Scars on the soul

Something has been said this week, that has confirmed, what I have always thought.

I figure there are 3 types of musicians.

The first is probably the pro that is full of confidence and nothing fazes them

The second is the sensitive musician who tries hard to be like Number 1 and yet when makes a mistake, hurts terribly

The third is the one who never practices and just turns up for a beer and a blow and doesn’t really care cos they have never experienced lead playing and life is stress free..

No problems with any of them and everyone to their own me thinks.

I want to concentrate on the second one though.

If this guy/gal makes a mistake then they first feel embarrassed because they have (in their mind) let their fellow musician down and secondly compared themselves to the audience, as an underdog to Number one musician.

I have been talking to a musician who has recently taken a back seat from playing because audience members have told him how he/she should play their instruments.

Now if they are experts (remember the quiz question who was the trombone player who was known as the Sentimental gentleman and most put Mr Miller) then I have no problem with feedback. However a vocalist who has taken a week off and been covered by a dep, does not want to hear how much they enjoyed the other singer. Nor an instrumentalist how much they enjoyed their covering player. I know they mean well, but number 2 musician tries hard, but does get hurt easily.

Audience members take great delight on telling them that.

1. They were not loud enough
2. It, was ok .but….

Etc etc

Musicians all over the world put themselves forward for criticism every day. They are only trying to entertain, but sometimes get hurt so badly depending how passionate they are.

I would say that 99% of audiences enjoy the music, mistakes and all. But it’s the 1% that have to comment, that cause all the damage.

It’s time for the trombone blooper today.

Revel’s Bolero is notoriously hard for the Trombone soloist as, if I am told correctly, starts on a top ‘D’ (yes the 1% you will know what this is…..not)

So please feel sorry for this guy, who starts badly, but recovers. However he will never remember the recovered part. Only the fluffs)