People of Pianostreet

[peanutbutter]

I would like to know how many people here are actually professional pianists, and how many are in a different field and doing music/piano on the side... like I am. I'm studying pharmacy. I think it's great how some people can balance their time with their work and with their music, especially if they are good with both. How do you do it? Usually, there's barely enough time left even for a 30 min. practice. Some people just seem like they have all the time. I really want to know how they/you do it.

[outin]

I would like to know how many people here are actually professional pianists, and how many are in a different field and doing music/piano on the side... like I am. I'm studying pharmacy. I think it's great how some people can balance their time with their work and with their music, especially if they are good with both. How do you do it? Usually, there's barely enough time left even for a 30 min. practice. Some people just seem like they have all the time. I really want to know how they/you do it.

I work full time (and a bit more often). My schedule has now kind of settled to something like this:
- About half an hour practice every morning
- Practice after work depending how tired I am/how late it is. Usually about 30min-1 hour
- Sometimes practice late at night before going to bed if I get inspired
- On weekends if I am free from other acitivities it's usually first practice around noon for an hour or so and the again later for another hour or so

I feel this is more than enough to steadily progress and practicing for longer might actually be bad for me both for physical and mental reasons.

I am still in the beginning stages, but I feel that If I can keep progressing at this rate without reaching a plateau I might actually be able to play a lot of music in 5 years. But I also think I might need to increase my practice time when the pieces become significantly longer.

[peanutbutter]

That seems like a really nice schedule. And yes, I also think that that is enough to keep progress... in 5 yrs time that is definitely a lot of music.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

That one vote for pianist is by J Menz.

He thought he could get away with it because it's anonymous!

[j_menz]

That one vote for pianist is by J Menz.

He thought he could get away with it because it's anonymous!

Nope. I'm one of the "other"s.

I practice when I can, but there's quite a bit of work one can do away from the piano refining one's image of a piece that is surprisingly useful.

[ajspiano]

I'm a piano teacher, and it is my primary focus.

However I have almost always held some other kind of part-time/casual job 1-2 days a week to give me a bit of variety, get me out of my house at least semi-regularly, and provide me with an alternative social circle rather than dealing exclusively with piano students/parents.

How do you do it? Usually, there's barely enough time left even for a 30 min. practice. Some people just seem like they have all the time. I really want to know how they/you do it.

Not that I have that problem, but..

Stay up an extra thirty minutes, or get up and extra thirty minutes earlier..   or if you're really dedicated you can do both, or both as hours extra.

..or observe how your day is structured. I doubt if there is anyone that can't be a little more efficient with time. I certainly could be.

[peanutbutter]

..or observe how your day is structured. I doubt if there is anyone that can't be a little more efficient with time. I certainly could be.

That's exactly my problem, haha, it takes so much effort for me..... I lose my time doing many little things, but rarely finish one :/

[peanutbutter]

I practice when I can, but there's quite a bit of work one can do away from the piano refining one's image of a piece that is surprisingly useful.

you just gave me an idea