What Does Your Instrument Say About You

I have a kid that works for me that graduated from high school and is getting ready to leave for college in about 2 weeks. The school he is going to was very high on my list when I was his age. Knowing why I was interested in it and knowing some of his interest including the fact that he has attended a camp for strings at this school, I never thought to ask him about his major. The other night when he was my closing cashier, I asked him about what he was planning on majoring and his response was biology - yes I was shocked since I had assumed music. Silly me;)
So as the evening progressed, we talked about the various activities he could do while at school. He plays cello now but has expressed an interest in trying out some different instruments. (of course I encourage that simply because you cannot march a cello)

He told me during our conversation that he thought he would like try playing the trumpet. I almost choked and while I do not want to discourage him from expanding his musical horizons, I was unable to prevent myself from letting him know that he did not have a "trumpet" personality. He smiled and asked my why. Fortunately, he has played in the orchestra and agrees that are certain types of personalities that play certain types of instruments. I explained that trumpet players have a very inflated sense of their worth and ability. Even the worst trumpet player in a band tends to think that they are better than the best players in any other section of the band. They project a certain aura - I am a trumpet player and therefore I am better than you and in case you do not recognize that obvious fact, I will remind you by only playing forte. If the music calls for any other dynamic marking in their, then the composer must have been mistaken simply because the trumpet and therefore me are the most important part of the ensemble. This is not the instrument for the shy and quiet or anyone with doubts about themselves or their abilities. You must be in your face confident for this instrument.

I suggested that he try out the saxophone because the musicians that gravitate toward this instrument tend to have a healthy self esteem while seeming to be a little quirky and are some of the more truly talented musicians in the band. (besides they are woodwinds which make them truly important. Not just in their own minds) Saxophone players in my experience tend to be a little quirky but more concerned about the overall sound of then ensemble and do not have the need to prove their importance.

The drummers tend to be hyper. They know what a good time is and they aren't afraid to be the life if the party. If there is not a party around you can guarantee that there will be where they are. When loud trouble starts in the group, they are the root of it.

The trombone players seem to be that group that never seems to fit in any where and truly would like to be a trumpet player but they do not have the confidence that is necessary to pull off an instrument quite that boldly. A well played trombone is great to listen to but too often there is a huge learning curve to reach that point.

French horns tend to be a little like saxophones. They are somewhat quirky but have a quiet confidence in themselves and their place within the group. However, they tend to be less serious and are not afraid of joining in the fun of stirring something up.

Baritones and tubas tend to be quietly confident people and much like the instrument they play they tend to be the foundation. They are not afraid to push the envelope a little and they do test the boundaries regularly. More intellectually inclined that the drummers they tend to be gravitate toward being sly trouble makers. (The rumble at the bottom) Probably to remind everyone they are there.

Oboe and bassoon players are individuals that seem to be obsessed with proclaiming their individuality by playing the uncommon instruments. They also seem to have issues with competition so choose an instrument that few play so as to limit the competition.

Clarinets and flutes tend to have a healthy dose of confidence. These individuals tend to attack the music placed before them. Despite the the healthy dose of confidence they feel a constant need to remind everyone of how awesome they are and feel the need to compete with the trumpets. Unfortunately neither instrument is capable of out blowing a trumpet. But for endurance you will not find a group better able to outlast the boldly, overly confident trumpet. The worst of this group tends to be better than the best in some other sections. Clarinets and flutes simply because of their music progress more rapidly to more complex type music and truly have a solid reason behind their feeling of superiority.

Now Alan claims that flutes tend to be girly girls; however, I can assure you after having been a flute player for the majority of my life that within the group these "girly" girls are fiercely competitive in a way that is not witnessed in many of the other sections except maybe the clarinets. The is a severe limited ability to tolerate anything less than perfection in anyone. Flutes and clarinets both tend to bring along music other than the group music to warm up with and this music is chosen carefully for its ability to intimidate those around you and showcase that you are more than the group as whole. As my high schools' football team found out before a game, the flute section might be among the most physically combative.

I have left out the strings but then I do not have the experience to identify them completely. From my observation thus far through Meghan. Violin tend to be much like flutes and clarinets with a dose of my instrument is the best. Violas seem to follow the oboe and bassoons for the need to shout their individuality. Cellos seem to fall in close to the saxophones and the bass seem to follow the path of the baritones and tubas.

So readers, please leave comments based on your own observations and experiences.