Do I have a chance as a pianist?

[japanesepianist]

I am 13, and everyone always tells me that I am so great at piano, but they don't know classical music, at all. I am, if at all, a little above average, and want to pursue a career in piano, but I really want to be a Concert Pianist. I know that sounds crazy and I think it is going to be hard, but I want to share with everyone, how I play and what my life is like, because music is my life. Even though I am probably average and nothing but, I still want to pursue music. In the past, I played: Fantaise Impromptu, WTC I Prelude and Fugue 5 by Bach, Poem Op. 32 No. 2 by Scriabin, Nocturne 72 No. 1 by Chopin, Sonata 8 by Mozart, Inventions 8, 11, and 13 by Bach. I am currently working on Romance Op. 24 No. 9 by Sibelius, and the third movement of Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata. I plan on auditioning and applying for LACHSA this year. Do you think I can pursue piano as a career? Thank you in advance, and have a wonderful evening!

[keystroke3]

Dude, go for it!  But only if its truly your dream. 

If it makes you happy don't let fear of failure get in the way.  But realize it's a sh*t ton of work, hours of practice, and there's not a huge market for concert pianists anymore so you aren't gonna get paid tons or have great job security, so if your gonna go for it, make sure your doing it because you truly love music and not for other reasons.

But in all seriousness, your 13, just practice a lot and have fun with it and things will fall into place. 

Good luck!

-Keystroke

[philb]

A career as in a world traveling concert soloist? The odds are certainly against you. The amount of competition in the realm of piano is seriously intense. Most people of these people who graduate from top conservatories don't even make it. It takes a tremendous amount of talent, and more importantly a tremendous amount of connections. Even winning major international competitions isn't enough anymore. Can you name the last 5 Van Cliburn gold medalists?

Now if you're referring to a career in teaching, preforming, and doing various other jobs, it's much more possible. If you truly love playing and want to make a career out of it, there are many jobs outside of solo performance (that's not saying you can't do solo performance while having other various piano related jobs, you can).

[rachmaninoff_forever]

GO ALL THE WAY!  

There may be some people like teachers, judges, or fellow pianists your age who will absolutely crush you, but don't listen to them!  But I will tell you, there are people your age who can play things that are almost impossible.  Dimitri Sgorous played Rachmaninoff's 3rd piano concerto at age 12!!!  But it's too bad nobody ever hears of him.  I saw a 14 year old kid play Petrouchka, Gaspard de la Nuit, Chopin Sonata 3, and Beethovens Op. 106 in a concert 100% absolutey perfect!  Yet, you don't hear of them either.  It doesn't get any harder than that.  These people have perfect technique at such an early age, it makes me mad...  But having said that, most people don't have perfect technique since age 11  So hearing about super humans like these guys should inspire you to be like them right?

But ANYWAYS, would you rather not pursue music and get a boring job at some office doing the same thing for the rest of your life filled with regret wondering, 'man, what if I kept pursuing piano?', or would you go all the way do what you love and try to become a professional pianist, but fail and become a bum living on the streets, or maybe partially succeed and only make like 35k a year but satisfied knowing that you tried your hardest?  


Would you rather live on your knees, or die on your feet?!  

YOU DECIDE!!!

[philb]

I saw a 14 year old kid play Petrouchka, Gaspard de la Nuit, Chopin Sonata 3, and Beethovens Op. 106 in a concert 100% absolutey perfect!

Nobody plays a note perfect Petroushka, everyone cheats  

[j_menz]

Nobody plays a note perfect Petroushka, everyone cheats  

One of the advantages of Stravinsky is that almost no-one can tell if you do. 

[philb]

One of the advantages of Stravinsky is that almost no-one can tell if you do. 

It wouldn't be necessary if he didn't make such odd demands.



Lol, okay Igor.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Nobody plays a note perfect Petroushka, everyone cheats  

Well that's what my ex teacher said.  He said he couldn't find anything wrong with his playing lol.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

It wouldn't be necessary if he didn't make such odd demands.



Lol, okay Igor.

.

I'm not much of a fan when it comes to cheating except when using left pedal. 

When there's a will, there IS a way!  I refuse to believe it's not possible without cheating!

[aindavou]

Maybe is good having others ways to go if any problems come… I start my piano studies when I have 16 and play 7-10 hours per day, about 3 years (Because this, maybe, because do not have a good professor, come a tendinitis and now I have trouble to restart studies). I think u so young and maybe change idea in a shortly time (And other problems can come…).
How I said, I think is a good idea have others ways.

And as already stated, the music area have a very hard competition.

But is really very good and magical playing  piano. Good lucky n your journey. :p

Yes you have chance, I think.

[aindavou]

sry by this

[gitaristica]

I am not a pianist, but as a classical guitar student that has been a finalist and that has won prizes in big competitions, I can say that it won't be easy(my bio sounds great, yet I'm s t u c k in Croatia) . Some people have luck. They get spotted by important persons, get scholarships and build careers overnight. Some have money/connections/unbelievable social skills. Some just have to practice untill they fingers bleed and fight for every opportunity that life gives them. Chances definately are against you, against me, against everyone, but we will fight and, one day, we will succeed. There is no easy way, no shortcut. My teacher always tells me that it takes 20years of hard work to become an overnight success. I'm 16 so I guess I just have to work work work and work. Luck has to be deserved, it does not come to random people.

[ancientsolar]

People have said, what the chances are and how much work it will take, but have hope in this

Concert pianist ~ the dream!
then think of being a performer in your local communities etc.
wedding pianist/ party pianist etc
restaurant pianist,

Enter competitions push yourself to new limits (exams will never push you to "the limit")
but use a competitive nature in a good way, (whatever the result, use it to give you strength)

Make a written record of where / when / what you performed, ~ Use it to climb the slippery ladder!

[azooza]

With your described level of skill, together with your age, the world is your oyster. Much about making music on the piano is about self-fulfillment - not public performance. I wish you well. Remember your greatest critic is yourself.

[shubertimproviz]

YES, you have the chance to be a pianist. The only thing that you can do is practicing every day.

[starstruck5]

One thing is for sure, you will get a lot of support and encouragement from the wonderful community which is PianoStreet -Good luck!

[perprocrastinate]

Wow, and here I am, overreacting to how I won't be a decent amateur pianist because I started in my teens.

[zoeemmaline]

If you want to be a concert pianist, then go ahead and go for it, but if you are really going to go for that career, then be prepared to 1. Work super super hard 2. Get a ton of really harsh criticism 3. Be prepared to learn from your mistakes (Chances are there will be a lot of them), and 4. Be really pushy (which can be hard if you're someone like me who doesn't have that king of personality).

Also, since its so hard to make a living off of concerts, especially when you're young, make sure you're able to teach piano or play at parties or something that can support you as you are trying to get on your feet.

Hope this helps!

[ichky]

You can absolutely achieve what you want in life if you commit to it and believe in yourself.

Don't let anyone else tell you that you can't. You can tell them all to shut up 

You have my support!

Best of Luck!

ichky
www.ichkymusic.com