Author: Nessie1
Date: 2008-11-04 08:23
Like many on this thread, in my teens I had hopes of playing for a living (although I was a far less advanced player at that stage than many of these people). However, the exams I needed to get into university to do music were rather a shock (or rather the results were) so I ended up doing a different subject. I have since made my living in direct marketing for a wide range of products and services. I did go through many years of regret, soul-searching and negative emotions over it all (yes, I have seen a therapist too!).
However, in between times I have taken up another instrument besides the clarinet, competed in and won prizes at music festivals, given my own lunchtime recitals, played in an orchestra and a band, attended summer schools, retaken the exams I did badly in at 18, amongst other activities, and eventually I returned to university part-time and achieved a BMus, including the final year performance option.
Of course there are times when I wish I could just once in my life play the Mozart concerto with a good orchestra (who knows? - it could just happen one day) but I still get an enormous amount of pleasure from the music I am involved in and meet all sorts of lovely people.
What I would say to you is don't let regrets about whether you actually make your living playing take away the fun and the joy of whatever music you do get involved in. Of course you still have a large part to play in deciding what exactly that will be and at what kind of level. How much time can you devote to practice and rehearsals? Can you afford regular good
quality lessons? Subs for organisations you may join etc? How understanding is your spouse? These are all the kind of things where all of us have to make choices and decisions in life and trade one thing off against another but in many cases they are not irrevocable choices. You could consider making a one-year or three-year plan for starters.
Good luck
Vanessa.
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