So yeah, I love my job. I really do. How many people can say that honestly? I know my wife really enjoys her job, despite the minor inconveniences and such that any school teacher runs into. But she gets to help children make music...in most cases for the first time. How awesome is that!? What a hero...
Me, I also do that. I help children make music, to a different degree, and...well, my students aren't always children. In fact, two of them are retired folks. Good for them! But anyways, my job as a brass lesson teacher is to help my students develop skills on their instruments, knowledge of music, and love for the art itself, and so much more. I get to be a role model for them, someone to look up to. I get to mold them into my ideal musician, one that is ready for anything, capable of everything and considerate to everyone. It takes time to do this stuff, but I show enough respect, skill and professionalism to my students to earn the respect of them and their parents, and for that I will get a lot of time with them...because they'll continue taking lessons!
As a lesson teacher, I have no boss. Or supervisor. No co-workers, even. I manage my own money, so there are no mistakes. And this is after working retail for 10 years and working under many supervisors and managers. I don't have to worry about disappointing them, or following orders. I'm in total control. How lucky am I?
And, y'know, teaching isn't the only thing I do. I also make money performing. I've been doing that for a while, of course. But seriously, getting paid to play music? It's great. And I also have made money with compositions and arrangements...a decent amount of money. Money for just...sitting in front of why computer and putting notes onto notation software. Notes that sound good together. Work that I can do whenever I want in the day. So, if I have a commission, I can work on it at night when the kids go to bed, so that I can spend the day playing with them.
The only downside is that I need more work. I do currently have 18 students, but more would be good. And living on Whidbey Island doesn't yield a ton of paid performance opportunities. I mean, I know I haven't been living back on the island for even a year yet, but just like lots of people, we have bills to pay, kids education to save for, a house to buy someday, and dream vacations to make real. I even have work on my horn I want to get done, like have the lacquer removed, dents straightened out, cleaning work done, and to even have it converted to a detachable bell. And I know my wife wants some of that done to her horn, too. I want to buy a nice trombone, since I'm playing it more often and starting to gig on it. I wanna own my own Eb tuba for my Salvation Army playing. I want my kids to have their own instruments when they get serious about music...And so much more.
So...if you know of anyone looking for brass lessons for their kids in the PNW, hit me up! Haha. And check out my store on this website for compositions!
I don't really covet money as much as I covet ease & convenience. And unfortunately, money makes like easier and more convenient. At least someone like me.
But regardless, my job is helping us a lot, and I know I'll be getting more students soon. A new wave of beginners will be in band next year, and there will be parents looking for brass lessons. That's where I come in. I am so optimistic about my future as a music teacher, and as a performer.
That's why I love my job so much. I know it's going to get better...and it's already so great anyways!
Take care and value music.