[Trombone-l] Coffee talk...

[Bob Koester]

I think Mike is right.  Please see my inserts.  Thanks, have a happy safe 
4th, and best to all.
Bob






Bob Koester, President MSI Financial
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From: <mikesuter at adelphia.net>
To: trombone-l at server5.samford.edu
CC: trombone-l-request at server5.samford.edu
Subject: Re: [Trombone-l] Coffee talk...
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 14:02:19 -0700
>Hello,
>
>Alisha asked a simple question with no caveat. I answered with complete 
>honestly. I would rather play bad music with good musicians than vice 
>versa.   Absolutely!!

Please note I made no mention of professional standing, union membership, 
how much or little fun I'd have at said gig, or the amount of money that 
would be in my pocket when I left. I just stated “good” musicians.

For many of us, professional standing, union membership and money are almost 
afterthoughts.  For many of us who have chosen for many legitimate reasons 
not to pursue playing careers in the few remaining activity centers, we take 
what we can, and hope for the best.
>
>I’ll stand by that.
>
>Now, here’s where I always get in trouble. That’s because some of you 
>feel honor bound to defend mediocrity (BTW, I’m not attributing the 
>quotes I use because I want it clear I’m not attacking the writer):

While I think mediocrity is a moving target it seems to be true that there 
are many more really good players around today but fewer exemplrary 
players...so, what is mediocrity.  If one makes excuses for what one cannot 
do because of a lack of effort, that may be mediocrity not worth defending.  
On the other hand if one tries to the best of his/her/her/his ability and 
the result is a little short of desireable, the performance may be mediocre, 
but the effort isn't.  Perhaps a big difference.
>
><<Playing music with people you like is so much more enjoyable.>>
>
>Not necessarily. Playing a piece of music the best it can be played – 
>without the “for a bunch of …” added – is a huge rush. One that 
>mediocre players never experience. Sorry, but it’s true.

Playing music with people you like CAN be much more enjoyable if your 
motivations are the same.  Playing music with people you like IS NOT more 
enjoyable if your motivations are different.

>The best a mediocre player can attain is mediocrity.

>Does this mean I don’t respect mediocre players? NO! It means I see them 
>for what they are.
>Does this mean I don’t play with mediocre players? NO! It means that I 
>prefer playing with top-level players.
>Does this mean I do not or cannot have fun playing with mediocre players? 
>NO! It means I alter my expectations in these situations.
>And maybe my outlook is skewed. When you’ve been fortunate enough to be 
>in good/great situations all your life, mediocrity is a drag. But this 
>doesn’t mean my message is wrong. I am telling the truth as I see it.

Altering expectations is a GREAT observation.  I've been fortunate enough, 
like Mike to be in good/great situations.  They don't happen much anymore 
largely because of the life choices I've made.  So, I have really no one to 
satisfy but myself in terms of consumate objectives.  If mine aren't 
shared...as the saying goes...deal with it.  Life's MUCH too short to worry 
about why someone else doesn't have your standards.
>
><<As I get older fun becomes more important …>>
>
>Same here. But for me it means finding opportunities to play with only the 
>best players. For me this has meant starting my own band (Slidewerke) and 
>recording it (The Geezer Strikes! American Creative Music acm0001).
>
>I guess my definition of ‘fun’ differs from most of you all. The top of 
>my list is playing great music with good players. Next is playing any level 
>of music with good players. The two bottom on my list are playing good 
>music with bad players and playing bad music with bad players.
>
>I’m not writing this to be controversial. And I’m not being mean 
>spirited. I hope you all understand that I LOVE everything about the 
>trombone world – including the players. But SOMEBODY has to tell the 
>truth. Otherwise we cannot progress.

Same priorities here.  Fun is what and where you make it.  Getting older has 
taught me that making and having fun is a lot more FUN than b.....ng about 
stuff you can't change.
>
>There’s no shame in being a mediocre, or weak, or bad, or weekend, or 
>whatever level player one is. But trying to re-invent it just cheapens all 
>music.

Again I agree.  There's no shame in performing at any level in any endeavor 
IF you are doing the best you can possibly do.  We're all blessed with 
different skills in different areas.  Not to mangle Mike's ideas but to add 
my own view, the harm and danger comes in NOT doing your best, no matter 
what the endeavor may be.
>
>I’ve kept my sentences direct enough so as to hopefully not allow anyone 
>to put words in my mouth. I mean what I’ve said, but nothing more and 
>nothing less. If you don’t agree (I’d be amazed if you did) please 
>argue my words, not some twisted re-interpretation of them.
>
>With Respect, Mike Suter
>
>Best to all and with respect to Mike for an insightful post,
Bob
>
>
>
>
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