Career as a pianist?

Hello everyone.. I know, I'm new this site :whistling: 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. :sadtears: 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! :D 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..

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! :toothygrin:

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.

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. :sadtears:

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 scraggy about Americans, or Enlgish, or Greeks, or Asian, or whatever. The world is lying on your feet!

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

The US has money. They give a scraggy. When the US gives a scraggy, 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?

The US has money. They give a scraggy. When the US gives a scraggy, 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.

Hello everyone.. I know, I'm new this site :whistling: 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. :sadtears: 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.

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?

:D

Ok...

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

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

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.

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:

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.

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

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

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 :P ).

Are we talking 6 hours straight? Or 6 hours, accumulative? If you do 3 two-hour stints, with significant breaks then you're golden...but 6 straight hours of playing has to be bad for you - physically.

Are we talking 6 hours straight? Or 6 hours, accumulative? If you do 3 two-hour stints, with significant breaks then you're golden...but 6 straight hours of playing has to be bad for you - physically.

Good point!

I practice two hours straight, and never had any problems with it... other than being a bit fed up with the music once a week or so. I just don't think I could imagine sitting at the piano for six STRAIGHT hours!

Technically, you're supposed to take a break every half-hour, but I find that if I try that, I don't get much done. Therefore, if I really need to escape the music, I do so after an hour.

Anyway, I believe all practice should be accumulative. After all, six hours at the piano is most of your day, and most people have a life on the side. :O

Ok Arctic, you are starting to loose any kind of sense really.

"And? They are all famous" Are they famous because they are Americans as you said? Cause they are not Americans, not the names that I mentioned, nor the names that you did. And if they hadn't been in the States, do you think that they woudln't be famous? Stravinsky went to Paris and became famous, not the States.

And either way are you trying to defend that the only place to do something in life and career are the States? Cause this is what you're saying.

On practice: Why exactly? If you take regular breaks (I would study 50 minutes and rest ten, by bullshiting mainly, for a few hours straight), then there doesn't seem any harm. Can you really explain why it is counterproductive, instead of repeating yourself continuously and contradicting yourself (cause you denied saying that and then you tried to justify it by not doing so. ;))

And again on the States. The US ecomony is going from bad to worst. Even with money, unless you want to do movies, and only movies (not even games), there doesn't seem much reason to move in the States. Not that it's bad, on the contrary, but it's not the only place, as you imply.

As for my last comment: You are contradicting yourself continously. This is what I mean. Take down the SO amazingly absolute tone about practicing and the States and we are totally fine. Had you spoken like Robin, for example, I would be in full agreement. ;)

Especially since 2$=1

Are we talking 6 hours straight? Or 6 hours, accumulative? If you do 3 two-hour stints, with significant breaks then you're golden...but 6 straight hours of playing has to be bad for you - physically.

i was actually talking about 6 hrs straight mostly ...AND accumulative sometimes, but of course, like Nikolas said,, I did take few minutes of breaks, stretching and walking around,,

Omg, I should never have wrote it! DONT make such a big deal out of this, ppls! THat was only for less than 2 weeks right before my exam!

And yeah,, you're right. It did hurt me- physically.. But I did teach me much, such as the importance of warmups!! :whistling: And trust me, I don't practice that much anymore. As I said, it was an unusual thing,, but I was pleased with my exam mark too :)

But practicing that much taught me the most improtant thing.. After practicing, I felt soo exhausted and I thought every bone in my body whould fall apart, but while I was actually practicing, I didn't want to stop. I just loved it. (Sorry,, didnt mean for this to sound too cheesy)