Still amateur or professional?

[faa2010]

I am having right now the chance of taking an admission exam in the national music school if I work hard in a repertoire.

However I am thinking in the disadvantages I have to be accepted: my age (27), I finished a different major and my job of 8 hours (which I have started to dislike). Also, I still have my teacher of piano whom I don't want to leave because she is very kind and I don't want to make feel bad.

I know that if I take longer in my desicion, the chance will be gone due to my age even though I have enough money to sustain the career, but also in case I am not accepted or if I leave the profession, I won't fall too hard because I will be supported with the major I finished and the job experience I earned.

That's when I think what is what I really want: still being only an amateur or take it to the next level: become a professional.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being amateur and professional?

When do you know that you want to become a professional? which are the signs?

[Bob]

You're going to go to school while working an 8 hours/day job?  Is that really going to work?  When are you going to practice?

Professional would be getting paid and making a living from piano, along with some level of high level playing.  The degree isn't going to automatically put you at a professional level.  It's just a degree.

Professional -- High level of playing, have to get a job/jobs for playing (or teaching) that can be tricky.  More options for income from small jobs, but probably less options for a regular, steady job.  Have to play whatever someone else wants you playing a lot.

Amateur -- Can play and practice whatever you want.  Not enough time to practice since you have another job.  Probably more income, and a more steady income. 

In either case, the degree isn't magic.  For a pro, it's probably assumed -- at least up to a masters, but it's not the determining factor.

For your regular teacher, if you go back to school, that's how it is.  I wouldn't hesitate or bother with them too much if you need to leave.  Life events happen.  After the degree, you could probably go back and study with them if you want. 

[faa2010]

You're going to go to school while working an 8 hours/day job?  Is that really going to work?  When are you going to practice?

About that, my boss doesn't want me to study another thing if it interferes with the work hours (even if it is a master related to what I work, he will still be in the same position ).  He told me once that if I want to study for a degree, I must fix my work hours to the night shift so I can study during the day.

I am conscious that if I return to school (no matter which subject I will study), I will have to quit my job and give studies the 90% of my time awake (the other 10% would be for learning foreign languages).

I have always imagined that things would have been easier if I had been 2 different people: one who provides and the other who spends and enjoys what I really want. Unfortunately this cannot happen.

[j_menz]

I don't think we can reasonably give you career advice.  That said, I would suggest the question you need to ask yourself is which choice is going to haunt you with regrets if you don't take it?

In my experience, the things we regret most are the roads we didn't take. Our bad choices we survive.

[faa2010]

I don't think we can reasonably give you career advice.  That said, I would suggest the question you need to ask yourself is which choice is going to haunt you with regrets if you don't take it?

In my experience, the things we regret most are the roads we didn't take. Our bad choices we survive.

You are totally right. I am going to take the exam. 

Maybe I am not still prepared or I cannot make the grade, but if I don't do it, I may regret it for the rest of my life, like a crush.

Just let's hope I won't receive the NO answer too harsh. 

[ajspiano]

I wouldnt go to music school expecting to come out the other side as a "professional". Your playing standard will improve for sure but making decent money at it is a different thing entirely. And, its something you can achieve without going to music school.

[pianoplunker]

I have always imagined that things would have been easier if I had been 2 different people: one who provides and the other who spends and enjoys what I really want. Unfortunately this cannot happen.

Not true.  It can happen that you become a professional at something you enjoy. It is not easier being two people. Twice as many problems :-)