What's your day job?

[Dazzer]

i need a psychiatrist

[Bouter Boogie]

i need a psychiatrist

That's not the question

[thalbergmad]

i need a psychiatrist

I've got one and his very nice.

[nanabush]

I want to be a doctor, going to university in 2 years, I love science....  Right now I just mow lawns and paint and stuff....  How do you like being a pediatrician? 

[teresa_b]

That was just an example.  I didn't think everyone here was a concert pianist or full time piano teacher.  I am wondering if we have a few doctors though.  "Is there a doctor in the house?"

I doubt neurosurgeon and concerto pianist go together.  No one could do that, I don't think.

Hey Bob,

Yes, there is a doctor.  I'm one.  (I'm tempted to say neurosurgeon, but alas...)  I'm a dermatologist, thus I can tailor my schedule a lot more than those of the neurosurgeon ilk. 

I'm also a decent pianist (I can't claim to have conquered the pianistic equivalent of neurosurgery, the Rach 3, but I can hold my own.  )

All the best,
Teresa

[drjames]

Actually I'd rather be a dermatologist. Just kidding. (My wife would rather I be a dermatologist.)  I do enjoy being a pediatrician. I like to ask the older kids what they like to do outside of school.  Find out who plays the piano or other musical interests. It takes a lot of time though and leaves very little to practice. I get in about 30 min to 1 hour per day mostly at my office during lunch. But it is still fun.  Jim

[teresa_b]

You have a piano in your office??  Why didn't I think of that? 

Teresa

[drjames]

Its a Yamaha digital.  I originally got it so I could practice at night back when there were babies in the house.  The babies are older and the piano was moved to the office when we built a new house.  When practice time is at a premium it really works out well to have a second piano at your day job.  Admittedly not an option for everyone. Jim

[steinwaynine]

Airline Pilot / Published Novelist.

Studied for ten years (ages 8-18) before becoming nuts about airplanes.  Now, I am working my way back into serious playing (when the time with my beautiful wife and children will allow).  Would like to compete at some of the big amateur competitions (Boston, Paris, Van Cliburn, etc.) in a few years.

Has anyone else done this?

[teresa_b]

Wow, a pilot AND a published novelist AND a concert pianist??    

Any secrets you can let out as far as getting your book published?  I have a novel that I can't get any agents to read. 

I looked into the Van Cliburn Amateur Competition a couple of years ago.  I spoke with a fellow physician who had done it twice.  (He had not gone beyond the first round.)  He enjoyed the experience, and said he met some interesting people.  I've never entered, because I have gleaned that after the first one or two competitions, the ones who advance are mostly people who have things like master's degrees in piano performance from Juilliard, but are not working as professional pianists. 

The rules say you can use a score, but you won't have much hopes of advancing or winning if you do. 

I made a personal decision not to enter because I felt it would be too stressful (thus negating any reason for it!).  But you might feel entirely differently, so follow your heart. 

Good luck--
Teresa

[violinist]

Hello,

I just joined, and this thread caught my eye.

My day (and night) job:  General and Trauma Surgeon
Musical abilities:  Violin (started when I was 7)
New Musical ambition:  Piano (to start when I'm 35).

[xvimbi]

Excellent! Now, finally, we have someone on the forum who we can go too when there is confusion about these recurring questions like how the tendons in the hand go and if they can safely be stretched, what the reason is for that nagging pain in the right shoulder, and whether it is OK to keep playing Hanon for four hours a day despite that excruciating pain in the wrist

Welcome!

[violinist]

Excellent! Now, finally, we have someone on the forum who we can go too when there is confusion about these recurring questions like how the tendons in the hand go and if they can safely be stretched, what the reason is for that nagging pain in the right shoulder, and whether it is OK to keep playing Hanon for four hours a day despite that excruciating pain in the wrist

Welcome!

Well thank you for welcoming me and thanks for your previous posts on choosing my new piano. 

I have special interests in Musician injuries as I have my own personal interests in my injuries from over zealous practicing of the violin in the past.  These repetitive use injuries are common and usually the unfortunate answer is prevention is the best medicine?? huh?  that doesn't work for musicians.  Well, the next answer is REST... Geesh...

If you want real expert opinions, I'd have to ask my wife who is a Plastic Surgeon and Hand Surgeon.

[xvimbi]

Well thank you for welcoming me and thanks for your previous posts on choosing my new piano. 

I have special interests in Musician injuries as I have my own personal interests in my injuries from over zealous practicing of the violin in the past.  These repetitive use injuries are common and usually the unfortunate answer is prevention is the best medicine?? huh?  that doesn't work for musicians.  Well, the next answer is REST... Geesh...

If you want real expert opinions, I'd have to ask my wife who is a Plastic Surgeon and Hand Surgeon.

Fantastic!  If you browse the forum for a while, you'll see that we get constantly tangled up in all kinds of anatomical/physiological issues pertinent to piano playing. It's a lot of fun to battle all those myths that are out there and that people still adhere to. Any input would be welcome, provided you still want to talk about these things after a hard day at work.

[ada]

Journalist by day. Any other journos out there?

[ako]

Well thank you for welcoming me and thanks for your previous posts on choosing my new piano. 

I have special interests in Musician injuries as I have my own personal interests in my injuries from over zealous practicing of the violin in the past.  These repetitive use injuries are common and usually the unfortunate answer is prevention is the best medicine?? huh?  that doesn't work for musicians.  Well, the next answer is REST... Geesh...

If you want real expert opinions, I'd have to ask my wife who is a Plastic Surgeon and Hand Surgeon.

violinist,

Do you live in the SF bay area? Somehow, I got a vibe (might be wrong) that many medical couples live in SF.

-ako

[allthumbs]

I can't say, because if I did, I'd have to kill you.

[celticqt]

My day job was teaching high school English and doing piano lessons on the side, but I quit the English so I could concentrate on my music.  Now I teach lessons two days a week, take care of my husband and house, practice my butt off, and play for my church 3 hours a week.  It's a wonderful life. 

[dolcejen]

Very interesting seeing what everyone does in their "free time". 
I am a medical transcriptionist and church pianist. I retired from teaching last spring. I taught piano from age 15 to 24 and went for an early retirement. I had to for sanity's sake. I much prefer playing and performing to teaching.