Career as a pianist?

The US has money. They give a shit. When the US gives a shit, they become famous.

If I'm not mistaken,, that's probably because they're not making connections, as previously mentioned, not because they're not americans..!

Well atleast we gave you a warm welcome Remnant, do you have any compositions to post?

If I'm not mistaken,, that's probably because they're not making connections, as previously mentioned, not because they're not americans..!

You can't make connections when all your connections have to be American.

This is a generalisation, but generally it is true.

Ok...

Arctic this is getting a bit ridiculous.

There isn't life outside the USA? So a UK artist can't have a career, for example?

As for hard-work and practicing it certainly is NOT counter-productive as you said. It's not something negative, but of course, you need other things/skills/luck as well.

Your generalisations are not generally true, I'm sorry.

Originally Posted by Remnant

Hello everyone.. I know, I'm new this site but I'm really excited that I am a member of this community. It seems really cool..

So I've been playing the piano since I was 3 or 4? I've always loved the piano and classical music in general, but it was only a few years ago that I started to consider a career in music. I'm 15 right now.

Although my playing has been consistent, I've only been practicing very little, about 1-2 hrs a day, except for a few short time periods when I was (intensely?) preparing for piano exams,, in which case I played for 6-7 hrs a day.

On regular days, it's really hard, as I'm still a high school student, and school marks are important to me. I'm not a perfectionist,, but I want to get good grades in school, and as well, I want to be a piano genius.

And I still don't know if I want to take a career as a musician. As a matter of fact, I think I'm kind of afraid to decide right now because I know that if I really "follow what my heart tells me" and decide to become a pianist, then I'll give up my academic studies and play piano all day.

I mean, I wouldn't mind playing piano all day, but the thing is, I know how tough the musical field is. What if I'm not as good as I think I am on the piano? There have been and always will be countless competitors surrounding me and trying to surpass me, and not everyone is going to get what they want, right??

I'm so confused. Right now, I'm learning some fantastic pieces (my favourite being the 2nd ballde of Chopin). And I can't get them off my mind!

I know this has been a long post, but I would really appreciate any kind replies. Even if they're not "kind" as in encouraging,, please,, tell me something!! I don't know what to do right now.. Thank you..

You are in Canada you say: I'm going to presume either Montreal or Toronto or Vancouver?
All three have very fine universities, with good music departments, some have more than one (Montreal).

I was once on the "concert pianist track" career-wise. Then I discovered I preferred writing my own music instead of playing someone else's. Oh well.

Since you say you practice that many hours, and have been playing as many years as you have, I am also going to presume you have a teacher. The first person who can tell you if you have the ability to become a concert pianist, is your teacher. Your teacher should certainly have an idea of whether your musicality and technique are strong enough, and whether or not you have potential. Remember, playing the music isn't all. You also have to have the musicality. There are literally thousands of other pianists your age out there with the technical chops to attack difficult pieces. You will be competing against them.

Have you done any competitions? That is the first place you start to know whether you will become a concert pianist or not. If you can get to the national level before age 18, then you have a good chance. Don't wait too long. It's exhausting and depressing. You need to know if you have the guts for it or not.

Almost all of the pianists I know who did both music and a science at the same time, ended up going into science and leaving music behind. Science is a full-time job. And science is just as competitive as the arts, if not more-so.

I understand the whole "something to fall back on" argument, and it's a good one. The only problem is that it always disadvantages one of the two fields you choose.

And ignore the americano-centric rantings... most pianists end up having to go to Europe to advance their careers. Not the U.S.

Originally Posted by Qccowboy

And ignore the americano-centric rantings... most pianists end up having to go to Europe to advance their careers. Not the U.S.

I just started thinking about BIG names in piano music...

Richter, Argerich, Gilels, Horowitz, etc... Can't say I see any American name there, or anyone who actually lives/d in the USA because of financial reasons...

Ah well... Their loss... They didn't make it, did they?

Ok...

When did I say that? I didn't. So stop misinterpreting.

I didn't say that. Again, stop misinterpreting me. I said that playing 6 hours a day is. Hard work and practice is the only way to get good. but 6 hours is not good practice.

Stravinsky
Rachmaninov
Schoenberg
Kreisler
Levine
Previn
Heifetz
Hahn
Yo Yo Ma
Rostropovich
Toscanini
Bernstein
Toscanini
Maazel

It's not that difficult to find.

Stating that there are some famous pianists who are in Europe means nothing and proves nothing.

Try again.

Your generalisations are not generally true, I'm sorry.

Why does it say I have to lengthen the post?

It says so because you have quoted the whole thing, instead of my own quotes. That's why. Take a look at your post and you'll see why. You prolly left a quote open.

But, you got me baffled now:

Originally Posted by ArcticWind7

Practising that much counter-productive, and you certainly don't learn as much as you could.

You don't even need to be good if you do this. Become an American and you can be even more famous without being good (not saying you are not). Of course, if you are American, you have luck on your side. Be quick about it though, America is falling, and Asia is rising.[/quote]

Now either change your words and try to see what you're writing.

Most of the names (if not all), were never Americans, just moved there for various reasons (read Hittler, USSR, etc) and certainly not money.

And do remember that you started generalasing please, not me.

Let's recup a little: Practicing 6 hours is no counterproducite, epsecially the way he seems to do it (not every single day, etc).

and

You don't need to go to the States to get saved by uncle Sam. There is life outside the States and money as well. Especially since 2$=1£, and US$<CAN$.

buahahahahaha <-eveil laugh!


I won't be following this thread much longer really, although it is kinda funny (in the most decent way, I don't mean anything wrong). We said enough with Arctic and that's all.

Most of the names (if not all), were never Americans, just moved there for various reasons (read Hittler, USSR, etc) and certainly not money.

And? They are famous.

Practicing 6 hours is no counterproducite, epsecially the way he seems to do it (not every single day, etc).

Yes, it is counterproductive, you don't learn that much in 6 hours. Not at all.

You don't need to go to the States to get saved by uncle Sam. There is life outside the States and money as well. Especially since 2$=1£, and US$<CAN$.

Just because the dollar is different doesn't mean all that much. a bic mac would be 6 US dollars, while being 3 pounds. And am guessing, but it doesn't work exactly how you are saying.

Now either change your words and try to see what you're writing.

Huh?

Practicing 6 hours is no counterproducite, epsecially the way he seems to do it (not every single day, etc).

Yes, it is counterproductive, you don't learn that much in 6 hours. Not at all.

It depends how you practice in those six hours. You could either learn a piece in six hours, or you could finally get that jump in the left hand that has been bothering you for the last month (but you should really learn that in thirty minutes ).