As a seasoned, certified, old fart, here is some wisdom I have tried to impart to all of my students. I have not always been successful, but I have tried.
1 - Get to rehearsal ahead of time. If a 7:00 rehearsal, get there BEFORE 6:30. DO NOT come strolling in at 5 to 7. “If you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late. If you are late, YOU’RE FIRED!” – Roger Bobo
2 – Take responsibility for your gear and music. It is YOUR responsibility to keep track of your stuff. Is the part muted? You better have one, and ensure it works in your horn for the notes you actually have to play.
2a – Never, EVER tell a conductor you lost your music. As soon as you discover it missing, work with the librarian to get it replaced. Borrow the other guy’s music and get it duplicated IMMEDIATELY, don’t wait a few days to see if it shows up.
3 – ALWAYS wear the right clothes. Look great, don’t worry what the other guys are doing. EVERY concert, look your best. Clothes cleaned and pressed, and shoes polished. Make sure your sox match. If necessary, go buy a new shirt.
3a – ALWAYS keep a bow tie and a long tie in your black jacket pocket. Sometimes they change dress code and you don’t want to be the only guy with the wrong tie; it looks terrible. In the REAL music business, looks matter. If you aren’t sure what the dress code is, ask the conductor for clarification, or the personnel manager.
4 – At rehearsals, warm up and put your horn down. NOTHING is more amateurish than to hear players trying to play excerpts. At rehearsal, or performances you are NOT practicing; you are reinforcing bad habits. Playing excerpts on stage is BUSH; just don't do it! Practice at home!
5 – Don’t get involved in politics. Show up, play your horn, go home. "Keep your head down, and mouth shut.” In a professional situation, you need to EARN your tenure. Management needs NO EXCUSE to let you go before you get your tenure.
6 – Keep your horn clean and in GREAT working order. A beat-up horn indicates that the musician is sloppy. The way you care for your gear, will be reflected in your playing; it’s a sign of striving for excellence, and it shows respect for our craft. Without fail, when I see a player with a beat up instrument (unless it is done for comic effect), their playing is riddled with flaws.
7 – Don’t talk to a conductor at rehearsal unless it is a real (not imagined) emergency. The MD (Music Director) has a lot more to worry about, than your personal issues, at rehearsals. Email or call later.
7a - Don’t ask questions at rehearsal. Figure it out yourself. Read my blog “No Good Questions," (https://tonyclem.blogspot.com/2011/04/no-good-questions.html) on this.
8 – Practice with your mute. Except for the bagpipes, NOTHING sounds worse than a euphonium or tuba player struggling with a mute because they didn’t know if it works properly in the instrument.
9 – ALWAYS have your own set of parts. Even if you know that there will be music at your rehearsal, have your own music. I have shown up MANY times and the librarian didn’t have music, or they expected you to bring your practice parts. If you don’t have the right music, who’s fault is it? YOURS!!! You are the one who looks like a knothead because you don’t have music. With all of the online resources, there is no excuse for not being able to secure the music you need.
And MOST of all:
10 - ALWAYS live up to your commitments. If you tell someone you are going to play for them, play for them. Do not ever go back on your word. The person who asked you, wants YOU involved in their event. Once you earn the reputation of bailing on gigs, you will find yourself NOT being called in the future. An exception here: If you find yourself with a conflict, for the original event, find a sub (who is available for ALL services) who plays BETTER THAN YOU. Before committing that person, call the person who engaged you (personnel manager, conductor, contractor, etc) and say this, "I am so sorry, but I have found myself with a conflict. I have found <so and so> to substitute for me? They can play all the services for which I was engaged. Would it be ok if I sent him/her?" If they hesitate at all, say, "Thank you. I will send my sub to the other gig. I will be at all services for which you originally engaged me."
I am certain there are others, but with my current state of CRS disease, I may have left one or 2 out.
As always, I encourage and welcome your input below.
Something I heard from Jeff Rue (bass player in Sun Valley, ID) "The two keys to a successful music career are to play your ass off and to be nice to everybody. Too many promising careers have been ruined by people who can do the first but not the second."
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