Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Civic


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Posted by doubler on February 21, 2000 at 19:44:36:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Civic posted by HS-in all maturity on February 21, 2000 at 19:16:44:

Thank you, this is a much more appropriate form of communication. Your moniker is appropriate for this post, because it shows much more maturity.

You are very much like I was when I was your age, with all of the idealistic thoughts of music I had. Some of them are right, some are a little off, and some are the understandable product of the socialist drivel you've most likely had rammed down your throat for the last ten or twelve years of public school(not anything I blame you for!). There are a couple of things you've said that I'd like to respond to. Please understand that I am giving you my perspective, which is not NECESSARILY eternal truth (but in some cases might be!)

"MOST professionals seem to lack all
modesty and happen to think that they were just blessed with superiority. Music is not a business though (at least this type of
music) or it really shouldn't be. Professionals should teach because of their love of music and their love of enlightening others.
I know this sounds like what it would be like only in a nice happy little utopia, but this should occur in the real world, however
impossible."

I don't think modesty is an issue. You have probably been sold the notion that everyone should have high 'self-esteem'. The fact is, there is one source of self-esteem: accomplishment. Professional musicians have accomplished something special, and have a right to that self-esteem. Call it ego if you want, but you're splitting hairs. As for teaching because of the love of music, that's all great, but they still have to pay rent, put their children through school, and plan for retirement. And keep in mind that just because you pay your teacher $35 per hour, it doesn't mean (s)he gets to keep it all. Self-employment tax is about 15%, plus income tax that can be anywhere from 10% to 30% (or more, including state income tax), plus rental of space (may not apply to you if your lessons are at your school). I'll say this: no one sets out to be a pro tuba player because of all the money they expect to make. Ultimately, they're in the business for the love of it. They just still have to eat.

"There's nothing you can learn in an hour that is worth $75; maybe in five hours spaced apart.
The mere reason one would pay this much is to be able to say, "I had a lesson with So-and-So." No one could ever possibly
convince me that charging that much is just "making a living"; that's called making a fortune. I think the most anyone should
have to pay for a one hour lesson is app. $25, otherwise it's just robbery/glamour."

There are things you can learn in a moment that are priceless, and there are lessons that cost all you have and yet don't sink in. There is also a free market, wherein those who have accomplished much (as performers or as teachers) can ask as much as they want, and students can decide whether or not to pay it. If being able to say "I had a lesson with So-and-So" is worth $75, then pay it. If not, don't. Freedom for you, freedom for the teacher! If there's someone willing to pay big bucks for a lesson with Self or Bobo or Johnson, why should those fellows have to just "make a living"?

As I said, I'm not a professional musician. I came close enough to it, though to understand that it is just as much business as it is art. If you want to keep your mouth on a tuba instead of spending your day delivering pizzas, you must grasp that reality.

I hope I have not come off heavy handed. Like my last post, I have responded to you in much the same way as I would have responed to my own son, hopefully sharing a bit of my experience.

Best to you,
the doubler


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