TubeNet

Who are you? What do you do? Are you a mere beginner, aspiring pro, pro, or did you give up a long time ago?

I marked "Teacher" because I teach 5-12 band in a rural school district, and I marked "Other" because I play in a community orchestra.

I get the occasional brass quintet gig, but the group I play with only gets together when we have a gig, and we don't really actively seek them as most of the other players are music teachers too and we rarely have time to get together. I also play with a polka group on occasion.

Missing category: "don't play at all, never did." For example, at least a couple have signed up here on behalf of their tuba-playing kids. I have kind of mixed feelings about it - talking to an intermediary is a drag, and I have a hunch the kid would be more mature than a handful of regular posters, but maybe that's exactly why the kid should be practicing while dad wastes time here in the clown pit.

I'm not a "Professional" because my main source of income is not playing the tuba, but I do a fair amount of paid gigs; given that I live in Maine.

pwhitaker wrote:I'm not a "Professional" because my main source of income is not playing the tuba, but I do a fair amount of paid gigs.

Same here. For the same reason I'm also not a "Teacher" even if I do teach a bit.
On the other hand, I am definitely "Other", and I also play tuba for fun.

186

Ann Coulter groupie.

I didn't see 'tuba repair' to be an option. So... I chose 'other'. I play in a couple of professional groups but mostly just amateur bands. Repair is another story altogether. That's gonna cost ya!

What? No Tuba God category

How about us semi-semi-pro, not college trained tuba operators? I currently play maybe 15 to 40 paying gigs a year, and maybe twice that number of non-paying gigs. Certainly not enough to make a living at it, but I didn't ever play more than two hundred paying gigs a year at any time in my "career." I make just enough to have to report it to the IRS, even after expenses, so it is more than a hobby.

Yes, I have a "day job."

TubaTinker wrote:I didn't see 'tuba repair' to be an option.

Nor is there an option for us far-more-common tuba demolishers...

David Richoux wrote:How about us semi-semi-pro, not college trained tuba operators? I currently play maybe 15 to 40 paying gigs a year, and maybe twice that number of non-paying gigs. Certainly not enough to make a living at it, but I didn't ever play more than two hundred paying gigs a year at any time in my "career." I make just enough to have to report it to the IRS, even after expenses, so it is more than a hobby.

Yes, I have a "day job."

I'd be interested in knowing how you come across these paying gigs. Quintet you're in, or just filling in, etc?

rckymtnwst wrote:

David Richoux wrote:How about us semi-semi-pro, not college trained tuba operators?

Yes, I have a "day job."

I'd be interested in knowing how you come across these paying gigs. Quintet you're in, or just filling in, etc?

Mostly playing in a traditional jazz group - many regular gigs (usually monthly) with a 6 piece group playing at restaurants or clubs, some with a 10 piece New Orleans brass band for funerals, corporate events, parties, etc. I work for several band leaders who actually find most of the gigs.
I do get calls for fill in work with other jazz bands every once in a while if available. The San Francisco area is still pretty good for opportunities to play this kind of music - not as good as it was 50 years ago (but there were more bands competing for those gigs!)
As I said, I am not college trained and I had very few lessons (on trumpet) so playing "classical" quintet is not my thing.

David Richoux wrote:Mostly playing in a traditional jazz group - many regular gigs (usually monthly) with a 6 piece group playing at restaurants or clubs

Google is your friend.
http://www.jazzdance.org/andthatsjazz/" target="_blank

How about a category for professional amateur that doesn't play anywhere, this includes not playing in community groups and passes up on gigs as well as doesn't teach. Put me in that one.

I guess I will put down I graduated with a degree and am still looking for a job, since that was a long time ago I guess I should re think this one.

the elephant wrote:I voted "Stay at Home Mom".

We KNEW that!

SplatterTone wrote:Ann Coulter groupie.

Please wipe the drool off your chin, before posting.

SplatterTone wrote:Ann Coulter groupie.

Isn't Ann Coulter Glenn Beck in drag??!
Mark

I'm a non-music graduate student, who plays as a hobby.

the elephant wrote: Actually, Ann Coulter is Bill O'Reilly in drag.

Naw, Bill O'Reilly is prettier...