The holiday season is here and I'm hoping those gifts under the tree are exactly what you were hoping for! I know my gift from Tracy worked out, although it's not under the tree and has already been used on a gig. Thank you to the fine folks at Cooperman for yet another terrific Christmas gift.
But this blog isn't about a new riq...
Spending time with family and friends, finding time to decompress, and getting caught up on sleep is typical for many of us. If you're like me, it takes a day of downtime before getting a little stir crazy. There's the, "I feel guilty for relaxing" immediately followed by "I feel guilty for not relaxing." Can You relate?
Just when I was leaning towards taking a day or two off from thinking about music, practicing, teaching, writing, etc I got a call from the great NYC-based percussionist Valerie Naranjo. She and Barry Olsen are in town visiting family and skiing and were interested in getting into the music building to.... yep... Practice.
Okay.
So here's the compromise I've struck:
1. Do something everyday I wouldn't necessarily find time for during busier times
2. Do something music/percussion/career-related everyday that I wouldn't necessarily find time for during busier times
For the first to-do, movies fit the bill, reading, dare I say, fiction, and exploring this wonderful valley I live in. Sounds relaxing, right?
For the second to-do, I have a stack of David Kuckhermann DVD's I've been meaning to get through. Then there's the advance copy of a riq text by my friend and fellow LSU alum Tom Zirkle. And practicing riq is relaxing, afterall!? (Question and a statement...).
That should hold me over for a week...
What do you do over extended breaks?
Visit my website at www.jameswdoyle.com
My perspective as a percussionist and educator.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Paradigm Shifts for the Classical Percussionist
As of late, some of the blogs and percussion forums I read are ablaze with discussions about the lack of traditional career options for aspiring professional musicians and educators. This is a common thread in our modern day economy/society, regardless of degree earned, course of study, or pedigree.
Orchestra and university positions have become ridiculously competitive or have dried up entirely. As many students get closer to graduation, their idealistic mindset quickly evolves into panic as they see traditional careers simply unavailable, and consequently, they:
a. continue on with school
b. accept an arbitrary sense of defeat
c. Find a way to continue with their art outside of the norm
Can you relate to any of the above? Hopefully letter c. If not, well, read on.
Time for an assignment:
Make some lists; things you can do. Items include musical and non-musical work, hobbies, and other activities that consume your daily life. Here we go...
1. Make a list of what it is you are doing now or have done.
2. Make a list of what you want to do. What you can do now. What you think you can do with a little more work, or ten years of work.
3. Now, make a list of some craziness that would be daring. Ideas that seem insane but would be thrilling to achieve. What can you do that's not a traditional path.
4. Time to compare. Find commonalities? Anything non-traditional that sparks your interests? Diversified? Strengths you haven't considered? Enlist friends to do the same. Compare notes.
Example: You're a musician. You practice yoga. Yoga studios make great venues for performances. Some styles of yoga incorporate live musicians, including frame drums, marimba, tabla, and more. There are specialists in yoga for musicians. There are thousands of musicians who practice yoga... see where I'm going? Perhaps there's a niche you haven't explored. Can you get a degree in musical yoga studies? Not that I know of. Will this pay the bills? Depends on you.
A few months ago, I blogged about the variety of opportunities in my life and how I find the diversity rewarding. Music and pedagogy are both my career, hobby, lifestyle, and the one constant in everything I do.
At a Vic Firth meeting, I remember the Man himself, Mr. Firth say something poignant. He was asked about his career as a musician, educator, composer, publisher, and stick manufacturer. Then he was asked what he considers himself first- a musician, educator, etc etc. He responded, "A Business Man."
A piece of advice:
Talk to someone working in the business sector. How did they navigate their way through the post-college "real world?" Take notes.
Your Career is Yours. It doesn't belong to your teachers, institution, degree program, history, society, external factors, or fate. No finger pointing, just make it happen. Do what works for you and your art.
