[Dixielandjazz] Pros and ams

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

There are many Amateur Pros in the game,
and also many Pro Amateurs in the game.

The biggest Problem is most folks don't know the difference, especially the 
players.

I think maybe the biggest difference is that many of the Pros like to believe 
the learned Critics, and when they get a good review they let it take them to 
higher mental level where they lose all sight of the fact that music is 
supposed to be fun not only for those who perform it but for those who listen and 
(God forbid! Get up and dance to it).

There are several different styles of musicians and several different styles 
of audiences, whose musical tastes change frequently as they go through life, 
if we do not change with them it is soon easy to be left in the dark ages with 
no audience to bore.  :))


My best advice is to find out where and what you play the best and do that 
and leave the other gigs to those who do them better than you think you do.

Don't take every gig just because it is a gig or just for the money, I have 
played Big Money gigs that were terrible, and I have played some Free Gigs that 
were Fantastic, they are generally what you make them if you can learn to 
select them carefully and then be Professional enough to make them work for the 
enjoyment of all in attendance.  Now that is being Professional, and it has 
little to do with how technically well you play or do not play your instrument. 

   Music is the Communication business folks, learn to communicate and if you 
are fortunate enough to be a musician then communicate with the International 
Language MUSIC.  If the audience understands you then you are communicating 
if they walk away or are disinterested in you then you are more than likely 
playing over their heads technically and they do not understand you, and that 
makes you a none professional quickly.


Do it in the Road, Do it in the Street, Do it in the Theater, Do it in the 
Concert Hall, Do it at the Fair, Do it at the Old folks home, but for the love 
of Music;

JUST DO IT !

Cheers,

Tom Wiggins