Is It Over? / Nah

By Mike Vaccaro
(from Mike's Musings #43, our newsletter)

Always be happy with where you are at, while you are trying to get to where you want to be.

I have to admit recently I did not practice a minute a day as I always proffer. I hope I was not a hypocrite. I think taking relatively longer respite from a difficult project requires rest to set a new goal or reset the old goal. I had just finished a new book and new CD at approximately the same time. I was drained and just didn't know what to do next. Total burn out from trying to do too much at one time. I will admit when I was 35 I could have done it with a lot less angst.

I had another experience when I had my agency. Citibank Savings was integrating and changing its name to Citicorp National Bank. We did the presentation in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Each position in Citibank Savings was assigned an instrument and our orchestra would take the selected instrument and the President of the Bank would give a brief description of the job the instrument was representing. Then when we had two instruments we would have a duet, three instruments and we would have a trio, until the whole orchestra was utilized in a grand representation of the positions in the banking world and how people interact.

I remember sitting with the composer on the loading dock of the Convention Center. We were actually depressed that it was over. So much work for 2 performances in seven days. We didn't know what was going to be the next project and this music would not ever be used again.

I had the same experience when my book (yes you can purchase it at Amazon) and the CD of mostly Brahms (available soon) were finished at the same time. I actually did not play a note for two months and I wondered if I was done with music at 76 years old.

I am glad to report after 2 months of rest, relaxation and staring at the wall I started practicing again and studying music and reading about various composers, and listening to their music. I am now working on getting ready to record the Stravinsky Three Pieces for clarinet alone and we shall see what will be added to that.

So what is the point of that little description above?

We all have times when we have to rest from music. It may be an illness in the family. It may playing music that is not interesting to you. It may be you have too many difficult pieces of music to learn in a short period of time and your brain needs a rest. Or times when the music was so good we don't think we can repeat the performance. It could be a death in the family, a divorce, or an auto accident, etc. There are many more scenarios when music and life has overwhelmed us, left us with an empty feeling, or let us down.

That is not music doing anything to us. It is our own scenario that we must inspect. Required rest is ok. If you are interested in music something new will pop in to your mind.

The music industry can be a highly demanding and stressful environment, with long hours, constant travel, and high pressure to succeed. Unfortunately, this can often lead to burnout among musicians and other industry professionals. Burnout can manifest as physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a decreased sense of accomplishment. It can have serious consequences for both personal health and career success. That's why it's important for those in the music industry to prioritize self-care and take steps to prevent burnout. This includes setting boundaries, taking breaks, seeking support, and practicing stress-reducing activities like meditation or exercise.

Let's work together to create a healthier and more sustainable music industry for all.

Some Quotes


What does it mean to be different in our society?

~Jody Picoult

If we don't change the direction we are headed,
We will end up where we are going.

~Chinese Proverb

When a freedom that was given is taken away from us,
I suppose we recognize it is a privilege, not a right.

~Jody Picoult

Because I knew...I was meant for loneliness,
You were who I chose to love.

~Cynthia Zarin

To be a musician of artist quality,
you must challenge yourself most every day.

~M.V

Experience is a hard teacher
because she gives the test before the answer.

~Horoscope

Music is a moral law.
It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind,
flight to imagination, a charm to sadness,
and gaiety and life to everything.
It is the essence of order, and leads
to all that is just and beautiful

~Plato

Learning never ends.

~M.V.

What is virtuosity?
It is the degree of ease with which you face
a challenging passage.

~Lihay Bendayan

Dogs,
No food, no love.

~M.V.

Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other.
because rhythm and harmony find their way
into the inward places of the soul.

~Plato, The Republic

The woodwind player with the best reed,
seems to accel faster.
Learn about reeds.

~M.V.

We must learn to examine and read about
things we disagree with.
No matter how insistent we are about our own beliefs.

~M.V.

You are the architect of your own life.

~M.V.

Pay close attention to those that do what you do.
There is a lot to learn there.

~M.V.

If you get used to working with your instrument daily
You will feel incomplete on the day you don't do it.

~M.V.

The wise create opportunities,
the strong seize them,
and the weak sit back and wait for them.

~Starry Sky K

Rhythm is not constrictive.

~M.V.

Your entire life is a work of art.

~M.V.

The biggest play in football,
is forgetting the last play.

~Anon

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