Be a Professional Mandolin Player!
Or not...
As of 1927, here are some possible professions in the United States, from The Book of Opportunities:

Banjoist: Jazz artist of essentially American instrument, suggesting tin pans.

Bootlegger: Field somewhat overcrowded at present. Offers fabulous profits.  Almost inevitably ends in coils of the law. Bootleggers are refused accident insurance, by recent ruling of Accident Underwriters' Association.

Composer: Hears in thought the melody of his invention, translates them into facts, snares them in black and white.  Inborn talent, plus technical knowledge of music, broad vision, willingness to endure drudgery. Compositions bring comparatively small financial return, although occasional work hits popular fancy, brings wealth through royalties.  Composition of opera is most difficult, most sought goal; it involves literary, dramatic elements, as well as musical; suited only to emotional themes.

Gigolo: (pronounced "Zeegolo") Knight on demand at summer camps attended by lorn females; much like cavaliere serviente of medieval Venice.  His business is to flatter ladies with his attention, take them canoeing, walking, riding, dance with them, play tennis.  Experienced gigolos find three months duration of employment long enough.

Jazz Czar: $25,000 a year. Duty: to stop cut-throat competition among jazz orchestras for famed musicians (chiefly saxophonists), phonograph contracts, bookings.

Life Guard: Young hero, expert swimmer, grows tan in the sun wearing little more than a life preserver while he watchers bathers in surf, children in lake. Busy on crowded beaches near city where strangers get caught in currents. Indolent job elsewhere punctuated by occasional thrilling moments. $25 weekly. Enhance salary by giving swimming, diving lessons.

Mandolin Player: Excels in rapid melodic work. Mandolin's thin tangy quality is offset by its original, striking values. Solo or group work.

Organ Grinder: Hazardous occupation since automobiles monopolize streets, highways. Various other causes contribute to diminish number of organ grinders (in New York, 1910, there were 150; in 1927, fourteen); passing of saloon has deprived them of many dimes, nickels, free meals; immigration law has shut off supply from Italy; offspring prefer blowing saxophone to turning crank; pick and shovel now offer higher rewards; instruments have gone up in price, now costing $500; rentals are $15 a day, first day, $5 a day thereafter. Talented organ grinders have been known to make $100 a week; monkey helps, but peculiar skill is required to train him. Organ grinder must be licensed.

Saxophonist: Leading wail of jazz orchestra as well as essential element to military band. Rival orchestras have contested so violently for his services that referee was finally appointed to see that there is fair play. (see jazz czar.)

Viola Player: Draws dull mournful tone color from thick strings of his instrument which resembles the violin, but is larger, lower, heavier.

More to follow...

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