Proffesional and age

ballsrburning · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:08 am Post subject: Proffesional and age

hi

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I have always had the mind set that I was to old to be a great player even during school, when I used to meet kids my age at the time who were far superior to me and my playing ability.

After just taking the trumpet back up I am now aged 29 is this still young enough to make it as a pro player? I never got anywhere near it as a kid as I couldn't be bothered to practice but just did it becasue my father is a pro musician. At present he has no idea I am playing again and thats the way i like it, too much pressure either wise (only self imposed presuure though, he never preassurised me at all, sometimes I wish he did.). I would love to play jazz to his level of ability, but I am wondering if I have left it too late.

What do you all reckon?

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Practice makes permenant

importman · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:22 am Post subject:

While I am certainly not qualified to answer your question I will say this. I hope you're not too old 'cause I started my comeback 10 months ago at age 46 with a five year goal to play in the local symphony orchestra. Granted they're not the NY Phil but they are professionals. I don't know if I'll make it but I'm not ready to give up just yet. Good luck to you.

jazz4yvonne · Heavyweight Member Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 1088

You're not too old or too young to start. Nicholas Payton started in his early 20's. Your willingness will determine the outcome of your quests (btw I started at 21).

bigjohnjps

The way I see it, there is no doubt it is still possible. The only difference would be that you would be older when becoming a professional, thus you would have a shorter career.

The only thing that could hold you back is you and your practice time. When you go to get gigs it should matter if you are 20 or 4o. If you can play, you can play.

IMHO,
John
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bilboinsa · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:57 am Post subject: Re: Proffesional and age

chopissimo · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:06 am Post subject:

Hey, I came back to the trumpet at 51

What are your expectations as a "pro" player?

I found out through a few web boards that there are many bands around where I live that are interested in adding brass sound to their bigger gigs, and prefer "mature" brass players for their knowledge of old standards and classics.

Maybe not as exciting as touring the world but certainly worth the effort and recognition!

Have fun, and remember: if you don't practice, someone else does...
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Fran�ois
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'48 Conn 22B New York Symphony
'68 Conn Director (still going strong!)

Playing "bop" is like playing Scrabble with all the vowels missing.
-- Duke Ellington

LittleRusty · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 1:13 pm Post subject:

Check out the thread http://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44192

At one point he mentions a 20 year layoff.

iambrassman · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:22 pm Post subject:

It is never too late to accomplish what you want to in life.

A common example is Michael Jordan struggling with Basketball through grade school.

Less common are:
Ronald Reagan entered politics in his 50's
Manfred Hoeberl (World's Strongest Man Champion) didn't start lifting weights seriously until after a car crash when he was 29
Evelyn Hannon, writer for female travelers, didn't publish until she was 41, and now has over 40,000 subscribers

I am sure there are other cool ones. Older people have the advantage of discipline, having less to prove, and clearer understanding of their objectives and goals.

Go for it.
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Jim "IAmBrassman" Utley
Callet Jazz 0.470" /
Greg Black made John Blount Personal Mpc

Bob Cross · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:50 pm Post subject:

I would say this.

It is realistic to believe that you could reach pro level. But it would not be a smart career move IMO to quit your job as a chemist to make your living as a pro trumpet player.

It is great fun to play with the pros, and I'm sure to be one. But I think that you will enjoy it even more if you are not relying on music for income. From my observations, very few people make what I consider a good living at music, and you are at a real disadvantage starting this late.

But if you are pro quality as an amatuer, you are going to have your pick of gigs. It will be that much more enjoyable since you have a "day job" too. The quys you would be competing against if you want to make this your sole career have been not only practicing for many more years, but have often sewn up the best paying gigs and know the right people etc. Just being a good player is not enough.

So I'm not saying you couldn't, but I wouldn't quit your job in chemistry unless you hated it or got so great and in such demand that you would be foolish not to quit.

I am thankful that I had not quite the talent to consider music as a main career. Compared to my friends who did this or tried to, I lead a much more sane and comfortable life, and I think I enjoy the music even more than most of them do - for some of them it's just a (low paying) job.

I know that my opinion is a bit contrary to what is above, but think whether you want to do this because you love music, or for some other reason. You can love music just as much as a amatuer - maybe more. And there is no limit to how good you can get if you are talented and work at it.

Bob

ballsrburning · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 1:47 am Post subject:

thanks for the posts guys.

Bob thanks for the response I appreciate the point you make and certainly don't intend to quit my job as a chemist for a potential disastorus carrear move in to music. I am way, way off being good enough at present.

As I stated above my father is a pro musician I am very familar with the hardship of being a musician full time and believe me he is very respected in his field, even so he struggled to find work. I doubt I have his talent for music but I just wished to know if there was time left to get to a pro standard, and it seems there is. I can't practice any more than I do now, my Embochure cant take it

. The only thing I want to stop me from being a pro is lack of talent. This I can live with, not every one has it maybe I do maybe I don't at least I have time to find out.

Chopissimo
My idea of a pro musician is more like a semi pro/amature really, this is what I actually meant, full time job (i.e chemist) but the odd gig would be nice just a way of supplmenting my income. I dont want to be a full time musician and I know this is the defention of a pro player, I like the idea of being a great amature player earning a bit on the side by playing and potentially teaching.

Better get on with my work now.

_________________
Practice makes permenant

bilboinsa · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 7:29 am Post subject:

Bob Cross · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:08 am Post subject:

Well, no question that you can get that good. As for your embouchure, I think I saw a post of yours in the BE forum. That is the best way I know to make your embouchure a FORMER problem.

Bob

IEFBR14 · Regular Member Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 15

37 year layoff here. Played in Auburn's band and orchestra in fall 1966, and
started practicing regularly 3 years ago ,and been in 2 local community bands (2nd part mostly) the past 2 years. Right now I have a Phillip Smith etude book that isn't too hard. The trick is, ( it has a CD with him playing) to SOUND like him ... hahahaahahah therein lies the rub ..

Bach Strad from 1957 my old high school horn
Courtios 305R new and WAY too much horn for me ..sheesh
Bach Mercedes from 1973 .. wonderful fun playing
Olds Studio cornet and trumpet from the 50's and early 60's
well, you get the idea ... eBay is a sickness ...