Fame and Fortune, or Talented and Tasteful?

July 23, 2008 at 12:58 AM

so i'm reading this book. it's called 'solo' by emily barr. It's about a girl who's really pretty, but quite a mediocre cellist. being pretty leads to her amazingly well-paying job as a 'concert/pop cellist' and being famous. but she's just concerned about getting found out that she's not THAT great. she works out, likes to shop, dyes her hair, and really cares about her appearance. (***and by works out and likes to shop, i mean she'll spend alllll day doing these things, and only practice her cello every couple of days)

so i was thinking to myself one day, 'gosh, i could do that.' i could work out and lose weight, really REALLY care about my appearance, and use my mediocre skills as a violinist to get me into the 'pop' culture and rich as all get out. i mean, i have blonde hair, i'm 5'9"... basically if i lost weight and got an agent, and got my BM i'd have it made... right?

but see, her whole life, she's worried she's going to be outted. and she's jealous of the musicians who can do what she can't do. she does more and more to make herself look appealing to the general public instead of making more and more beautiful music.

IF you could be famous and have loads of money and a pretty easy life-style... would you sell out and become a 'pop' star, or would you go after a more 'classic' career (no pun intended) and work your way through the hours and hours of practicing to have it pay off in a smaller way?

...

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 3:44 AM

If you can do either one, more power to you. The rest of us will just ask you if you want fries with it.

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 10:54 AM

I was intrigued by your description and read some reviews of this book on Amazon. According to the reviews, there's more to the shallowness of the main character than this career choice.

But I pretty much agree with Jim. I don't think the so-called "sell out" path would be easy either. There may be a few people like this, and they get a disproportionate share of media attention, but I think they're just random flukes. With 6 billion people in the world, a few are going to get inexplicably lucky. But as a general principle, most successful performers have to work hard at both, their music and their image.

From Terez Mertes
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 12:43 PM

I love Emily Barr's novels but haven't read this one. Would you recommend it, or would the lackluster nature of the character's cello playing/craft annoy a classical music purist? (Or let's just say someone who reveres the craft and wants to believe it's the hard work and artistry that matters.) I read a book called Overture about a violinist who went superstar, but she had such contempt for her craft, I could hardly finish the book, I disliked the attitude so much. You could so tell the writer was not a string musician. Don't think Emily Barr is one either. Her earlier writing certainly hasn't revealed any musical sensibilities. It seems to me a lot of non-musicians really, really miss the mark when they try and use a career string musician as a main character.

From Terez Mertes
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 12:50 PM

Oh. Guess I should answer your question.

>IF you could be famous and have loads of money and a pretty easy life-style... would you sell out and become a 'pop' star, or would you go after a more 'classic' career (no pun intended) and work your way through the hours and hours of practicing to have it pay off in a smaller way?

No question. Classic career. How I feel inside is all that matters. I've had jobs that have paid $$$ and were easy and I felt so dead inside, it was just awful. I may wear torn underwear now and eat peanut butter sandwiches instead of foie gras and caviar, but I wake up smiling.

From Terra Warger
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 2:30 PM

Karen-

yes, the character is 'forced' into doing many of these shallow things, but she is the one to first decide that she is ok with being so shallow and fake.

and i wasn't saying it would be easy either way, but one might be easier than other for some people. and yes, you'd be really lucky to make it big in either way.

Terez-

i would recommend this book, but the lack of musical knowledge might annoy you. she does ok, but the way she words things, you can tell she doesn't know what she really means. i do commend Emily on trying though.

and to answer my own question... i have no idea. i think it would depend on my mood and outlook on life at the time. that seems scary to me, as i re-read it....

From Tommy Atkinson
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 2:49 PM

I would totally sell out if I was attractive enough.... maybe I should start working on those six-pack abs and playing the violin shirtless.

From Shailee Kennedy
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 3:13 PM

What do you mean "if I lost some weight"? You look great right now!

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 3:46 PM

I didn't mean to say that the character was "forced" to make decisions, or that she didn't make them freely, but rather that her choices sounded like they were coming from a place of pain and loss that had nothing to do with music or career ambition.

