Tuba/Music Burnout

[TubaRay]

There is no activity in life that, if pursued to excellence, does not cause burnout from time to time. You can't always be excited about something even if you love doing it. We notice excitement because it's different from normal, and it's easy to become an excitement junkie.

The only time the tuba part bores me is when the music bores me. But I have still endured many playings of musical schlock, and found solace in making my best sounds.

That sound is what makes the tuba different from other instruments. As you get older and meet more tuba players, you'll find that even the top pros obsessively pursue that sound in their heads, never quite reaching it. So, even if you are playing whole notes all the time, there is a challenge to playing those whole notes with a better sound and better musicality than before, and tuba players really must decide to enjoy that challenge.

I have thoroughly edited Rick's post in an effort to zero in on the principal thoughts with which I agree. The above, in my opinion, contains a good deal of wisdom pertaining to the subject of this thread, and to life in general.

[Leland]

Tuba players who succeed (not necessarily professionals, but rather those who are still playing tuba in their later years) usually identify more with the sound of the tuba than with the complexity of the music. Our band may play a piece that has only footballs for me to play, but if I get the sound I want on those footballs, I get as excited as if I execute a fast run.

I think that applies to me as well -- thank goodness!

If I wanted to play more notes, I'd play a different instrument -- like rudimental snare drum. They play more notes than anybody. But it's the sound, man, that keeps me coming back.

I don't really know where it came from (maybe that summertime nasty musical habit.. lol), or maybe it's just part of my addictive/compulsive personality -- but I often get so involved with the sound that I don't care what notes I'm playing or how fast they keep coming. As long as I get to play SOMEthing, I'm happy.

When I lose motivation, it's almost always because I'm not finding the sound that I enjoy. But, it always comes back, and I start having fun again.

[rascaljim]

SHS -
Might I recommed find a local college group with a shortage of tuba players? I spent a few years playing with the local community college when I was in highschool, and while it wasn't too taxing, at least it was fun. The other option is community bands usually vary in ability level. If you look around, you'll probably find one that's decent. THese were the things I did in highschool to keep from quitting. Also you might consider just playing for local conductors and finding out what they recommend, there's a ton of free gigs out there (and not so many paying ones I've come to realize) so go take advantage of it and enjoy yourself.
Jim

[ken k]

If this was mentioned before I apologize. I did not read all the posts.

Get 4 of your fellow brass players together from your school or youth orchestra and form a brass quintet. The Canadian Brass has some great student level pieces that HS students can put together. You can also get a few gigs on the side if you get good enough.

For me quintet playing is one of the most enjoyable forms of playing since you are on your own part and you can play soloistically within the small ensemble.

ken k