How important is it to Specialize ?

[m1469]

I have been chatting recently with a friend regarding one's career in piano performance.  It was suggested that specializing is very important these days; to find something that will either appeal to large audiences or a small niche.

I see the point, but I wonder if it is truly the "only" or "best" way to go ?

What are your thoughts on this ?  And if you have made decisions regarding specialization, what were they and how did you come to that decision ?


Thanks in advance,
m1469 Fox 

[zheer]

Dont force yourself into anything, we are all naturally drawn to a particular composer, music and style. The one you are drawn to and can do the best is the one to specialize in, even though i dont like that word. So for example if you like Rach work on learning his music. i guess.

[m1469]

Well, okay, I appreciate your thoughts, I guess it's like getting married . 

But what if (I love those two words together... he he) in the musical realm, I want my "specialization" to be versatility ?

I mean, is "specialization" the way to go ... does one "have" to eventually do this ?


m1469


ps-   My husband has put a cap on the quality and quantity of "what ifs" allowed around our place... he he... I can't imagine why 

[thalbergmad]

When I was young my teacher got me to play music from all era's.

I feel it is important to experience a wide range of compositions when learning to play. Later in life, it is OK to specialize and as Zheer said, this is something that can naturally happen.

I veered towards the Romantics and have rarely ventured out.

[ted]

It doesn't matter one way or the other for me because I do not earn my living from music. In fact, I veer toward trying very many things with respect to both my own music and other people's, and probably doing everything badly. That is just my personal choice because that way makes me happy. I wouldn't have a clue about professionals and I am not qualified to suggest which course is best for them these days.

[whynot]

Ted, good post.

m1469.  You may have been joking about your specialization being versatility, but actually, I think you've hit the nail on the head.  You are something of a renaissance woman, yes?  In our time and place, choosing to explore (and excel at many things), and refusing to be categorized, is an act of courage.  And, depending on the company you keep, also an act of defiance.   

Remember your history? the lateen sail, invented before the year 1,000 (I think by Arabs?).  A moveable square sail that allowed ships to sail against the wind for the first time, which opened major new possibilities in the trading of goods and knowledge.  It changed the world forever.  They no longer had to wait for the winds to be just right in order to get where they wanted to go.  They could harness the power of what seemed to be completely wrong conditions and redirect the very force of nature to propel them wherever they wished.  They were sailing against the wind, but they weren't fighting the wind; they were working with it.  I appear to have digressed, but somehow had an urge to bring that up today.  Sorry if it's out of place.   


 

[arensky]

Ted, good post.

m1469.  You may have been joking about your specialization being versatility, but actually, I think you've hit the nail on the head.  You are something of a renaissance woman, yes?  In our time and place, choosing to explore (and excel at many things), and refusing to be categorized, is an act of courage.  And, depending on the company you keep, also an act of defiance.   

Remember your history? the lateen sail, invented before the year 1,000 (I think by Arabs?).  A moveable square sail that allowed ships to sail against the wind for the first time, which opened major new possibilities in the trading of goods and knowledge.  It changed the world forever.  They no longer had to wait for the winds to be just right in order to get where they wanted to go.  They could harness the power of what seemed to be completely wrong conditions and redirect the very force of nature to propel them wherever they wished.  They were sailing against the wind, but they weren't fighting the wind; they were working with it.  I appear to have digressed, but somehow had an urge to bring that up today.  Sorry if it's out of place.   


 

Ships are never out of place when I'm around!  I saw Arab Dhows when I was in the Middle East some time ago, and they are not very different from the original lateen rigged ships of the past. The dhows I saw were quite manuverable, very cool to watch. Anyway don't feel bad; here's some maritime history I brought up out of the blue, some time ago... https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,12856.msg139087.html#msg139087

Sorry to get off track; I agree with Thalbergmad and Zheer.... 

[m1469]

Ted, good post.

m1469.  You may have been joking about your specialization being versatility, but actually, I think you've hit the nail on the head.  You are something of a renaissance woman, yes?  In our time and place, choosing to explore (and excel at many things), and refusing to be categorized, is an act of courage.  And, depending on the company you keep, also an act of defiance.   

Remember your history? the lateen sail, invented before the year 1,000 (I think by Arabs?).  A moveable square sail that allowed ships to sail against the wind for the first time, which opened major new possibilities in the trading of goods and knowledge.  It changed the world forever.  They no longer had to wait for the winds to be just right in order to get where they wanted to go.  They could harness the power of what seemed to be completely wrong conditions and redirect the very force of nature to propel them wherever they wished.  They were sailing against the wind, but they weren't fighting the wind; they were working with it.  I appear to have digressed, but somehow had an urge to bring that up today.  Sorry if it's out of place.   

Hi whynot, well, I do think that your mentioning of the sails is actually quite apropos.  And actually, I was not joking about wanting my specialization to be versatility.  I am something of a renaissance woman.  I refuse with all of might to be categorized, I suppose that happens anyway.  But, more than anything, I just don't want to be limited in my life (but, I wonder if that in itself would end up being limiting ?... oh man, the same story as always), I need lots of room to breathe and stretch my legs, maybe the whole universe.

he he... I guess, I should just go forward.  There will always be people who think it can't be done that way... and they will even say it.  Sometimes with the best of intentions, sometimes not.  I guess I should remember that, AND, I suppose that's what the stars are for -- and this compass right here.  It just seems broken sometimes.

Thanks,
m1469

[crazy for ivan moravec]

as a CAREER MOVE, i think it is good for a pianist to be identified with a composer or two, of which he/she is a natural interpreter.

but i think one has to keep on doing other music so as not to isolate the "specialized" and make it sound dull. otherwise, one won't be able to appreciate his chosen "specialized" composer because he has no other music to compare it to. and for learning, i think to keep on studying all kinds of music is the best way to grow as a musician.

[m1469]

Yeah, that is where I am leaning, crazy.  Thinking about career move, and I like how you put  it, to be indentified with certain composers.  I could see that happening for myself, both of my own choosing and in other ways.

But, also, the other things you have said.  I don't ever want to stop learning about the others.  I think they are necessary in many ways.


Thanks, people

m1469

[rc]

I think seeing oneself as a specialist is to sell yourself short. Being a performer is specialist enough in the realm of music (only others music, only on piano...). Most live local bands play songs that sound the same after two or three, and call themselves specifically a 'punk band', 'metal band', etc.

I think the idea of specialization would only be good for marketing, to pigeonhole someone and describe them as a specialist for easier understanding by the public.