That made the book sound interesting--I should read it, not just the reviews . . .

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 5:32 PM

How about discarding your principles and ethics for two or three years and becoming fabulously wealthy. Then you could quit the lucrative but unconscionable career, keep or invest your money, and go back to working on a classical violin career? Money can't bring happiness, but it can buy a sense of security and freedom of choice.

From Bilbo Prattle
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 8:22 PM

This question reminds me of one involving faith: Christianity is forgiving, so why not live bad and ask for forgiveness at the very end? Ah, because forgiveness is only real if you truly believe. If you fake it, it won't work.

The same thing goes for music.

Last week I saw Sam Bush face to face in a small setting. He has "rock star" status in bluegrass and some other "genres." Why is he so admired? Because he can play--and more than play he can create in a genuine convincing and utterly beautiful way. It is an inner drive that is apparent and that is what is fulfilling to the audience, and also fulfilling to the artist. You can't get that by faking the music. OK maybe you can be faked in some "pop" mode if there is a producer who sees money in you, but that is worse than craps and besides, labels are on the way out.

Look at what happens to sell-outs:
MC Hammer
Britney Spears
Milli Vanilli,
and others

Of course some great artists also fall:
Michael Jackson.

From Joe Pasillas
Posted on July 23, 2008 at 8:39 PM

I think you kinda answered your own question.

I won't names names, but there are violinists who are trying the looks thing with average violin skills. (Use an echo box and everything sounds in tune. talking about me!) They will be known as great marketers and be very happy if THAT's what they really intended. But, I suspect they might know that they will never have the respect that others will get for their virtuosity, good looks or not.

However that being said - the combination of violin skills and great looks can't hurt any TYPE of violin career you would chose. As long as the skills are "legitimate" I think you would feel you have the best of both worlds. The best life offers, for sure.

Besides, a woman, any woman in the world looks hauntingly beautiful while playing the violin with skill and heart. What can I say I love the violin, music and...

Cheers!

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on July 24, 2008 at 3:07 AM

Weeeell, it's just possible the so-called sellouts have more talent than some people realize- in other words they're doing things that aren't easy for normal people. If you can dance and sing like Britney Spears, compete with her *in her world* then you've got plenty of talent. It's just not your preferred kind of talent or something. Honestly ask yourself if you could pull it off even at a local open mic. That's why I think the premise of the book might be a little messed up.

From Kim Vawter
Posted on July 24, 2008 at 6:55 AM

I love the violin and I love to hear it played well. i buy tickets to concerts. High School, College, Professional concerts, Private school recitals and the kid at the "Old Market" with his case open. Really, I appreciate the music and the skill of the artist. I don't care about age, weight or hair color. When you look at a painting do you rush to Google the image of the artist who painted it to see what he/ she looked like? The "Art" stands on it's own. Brittany and Mylie Cyrus are a flash in the pan and will soon be forgotten when the next teen flavor of the month comes along. Would you ever turn away from a Pavorotti because he was too fat? Paul Potts who won the British Talent show. Google his image and listen to him sing!

From Roland Garrison
Posted on July 24, 2008 at 7:01 AM

I'm kind of looking at it from the other end.... I'm well beyond looking good, but if I did get regular haircuts, the gray in my beard may look distinguished.
Think ahead to when you are here; which choice would you have preferred to have made? I no longer think of what I can get out of life, but what I have given. The things that I put effort into are the things I feel proudest of. Talent and skill may carry into old age, but I can assure you that looks will change quite a bit.
That said, there is really no reason you can't go for both, and have your cake now AND later.

From Yixi Zhang
Posted on July 25, 2008 at 12:04 AM

Fame and fortune have more to do with luck than efforts. Talented and tasteful have to be self-cultivated. So the real question to ask is what is the right approach for me personally? What will motive me the most and what will make me the proudest in the end of the day? You don’t know the answer until you have tried them all. And it is through the trying-out itself, you become who you are. Also remember, life is not a script that allows you to write it and play it as written. Live it as big as you can no matter what other'll say, and never look back.

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