University teachers

[mike_lang]

Like a week ago I heard someone practicing Rach prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in one of the practice rooms next to my music theory class.

I wanted to punch that kid in the face.

Why?  I like that piece.

[chopin2015]

Like a week ago I heard someone practicing Rach prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in one of the practice rooms next to my music theory class.

I wanted to punch that kid in the face.

the worst part about practice rooms is that everyone can hear you. I hate that! and when people walk by when I am trying to read like both hands at the same time, it is so annoying!  was reading Schumann and this guy stopped and started watching me, I don't watch people. I listen where they can't see or hear me

[rachmaninoff_forever]

  was reading Schumann and this guy stopped and started watching me, I don't watch people.

Or when someone pops up from nowhere and tells you to play something for them.

Then you're like freaking out and you play something without mentally preparing or anything and you butcher it.

[chopin2015]

I met with Dr. Garcia today and it was awful. He told me I probably was not going to make the audition. I am just going to apply for jazz piano. I can't sight read well, and I never will. I am half freaking blind!!!

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I met with Dr. Garcia today and it was awful. He told me I probably was not going to make the audition. I am just going to apply for jazz piano. I can't sight read well, and I never will. I am half freaking blind!!!

I would still go for the audition anyways.

But hey, don't let that guy down you.

[chopin2015]

I am, he barely gave me the time of day! AAND I picked the steinway when my yamaha was right there!!! It was all my fault. Wroong piece, wrong piano!

[pianist0285]

Firstly to say I was sorry to read that you'd had a hard time with a piano teacher at University. I did go to University and did Music there.. I haven't read all the posts so it may be that - as you wrote in June, and it's not September it's all sorted out now.

Can you speak to any of his current students? it may be his approach to start with but then it's all ok.. (I don't agree with the approach, as the best way to get results out of a student is to encourage as much as possible and remain positive.. there are times when you need to be realistic but I am not sure that was the time?)

If things are still not good.. find another teacher. Easier said than done I know, but perhaps ask around other students to see what teachers they have? Can you talk to your personal tutor about it? I will have a think about other ideas in the meantime for you.. (unless, like I said before it's all sorted out now). 

I think the thing to remember is - whilst you might feel terrible and not any good - you are good- because you will have auditioned to get into University. There will be people out there trying to knock you down. Don't let them. You can do it!

Hope this is helpful.

[sclive]

I had a teacher crush me in the same way. How dare she tell me what I could and could not do, right? I mean, I won contests, got scholarships.. But as I look back on it 20 years later, she was right! The world cannot support a thousand prima ballerinas or a thousand concert pianists. Even those who sacrifice EVERYTHING, including family relationships, fun, health, childhoods, even prodigies, even they don't "make it". Other university teachers may not tell you this because they keep their jobs if the music department keeps making money with lots of music majors paying tuition. Try calling several piano majors who graduated from your school 10 or more years ago. What are they doing now?

In my late 20's I started feeling sorry for myself - I had studied with the best teachers, so what happened? Then reality ("growing up") set in. Did I pay the price? Did I practice 6 hours a day, every day, for 18 years straight? And then spend another 6 hours/day listening, studying? And was I willing to give up husband, children, other hobbies in my life I enjoyed or might hope to enjoy? If not, don't complain, and move on! The life of a concert pianist is not a healthy life anyway - trust me, I know a few.

Maybe you're not ready to hear this, but here's the truth. Most of us in this world are average. Even the biggest pianist fish in your piano pond is not ever going to be famous as a pianist (unless you are currently on a full-ride to Curtis, being supplied with a 7-foot Steinway complimentary, and studying with Gary Graffman waiting for your big break, with 20 plus concertos ready on 24-hour notice, and are under 23 years old - good looks and charisma don't hurt either).

If you find music is fulfilling, you can still keep learning, even major in music, develop your talents. And also plan on being a private piano teacher or teach music in the public schools for a living, promoting music in your community. That's the reality, and if you like kids and families, it's a great reality! If you don't, you can do something else to make money, and do music as your hobby/passion, that is great too. The more we can accept these kinds of choices as valid, the less we will resemble classical music versions of American Idol rejects, and instead become ambassadors in a new revival of interest in CLASSICAL MUSIC!!! YAY!  Best wishes to you in your life adventure!

[pytheamateur]

What you say is very true Sclive!  There isn't simply the demand for that many concert pianists.  Yes, you'll earn good money, but only if you're on the very top and very well known.  If not, then it's a quite poorly paid job.  Contrast that with doctors or lawyers:  you don't have to be the very very best to make a decent living.

Also, if you want to play on a good piano regularly, the best way to achieve this is to stay amateur.  This way you're more likely to get some decent income from a regular job to afford a good piano; something you are unlikely to achieve as a third-tier concert pianist.

Of course you can become a piano teacher instead of a concert pianist.  There's more demand for that and if you are good you'll be able to earn some regular income.  I see many profiles of people teaching in conservatories who call themselves "international concert pianists".  I get the impression that most of them are doing a lot more teaching than performing.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

In my late 20's I started feeling sorry for myself

Well you're on pianostreet.  So that means that you must have some place to live in and can afford the internet.

You're not some bum on the street are you?

[lostinidlewonder]

Let me speak from experience being a freelance concert pianist who can host a full house concert at will.

