Career as a pianist?

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..

Well a very fast reply:

Being 15 and playing the 2nd Ballade by Chopin is a feat on it's own. I don't remember myself EVER practicing 6-8 hours a day... Even for my diploma exams. You might think that 1-2 hours a day is not much for a 10 year old, but it's amazing, let me tell you!

That was the good thing!

The bad thing:

Although you can play very impressive stuff at this age, it doesn't mean a thing. Next year you'll be 16 and then 17 and then by the age of 20, there will be many people to play the 2nd Ballade. The age factor will dissappear.

Want to be good? Study more, go out, MAKE CONNECTIONS, meet plenty of composers (you are in the right place then), make sure you play to audiences again and again and again for money or without.

For the record, I don't really know anyone who just plays concerts and makes a living. You will need to be prepared to study, give concerts, give lessons, maybe write books, make DVDs, or whatever else it takes to pay the bills. Concerts, although pretty expensive, take a lot to be successful. I don't even remember when was the last time that I saw a pianist here in London and went "Oh! Yes! I have to see him/her". It simply doesn't happen anymore. At least in my books.

What to do right now?

When I was 15 I wanted to be a programmer. I entered the university to study physics. Now I'm a composer close to getting my PhD in composition. People change. Some don't, and I sure had music in my life, all my life. But thing is that I matured quite late in life.

Just don't close any doors. Don't say "I ONLY want to be a concert pianist, end of story. I don't need even math! I don't need history lessons" etc. Who knows what will happen? It's quite early in your life.

And be very aware: Personality plays a huge part in everyday life, whether a freelance pianist, or composer, or even a doctor, or teacher, or whatever. It means getting laid, getting married, getting hired, getting a gig, getting everything. Be friendly (like your post was and it resulted in my big post...), be wise, be patient.

[/Father Nikolas]

Sorry for the fatherly advice! It tends to happen to me... brrrrr...

That's ok Remnant for the long post, anyway... you must be extremely devoted, I practice for about an hour a day..All I have to say is keep on keeping on, continue perhaps a career in music isn't to far away from you!

Thanks, Nikolas. You're right,, that was some fatherly advice- and a good one, too!

Just don't close any doors. Don't say "I ONLY want to be a concert pianist, end of story. I don't need even math! I don't need history lessons" etc. Who knows what will happen? It's quite early in your life.

Apart from music, I'm also interested in Science, especially Chemistry. As you said, I know it might be too early right now, but do you think it would be an idea to get a double major in Science and Music? And see how it goes from there? Yeah.. it's a crazy combo, but I live in Canada and there's a good university here that has a special program and allows ppl to do this..

Originally Posted by Sir Violinist1

That's ok Remnant for the long post, anyway... you must be extremely devoted, I practice for about an hour a day..All I have to say is keep on keeping on, continue perhaps a career in music isn't to far away from you!

Thanks for the encouragement, Sir Violinist1! I will keep on keeping on!

You need to keep balanced, but like Nick said, you really need to keep at it and progress. I know from personal experience that if you slouch, you'll fall behind fast. I used to be pretty good at piano for my age, but I got way behind in practicing and stopped taking lessons altogether about a year ago, and it really shows compared to my other musical acquaintances.

Originally Posted by Remnant

Apart from music, I'm also interested in Science, especially Chemistry. As you said, I know it might be too early right now, but do you think it would be an idea to get a double major in Science and Music? And see how it goes from there? Yeah.. it's a crazy combo, but I live in Canada and there's a good university here that has a special program and allows ppl to do this..

Glad I could help Remnant.

Now, I've spent most of my life in Greece, so I have no idea really how unis work in Canada, and not much of an idea for anywhere else (except maybe the UK where I am right now).

For the record I was in the university studying physics (!) but I quit after a few years. I started working at night playing piano in pubs etc, and followed the life of a fully devoted musician from there on... I can't think of how life would be if I had sut there to finish the physics departement. Maybe better? Who knows. I would have a solid degree at least, which is a major sit back right now! Nobody likes someone with a PhD, but NOT an undegrad degree! Believe me.

But, on the other hand, I did do something of a double major with piano and composition (theoritical studies, more than composition). And it did work out...

If your university think you can do it, why wouldn't you be able to? Nobody will go to say "Ah... he did a double major, he's no good to any of those two...". But anyhow, by then (which should be in 2-3 years, right?) you have the time to make a better choice...

Just don't let me discourage you. You could be the 1/1000000 case that lives through concerts... An Internet forum is not enough to make parts of a crisis like that (!!!! sorry for the English in this sentence!) I am struggling to make ends meet, but under the idea that I'll live off composing solely! Not even lessons! ATM it's working out because of my scholarship, but after the scholarship ends, don't know... I don't know any composer who lives only by composing... Apart from those huge film music names... Same with pianists, I don't know any pianist who lives by giving a few concerts every year. Except Horowitz (dead), Argerich (alive), etc...

Most people (read 99%) do need a back up plan. May it be teaching piano (in your case), or maybe something irrelavent (chemistry), it's up to them (you). But this should, by no means, be an excuse for lack of dedication. (did I say that again in the previous post?)

in which case I played for 6-7 hrs a day.

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

MAKE CONNECTIONS

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.

Arctice: On both accounts: HUH!?!?!?!?!

hard works pays off, period -> .

American? WTF gives a shit about Americans, or Enlgish, or Greeks, or Asian, or whatever. The world is lying on your feet!

American? WTF gives a shit about Americans, or Enlgish, or Greeks, or Asian, or whatever.

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

hard works pays off, period -> .

I know tones of people who are better than famous performers, yet they live in certain places, and are unknown.

Arctice: On both accounts: HUH!?!?!?!?!p

huh?