Becoming an Orchestral Musician: A Guide for Aspiring Professionals (Paperback)

~ Richard Davis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'When music sounds, all that I was I am Ere to this haunt of brooding dust I came...' Walter de la Mare, poet, 1873-1956"

Product Description

A comprehensive guide to joining an orchestra or ensemble and succeeding as a professional orchestral musician.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Giles de la Mare (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1900357232
• ISBN-13: 978-1900357234
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #688,491 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating even for Unaspiring Non-professionals, , April 6, 2005

By	R. J. A. Davis "review by Celia Verrier" (Moscow) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Becoming an Orchestral Musician is a great book!, March 1, 2006

By	G. M. Gerloff "Gerloff Music Studio" (Clovis, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

5.0 out of 5 stars Reviews from Europe 'Calling it as it is', April 6, 2005

By	Chris Downing (Europe) - See all my reviews

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.