Playing Opportunities
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Lew
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1700
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 4:57 pm
- Location: Annville, PA
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tubajoe
- pro musician
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 2:51 pm
- Location: NYC
- Contact:
I actually find the opposite to be true in NYC -- that musicians are EAGER to come and just play... play anything in any setting... even hi end pros will come and play often if they are available and it sounds fun.
In fact, NYC may the easiest place with regards to this in the USA (much MUCH easier than when I lived in Chicago or Denver) due to the staggaring amount of musicians that live here as well as the general friendliness towards and support of the arts.
There are musicians everywhere and it is generally understood that ANY playing situation is:
1.) Time spent on the horn
2.) An ensemble situation... which cannot replicated playing by yourself
3.) A networking opportunity
You just have to put the word out there and not be afraid of it. There are musicians all over the place at every level. It is just a matter of connecting with them. You have to just ask and not be worried of being told no. Feel free to even ask higher end pros -- because even if they are not willing to do so, they for sure have a list of folks that possibly are. In fact, you can ask them in that context: "do you have any names you can give me?" Dont be turned off by condescending or crabby players (which can be common in classical orchestral-wannabe scenes sometimes -- people think acting like that is a prerequisite to success) If you encounter that, just move on and realize that you probably dont want to play with them anyway. There are plenty of others all around.
Craigslist is not usually a good resource for brass players -- the musician section is generally bad garage bands trying to find their unique sound by sounding like others. (once in a while there is something useful on there)
Make some calls to some players -- it's just a matter of networking to find the right people -- think 6 degrees of separation.
Another thing that helps is to keep your plans professional, organized and formal regardless of the playing level. Set a specific time and place for a rehearsal (just call it a "session"... that's what people call casual jam/reading/playing sessions) and call people and make it happen. It helps to have something CONCRETE already set up beforehand to give it viability and to prove to your musicians that you mean business.
Also, dont schedule rehearsal/session times during normal family times (ie weekend afternoons etc) Try to do it during the week, and if possible (depending on the dayjob situations of your players) during the day. This will help in availability. Also find a spot that is convenient and wont require someone to totally go out of their way. It's best for you to bust your hump a little more to make it easier on the players. Give them a few bucks for tolls/cab fare. Buy them pizza. etc etc etc
Start with people you know, or just pick up the phone and call a brass player. Chances are you'll have a big ol ensemble before long!
good luck
In fact, NYC may the easiest place with regards to this in the USA (much MUCH easier than when I lived in Chicago or Denver) due to the staggaring amount of musicians that live here as well as the general friendliness towards and support of the arts.
There are musicians everywhere and it is generally understood that ANY playing situation is:
1.) Time spent on the horn
2.) An ensemble situation... which cannot replicated playing by yourself
3.) A networking opportunity
You just have to put the word out there and not be afraid of it. There are musicians all over the place at every level. It is just a matter of connecting with them. You have to just ask and not be worried of being told no. Feel free to even ask higher end pros -- because even if they are not willing to do so, they for sure have a list of folks that possibly are. In fact, you can ask them in that context: "do you have any names you can give me?" Dont be turned off by condescending or crabby players (which can be common in classical orchestral-wannabe scenes sometimes -- people think acting like that is a prerequisite to success) If you encounter that, just move on and realize that you probably dont want to play with them anyway. There are plenty of others all around.
Craigslist is not usually a good resource for brass players -- the musician section is generally bad garage bands trying to find their unique sound by sounding like others. (once in a while there is something useful on there)
Make some calls to some players -- it's just a matter of networking to find the right people -- think 6 degrees of separation.
Another thing that helps is to keep your plans professional, organized and formal regardless of the playing level. Set a specific time and place for a rehearsal (just call it a "session"... that's what people call casual jam/reading/playing sessions) and call people and make it happen. It helps to have something CONCRETE already set up beforehand to give it viability and to prove to your musicians that you mean business.
Also, dont schedule rehearsal/session times during normal family times (ie weekend afternoons etc) Try to do it during the week, and if possible (depending on the dayjob situations of your players) during the day. This will help in availability. Also find a spot that is convenient and wont require someone to totally go out of their way. It's best for you to bust your hump a little more to make it easier on the players. Give them a few bucks for tolls/cab fare. Buy them pizza. etc etc etc
Start with people you know, or just pick up the phone and call a brass player. Chances are you'll have a big ol ensemble before long!
good luck
"When you control sound, you control meat." -Arnold Jacobs