Any idiot university music teacher who says you cannot have a concerting career should be shot. These type of teachers are so STUCK in their little box they have no idea how good management and marketing works. That is why they are EMPLOYED as music teachers not businessmen/women.

I would not take negative career advice from any music teacher when it is about business, unless they run their own successful business, being employed by an institution generally means that they do not manage their own business for a living so they have little/no experience in this field.

Being a concert performer is NOT about how well you play (of course you must play well, but how well you play DOES NOT 100% determine how far you can go), it is about giving the audience something they didn't know they needed, and this DOES NOT rest on your ability to play but on many other factors. If your university teacher is an international/national star in their concert performing then listen to them, if they are not, then they have no idea what they are talking about and are all theory and guesses.


Aspiring musicians put these barriers up which stop them ever making a career in performance. I think this is a good thing because it makes the job for people who REALLY want it that much easier. Too many think it is about how well you play, or how difficult you can play, or if you can play better than so and so, this is totally missing the point. I meet many amazing musicians who have NEVER concerted ever because of the fear of failure, they haven't even tried! If you never try how can you even have a chance???

Go try to host a concert in a small place to start with, you will see that the work that goes into it is much more than playing the keyboard. Playing is the easy part, the marketing, sales, promoting yourself, having the confidence in your performance product, establishing a network etc, these are what most musicians have no idea bout thus never can make a career for themselves no matter how well they play. Hiring a manager is useless because unless you get an awesome one who knows what they are doing, you will also never get anywhere. You also need to know the ins and outs of concert management, you need to know what happens behind the scenes, if you do not then you merely leave your career in the hands of others and are destined to fail more often than not. No one is interested in your success as much as yourself and your loved ones.

So in the end you must take risks and go out there in the world and try to do some concerts, start organising them yourself and you will learn the ropes with practical experience. If this excites you, you should be a concert performer, if these things bewilder you and scare you to death, then yes you should not be a performer.

[mike_lang]

Let me speak from experience being a freelance concert pianist who can host a full house concert at will.

How nice!

[keyofc]

lostinidle,
Can you be more specific in how you organized/promoted concerts?

Marketing is sure a big thing - and I agree that one does not have to be the best in the world to be good enough for many to want to hear you.

I think many pianists are shy - Just to be a good pianist - you must spend hours alone honing your skill - and marketing is usually not what we are the best at doing.  We work best alone.

How did you get to that point that you do concerts so easily?

Parting thought -
To the extreme opposite - I have a friend that is somewhat tonedeaf and plays on cruise ships because he is such a good salesperson and is very passionate about his music. 
Not trying to suggest you have much in common with him - but it's true that there are more factors that come into play - than how we play.

[lostinidlewonder]

Hi keyofc sorry I missed this post of yours.
Have a read of these posts;
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=41921.msg464109#msg464109
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=6544.msg64969#msg64969
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=23949.msg275137#msg275137
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=42183.msg464919#msg464919
Some thread have the info hiding within the wall of text haha.

[clavile]

Sheesh. That's horrible! I think he could DEFINITELY have been nicer than that. There's no reason to rip somebody up like that.

I do know university teachers look for super super high-quality, but that's no reason to tear somebody down and tell them to ditch music. That is NOT what a teacher does.

And if he is on pianostreet and he sees this, I hope he takes a little time to think about it.

I say, keep heading for your goals! Keep studying, and don't let one unthoughtful teacher bring down your dreams.

Enjoy your music and keep pressing on!

Music is to be used for fun and enjoyment, not misery.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Sheesh. That's horrible! I think he could DEFINITELY have been nicer than that. There's no reason to rip somebody up like that.

I do know university teachers look for super super high-quality, but that's no reason to tear somebody down and tell them to ditch music. That is NOT what a teacher does.

And if he is on pianostreet and he sees this, I hope he takes a little time to think about it.

I say, keep heading for your goals! Keep studying, and don't let one unthoughtful teacher bring down your dreams.

Enjoy your music and keep pressing on!

Music is to be used for fun and enjoyment, not misery.

Thanks, but he kinda softened up on me now.  

Him:  okay, so this is how it is...  It's about time for you to remind me which schools you're applying to.  I don't remember them.

Me:  that's because I never told you...

Him:  why not?

Me:  you freaking told me to give up my hopes and dreams!

Him:  I never said that

Me:  yes you did!  

Him:  dude, I have noooo idea what you're talking about.

Me:  yes you di-

Him:  look, maybe you've been playing a little too much Rachmaninoff recently.  Too much of that guy can cause health issues.  I never said such a thing.

Me:  yes you freaking did!  And stop looking away from me!!!

Him:  oh look at the time!  Sorry, I have to cut this lesson short!

Me:  what the freaking heck?!  I already payed you!  I want my full hour!  And why the heck do you need to leave so early!

Him:  here keep the check.  This lesson is free.

Me:  hey wait a second!  Why do you have to leave?

Him:   Ummmm, uuuuh, ummmmm.  

Me:  just freaking tell me!

Him:  my wife is...

Me:  

Him:  uuuuh, she's...  Giving birth!  Yeah, she's giving birth!  Gotta go, see ya!

Me:  wait a second, I freaking saw her last week!  She's not pregnant you liar!

Him:  oh, that was my uuuuh...  Sister!

Me:  So you Kiss your sister on the mouth?!?!

Him:  oh no, I can already hear her screams of pain!  Gotta go, see ya!

Me: