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May 30, 2006 at 4:53 PM

Man... summer is boring.

I just finished listening to the quartets opus 127 and 131 by Beethoven (two of my favorite string quartets from Beethoven).

Yesterday, I listened to Mr. Grumiaux play the first Bruch violin concerto about five times, and Joshua Bell play it once. Once was enough... lol.

I think I might go insane. It's too bad I can't go to Kennesaw State University's camp or the University of Georgia at Athens' camp. Franklin Pond cleaned out my parents funds. Plus, my parents are still paying for my violin.

Oh, I need a job. Too bad I can't capture a few violinists and attempt to teach them for money. Is there a stereotype that females are better music teachers for younger children than males?

Maybe it is the fact that females are more compationate and less analytical? That, in itself, is stereotypical.

I'm afraid that I might have to find myself a job as a bagboy at a local grocery store, or something else that earns the minimum wage. However, if I did that, then I wouldn't have too much time to practice.

If life is like this when I am 17, how will it be when I get out of college? What if I can't find a job as a musician?

ugh

It takes a while for musicians in your area to 1) know that you're looking for professional work, 2) become confident that you can handle jobs they might recommend you for and 3) think of your name when they're making their lists of who to call for gigs.

You need to get your name out there. Summer is full of weddings, which are good gigs if you can get them. If you have any friends or acquaintances that you know do weddings, tell them that you're looking for work. Remind them a few times.

If you don't diligently remind people that you exist, it can take years before they figure out that you're there.

"Yesterday, I listened to Mr. Grumiaux play the first Bruch violin concerto about five times, and Joshua Bell play it once. Once was enough... lol."

Don't let Sydney hear that one! lol

Ask your neighbors with younger kids if they want them to play the violin.

No, that' fine! I like Cho-Liang Lin's version *much* better! I don't even have Bell's version; I heard it on iTunes and THAT was enough :P
What's wrong with Joshua Bell's Bruch concerto?

I haven't heard Cho-Liang Lin's version, but would love to. His Mendelssohn is my favorite of all I've heard.

Once you go Cho-Liang Lin, you never go back! It's not that Bell's version is bad (I could prob never play it like that), it's just that Cho-Liang Lin's version is AMAZING!
Practice sight-reading in the street with your case open and people will give you money!!!!! A problem shared is a problem halved eh. Trust me, you dont want to do a minimum wage job. You probably wouldnt get one anyway because they dont employ over-qualified people. :-)
Nothing wrong with that kind of work, I did it through my last years of high school and I've held down such jobs whilst at university. Just do weekends or something, early shifts so you still have the late afternoon and evening to practise. Jobs like that pay for rent and when you're at uni it's near impossible to not do work to early extra pennies. If you don't do it now, it'll be a hell of a shock because despite how it looks now, university is a lot tougher and requires more self-discipline. It's hard studying music and working, but I'm proof that it can work