TubeNet

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Orchestral music, while often hugely rewarding, is not for the faint of heart...

the elephant wrote:"That sucked balls," . . .
Play everything slow as hades and fix every tiny thing . . .

Wade, your post is worth its weight in gold and more valuable, in many situations, than dozens of expensive lessons.

It does make me smile, though, to see "that sucked balls" and "slow as hades" in the same post. "Balls" = OK, "hell" = ??.

I'm just messing around - it really is an excellent, powerful, and valuable post. I'm no longer a "serious" musician, but I might have stayed one a lot longer if one of my teachers would have had the balls to give me that advice when I was young. (But maybe that wouldn't have been a bad thing . . .)

I know "balls" isn't gender neutral but I'm going for sarcasm here . . .

Great posts Elephant. That's how it is done.

Tom

Upvote for Elephant's post.

Probably the best post I've read on this forum.

Bravo, Wade.

the elephant wrote: ....enjoy a nice, cold adult beverage. Repeat ... daily.

This is what I got out of this.

In all seriousness, exceptional information, Wade.

Mr. Wade... Gracias!!!

That was a great read... thanks

tuben wrote:How do you recommend improving playing, musicianship, and personal self when people don't give you constructive and useful feedback?

And, stop relying on (blaming?) other people.

tuben wrote:

Mark wrote:

tuben wrote:How do you recommend improving playing, musicianship, and personal self when people don't give you constructive and useful feedback?

And, stop relying on (blaming?) other people.

If I understand your comment, we should not rely upon (or blame) anyone else. If a tubist does not rely or at least elicit the commentary, feedback, and input of other musicians, I suspect they will live a VERY solitary musical existence. We are all hoping to be selected (paid or volunteer) to perform with others, so I contend their opinions do matter.

As to blaming other people, that is you creating an interpretation that wasn't intended.
To be clear, this topic was inspired by other tubenet drama and I'm delighted it brought forth two (so far) very useful and informative posts.

I think it's important to separate the contexts. I believe points have been made about not relying on Audition Committees or hiring personnel - that's not their job. Collaborating with other musicians that will give you the straight dope, yet are willing to give you time and effort towards your goals is a separate idea, group of people.

The most brutally honest of all listeners is the recording, however it still needs educated, objective ears to know what to make of anything.

Get serious about what you are doing and take the obvious steps. I can't tell you how many times I sat on the committee and it was clear the vast majority of applicants never recorded themselves. I believe they were smart people and good musicians- if they only heard themselves, then they would be chagrined.

If you knew nothing about music, what steps would you brainstorm for audition prep? Most of the answers are obvious, you just have to mentally take a huge step away and look at is from far far away. If you don't do it, someone else will.

And then realize that they only pay those guys (in the good gigs) because they wouldn't Do it for free. Trust me- just like any job, there are moments of excellence among years of frustration.

Thank you Elephant. Excellent advice for all tuba players!