How to swallow up my pride.... *second time asking question i'm really sry i just need answers?

Question

i'm in 8th grade, and for music, i'm in this class called Concert Band. I was new, so i had no idea that when i signed up for Concert Band, i would be playing with sixth graders and seventh graders that had only just started playing their instruments. There was another class called "Wind Ensemble" but i didnt sign up for that because it said "teacher recommendation required" and being new, of course i didnt have anything like that, so i didnt sign up.
but i've been playing clarinet for four yrs, and the others around me has just started.
our first christmas concert is today, and we're literally playing Hot Cross Buns and the major scales. It's just really embarassing and humiliating, because there are going to be friends and family watching..... and plus, the Wind Ensemble people (8th graders, my friends) are going to play in the concert too, and they are going to laugh at us.

how to swallow up my pride and play proudly?

Answer 1

First, your family already knows you had to sign up with the beginners because you were new in school. I can tell you that they are happy to attend the concert, happy that you're in it (even if you're not where you should be in it), and you have nothing to be embarrassed about on that front. Grown-ups are pretty decent at understanding how things work. Also, they're probably so happy that you're participating they don't really care if you're in the wrong group other than they know you aren't happy with it.

Your friends must know you had to sign up for the beginners group too. If they're really your friends they won't laugh. They may know you're not too thrilled about being in the beginner's group or about being in with younger kids; and maybe they'll do a little good natured teasing about it - but underneath, they understand the situation. Give them some credit.

If you went to the school and had never played an instrument you may have asked if you could join the beginners' group. People (kids your age included) generally understand that some people end up in the less advanced group. Pretend (to yourself) you haven't been playing for very long. Pretend - just for this performance - you are a beginner and deserve credit for beginning to learn to play an instrument.

Kids who play more advanced usually understand and remember what it was like to be a beginner, so I have trouble believing that too many of them will laugh at you or your group. Chances are, too, the other kids in your group are a little embarrassed about the level of playing they'll be doing. Just because they're a year younger doesn't mean they aren't aware of the basic type of music they'll be playing.

Just kind of acknowledge (to yourself and to anybody else, including your own group) that the group is the beginner's group; and nobody will be playing any symphonies this time around. It isn't something to be ashamed of. Neither is being with kids a year behind you in school.

Your family, friends, and group all know you can play better and know your situation. People who are in the audience and don't know you or your group will just assume you're in the seventh grade and just beginning to play. They'll respect you and your group for deciding to learn to play because these days so many kids do things that aren't constructive. So the strangers won't know you can really play better or you're really in eight grade - who cares. They don't know you. Who cares if they think the wrong thing.

For one night pretend you're in seventh grade and just learning to play. Neither of those things is anything to be ashamed of. Again, the people who know you know the situation, so there's nothing to be ashamed of in that department either.

Its Christmas time. Just relax and enjoy the concert. Appreciate whatever music the more advanced groups play, knowing that you'll probably be in that group next time around too.

As an adult, I went to school concerts for my kids. When the beginners got up and played things like Hot Cross Buns I had every bit as much admiration for their efforts and for the fact that they could get on stage and perform (I'm cripplingly shy) and for the fact that they were kids who were doing something positive.
I've been dance recitals where, say, an eight-year-old beginner had to dance with six-year-olds; but there was nothing to laugh about there either. When kids dance or play instruments or sports most adults admire it - plain and simple.

The other students may not be as mature; but what do you care. Enjoy any jokes about it, knowing you wouldn't be playing at all if you weren't willing to play with the beginners. There's nothing funny about beginners. You were one once. Tell yourself not to be a snob about it right at this time.

