Looking to start a string quartet

[Jomo]

I am a professional musician, I was musical director in productions. I haveca B.A in Applied Music. I want master conducting and want to start a string quartet.

 

[GoPractice]

Do you want a list? What kind of list? 

Do you want to direct them, represent them, and take 20% of the earnings? I am being bitter. Some times you work for 12% as a player. Being professional means many things.

I can not fly from California to Austria or Caracas or Sydney to practice for a few hours for a job two weeks later. Forget New York, there are players property managing every block.

My suggestion, like it matters, is to play as many hours of quartets possible and find the players you are willing to work with. I played with more than a few dozen until there was some who tolerated me, the person. My technique is fine. If you are young, your passion might carry you. If you are old, it pays to play quartets. You'll spend, just to play. It's ok to have stressful fun.

Great quartet playing, I do not think, is about being selfless and making art. In my mind it is more about being selfless to create art. It is so expensive to be artsy. So easy in words... spending late hours at a cafe near the Beverly Center or at a deli off Farifax, sometimes it is worth it to perform in a quartet.

Do you want a family?

It is difficult and hurtful at times, as the time to create something worth presenting does not pay for the time spent on the actual performance. Passion projects require more than emotion and drive, these days. If you have the ability to lead and play, some will follow or participate.

But to love music, spend a few hour with potential friends and discuss music is the price of gas and something take for the host or the other players. And for this, college towns are great. One learns a lot of notes.

To make money, college towns are not so great.

So love the music and the players. Do not expect more than a meal or two, or greatness, for those jobs well done. If you are too good, the establishment will trash you. But performing is important because real musicians will trash you anyway. Most of us are taught that way. Be tough and produce a better product. 

So if you are free Wednesday might...