Did I start piano too late?

[invisiblez]

I started piano when I was 12, I am looking forward to getting into a top music school such as new England or Julliard. I have been playing three years and can play Beethoven sonata no.1 fairly well. Could I possibly make it?

[j_menz]

Barry Manilow got into Juilliard. Of course you can. 

[iansinclair]

Barry Manilow got into Juilliard. Of course you can. 

Good heavens.  I didn't know that.  If he could do it, anybody can...

[invisiblez]

wait who is this barry?

[j_menz]

wait who is this barry?

Oh, and not that one, he didn't.

Sorry people! 

[emill]

Barry Manilow did indeed finish his Bachelor of Music at Julliard .... perhaps in composition or voice?

He is a brilliant enterpreneur as he knew how to adapt.  He wanted to be "succesful" and the opportunities were around, so he made full use of it.  And most of all, he knew what the "masses" wanted.  Perhaps if he stuck to classical, you could almost say with certainty, he would not have risen as it would require much, much more.

[j_menz]

He is a brilliant enterpreneur as he knew how to adapt. 

Indeed. He even adapted into an effective crowd control mechanism.

[emill]

LOL!! 

In fairness it was a shopping mall in NZ which is piping Manilow's music in the hope that juvenile ruffians in the shopping mall would find it soothing and will cool down their hyperactivity.

However ... the article comtinues ... the CIA uses music by Red Hot Chili Peppers, to bully Al Qaeda leader Abu Zabaydah and also music by Van Halen, Whitesnake, and Black Sabbath as part of their "enhanced interrogation" program. This was what probably convinced Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega that he'd rather spend the rest of his life in a federal supermax than sit through another minute of "War Pigs." 

[kakeithewolf]

If twelve is starting too late, I'm positively doomed as far as piano goes.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

You know you could go to a normal school for undergrad then to go a conservatory for grad.

Even if people did care about music degrees, they would care about your graduate degree nt undergrad.

[faulty_damper]

You know you could go to a normal school for undergrad then to go a conservatory for grad.

Even if people did care about music degrees, they would care about your graduate degree nt undergrad.

You are completely naive.  No one cares what kind of music degree you have, even if it's a doctorate.  It's a music degree after all. 

And it's really stupid to go to college for a music degree.  I should know.  I have a music degree and it's completely useless.

[pianoman53]

You are completely naive.  No one cares what kind of music degree you have, even if it's a doctorate.  It's a music degree after all. 

And it's really stupid to go to college for a music degree.  I should know.  I have a music degree and it's completely useless.

No.

[emill]

And it's really stupid to go to college for a music degree.  I should know.  I have a music degree and it's completely useless. 

As a father to a son who just recently gone to college for a music degree, I am a bit worried and intrigued by your sweeping statement.   I am sorry as it seems your experience with going to college for a music degree amounted to being a useless endeavor; but stating that pursuing a music degree is stupid and useless may be stretching it a bit too far.

I say this because at least in our country, the chances of landing a University position or having a good number of students in one's private studio or having better attendances in one's concerts are all significantly bolstered by a music degree.  I think that also goes in Europe and in the US.  Of course, one can always cite specific examples to the contrary, but in general, if you want to teach music, be a member of an orchestra, put up your private studio, etc. your music degree should come in very handy. Just my take on the subject, but perhaps you may want to expound on it. THANKS.