“There are now too many musicians in San Francisco, more than enough to fill all the ‘jobs.’ What we need is work, not musicians. Stay away from San Francisco. You will find it cheaper in the end.”
— Notice signed “By order, Board of Directors, Local #6, San Francisco”
and posted in the American Musician in 1898.

And then read this article.

It’s something anyone who is going to attempt to make it in the music business should read. At the same time, I have to say that I feel quite content at what I do, and I wonder about the job satisfaction statistic. I wonder where they got the numbers—who they talked to. Certainly no one asked me! Part of it might be that I’m happy “where I’m at”, and I don’t feel a need to prove myself as some might. I just feel the need to do my absolute best (and yes, I get really angry with myself when I don’t manage to do my best). It’s not about others. That might help in job satisfaction. And of course I am married to someone who makes a steady income … that helps too!

I love my job. It’s not easy. I don’t make enough money to support a family. There’s a lot of stress. I get nervous, sometimes at the craziest of times with the silliest of pieces. I’ve been known to cry about my performance. I’ve been known to lose sleep. But I still love my job! Making music is an incredible thing to be able to do. Sometimes I find myself in a state of wonder, just for the beauty of it all. I can be moved in a way that I can’t even describe. Music can make me laugh and cry … often a work can do both. It’s a blessing. Really. So the negatives are diminished (nearly demolished) by the joy and delight and sometimes the sheer fun of it all, honest and true.

Of course none of this means I don’t whine. Hah!
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