Academics or Piano: Which comes first?

[in_love_with_liszt]

Myself, being a diehard perfectionist, generally put academics before piano all the time; eg. I have a big project due in a few days I'll just abanondon practicing completely so that I can at least get an "A" on the project. I usually look back and regret putting other things before piano though, as it is something dear to me, and wish that I could be more carefree and not have a cow about not getting a 95%+ on an assignment and just focus on piano....but I guess I'm just not programmed that way.

[donjuan]

If you are serious about piano, like you are working toward a career in it, then it is definitely more important than school.  If you do piano as a hobby, but you are seeking a career somewhere else, say- Business or Medicine, then academics come first.  It takes someone very special to make a career as a concert pianist, so parents (knowing their kids are not capable) tend to tell their kids to play for fun and work hard in school.  

I think you did the right thing by trying for the high grades.  They lead to scholarships and a much easier future in the long run.

[Spatula]

It's all about the perspective.

BTW I think that to achieve senior member status should be 650 posts, not 250 posts.  This place is getting saturated with SMs.

[in_love_with_liszt]

If you are serious about piano, like you are working toward a career in it, then it is definitely more important than school.  If you do piano as a hobby, but you are seeking a career somewhere else, say- Business or Medicine, then academics come first.  

Actually I do plan to go into a career in music, as a teacher and performer, however I guess one thing I failed to mention before was that if I don't have straight A's my parent's ground me, so that is probabally where my strivence for perfection at school origionated. I think that most of the crud we're taught in school is a bunch of useless babble, unfortunately it's that useless babble that determines what college you get into.

[Nana_Ama]

Well, I'm a perfectionist too but I must say that they are about equal for me. I just started piano about two years ago.  If I have too many projects, or homework, etc., I practice in the morning about an hour before I go to school.  Piano is really important to me so I make time for it.  I also play sports so it gets pretty hectic but somehow... I manage it. ... That's just me  :-/

[in_love_with_liszt]

You know, it's not fair that kids didn't have to go to school back in the romantic era, and could just sit at home and practice all day. I mean Beethoven, come on! I would love to have my father make me practice night and day! j/k, Beethoven had a sad life I have wished many many times that I could have lived back then though....that would have been awesome.....although the world we live in today isn't all so bad....

[donjuan]

Actually I do plan to go into a career in music, as a teacher and performer, however I guess one thing I failed to mention before was that if I don't have straight A's my parent's ground me, so that is probabally where my strivence for perfection at school origionated. I think that most of the crud we're taught in school is a bunch of useless babble, unfortunately it's that useless babble that determines what college you get into.

I thought you need some minimum requirements to get into the college, say... High School English class, but what really is important is the music theory test and Audition.  It sounds like you know what you want in life, do your parents feel the same way?

[Tash]

well since piano is not my main thing, this year it's generally coming second to uni work. however last year i tended to practice before doing my school work, but my uni times are just really inconvenient so it tends to get rather rejected now, which is a shame

[in_love_with_liszt]

I thought you need some minimum requirements to get into the college, say... High School English class, but what really is important is the music theory test and Audition.  It sounds like you know what you want in life, do your parents feel the same way?

My music theory teacher said that we shouldn't take the AP theory test.....anyways my parent's goals for me are different than my own- my mother wants me to be an architect, and my father wants that as well. They said they're not going to pay for any of my college if I only study music. Ouch. Guess that means double major.

[donjuan]

My music theory teacher said that we shouldn't take the AP theory test.....anyways my parent's goals for me are different than my own- my mother wants me to be an architect, and my father wants that as well. They said they're not going to pay for any of my college if I only study music. Ouch. Guess that means double major.

Architect! That's a great job.  I think you could do it- you are artistic and know how to work hard.  It sucks they wont pay for your college if you study only music.  Well, you could still teach piano part time for fun and pocket money and have a career like architecture.  I know how you feel- My dad wants me to be a dermatologist!

donjuan

[wintervind]

My advice in choosing a career -
Do what you love or else you WILL regret it later in life.

In my experience I have known many who have regretted giving up music for a "practical" education, only to either drop out of school or to follow through and realize that even with "practical' skills they have to work to make ends meet. I cannot see studying a field which will eventually become a career without having a love for it. Sure it is possible to have a love for several things, and that is great for those people. For me it is entirely music! It is such a great feeling to finally reach college and be able to study music full time, without other things bogging you down.