Once I got my mind around everything written above, a powerful and rewarding paradigm shift took place in my life. Suddenly, I was doing everything I wanted, stretching my comfort levels as a musician and educator, and living a very full life. It's my responsibility and my journey.
It's your journey too and trust me, well worth it. Now get started.
Visit my website at www.jameswdoyle.com
Orchestra and university positions have become ridiculously competitive or have dried up entirely. As many students get closer to graduation, their idealistic mindset quickly evolves into panic as they see traditional careers simply unavailable, and consequently, they:
a. continue on with school
b. accept an arbitrary sense of defeat
c. Find a way to continue with their art outside of the norm
Can you relate to any of the above? Hopefully letter c. If not, well, read on.
Time for an assignment:
Make some lists; things you can do. Items include musical and non-musical work, hobbies, and other activities that consume your daily life. Here we go...
1. Make a list of what it is you are doing now or have done.
2. Make a list of what you want to do. What you can do now. What you think you can do with a little more work, or ten years of work.
3. Now, make a list of some craziness that would be daring. Ideas that seem insane but would be thrilling to achieve. What can you do that's not a traditional path.
4. Time to compare. Find commonalities? Anything non-traditional that sparks your interests? Diversified? Strengths you haven't considered? Enlist friends to do the same. Compare notes.
Example: You're a musician. You practice yoga. Yoga studios make great venues for performances. Some styles of yoga incorporate live musicians, including frame drums, marimba, tabla, and more. There are specialists in yoga for musicians. There are thousands of musicians who practice yoga... see where I'm going? Perhaps there's a niche you haven't explored. Can you get a degree in musical yoga studies? Not that I know of. Will this pay the bills? Depends on you.
A few months ago, I blogged about the variety of opportunities in my life and how I find the diversity rewarding. Music and pedagogy are both my career, hobby, lifestyle, and the one constant in everything I do.
At a Vic Firth meeting, I remember the Man himself, Mr. Firth say something poignant. He was asked about his career as a musician, educator, composer, publisher, and stick manufacturer. Then he was asked what he considers himself first- a musician, educator, etc etc. He responded, "A Business Man."
A piece of advice:
Talk to someone working in the business sector. How did they navigate their way through the post-college "real world?" Take notes.
Your Career is Yours. It doesn't belong to your teachers, institution, degree program, history, society, external factors, or fate. No finger pointing, just make it happen. Do what works for you and your art.
Once I got my mind around everything written above, a powerful and rewarding paradigm shift took place in my life. Suddenly, I was doing everything I wanted, stretching my comfort levels as a musician and educator, and living a very full life. It's my responsibility and my journey.
It's your journey too and trust me, well worth it. Now get started.
Visit my website at www.jameswdoyle.com
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Three Documentaries Worth Watching
The following documentaries share a terrific amount of information on the music business. Some things you know, but surely a lot you didn't know.
What do you know about Les Paul? Find out more and how his inventions revolutionized the music business. Watch this documentary for free on Hulu.
Les Paul- Chasing Sound
How have corporations influenced the music business, and what do some of the greats in the business have to say? Watch this documentary for free on Hulu.
Before the Music Dies
And here's a great documentary discussing copyright issues with music and media in the 20-21st century. Watch this documentary for free on Hulu.
RiP! A Remix Manifesto
Check out the documentaries and share your thoughts.
www.jameswdoyle.com
What do you know about Les Paul? Find out more and how his inventions revolutionized the music business. Watch this documentary for free on Hulu.
Les Paul- Chasing Sound
How have corporations influenced the music business, and what do some of the greats in the business have to say? Watch this documentary for free on Hulu.
Before the Music Dies
And here's a great documentary discussing copyright issues with music and media in the 20-21st century. Watch this documentary for free on Hulu.
RiP! A Remix Manifesto
Check out the documentaries and share your thoughts.
www.jameswdoyle.com
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