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 Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:16 pm
This is more of a rant, but I wonder if I'm the only one in this situation.
My section leader Philip is beyond amazing. Our bd is pretty much in love with him. He's made it to all state 2 years, and even travelled to europe for his skill on trombone.
The next best is Ryan, who's a freshman. He's just naturally talented on bone and has never gotten lessons and barely practices. But he still sounds as if he did.
Then there's me.
I bust my a** to be good and I probably practice more than anyone in the band that's seeing results. However, it's just not enough to beat anyone out, other than a baritone player that does bone for jazz(and hasn't practiced since middle school), and this one girl who should never ever pick up an instrument(she didn't even know how to read music until her junior year).
I tried to be confident in what I can do. But there's a bari player who insists through hints and directly, that I suck compared to Philip and Ryan. Then everyone in the room seems to agree. It's really getting me down. I still practice, but I'm not as motivated as I used to. And I've just stopped playing in class entirely(well not entirely...I switched to horn for concert band and I play at piano in jazz).
If something like this has happened to you, then what did you do about it?
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Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:00 pm
I'm like that too.
Ryan probably never practices, same with Brian. Then there's Scott. He's GREAT. And me? I'm not THAT great. Ryan and Brian are better than me.
Ms.Tengood wants Scott to try out for a Regional Band. Me? Never. If I did Flute, I'd be in there. I'm ULTIMATE pwnage on Flute.
I always fail on high notes... On Trombone.
I TRY to be confedent. It's not like i'm refusing. And I KNOW I can improve, I just have to work on a couple of spots.
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:55 am
I know what you mean.
I was the only piano player in jazz for the first part of the year but we just got a new one (he plays the tuba I think but I'm not sure because he's not in my band). He's quite a bit better than me, especially when it comes to solos. One of the trombone players is also a piano player and he played when we did a piece where I played the vibes. He is WAY better than me and the new guy combined.
In this respect it makes me feel a bit useless. Piano is the only thing I can play in jazz except for the extremely rare opportunity for vibes, and the trombone player is so good, it kind of makes me feel like a horrible pianist.
We just started on doing solo work on Mondays, and every morning after it's over it kind of makes me want to cry because they're so much better than me and they don't even play the instrument exclusively like I do (well I'm a percussionist but I can't play the drumset. I'm not that coordinated and I don't get the opportunity to practice).
Sorry that was kind of my own rant. Now I feel horribly self-absorbed because I talked about myself that whole time crying
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:19 am
Kirei don't feel self absorbed! D=
Let it out once in awhile, that's a good thing. =]
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:32 pm
You are getting really down on yourselves but the fact is that you guys PRACTICE. No1 in my band practices but there are ppl that are naturally good.
If All of you practice that much and are still not as good as the ppl above you then that just means the band you are in has Fantasice players!
None of you sound bad so keep playing!!!
My issue is the gap between our top 4 clarinet players then the other 8. Our band is cut in 2 for concerts so 5 of the clarinets made it 2 the top half. I don't care but I feal bad 4 the guy 2 below me cuz I know he is better than 2 of the people in the upper band but our directors don't like him or something.
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Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:17 am
I feel your pain, CandyJim. lol
I'm a percussionist at my school...the only female, might I add.
Every time I try out for anything that's not in my school, like...all-district...I feel useless because all the guys are better than me.
And by 'better' than me, I mean that there's a reason they make it and I don't. They practice. Lots. And I'll bet most of them are on drumline so they know how to play rudiments already...and then practice mallets and timpani so they...wow, gonna stop with that XD
But...yeah. I have to actually practice...I do have some natural skill but I need to make it stronger so I don't suck AS much.
As to your problem: Anyone who thinks you're a failure in class obviously only thinks that because of the two other guys. If they weren't there you'd probably be the best.
...like my friend on trumpet. He practices so much I don't know how he finds time to do anything else (like his fencing...)...and yet, he's like...fourth chair. No, wait, he's LAST chair. >>
Granted, he has horrible tone, but...he is getting better. XDD
[/endrant]
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Who is Puffer Fish Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 6:48 pm
Oh yes...
only freshmen in a group of seven upperclassmen...
but now, I am the only upperclassmen.
mwahahahahah....
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:30 pm
Really, what you have to do is be very patient.
I was low in the chair tryouts for tuba once upon a time [even though tuba music doesn't have chair parts, there are places for solos]
There was this guy who beat everyone in chair tryouts, but he is a real big jerk. Casper's got a huge ego, and he practices every moment he can. Frodo's got herself some private lessons going on, and that helps her out a lot, she's second chair. String Cheese is fourth chair, but I think that was first-tryout luck. Squid's pretty good, but he's not real confident.
I'm happy being third chair, and I just started Tuba two years ago.
I sat everywhere I could practicing scales till my lips gave out.
Practice circle of fifths, it helps make sight-reading easier because when you know what key it's in, it's easier to hit the accidentals. If you have your music before you do chair tryouts, don't just practice the hardest part. Try downloading the piece on the internet, as a MP3 or Audio file, and play it with the music.
Just remember to keep being confident in your playing, and try to find what you love about playing the music, not being the best. Always aim and believe you can do better. If you absolutely can't advance in the spot you're in, try to be the best there's ever been in that spot.
Music isn't necessarily about being the best ever, it's the appreciation. If players didn't appreciate music and just love recreating and playing it, then band and the joys that come with it just wouldn't be worth the sweat, blood, and tears that we all shed to make it great.
Hope this is a great motivational boost! :]
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