Turning Professional

gcb_trombone · Post by **gcb_trombone** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:08 pm

Daft question, but Im going to ask it anyway.

How do you know when you are a professional - or how do you turn professional??

Is it after so many years in music, or how good your musical knowledge is or playing??

Only reason Im asking is we all hear so much of Professional players, and I was just wondering how thye 'actually' turned professional.

Help...

Thanks

gcb_trombone · Post by **gcb_trombone** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 11:38 am

I presume no-ones replying to this as they don't know when you turn pro.
Not just because they can't b bothered.

hope its the first one..

Post by **njh** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:03 pm

More likely because no-one here's an accountant or lawyer so they don't know the exact legal definition.

Look how fluid the definition of the word professional has become in the Olympic Games!

gcb_trombone · Post by **gcb_trombone** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:19 pm

Hmm. spose. Just curious how Doug yeo and people like him have become professional.

Post by **njh** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:28 pm

Ask him

As well being a first rate bass trombone player, he is a very approachable guy, I'm sure he'll answer any questions.

-Nigel

Lloyd · Post by **Lloyd** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 7:29 pm

gcb_trombone wrote:Daft question, but Im going to ask it anyway.

How do you know when you are a professional - or how do you turn professional??

Is it after so many years in music, or how good your musical knowledge is or playing??

Only reason Im asking is we all hear so much of Professional players, and I was just wondering how thye 'actually' turned professional.

Help...

Thanks

OK ... let me dive in with my 2 cents worth .....

Sidestepping the playing ability and qualifications issues, I have, in my simple way, always considered that I was a professional when I earned my living from a particular occupation. In this sense I was a "professional" consultant, a "professional realtor", and, yes, in the past a "professional" musician, and also in the really dim past, a "professional" bread deliveryman! And now, after recently receiving a "sheep skin" in music there are those that say, "Ah, he's a professional now." But I earn only a very little of my income from music. Go figure!

In fact, earning money from music is a non-issue for me. I just want to share the small talent I have with as many people (players and not) as possible.

I realaize that there are many facets to being professional. And some consider that a "professional" musician must have suitable training, usually a degree or certification of some sort, although there are lots of musicians who earn(ed) their keep from music who are self taught. (Gil Evans comes to mind.)

There are also issues of deportment. A "professional" is expected to behave in a certain way, conduct themself in a "respectable" manner, and maintain their skills and knowledge to a certain level.

OK ... I hope that gives someone a cud to chew

Cheers

gcb_trombone · Post by **gcb_trombone** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:17 am

I'm one of those people who doesn't like all the 'graduated from .. with a ... in music...' to me, that just shows you've got a suitable knowledge of music - of the subject studied. (admitidly it does help)
I've been playing for 11 years now and I have all the knowledge I require to have fun - and all the knowledge I need.

Lloyd · Post by **Lloyd** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:17 pm

gcb_trombone wrote:I'm one of those people who doesn't like all the 'graduated from .. with a ... in music...' to me, that just shows you've got a suitable knowledge of music - of the subject studied. (admitidly it does help)
I've been playing for 11 years now and I have all the knowledge I require to have fun - and all the knowledge I need.

For me, getting the "sheepskin" was, in retrospect, something that began nearly 60 years ago when I started playing. Over the years I took courses, read and studied books on my own, listened to and talked to people, just to learn something new, because I was curious about "how things got that way", never with the intent of getting a "degree". The degree (last year) just kind of happened. It hasn't changed my basic thrust which is, like you, to have fun. Which I am doing. And BTW still learning! And I don't intend to stop ... professional or not!

gcb_trombone · Post by **gcb_trombone** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:25 am

Me and my mate both play trombone and euphonium, and last saturday 13th aug, we had a 4 hour practice, and the anmount of music we played was amazing! we also sorted out a piece we are going to use for a music contest next february. we both came out of that rehersal really happy. Because we both had fun making music.
I intend on learning too. As with anything, you never stop elarning!

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