Going Pro

tutin_trumpeta · 08-02-2009, 12:43 PM

Hi Guys,

Firstly I'd like to apologize if this is in the wrong place...

I'm looking for advice on becoming a professional. How does one go about it? I'm not talking about the hours needed practicing etc. as I understand all that. What I mean is how do you make the contacts, how do you make yourself known to the people that need to know, things like that...

I've applied for various auditions in the UK, I have experience of various different types of ensemble, I also take any work I get offered whether it's paid or not (even if it costs me to do it) just to meet people. Is there anything else I can do?

Thanks in advance,

Nick

rowuk · 08-02-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tutin_trumpeta

Hi Guys,

Firstly I'd like to apologize if this is in the wrong place...

I'm looking for advice on becoming a professional. How does one go about it? I'm not talking about the hours needed practicing etc. as I understand all that. What I mean is how do you make the contacts, how do you make yourself known to the people that need to know, things like that...

I've applied for various auditions in the UK, I have experience of various different types of ensemble, I also take any work I get offered whether it's paid or not (even if it costs me to do it) just to meet people. Is there anything else I can do?

Thanks in advance,

Nick

Most of the "pros" that I know, started by studying with a performing pro and playing well enough for them to take us along. That built contacts for Tony's (Wilmer's, Ed's.........) "reliable student" and after a while, we even got to use our own names.

I know of no better way. If you were one of Derek Watsons (Rodney Frank, Michael Laird.....) top 10 students, you would have NO PROBLEM.

The bottom line is to be a pro, you need experience. University STUDIES do not give you what is necessary, you need extracurricular activities and many professors are simply not well enough plugged in to "place" students into gigs on a regular basis.

tutin_trumpeta · 08-02-2009, 05:54 PM

Thank you Rowuk! I know it's not an 'overnight' thing that will happen straightaway but it's a dream of mine and I'm willing to work damned hard to try and achieve it. I know it's not an easy thing to get into and I know it's getting more and more cut-throat as there are more people for fewer jobs but I feel I'd be cheating myself if I didn't at least try.
Incidently, I do have a degree in music but I also have experience of Brass Bands, Big Bands, Pit Bands, Orchestras, small jazz ensembles, brass quintets etc.

Nick

rowuk · 08-02-2009, 06:16 PM

Nick,
as most of the booking agents have "reliable" trumpet players and subs, it is not easy to break in unless you have someone "helping".

For many, a military band would be a great opportunity to get started. Many have a VERY respectable program and even the most casual musician can learn to polish boots.....................

dhbailey · 08-04-2009, 08:50 AM

If you don't have an easy "in" like rowuk described (being a student of a pro player who thinks highly enough of you to recommend you for gigs he/she doesn't want or can't take) then you simply have to go everywhere you can and play anywhere you can, and gradually you get into a situation where someone who is playing for free also has a paying gig and likes how you play and hires you.

Weddings (and funerals and Christmas/Easter services) are a way to start earning money -- make the rounds of church organists so that they know who you are for the times when they're asked to provide a trumpet player.

Another way is to make your own gigs -- put together the type of group you want to play in (jazz combo, brass quartet/quintet, whatever) and start rehearsing until you get enough repertoire learned and then start playing nursing homes for free or a small fee and put together a demo recording and publicity materials and send them to places which put on paying gigs (many municipalities have paying summer concert series where they try to feature a mixture of styles from week to week).

Stage a concert/recital of your own and place a basket for a goodwill offering.

Basically you have to get your name known as far and wide as you can and the contacts will gradually start to come in.

But you must be patient -- it won't happen overnight, but if you're persistent enough and good enough and are easy to work with, it will happen. Maybe not to the level you ultimately wish, there being a severely limited number of full-time positions for trumpet players, but if you work hard and are flexible and willing to play a wide variety of styles, you can make it happen and eventually be self-supporting from your trumpet playing.

And don't forget teaching -- take on some students and you never know who their parents might be, possibly people who can get you gigs.

Good luck and keep the faith -- it can happen if you make it happen!

bigtiny · 08-04-2009, 10:24 AM

-grants - learn to write proposals and take advantage of public monies

-be involved in any projects you can, especially with 'up and comers'. These may be particularly important in the future

-I dont' know anything about the scene in the UK, but find local players that are doing what you want to do. That is, if there's a theater 'pit' scene, or a recording scene, whatever; find out where the trumpet players and contracters hang and try to spend time around them socially. Network, let people know you're around. When you get your first calls -- be as professional as possible

-form your own playing projects

-record and distribute as much of your work as possible. 30 people may see you on a gig. Millions of people download music from the internet. Learn to take advantage of that.

bigtiny

tutin_trumpeta · 08-04-2009, 10:39 AM

Thank you for all your help and advice, I'm going to take it all onboard and give it my best shot. Thanks

