My Band Predicament

<p>I've always been interested in music, and I picked up the Oboe two years ago. Since then, I picked up Tenor Sax in a Jazz Band for one year and enjoyed it a lot.</p>

<p>Freshmen year we have to do Marching Band if we want to do regular Band, and I honestly am not too interested in playing the Tenor anymore but there is no way I can switch. I just wanna continue with playing Piano which I've done longer than I've played the Oboe, and go for All-State Oboist next year. </p>

<p>I'm thinking about auditioning for Jazz band for Sophomore year, and I either want to play the Tenor or Piano. My worry starts when after reading posts on this website I've come to realize that there is no point in anything if you're not really showing passion/playing around state level. Should I try and do Piano in Jazz Band? Or should I do tenor in Jazz Band? </p>

<p>I honestly wish I could get out of Marching Band, but it's mandatory.... </p>

<p>I feel as if 3 instruments will just look like I'm trying to get into as many things as possible but I have no interest in any of them. Oboe, I'll be auditioning for a state level symphony as well as auditioning for all state band. Piano I'm doing really well and have been scoring Superiors are regional level but I wanna try and do good at state level. </p>

<p>What should I do?</p>

<p>Please no troll comments.</p>

<p>Do you want you want to do. When I was in marching band (a dancer) there were tons of people who knew how to play 2+ instruments and were really good at it. </p>

<p>Play whatever instrument you want in jazz band.
Go for All-State in whichever instrument you feel will get you in the group. </p>

<p>Playing multiple instruments will not look negative. It will only make you look talented.</p>

<p>My son played Alto, Tenor, and Bari and tympani at State level at Jazz Band in solos and ensembles getting all Superiors for all his High School and he also thought himself the clarinet playing at the symphonic band also earning Superior marks at Districts for three consecutive years. So is it very doable to be a good player in more than one instrument as long as your conductor is willing to give you a chance to experiment in different positions. Sometimes is difficult to get the position you really want so you have to adapt. My son wanted to play the guitar in the Jazz Band but they had already great guitarist with a lot more experience than him (even though he is a great player). Band in high school is a lot about learning to cope and finding new skills as well as honing old ones.</p>

<p>Ok that’s good. I just don’t wanna seem too stretched out. </p>

<p>I think for now I’ll go for all state piano and oboe this year. Really trying hard on piano, and relaxed on Tenor. I’ll also start playing Jazz on Tenor more and maybe try for it or Piano n my Jazz Band. I might already be part of this after school Jazz Band, not sure weather piano or Tenor, any advice? Overall my schedule is gonna be busy with Band and Swimming. Hopefully I can keep a good GPA as well as continue self studying these APs.</p>