It has been a decidedly hectic spring this year. Many gigs, both expected and unexpected got me thinking about how young musicians have difficulty finding opportunities to play.

This month, I was called for a week long gig which I accepted and then because of sudden and unavoidable circumstances couldn't do. I sent a student of mine, which worked out great. It was however, the first time I've sent a student to sub for me - and the first time that my student has ever had to sub for her teacher.

Because of the chaotic nature of the gig and the constant changing of songs, keys, order, etc. I was aware that this would be particularly challenging for my student. She went in like a trooper though, and got through it one show at a time (and even got PAID!). I'm very proud of her, of course.

This highlights the fact that young musicians today don't seem to have nearly the playing opportunities that we had when I was in High School. I remember being recruited for a local college group after a school concert when I was a sophomore. There were several "Big Bands" in the area that I would "sub" in, and I played all manner of wedding gigs with another college group. It seemed like I was playing all the time. When we had downtime, we would even put together our own opportunities. We played on the corners downtown for the Salvation Army during the holiday season, put together impromptu (albeit strange) arrangements for a "Halloween Marching Band" where we actually 'Trick-or-Treated' door to door, we even occasionally took over our band director's yard to "Serenade" his family with a few rousing fight songs in the fall.

In college (in NYC), friends and I put together a clarinet quartet and played in Grand Central Station for "tips". We made a lot of money, got some practice time in, and had a BLAST doing it.

It was all great fun. But what I didn't know then, was that each time I played OUT of the band room I was gaining valuable experience. Each time the band was requested to play "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree" or "Feelings" at a wedding - and the whole band groaned - I learned something. I learned to be flexible. I learned to be entertaining. I learned not to let my personal feelings effect my performance. Most importantly, I learned NOT TO FEAR PLAYING and FAKE THE REST.

I have been on hundreds of stages, big and small. I have been in front of more television cameras than I care to count. I have done interviews, sung features (and I HATE singing!), recorded for albums and filmed music videos. Though I FEARED the speaking, the cameras,  and the "acting", there was nothing more beautiful than actually PLAYING. This is probably why my preferred performance venue is in an 'Orchestra Pit'.

So, I guess I faked my way through looking as though I was comfortable speaking into a microphone or standing for a solo. I tried not to let my fingers shake when the camera was mere inches away from them, blown up screen-sized for television. No one was the wiser. But what got me through those experiences was the fact that we threw ourselves out there when we were young and unafraid. We made friends and relatives cheer and laugh at parties. We did anything we could think of just to play MORE.

Granted, a lot of the friends that accompanied me on these "playing adventures" in high school don't play much anymore, but some do. And those times helped us all in different ways through life. Public speaking, presentations, self promotion, interviews: It all works the same way. You have to put yourself out there. MAKE your opportunities. If not, you will find years later that your fear will eventually stop you from taking chances at all.

So what should you do now? Call up some friends. Put together a small group. Go play in a park. Call the city and see if you can be "Strolling Minstrels" at one of the many summer festivals. Do ANYTHING...but do SOMETHING.