Musicians

[samantha]

Hello,

Just wondering if any classical trained musicians are here. I used to play in the London Schools Concert Orchestra many years ago as Cellist. I have since given up, and sold my Cello. From time to time I do have a tinkering to play.

Anyone else play any instruments and to what background and level?

[ambernector]

ok.

Used to play Double Bass in various youth orchestras in and around London. Got to Grade 5 standard, but never progressed from there.

Also did my grade 5 theory and got an A for my GCSE music.

Played the piano but never was any good, just could not my brain around the idea of using both my hands to do different things at once. ad:

Thats me. :o_O:

[samantha]

I should add that I reached Grade 6 on the Cello and also completed my Grade 5 theory of music. traightface: Only passed by the skin on my bones.

[mozartini]

Hi, I've played the piano since age 5; minored in music in college - voice, piano, choir, music theory, conducting, orchestration, keyboard harmony; and am learning to play the violin now (age 28).

[ambernector]

Hi, I've played the piano since age 5; minored in music in college - voice, piano, choir, music theory, conducting, orchestration, keyboard harmony; and am learning to play the violin now (age 28).

Wow, this is quite a repertoire you play. What is your career if you don't mind me asking? I imagine you to be working in the music industry? Forgive me if I am incorrect.

[mozartini]

Hi Anthony,

I don't actually work in the music industry (at the moment anyway), which I sometimes wonder if is a bit of a waste as I have perfect pitch and music comes easily to me, and I might do fairly well in a music career - though I'm not into teaching and never really aspired to be a performer (I don't have enough self-discipline for the hours and hours of practice everyday ). However, I am considering going back to school to major in composition as I have an interest in film music. I'm just teaching myself to play the violin right now (started a couple of months ago and loving it), and hoping to find a teacher some time this year and take some lessons. I'd like to take up the viola and cello after I've gotten better at the violin.

As for my current job, I run a small pet clothing business (Franga Designs) with my sister, and we also just started a new store last month of products/gifts for musicians with artwork and illustrations done by my sister (Mozartini). I do the administrative/website stuff for both businesses. I've also considered a career to do with languages as I pick up languages quite easily (I majored in Linguistics & Languages - Spanish, French, Chinese & German), and my language teachers had UN aspirations on my behalf, though politics and government aren't my kind of thing either. And again, neither is teaching.

So, in summary, I'm not a professional musician, but have considered and am still considering pursuing further education and some type of career in music. Though at 28, I guess I'd better decide fast.

[ambernector]

Hi Anthony,

I don't actually work in the music industry (at the moment anyway), which I sometimes wonder if is a bit of a waste as I have perfect pitch and music comes easily to me, and I might do fairly well in a music career - though I'm not into teaching and never really aspired to be a performer (I don't have enough self-discipline for the hours and hours of practice everyday ). However, I am considering going back to school to major in composition as I have an interest in film music. I'm just teaching myself to play the violin right now (started a couple of months ago and loving it), and hoping to find a teacher some time this year and take some lessons. I'd like to take up the viola and cello after I've gotten better at the violin.

Thank you for giving an insight into your life. I am always fascinated to read about other members (though I might be only one :o_O::

So is composition the area you are most interested to try out? My brother was a professional freelance Viola player and did orchestral work in such film music as;

• Harry Potter
  
• Enemy At The Gates
  
• Forgotten the rest :embarassed:

Good prospects in this area, and good money by the sounds of things. So if that is what you want to do, then I wish you all the very best in getting there.

[dr woot]

Oh wow. Where did you go Mozartini? Conducting/ composing is what I'll be doing. I don't say hopefully, because when someone has as much passion as me,it just happens.

[carriestar44]

I was reading the replies you both wrote and I must say, that is all very interesting stuff...
I have been playing guitar for 4 years now, and I am a huge fan of classical music. I love it more than any other genre, even though I was brought up on rock n roll and metal. I have really been wanting to learn cello and piano and take classical a little more seriously. I want to learn theory also so I can get better at composition. I really want to be a composer for film also. I think that would definitely be something great to do.
But I have a few questions...
Would it be better to take personal lessons vs. going to college to learn piano, I ask this because of financial reasons. I think if I took private lessons I could advance at my own pace, hopefully faster than normal. But at a college I could take out a loan for schooling...
Also, what classes do you think would benefit me the most, to become a composer for film...
Thank you very much...

carriestar44
UMGD

[mozartini]

carriestar44,

You can take private lessons at a college and advance at your own pace because private lessons are one-on-one with a professor and tailored to your own learning ability.

If you want to learn theory and composing, then I would say take Music Theory, Ear Training, Composition (which my college unfortunately discontinued in my first semester there so I never got to take it) and Orchestration if you can. Keyboard Harmony is also good for developing improvisation and composing skills as it teaches you how to use chords.

I would definitely recommend piano lessons, as it makes learning other instruments and theory a lot easier. It's also good for composing because it's easy to see and play chords on a piano.

As for classes for learning composing for film, check your college's class catalog and see if they have classes especially for it.

Good luck.