Answer 2

I know its hard to do but do not care what others think! In the long run it will have no affect on your life! If that is what you enjoy doing, then do it and do it to your best ability. You started clarinet at one point and was not the greatest, so have a little kind heart to the beginners...And if you are more advanced, speak with your teacher or a counselor and see if you can get that recommendation, no reason to hold back your talent! Good Luck, And make the most out of the experience (maybe this is a sign to tell you, you should be a teacher, and you can be a big help to the others around you who are still learning).........FORGET WHAT THAT PERSON SAID ABOUT QUITTING.....DONT DO SOMETHING TO JUST "FIT IN" IN THE LONG RUN THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO JUST BECOME A FACE IN THE CROWD....THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY BE *INDIVIDUALS* ARE THOSE WHO STAND OUT IN LIFE...IT MIGHT SOUND CORNEY BUT YOUR TRUE FRIENDS WILL BE YOUR FRIENDS ****REGARDLESS**** AND IF SOMEONE ELSE WOULD CONSIDER YOU A "BAND GEEK" THEN BE A "BAND GEEK" AND BE A GOOD ONE...CUZ THE PERSON WHO WOULD CALL OR EVEN THINK THAT IS TOO WEAK AND INSECURE ABOUT THEMSELVES TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL!!!!!

Answer 3

Well if you're thinking maybe that there is a god than I think you're more of an Agnostic than Atheist. Also Just because A Muslim taxi driver does something incredibly nice and wonderful. does not mean you're suppose to be a Muslim. It just means a Muslim picked you up and He told you the reason why he thought he picked you up. Deciding what religion to follow is a personal journey and if you think that this was a sign than so be it go be a Muslim. Or do some research and find out what it is all about. Anyway it is up to you. Good luck on your journey. Namaste.

Answer 4

I know you are young, but you seem to be a fairly smart person. Your true friends won't care that you are a little older than the other kids, and your parents will always be proud of you for doing things like this. The people who have something to say about it are the people who are usually either jealous, or very insecure with themselves. People like this try to draw attention away from themselves and on to others, because it makes them feel superior, but in reality if you hold your head high and keep on doing what you are doing, you will win in the long run. I hope this helped, I used to be the one everyone made fun of, and I feel as if my character is much better, and some of those people are now in more trouble and have more problems than I could mention here...

Basically hold your head high and be proud of your accomplishments no matter how small they appear to be. It will help build who you become in the future.

Answer 5

You've already answered your question--swallow your pride and play proudly. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Concert Band sounds pretty advanced to me. You were new to the school. Let them laugh, just do your best. You can be the shining star. This too shall pass. Ask the teachers if you can switch next marking period. If you don't ask, it will never happen. Good luck.

Answer 6

First of all ask the teacher if you can be transferred into another class since you are more advanced..

You say that your 8th graders friends will laugh at you...Then why do you call them friends. Friends do not laugh to embrasses you..

The younger kids that have just started, will look up to you and want to be like you one day...Just think as being someone that they can learn from..You being there will encourage them to learn quicker..

So please swallow your pride and play proudly

AT LEAST YOU ARE GIFTED ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW TO PLAY A INSTRUMENT

Answer 7

If you don't care (Which it sounds like you do...) then stick it out, It looks good on college apps and stuff. If you care so much, Quit. Unless you wanna be labeled a band geek for the rest of your high school career.
Other than that, theres 2 way to look at it. Quit and join a sport and be more popular and not worry about getting made fun of later or suck it up, do it, get made fun of and look good to colleges.
If you quit though you really should sign up for something else though. Sports and clubs keep kids active and off drugs, look good later and make you friends.
Just bein' honest! Good Luck!
Its really the truth! Kids in school can be really cruel and if you're embarassed to be in band then maybe it's not for you! Or you could take instrument classes outside of school if you're embarassed! Kids in band are generally picked on and it's not fun! Didn't anybody pay attention during colombine?

Answer 8

Not easy I must admit. Just go with the flow and it will all be over before you know it. You will probably look back at it in the future and be able to have a good old laugh about it too.

Answer 9

play the concert and afterwords speak with the teacher to join the advanced group because your to advanced for the group you are playing with now. You need to go to a group that is going to help further your abilities not a group that you could be teaching.

Answer 10

all that stuff and if someone says something, it helps to be funny. it takes the attention off of you. just make a joke of it. it's a simple thing there's no way you could have known about. next year can be better.