bandman

How good is good?

Tonight we showed for the first time a DVD that was cut in our area as a way to raise money for a Catholic School. As a playing pro in our area, I was asked to be one of the "stars" of the show, and it was my honor to be part of a show that raised well over $10,000 in one evening. But…

There is always a but. I’m good! Very good! I played as the feature performer on 4-tunes during the night, all duets with a very accomplished vocalist, with a fine rhythm section backing us up. We did great, but…

As I listened to myself this evening I thought; “I’m really good!” As the second and third piece came along I started to really critique myself (silently of course) and I really didn’t like what I heard. Hey, I could have done more with that last section, or a little more finesse on that lick would have been nice. As I listened I realized, more than I wanted to realize, what separated good players from great players. I’m really good, but I’m not really great.

I hope that everyone has this kind of evening in their lives, and I hope that each of you walks away thinking that you are the greatest trumpet player since…… well the greatest trumpet player ever. It was nice at the end of the evening having people who are average musicians come up to me and my musical partner and tell us how great we were, but I left tonight’s DVD party with the realization that I’m good, but my time in the sun has passed me bye.

So tape yourself, listen to your performances with a critical ear. If you are good, but not great, and you are young – GO HIT THE PRACTICE ROOM! If you are like me, starting to be on the backside of your career with the horn, be happy for the jobs that come your way and play them to the best of your ability.

Music has been very good to me. I’ve been blessed to have played in 49-states and 7 countries (I really need a gig in Idaho!). I have made a good amount of money blowing that chunk of metal that I love so very much, but sooner or later it’s time to be honest and say move aside so that some of the young studs can come in and take your place.

Good is good, and great is great! Once upon a time I was a great player, but tonight I realized that I’m just very good, and very good is not good enough!

Today I handed out awards to some young musicians at my school that are more advanced in 8th grade than I was in 11th grade. I'm proud of them, and I'm amazed at how good some of our young musicians are to day compared to how good we were 30-years ago. When I walked out of the building a former student of mine came up and hugged me, and then told me that he is now playing full time in Las Vegas. He gave me his CD, which I listened to this afternoon – he is great! I guess it’s time for a new generation to take over!

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