I played Handel's Messiah a few nights ago. I haven't played it in a few years, so it was quite enjoyable--a nice way to ring in the holiday season. At the end of the performance, the soloists came around to the front of the stage to take their bows, and one girl had a very interesting smile on her face--almost as if to say "I did it. Thank you for applauding for me." It wasn't a fake smile (at least it didn't appear to be). I suspect this might have been one of her first big solo appearances and she was basking in the success of a job well done. She looked genuinely pleased that she had brought some happiness to the people in the audience.
All of this got me to thinking: why do I play? I'm on the payroll as a music theorist; nowhere in my job description do the words "double bass" appear. I don't practice nearly as much as I should (don't tell anyone!). But I still take darn near any gig that comes down the pike.
Don't get me wrong--I love playing. If I didn't, I probably would've stopped a long time ago. But what is it about playing that keeps me coming back for more? I'm a lowly section double bass player, so it's certainly not about the glory--I don't get solo bows, I don't tour the world giving recitals, usually I just play whole notes with a few close friends.
I don't think I play for the audience: I'm just as happy in rehearsal as I am in concert (OK, maybe a little happier in concert). I don't think I play to preserve the great tradition that is Western Art Music. I don't do it for the money. I don't do it for the free weekend in Big Spring, TX (when I travel two hours to play with their orchestra).
So those are a bunch of reasons that don't motivate me to play. But what does keep me coming to rehearsals? Why do I keep saying yes to the people that call me? Tune in next time, true believers...
(Why do you play? Feel free to post your comments below...)
All of this got me to thinking: why do I play? I'm on the payroll as a music theorist; nowhere in my job description do the words "double bass" appear. I don't practice nearly as much as I should (don't tell anyone!). But I still take darn near any gig that comes down the pike.
Don't get me wrong--I love playing. If I didn't, I probably would've stopped a long time ago. But what is it about playing that keeps me coming back for more? I'm a lowly section double bass player, so it's certainly not about the glory--I don't get solo bows, I don't tour the world giving recitals, usually I just play whole notes with a few close friends.
I don't think I play for the audience: I'm just as happy in rehearsal as I am in concert (OK, maybe a little happier in concert). I don't think I play to preserve the great tradition that is Western Art Music. I don't do it for the money. I don't do it for the free weekend in Big Spring, TX (when I travel two hours to play with their orchestra).
So those are a bunch of reasons that don't motivate me to play. But what does keep me coming to rehearsals? Why do I keep saying yes to the people that call me? Tune in next time, true believers...
(Why do you play? Feel free to post your comments below...)