Category Performance
Five Truths of Being a Musician #5
For the last month we’ve been discussing the truths of the musical life. They are … • Most people simply will not “get it.” • They don’t want to hear that new piece you’re working on. • Sometimes you will (and should) turn down a gig. • You may realize this job is not for […]
What Others Say / Arnold Jacobs
Don’t encourage mediocrity. Play at your best and don’t be second class in the head. —Arnold Jacobs, principal tubist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1944–1988 Tweet: What Others Say / Arnold Jacobs
Five Truths of Being a Musician #4
As I’ve noted, there are several truths about the musical life. • Most people simply will not “get it.” • They don’t want to hear that new piece you’re working on. • Sometimes you will (and should) turn down a gig. Some of these truths you had to learn the hard way. Some are just […]
Five Truths of Being a Musician #3
Being a musician means you accept certain facts about the way you choose to make a living. We’ve already discussed that most people will not “get it” and that people don’t want to hear that new piece you’re working on. This week’s truth: Sometimes you will (and should) turn down a gig. Doing a favor […]
Five Truths of Being a Musician #2
There are certain facts we have to face when we choose the musical life. Last week we were discussing the fact that most people will not “get it” about being a musician. This week’s truth is … People don’t want to hear that new piece you’re working on. Or at least they don’t think they […]
Truths of Being a Musician #1
If you’re a musician, you’ve no doubt discovered several verities about the musical life. Some you had to learn the hard way. Some are just obvious. Some you can laugh about … now. Here’s the first on my list. Most people will not “get it.” The life of a musician is a strange one. You […]
The Biggest Concert Hall (or The Smallest Restaurant)
Have you ever noticed that many times the best restaurant in town is usually in the smallest space? Because my dad’s career is in the food and beverage industry, I have always taken a keen interest in food and restaurants, and I’ve been thinking about these small restaurants. The biggest restaurants are always the chains, […]
The Proof of the Pudding
I grew up in the South, and this included exposure to plenty of colorful colloquialisms. They’re really interesting, and sometimes I like to find out where these little sayings come from. For whatever reason, the other day I was wondering about the phrase “The proof is in the pudding.” From just a little research I […]
What Music Looks Like / Edouard Ferlet
Edouard Ferlet is a fantastic jazz pianist. His career has covered many styles of music, from gospel to cabaret and many points in between. And he clearly has a love for classical music. In yesterday’s post, I talked about creating or re-creating music so we can make it our own. And I think that’s what […]
Creating Your Niche
We all have groups or players that we admire and want to emulate; people who define the type of musician we want to be. The Empire Brass—and more specifically the “old” Empire Brass (to which I respectfully refer as “the Sam years”)—is on my aspiration list. The group always sounds phenomenal and were really pushing […]
Long Tones: The Pursuit of a Life in Music 