You have to put luck into it as well - especially now since there are more qualified applicants than there are available jobs. Any time that happens, politics, luck, and being in the right place at the right time (or right audition) can make a new career for someone or send them packing to the next audition. I know of some very good and very capable players who aren't getting jobs and mediocre players who are. I also know of those same capable players who are barely making an income above the poverty line with the Horn. I had no patience for that so I traded being an amateur horn player for a stable career. And when I think about how much time and money I'd have to spend to even become semi-pro (if it's in my grasp), I get discouraged. I've gotten used to a stable income and I don't think I could ever go back into a lifestyle of student loans and accelerated debt. -William In a message dated 3/17/2010 2:26:47 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
We had a discussion on this at KBHC last summer and it seemed to be true for the professionals. In my own case, I had about 2,500 hours of horn practice/lessons when i joined the union and started playing professionally as a free-lancer. But, add in piano study and practice, theory and ear training, band and orchestra experience that figures to about 7,500 hours of music at that point. Add the 3 years of study after that at Curtis, plus more experience both at school and professionally, I had well over 10,000 hours by the time I won my first position in Pittsburgh my senior year. Music is a life long and life consuming profession and I don't think there are any short cuts. KB In a message dated 3/17/2010 1:02:13 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: A tidbit from the web: So what?s the crucial factor? One of the most significant factors is what scientists call the "10,000-hour rule." When we look at any kind of cognitively complex field -- for example, playing chess, writing fiction or being a neurosurgeon -- we find that you are unlikely to master it unless you have practiced for 10,000 hours. That?s 20 hours a week for 10 years. The brain takes that long to assimilate all it needs to know to achieve true mastery. -Steve Mumford _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/valkhorn%40aol.com _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
