His help, not those who think they know all the answers.

Greg

__________________
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revalation
And the mind's true liberation

bandman

Ms. Lara,

I wonder??? Did you ever consider what it might be like to go to a very large, very good, high school program in a place like Dallas where there are people who teach private lessons and assist the head band director? You could teach in a high school setting, with students who want to set themselves up with private lessons, and then help out with the wind ensemble or brass choir.

That would not do for me because I like to run the program myself, but many people like working with the students in a small group or one-on-one setting. That is only found in the larger, or better, programs across our country, but there are still great jobs for those that don't want to stand in front of the band.

I considered going to Orlando or Dallas for one of those jobs last year after my heart problems. I'm glad I didn't because I'm having too much fun being back in front of a band again, but I wanted you to realize that there are many areas of music education for a person with an instrumental education degree.

<- That hug is for you as you try and figure out what to do with your life. I often wish I was young again, but there are many struggles in life that make me glad I'm old. DOn't hit you head against the wall too hard - - this is all going to work out for you! I promise!

__________________

dizforprez

Greg,

I get the idea that while you are condemning the advice of the young you might not have bothered to read it all, or perhaps you would have known I wasn’t in college.

A few music careers estimations:

Public school teacher 30,000-80,000 with retirement and benefits
Orchestra player 20,000-100,000+ with retirement and benefits
College professor 20,000-80,000 with retirement and benefits
Freelance (including teaching private lessons) 25,000+(varies greatly) have to provide own insurance etc.

I can’t think of too many people in music that do just one thing. Chances are if she is serious and works hard she could easily support herself by playing and teaching. Most of the jobs listed above average around the 45,000 mark.

I don’t think I have all the answers (or perhaps any answers) but I do think that you guys might be a little pessimistic give the broad range of careers available in music and given that her original doubt about music seemed to be based more on a lack of confidence than an interest in money.

Just for grins let me ask you this:

What would you say to her if she wanted to be a priest? Would you give her the same advice?

Heavens2kadonka

I am also aggravated by those who say music is not a secure career.

I felt God gave me my direction when I was given the opportunity to attend college on full music scholarship. I'm not an academics person, science, math, all that B.S. BORES the heck outta me. How anyone can enjoy sitting in those classes, to this day, is beyond me.

I want to be a teacher. I also want to have my own trumpet studio, as well as try my hand at being a brass tech. I am practicing to get a seat in an orchestra somewhere. I've got four years, I'm sure I can do it.

GIGGING JOES, yes, I believe they would have a very hard time getting their family through, but DANGIT, that isnt all music is about!!!

S.T., Gzent, Trickg, you all are great people on this site, and I also believe you are great family men, and successful in your life pursuits. HOWEVER, do you really think its wise, in basically telling Lara that she would be making a mistake going into music? What the heck?

Yes, I am aggravated. I don't wanna seem like I am throwing away all of your advice, but music is the only path I want to take! You guys are saying that I will not come out at the end of this path happy?

Van

__________________
Stage 1 California Light
'94 Bach Strad 37
1900 Eb Cornet

LOUD Steve Patrick 10 1/2 C
LOUD LM93

Heavens2kadonka

Lara, I guess I am so big on pushing you towards music, because I felt the way you did. You're going to be confused like this for a while. Its natural. Youre ever so close to a new point in your life. You realize theres SO MUCH you can do. You could be an accountant, or a smokejumper, or a lumberjack....

I'm also going to keep on like I am, because I was also faced with pessimists who said that since the career wouldn't net you 100k a year, it was worthless in pursuiting.

I want you to know that I have not regretted my choices, and I couldn't be much happier where I am now. As long as you follow your heart, you'll be fine.

Van

__________________
Stage 1 California Light
'94 Bach Strad 37
1900 Eb Cornet

LOUD Steve Patrick 10 1/2 C
LOUD LM93