The Reasons and Inspirations as to why we play

[Chuck(G)]

Keeps me off the streets after dark.

[tubatooter1940]

Once we have tasted the powerful force of communicating musically with our buddies in our ensemble and together projecting all this to an appreciative audience, we find it so cool and we miss it when it's not happening.
This desire to seek out fellow musicians and play increases with time.
Down South we call this a "Pickin' Jones". When you find yourself "Jonesing out", it is natural to go hunting a jam session or open mike night where you can hopefully, hear some good live music and maybe join in and do a little pickin' yourself.
Happy pickin'
tubatooter1940
www.johnreno.com/

[adam0408]

one thing that keeps me coming back and back to music (and going to band every day) is the fact that its just plain fun. I like the challenge of mastering a difficult piece of music. I like to be able to play with a variety of different musicians. Playing under a phenomenal conductor is a great experience.

Above all I am motivated by the sound I want to produce. I always want to be better... and although I sometimes feel like I dont know how to get there, I want to find out.

Something that greatly motivated me recently was a comment that someone, I think it was maryann, made on this board to the effect of "focusing more on large goals than small goals" I may be misquoting, but it made me think.

I want to focus on my sound, rather than working up a bunch of pieces to play at a recital. I want to refine everything about my playing, and when I have more time for it I intend to do just that.

One thing that makes me greatly excited is the future.... You and I are the future of the music world. I may not have what it takes to "make it" as a professional orchestral tubist, but that is today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring if I work hard enough. Perhaps you or I will be the next great Tuba player in the CSO or NY phil. You or I could be the next Jacobs. Think about that.... and also think about how many people you could be influencing even now with your playing. Think about how much joy you can bring to people with your music. Music is meant to be shared, and it can impact people in pretty huge ways.

[punk_tuba]

it is just fun to play.
when its not anymore.
then i won't do it.

[trseaman]

On a personal level I feel a sense of accomplishment after working hard on a particular solo... Replaying passage after passage until you've got it right. To me, that is very cool and I enjoy the challenge of working my mind & body to achieve that goal...

Working with a band is a little different. In my situation, our band does a show once a month with new music & theme. Of course sight reading the first practice and then refining the show with each practice until the concert date. Doc hits the nail on the head with his statement. Being together with friends is always good no matter what the event! Of course they give you a hard time if you miss practice...(sorry, I've got childcare issues!)

There's also camaraderie and fellowship of kindred spirits, not to mention good food and BEER. What's not to love?

I resemble this statement too! But I guess equal credit should be given to my wife!

Keeps me off the streets after dark.

Playing music is a personal thing and means many different things to different people. Some people have it and others don't but they may enjoy it just the same...

[TubaRay]

Keeps me off the streets after dark.

Actually, it often puts me on the streets after dark.

[TubaRay]

There's something about creating music with other folks that is fulfilling beyond what words can express. It takes you to another level, another plane. There's also comraderie and fellowship of kindred spirits, not to mention good food and BEER. What's not to love?
Doc

Indeed! What's not to love? It is fulfilling in a way that words cannot express.

[TubaRay]

it is just fun to play.
when its not anymore.
then i won't do it.

I have often said pretty much exactly this. So far, I find it is becoming more and more fun as I gain more experience and capabilities. It continues to open up new dimensions to the experience. Put another way, I enjoyed playing in high school band very much. It led me to continue playing, buy my own tuba, etc. With the college years, I embarked on a more serious venture of learning to play the instrument as well as I could. Though I am no longer in school, I continue to study, practice, and learn. This helps me to do a better job of playing, and to understand more of what is going on musically as I play. This continues to make things really interesting.

[Matt Good]

money

[Dan Schultz]

I'm a much calmer person after I've had my daily tuba fix!

[tubajoe]

A couple good quotes:

As Musicians/Healers, it is our destiny to conduct an inward search, and to document it with our music so that others may to benefit. As they listen to the music coming through us, they too are inspired to look within. Light is being transmitted and received from soul to soul. Gradually, the planet moves from darkness to light. We as musicians must surrender to the ocean of our inner selves. We must descend deep into that ocean while the sludge of the ego floats on the surface. We let go of our egos and permit the music to come through us and do its work. We act as the instruments for that work.
-Kenny Werner (Effortless Mastery)

and my favorite:

The life I love is makin' music with my friends.
-Willie Nelson

[windshieldbug]

Because I HAVE to. Even after my crash, now that I can't do it at the level "to which I had become accustomed", I still have to. End of story.

[Chuck Jackson]

I hate working for a living. Think about it.

Chuck"who isn't terrified of hard work, but who feels that it is best left to the professionals"Jackson