Life is always uncertain, why not major in music!

[in_love_with_liszt]

My advice in choosing a career -
Do what you love or else you WILL regret it later in life.

In my experience I have known many who have regretted giving up music for a "practical" education, only to either drop out of school or to follow through and realize that even with "practical' skills they have to work to make ends meet. I cannot see studying a field which will eventually become a career without having a love for it. Sure it is possible to have a love for several things, and that is great for those people. For me it is entirely music! It is such a great feeling to finally reach college and be able to study music full time, without other things bogging you down.

Life is always uncertain, why not major in music!

Yeah, well I do have alot of interests, I mean I do like architecture and interior design, as well as physics and chemisty, but I would be lying if I said I didn't dream of living my adult life as a pianist/composer/teacher. That's why I'm a little angsty about going to college, I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to focus on, I mean like I said I dream of music but on the other hand I do enjoy architectural engineering and I could make a nice living off of a profession like that.....agh so many choices. Donjuan, a dermatologist!!!! I've had horrible experiences with dermatologists and it seems like they don't really care/know what they're doing. Maybe I just have stubborn break out-prone skin or something. Well dermatologists make a nice living too....but I don't really beleive in just choosing a career for money-I know I wouldn't want to sit and look at teen's pimply faces the rest of my life, but hey, that's just me.

[donjuan]

Donjuan, a dermatologist!!!! I've had horrible experiences with dermatologists and it seems like they don't really care/know what they're doing. Maybe I just have stubborn break out-prone skin or something. Well dermatologists make a nice living too....but I don't really beleive in just choosing a career for money-I know I wouldn't want to sit and look at teen's pimply faces the rest of my life, but hey, that's just me.

Well, If you make it as a dermatologist you get millions of dollars every year to look at a rash and say, "hmmm...I am writing you a prescription for Celestiderm!!"  It is almost like getting a permit to print money and keep it.  hmm look at this wart, burn it off.... hmmm look at this mole, tell them they have cancer and refer them somewhere else.. and collect huge checks all day long!
I dont like the idea of med school though... By the time I am out making the big bucks, most of the best years of my life have passed.

[Spatula]

Eventually, My whole face will become one giant zit.

YUMMY!

Bring on the medication.

[Nana_Ama]

anyways my parent's goals for me are different than my own- my mother wants me to be an architect, and my father wants that as well. They said they're not going to pay for any of my college if I only study music. Ouch. Guess that means double major.

That's the same thing for my parents.  I started rather late, although I do think I would like to major in piano.  I guess that means a double major for me too.  My parents don't think I would be able to support myself I majored in piano...

[Motrax]

It is undoubtedly more difficult to support yourself with a music degree than a "practical" degree. Not to say that solely majoring in music is foolish, but there is no need to paint over the truth. I'm double majoring in physics and music, and I'm fully prepared to work my butt off. Since the year just started, I have an hour or so to bum around and post on the piano forum, but I'm sure once my classes get rolling, I won't have a scrap of time for this (during the week, at least).

If you're still in high school (if you're not in high school yet, you might change your mind about piano yourself, believe me), you should still work hard, academically speaking. There's no excuse not to get an education when the opportunity is available, and despite whatever bad teachers/bad curriculum you happen to be enduring, you're still getting an education of some sort.  There's more to being a pianist than sitting at a piano and rolling out noise - just as important is being a human being who lives and laughs and loves. You've got to discard the idea of the great pianist who lives in a broom closet practicing some secret technique for 10 years and then steps out to become the greatest musician ever. If that was your point of view... if not, sorry to lecture.  

If you're a college student, it'd be much better to speak with a professor.  Well, hell, it would be much better to speak to your teacher no matter how old you are. They're the ones who made music into a career, and they know your abilities best of anyone. And I'll bet that pretty much any teacher you have, no matter how scary they seem, would be overjoyed at the prospect of their student taking piano as a profession into consideration, and would thus try to give all the best advice they could.

[faulty_damper]

Hell, I practiced instead of studying last semester and I'm now on academic probation!  Woohoo!  I knew where my priorities were even if it costed me several thousand dollars on tuition.

I'm hoping my priorities change this semester.  THey probably won't, and I won't be too disappointed if it doesn't.