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!

Tootsall

Nope....they might be performers but it won't be until they have acquired the experience and maturity that you have before they'll be TEACHERS! And without TEACHERS there wouldn't be PERFORMERS.

bandman

Thanks for the vote of confidence -- I can still teach my tail end off, and I intend on doing so until I can’t physically go to work any more. I love to teach music almost as much as I love the young folks I teach the music to!

My problem is that I have always considered myself a player, and I really consider myself still growing as a musician, but listening to myself tonight, as opposed to listening to my former student blow some wild licks, I realized that the student has now passed the teacher in the area of performance.

Darn it, I really wish I could play a 4-hour gig and still scream at the end of the 4 hours! For me that was once a reality, now it is just a memory.

Eclipsehornplayer

I had a very similar night a few weeks ago...

I'm still hitting the practice room as I'm not quite in the twilight of my trumpet blowing days....

Non-the-less it was humbling.

As for you I'm with Ed.... Without teachers there are no future performers so keep on keeping on....

You hold/mold the future with your work that's a cool thing.

gregc

Hey Bandman, get you in the room with the right guys, on the right night, and I bet ya still have a GREAT one left in ya. So, you were just 'very good' this night out. You can practise too~ You may just get a 2nd wind.
In any case, this is a good, thought provoking thread.
Thanks,

NickD

Bandman! Don't buy it!

I'm sure you are great!

Forget age! Think experience. Don't ever accept the idea that your time has passed you by! There's always an adventure, and as an experienced top notch player you'll always have something unique to give.

I don't mean to imply that younger players don't have a lot to give, too. They can certainly bring a fresh outlook on things.

But experienced musicians can give these younger players something they CAN'T have yet - the WISDOM of EXPERIENCE.

It isn't age that gets in the way - it's our thinking of ourselves as aging! Think of yourself as gaining seasoning and wisdom. You're the Yoda (or maye Gandalf) of trumpet! That's cool!

Sorry, bandman! I hear you and I support you! Keep on keepin' on, man!

I'd love to see the DVD or hear some tracks. got some links?

Peace, man!!!

Nick

PS: I LOVE the penguins!!!

tpter1

I'm with Nick, Bandman. Older and more mature players have a bit more maturity and life experience to bring to the table and that has to come out of the horn, yes?

That your kids are better than you when you were their age...that's a huge compliment to you. Hats off to you. That's what I'm shooting for.

I heard Maynard a few weeks ago. He can still bring it, and he's 78. Heck, I bet Bud can still put the roar of Niagra Falls to shame.

I guess what I'm saying is this: you still have a lot to offer. Keep on keepin' on.

bandman

You guys are good friends – this thread is going in a totally different direction than I wanted. I wasn't looking for a pep talk; I was just stating the obvious in my life, and hoping that it could serve to prevent some of y'all from falling into the same trap.

I played a wedding this afternoon. 7 or 8 tunes including music before, during and after the service. On a job like that I can still play my rear-end off, and I realize that my 33-years of experience in playing weddings makes me a dream to work with. I can play anything in any key. I don't need a rehearsal, and I can add harmony on pieces that have no horn parts written. I understand my value on a job like that.

Most of my playing problems are health related and it has been a great challenge for me to get back on top of my horn. In many ways I'm playing better than I ever have, and in other ways I don't have that burning desire to take the horn out and practice to improve on the things that are starting to slip. To many comebacks in too short of a time period. I'm tired and just need a month or so off of the horn.

I bet it's fun to play golf with Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer. I bet they are still better than 98% of golfers in the world. I kind of think that I play my trumpet like those great gentleman play golf – I might have a lot to offer, but I recognize my place in the music world. Like I said; I play very well, but I'm not great, and there once was a time that I would pull out my horn and play with anyone. They might have been better than I was, but I would not have embarrased myself sitting beside anyone.

Don't get me wrong guys – I still have a lot of gigs to play. I get called almost every week for a wedding. Just my former students keep me busy with that! I'm not going to lay the horn down, but I think that my major contribution in music will come from the educational side of our business, not from behind the horn!

Thanks again for the pep talk – it is really great to know that I have such good friends here!

Brian H. Smout

Hi Bandman,

I hold the rank of 4th degree Black Belt in IsshinRyu Karate and within my system am considered to be an excellent instructor. Many of my students can "outperform" me in some respects but in martial arts we say that 'there comes a time when the student stands on the shoulders of the teacher and it is the teacher that cheers loudest of all'

At 55 years of age my martial arts and trumpet skills are still improving. I believe that your skills and wisdom are too. You sell yourself short, my friend. The energy and love required to produce such great students can only come from one with a great heart. Now save some for yourself and get your old butt into the woodshed and practice your scales

From the heart,

Brian