Customer Reviews

Becoming an Orchestral Musician: A Guide for Aspiring Professionals

5 star:		(4)
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3 star:		(1)
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December 20, 2004
Reviewer: A reader from Moscow, Russia

Becoming an Orchestral Musician transported me from the audience, my normal vantage point, to behind the scenes of an orchestra - the agony of auditions, how to cope with nerves, ensemble v. solo playing, the mechanics of an orchestra. Listening will never be the same again. Watching a conductor will never be the same. I read this book from cover to cover in one day, never losing interest - and I'm not a musician! Strongly recommended for any serious music fan, and an absolute must for any music student (and his or her parents!). There's one chapter on intonation that I think only a musician would understand, but other than that it's required reading for any serious fan of orchestral music. A great mix of quotes, anecdotes, hard information, all of it useful, all of it well organized and well written, a real pleasure!

This book gives great insight not just into what it takes to become a good ensemble player, but what it takes to be a great musician. I love this book and I will re-read it once I am done because I want to remember everything in it! Highly recommended!

This book has answers to every question you could ever want to ask a professional orchestral musician along with a few you probably never thought of. It won't make you get into an orchestra, but it does give you many great ideas about how to go about attaining that goal. I am extremely happy I bought it, I do not understand why it is out of print though :(

March 9, 2005
Reviewer: Chris Downing from UK

I love these books that relate careers as they really are rather than how a journaist or a professional writer sees them from the outside. This book covers all aspects of being a working musician and can be related to any instruments easily.

It's a tough business and if you're thinking of doing it perhaps you shouldn't bother. This book will show you that thinking about it demostrates doubt and plan B's - you'll need more commitment and nutty obsession to survive as a musician. If you absolutely must play - then reading this book will help you avoid the pitfalls, enjoy the successes and understand what you'll need to be doing every day to earn a crust.

This book is geared toward a British/ European audience. It does not flow logically from topic to topic or even chapter to chapter. And much of the insider information is banal or overused. Do not buy this book if you are a serious, frugal musician who wants to use money effectively.