Nick

tutin_trumpeta · 08-04-2009, 10:40 AM

08-02-2009, 12:43 PM	#1
tutin_trumpeta Pianissimo User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 115	Going Pro Hi Guys, Firstly I'd like to apologize if this is in the wrong place... I'm looking for advice on becoming a professional. How does one go about it? I'm not talking about the hours needed practicing etc. as I understand all that. What I mean is how do you make the contacts, how do you make yourself known to the people that need to know, things like that... I've applied for various auditions in the UK, I have experience of various different types of ensemble, I also take any work I get offered whether it's paid or not (even if it costs me to do it) just to meet people. Is there anything else I can do? Thanks in advance, Nick __________________ Nick Jolly Life is something like a trumpet. If you don't put anything in, you won't get anything out. - William Christopher Handy Yamaha YTR636 Bb Trumpet Olds Recording Bb Trumpet Olds Studio Bb Trumpet Besson Sovereign Bb Cornet Elkhart Flugel

08-02-2009, 05:54 PM	#3
tutin_trumpeta Pianissimo User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 115	Re: Going Pro Thank you Rowuk! I know it's not an 'overnight' thing that will happen straightaway but it's a dream of mine and I'm willing to work damned hard to try and achieve it. I know it's not an easy thing to get into and I know it's getting more and more cut-throat as there are more people for fewer jobs but I feel I'd be cheating myself if I didn't at least try. Incidently, I do have a degree in music but I also have experience of Brass Bands, Big Bands, Pit Bands, Orchestras, small jazz ensembles, brass quintets etc. Nick __________________ Nick Jolly Life is something like a trumpet. If you don't put anything in, you won't get anything out. - William Christopher Handy Yamaha YTR636 Bb Trumpet Olds Recording Bb Trumpet Olds Studio Bb Trumpet Besson Sovereign Bb Cornet Elkhart Flugel

08-02-2009, 06:16 PM	#4
rowuk Moderator Utimate User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 7,355	Re: Going Pro Nick, as most of the booking agents have "reliable" trumpet players and subs, it is not easy to break in unless you have someone "helping". For many, a military band would be a great opportunity to get started. Many have a VERY respectable program and even the most casual musician can learn to polish boots..................... __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

08-04-2009, 08:50 AM	#5
dhbailey Pianissimo User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 240	Re: Going Pro If you don't have an easy "in" like rowuk described (being a student of a pro player who thinks highly enough of you to recommend you for gigs he/she doesn't want or can't take) then you simply have to go everywhere you can and play anywhere you can, and gradually you get into a situation where someone who is playing for free also has a paying gig and likes how you play and hires you. Weddings (and funerals and Christmas/Easter services) are a way to start earning money -- make the rounds of church organists so that they know who you are for the times when they're asked to provide a trumpet player. Another way is to make your own gigs -- put together the type of group you want to play in (jazz combo, brass quartet/quintet, whatever) and start rehearsing until you get enough repertoire learned and then start playing nursing homes for free or a small fee and put together a demo recording and publicity materials and send them to places which put on paying gigs (many municipalities have paying summer concert series where they try to feature a mixture of styles from week to week). Stage a concert/recital of your own and place a basket for a goodwill offering. Basically you have to get your name known as far and wide as you can and the contacts will gradually start to come in. But you must be patient -- it won't happen overnight, but if you're persistent enough and good enough and are easy to work with, it will happen. Maybe not to the level you ultimately wish, there being a severely limited number of full-time positions for trumpet players, but if you work hard and are flexible and willing to play a wide variety of styles, you can make it happen and eventually be self-supporting from your trumpet playing. And don't forget teaching -- take on some students and you never know who their parents might be, possibly people who can get you gigs. Good luck and keep the faith -- it can happen if you make it happen!

08-04-2009, 10:24 AM	#6
bigtiny Piano User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 444	Re: Going Pro -grants - learn to write proposals and take advantage of public monies -be involved in any projects you can, especially with 'up and comers'. These may be particularly important in the future -I dont' know anything about the scene in the UK, but find local players that are doing what you want to do. That is, if there's a theater 'pit' scene, or a recording scene, whatever; find out where the trumpet players and contracters hang and try to spend time around them socially. Network, let people know you're around. When you get your first calls -- be as professional as possible -form your own playing projects -record and distribute as much of your work as possible. 30 people may see you on a gig. Millions of people download music from the internet. Learn to take advantage of that. bigtiny

08-04-2009, 10:39 AM	#7
tutin_trumpeta Pianissimo User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 115	Re: Going Pro Thank you for all your help and advice, I'm going to take it all onboard and give it my best shot. Thanks Nick __________________ Nick Jolly Life is something like a trumpet. If you don't put anything in, you won't get anything out. - William Christopher Handy Yamaha YTR636 Bb Trumpet Olds Recording Bb Trumpet Olds Studio Bb Trumpet Besson Sovereign Bb Cornet Elkhart Flugel

08-04-2009, 10:40 AM	#8
tutin_trumpeta Pianissimo User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 115	Re: Going Pro ... __________________ Nick Jolly Life is something like a trumpet. If you don't put anything in, you won't get anything out. - William Christopher Handy Yamaha YTR636 Bb Trumpet Olds Recording Bb Trumpet Olds Studio Bb Trumpet Besson Sovereign Bb Cornet Elkhart Flugel Last edited by tutin_trumpeta; 08-04-2009 at 10:41 AM. Reason: Multiple Post

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