Guest post by Bratsche
How Does One Become a Violist?
When I was in high school, I never thought of myself as a passionate person, which made me very puzzled when people who knew me well confidently declared that I was. I have since discovered that they were right, and that there are some things in life about which I care very, very deeply indeed. Most of those things seem to have snuck up on me (shhh…she’s not looking…GET HER!). My music certainly fits in that category.
So, how does one become a professional violist? In my case by long-term contagion, I guess. I started playing violin when I was 6. My mom’s story is that I suddenly announced I wanted to play an instrument, and when given the option between piano and violin, chose violin. Music was never by any means the sole focus of my life, which is part of the explanation for why you’ll never hear of me as a famous violist.* However, it was always part of my life. When I was in high school, the conductor of my youth orchestra (a wonderful, slightly terrifying man who got us all off to a very good start as orchestral players) suggested I try switching to viola for a summer, since he had plenty of violinists for the next season. I did so and liked it so much that I made the switch permanent.**
One of the ironies of eventually choosing to be a professional musician is that it was one of the few things in my life in which I was not in the top rank. In school, sports, and church, I was generally the highest achiever for my age. In orchestra, however, I was never in the front of the section (which is commonly where the best players are put) and I knew I wasn’t the best player my private teacher had, which is part of why I didn’t even think about trying to be a musician when I went to college. My parents are both teachers, and I’m told I declared early on that I was going to be a teacher too. So, I had to figure out what I was going to teach. Age? High school. Ok. Subject? Not English, not French, not science, not this, not that……. Hmm, what’s left? Math. Ok. Ta da, I’ve now chosen to be a high school math teacher.***
One of the requirements of my college honors program (which was based on reading the classics, writing, and discussion and was unconnected to my major) was to go on several “cultural trips” (those are the program’s name for them) throughout the year. I know I went on several of those trips during my freshman year, but I have no memory of any of them except one. Something that changes your life tends to remain fairly vivid. In the spring, we went to a production of the Swan Lake ballet in Seattle. Part way through it I realized, “That’s what I want to do! I want to be down there playing the music, not up here watching the show^”. The next day I figured out what I needed to do to change my classes (we had already registered for fall classes) from math education to music performance. That was the easy part. The harder part was trying to convince my mom that I was NOT going to do music education as well as music performance. I understood that I was indeed taking the riskier path by not giving myself the “out” of teaching music in the schools if I couldn’t make a go of it as a player. However, I was absolutely positive that I did not want to teach music in the K-12 schools. All the programs I have personally encountered over the years consist of one teacher per classroom trying to teach several different instruments to a group of 10-20 students. I have HUGE respect for everyone who does teach music in the schools. It is a hard, sometimes un-supported struggle to simultaneously teach multiple children enough for them to have a chance to discover the joy of playing music. So, for any school music teachers out there, I give you all the appreciation and encouragement I can.
I spent my sophomore year applying to, making tapes for, waiting to hear back from various conservatories. I was accepted by (and given the most financial support by) a school that turned out to be a wonderful fit for me.^^ My last two years of undergrad work and my year of master’s work were fabulous years of learning and playing and steeping in music. After school I got a job in a small symphony.^^^ It was a great place for me to start making the transition from being a student to being a professional; since as we all know, professionals always know exactly what they’re doing and always feel completely “grown-up”. Ok, maybe not.
I’ve made my living as a musician since then, with a combination of playing in a variety of small orchestras and teaching private students. I’ve discovered over the years that I am indeed very passionate about the importance of music. I think everyone’s life is richer if they have music in it somehow. I know I am very blessed to be in the middle of the music (often quite literally) and not everyone gets to do that. It is not uncommon for people (most frequently people who find out what I do or parents of students) to tell me they don’t know enough to appreciate <fill in the blank>. That blank can vary from music in general to a specific composer or genre to the differences between two instruments.~ I think people too often sell themselves short in this regard. I believe most people have at least a kernel of instinctive response (positive or negative or maybe just inquisitive) to music. Knowledge and experience can make that response clearer and/or change it; but that initial visceral reaction (whether it be Eww or Wow! or Listen to those colors or What on earth is that? or something else entirely) is an important part of why music matters, in my opinion.
So, if your musical curiosity has even the smallest itch, go poke your nose into some music. As a teacher, I encourage anyone who has considered taking lessons (of any kind) to go for it. In my experience, your life will be richer (if occasionally more complicated or frustrating at times+), no matter what level of expertise you attain.++ As a player, I say come listen to some music. Part of the richness of music is being able to share it with other people.
* * *
* Surely several famous violists spring directly to mind? No? Hmm, I’m not surprised. For many years (at least as far back as Bach & Mozart’s times), violists were considered second class citizens to violinists. It wasn’t until the 1900′s that William Primrose managed to make people really listen to the viola and realize it was fit to be a solo instrument, too.
** In those days, it was very, very common for violists to have started as violinists first. These days, more and more kids start right away on viola.
*** Note: not a lot of passion in that choice. I was still being snuck up on.
^ Although I thoroughly enjoyed watching it too! And many years later, I had the great joy of playing it, which was every bit as fun and magical as I hoped.
^^ Oberlin Conservatory, if you’re curious.
^^^ I can pretty much guarantee you’ve never heard of the Rogue Valley Symphony in Ashland, Oregon.
~ One of the many things I enjoy doing as a teacher is helping students pick out a new instrument or bow. One of the ways I do that is by having the student (and parent, if applicable) listen with eyes shut while I play the same snippet of music several times with each item that’s under consideration.
+ Oh, Hi, Robin! :)
++ Another thing I would add is that I have never encountered anyone who was incapable of learning to play. Many people doubt themselves; but I’ve found that determination, a willingness to pay attention to what you’re doing#, and an interest in music make a great foundation for getting started as well as making long-term progress. It also helps, of course, to find someone who makes a good teacher and/or mentor.
# Practice makes permanent (not necessarily perfect).
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