It wasn’t always the case, but I now believe that music video games can contribute to the Part-Time Musician’s development in some ways – and they’re a lot of fun! That last part – the fun – is what draws the vast majority of gamers to pick up Rock Band or Guitar Hero. But why should the fun stop when you shut off the game console?
It’s common sense, regardless of the activity: if you enjoy it, you’ll be more committed, you’ll do it better, and you’ll reap more benefits…which leads to deeper commitment, better performance, more benefits…well, you know where this is going.
I’ve already written about the benefits of music video games to current PTMs, but what about those who have yet to discover their longing to play real music? Don’t we all want to get others hooked on our playing addiction? Well…of course we do!
Fender's Rick Heins rocks out with the new G-DEC 3 amp
“Guitarists using Fender’s new $299 G-DEC 3 amplifier, on sale in April, will get the traditional boost, echo, reverb and other heavy amplified sounds. But the G-DEC 3 is also a “band in a box,” letting musicians play along with 100 music tracks in various styles created by guitarists such as Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. There’s an SD slot for adding MP3 files to the amp.”
“Fender just launched ejamming.com, a site where guitarists can plug into the Net and jam with musicians around the world. The site features free downloadable software that allows musicians to connect. The music can be recorded and saved. There’s a one-month free trial and $9.99 a month subscription.”
I’m excited enough about these developments to give ejamming.com a try myself, and if anyone has any connections at Fender, I’d be more than willing to do a review of the G-DEC 3…so put me in touch, please!
What do you think? While these developments can’t fully replace a live, in-person jam session, they certainly could help keep one driving toward their musical goals with a smile. Interested? Leave a comment! We’d love to hear from you.
I will not denigrate Full-Time Musicians (FTMs) by saying that they play without feeling; I also won’t denigrate Part-Time Musicians (PTMs) by saying that “what we lack in ability we make up with enthusiasm”. Each idea can true or false at an individual level only. But – and you knew there had to be a “but”! – there is something to be said for the feelings that are stirred in someone for whom playing music is an obsession rather than a profession.
“Some friends and I started a Sunday evening chamber group – sometimes it’s a quartet, sometimes a piano quintet, sometimes a sextet. Some of the time we sound pretty ropey. But once in a while, something amazing happens: the endless complexity of those threads of Brahms, Schumann or Schubert come together and our individual lines become one. It’s almost embarrassing to use the word, in our cynical times, that best describes this feeling: joy.”
I can barely begin to describe how well this hits home, and I suspect you feel the same way. At various times, I have played in the following configurations:
Small, mixed-instrument ensemble
Unaccompanied solo
Piano-accompanied solo
Small band
Full orchestra
Dixieland jazz combo
Brass choir
While I have my preferences (which can change based upon the instrument I’m playing and my mood at the time!), all are richly rewarding and provide me with the deep satisfaction that playing good music provides. How can you play and not be touched by it?!?
If you have a story you’d like to share, please post a comment (below) or drop us a line; we’d love to hear about it! In the meantime, take some “artistic license” and play your music like the addiction it is. What can they do? Fire you? :-)
For those of you who may be expecting a lawyer joke, this article might be a bit of a disappointment. If you’re interested in that kind of thing – and hey, who doesn’t like a good joke? – please feel free to leave one as a comment. That said, the topic du jour is Part-Time Musicians who just happen to practice law as a day job. Couldn’t see that one coming, could you?!?!
The LA Lawyers Philharmonic
This article tells of the Los Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic Orchestra, the only orchestra in the USA known to comprise solely attorneys. Whether as judge, prosecutor, or defense attorney, being a legal profession can produce a lot of stress…and playing an instrument can help relieve that stress by focusing the mind (and body) on a creative activity far different from one’s “daily duties”. What better creative activity than music?
Below are two videos of LA Lawyers Phil performances for your enjoyment. Bravo!
Whatever your profession, music offers an outlet for talents you may not be able to fully express in your “day job”. Don’t be afraid to share your talents! By doing so, you make the world a far richer place for all of us.
There are as many stories of why a person becomes a Part-Time Musician (PTM) as there are PTMs. Very few of us will share every element of Maya’s story, but there is a lesson – and inspiration – for all.
Maya Shankar, Scientist
Young Maya Shankar played at a very high level, studying with Itzhak Perlman in preparation for a career as a professional violinist. In 2002, a sudden playing injury took the violin from her very talented studied hands and forced her to seek a new path. While music had been her primary focus to that point, she took the life lessons she had learned from studying music and applied them to great success elsewhere…eventually becoming a cognitive scientist. This article from our friends at Violinist.com provides the details.
Fast forward seven years. Oxford University PhD candidate Maya Shankar was invited to attend the Academy of Achievement Summit in Cape Town, South Africa. Two weeks later, she received a phone call. Since her biographical information included her history as a violinist, and since Joshua Bell was also to be honored at the Summit, the organizers asked if she would be willing to perform with Mr. Bell while there. What else could she do?
Careful to practice only 15 minutes a day to avoid reinjuring herself, Maya worked to polish her well-refined but long-dormant skills. The performance went beautifully, and she rediscovered the music that was still within her…and found more of an emotional connection with it than she had ever had before.
While it is unlikely in the extreme that Ms. Shankar will ever be able – or even desire – to play professionally, she has gained a great deal over the years from her music. We also can gain a great deal from her example:
Sometimes “the end of the world” is simply a strong push in a new direction. Go with it.
Sometimes, it isn’t even the end. Sometimes, you can go back…at least in some capacity.
You’re going to put in the time somewhere to get to any given skill level – no shortcuts. This can be viewed as a problem or a challenge laced with rich, periodic rewards.
The payoffs are always there. Sometimes they are small; sometimes they are large. But it is worth any time you may invest in yourself to learn/play your instrument.
I wish you all the best as you continue to grow in your music, in whatever way you can.
Keep playing,
Mark
For more information, including a wonderful video interview of Maya Shankar describing this experience, please see this article at FromTheTop.org. The video is only 5 1/2 minutes long, but it’s well worth the visit!
It’s very difficult to categorize exactly what is meant by the term “Part-Time Musician”. Let’s take a look at one example and you’ll see what I mean.
This article about trumpet great Marcus Belgrave demonstrates in grand fashion that PTMs can’t be pigeonholed. Mr. Belgrave has played professionally, taught, mentored, and given of himself in more ways than can be listed. While the likelihood of me reaching the stature of Mr. Belgrave is slightly less than my being struck by lightning – say, two dozen times :-O – it doesn’t stop me from being encouraged by the example of someone who dedicated much of his time to other pursuits, yet is still regarded as a music-making giant.
The moral of the story: don’t underestimate the power (or dedication) of a “Part-Time Musician”! Hats off to Marcus Belgrave for his lifetime of achievements.
General, Guitar, News | Mark January 21, 2010 | 
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That said, the topic du jour is Part-Time Musicians who just happen to practice law as a day job. Couldn’t see that one coming, could you?!?!
This article
