A confused girl

[cinnamon21]

Hi all

I just graduated from Bmus and taking a gap year before auditioning for Masters because I have to retrain due to bad habits, faulty technique, tension, injuries. After intense and focused practice for 6 months, finally my playing is becoming more effortless and painless. I'm working on a lot of pieces now, more than ever.

Right now I'm practicing every day without a teacher and I have nothing to look forward to...except a Festival I'll be joining in France this July. Currently, I'm in 'exploration' mode and I wake up every day excited to learn and practice to remind myself why I love music cos I certainly did not get this kind of freedom during my undergraduate studies.

I'm planning to audition for Masters in late 2016 cos I want to learn a lot of pieces and prepare myself better. Is it normal to take more than 1 year to prepare for Masters? Does anyone else do that?

[thalbergmad]

If there is one thing that I have learnt, it is there is absolutely nothing remotely normal about learning to play the piano.

Things take as long as they take. No more and no less.

Thal

[indianajo]

Best wishes to enjoy the beauty of playing this instrument. 
I don't personally see the point of an advanced degree in piano performance.  I had 8 years of weekly private lessons age 8-16. Now that I have time to practice, I'm playing my selection of pieces they play on the FM radio.  Media is a great educator. I can pick the techniques of various artists the emulate, or come up with my own.  I don't play the hardest of the most technical pieces, but many of the pieces I learn make it into to master's recitals at the college across the river. 
Nobody is going to pay me to play piano.  There are a few in the world so privileged, and they mostly became famous in their teens for being prodigies.  I missed that parade 50 years ago.  I suspect that you are over age 12, in which you have also have missed the fast train to fame. 
What performance degrees are good for is showing you can learn a lot of material in a short time.  That is a skill in itself, but one that also doesn't pay a lot of practicioners.  My pedestrian pace of learning is not professional, but then I have no notorious hand or arm injuries.  I can still play what I want age 65, and oddly enough, am getting faster than I was when I quit lessons age 16.
Now a teaching degree, to get a job in public school, I can see the point of that degree. The more paper on the wall, the better the government pays.  Not a lot, but a decent living.  I know several twenty something performance degreed substitute public school teachers that are sweating the teaching degree
tuition out of their meagre salaries. The student loans they incurred previously didn't go away either.

[cinnamon21]

Thank you for the replies Thal and Indianajo

I have thought long and hard about this...and in the end I still want to do performance, perhaps with a dual degree in education. Most respectable and distinguished teachers I know are performers who also knows how to teach, have great knowledge of piano technique, the human body and mind, and interpretation. So I guess in order to become THAT kind of teacher (no matter how long it takes), I will need the performance degree from a prestigious school right?

Could anyone give me a wiser advice?

Thank You

[dcstudio]

My younger sister has a performance/pedagogy degree...  she works in her husband's chiropractor office though.
My other sister has a Master's from Rice and a doctorate from Columbia in low brass + a bunch of other letters...  anyhow... she teaches at a junior college and makes about 40k...and she gigs, too.

I dropped out before my senior year--I was music ed then jazz studies.
of the three of us I am the only one who has ever been able to make a living through only performing. My youtube account also has 1.6 million hits ...their views don't come close-- I was at one time fixated on the classical route and I believed that I could not be happy unless I had the title "concert pianist."

After I dropped out I became a casino dealer.   I did that for a few years until through a strange series of events I lost my job, won 5K in music equip, and landed a gig all within a 48 hour period.  Playing professionally was quite painful at first but I never gave up.  That was 20 years ago and I still play every weekend.  I also taught private lessons for about 20 years as well...and I did ok..

Since then I have come across a few people who bear the title of "concert pianist."   They are always  fascinated by my ability to improvise and play jazz.  They are also among the most neurotic people I have ever met.  Most of the people I went to University with have left the business completely.

my advice? LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING  other than that there is no advice--I think you are doing the right thing by taking this time of self evaluation though...  I have done that several times in my 46 year piano journey... I love that feeling of waking up and knowing that you are going to spend the day at your instrument...  makes you feel like you are on the right track in life...  I also progressed at a far more rapid pace during those periods--although it didn't always feel that way.

anyway--that's my story..lol  good luck to you 

[diomedes]

I prefer the love what you do as best advice. That way you won't have a desperate urge to retire by the time you're 40 like most school teachers and accountants.  I'm totally fine teaching until I'm a 100, cause it's obviously what I want to do. People look up to me because they see how dedicated I am to it, and as a result everything works well. If I have a "tourist" student, I practice in my head my current repertoire (like a coda for a chopin ballade or something), and everyone is happy.

I never did a masters, just undergrad, if I have enough money later and get bored I can do it then. I teach at a couple schools maintain my clients, direct classes in theoretical subjects, accompany sometimes to maintain my sight reading skills.

As for life advice, which is what you're asking for (bad idea to begin with, but we all live in confusion), just observe what other people do and go from there.

I used to think teaching meant I had to be with someone for financial support. That's nonsense. I was married, but I mentally outgrew the relationship, besides she got fat so out there I went. Then I had relationships with a couple students, best experiences ever (everyone needs a couple scandals in their lifetime) and moved on. Clearly I'm in the right field.

My current plan is return to giving several recitals per year, thank people for listening, go home and drink with my cat. And finish recording the piano music of Scriabin, that matters the most to me.

Had a mortgage, had good relationships, now all that's left is to do what I love. Which is what I do, and make the world a better place by being decent to those around me. Et voilà.

[dcstudio]

Then I had relationships with a couple students, best experiences ever (everyone needs a couple scandals in their lifetime) and moved on. Clearly I'm in the right field.

you are creeping me out dude.

[outin]

...she got fat so out there I went.

My cats keep getting fat, I think I must get new ones asap!

[cinnamon21]

Thank you again.

Most of my friends continue their degree in piano performance/pedagogy here in Australia. Some take a gap and go on a holiday. Some change degrees to Science or education.

I know someone who is doing his masters in performance (a good pianist who is studying with the Head of the piano department) and take courses in Orff and Kodaly to teach in schools, and he is doing really great and seems happy. He charges $65 per hour...and has 50 students...and often performs in the community. I will be happy with a life like that. And this guy is almost 30. So I don't think you need pedagogy or teaching degree. Reading many books and watching teaching videos on YouTube should help right? At least that's what he does...and people come up to him because he has this reputation of studying with a famous teacher...and he is also a good player who is passionate about teaching.

[sabtan]

Just gotta do what you love, but also be realistic enough to realise that you need to make a living.

No harm going through all the way to PHD even.

I know people who have a PhD, charge $60-$90 an hour, owns studios and earn a comfortable living.

When you have a higher qualification, you'll also have the freedom to select the kind of students you want to teach. You'll also be able to impart your pedagogy/ performance knowledge to your students at advanced levels.

[diomedes]

watching teaching videos on YouTube should help right?

Only if you wish to learn how to be convincing, not necessarily helpful. Anytime i watch those i feel bad for people who actually take it seriously.

you are creeping me out dude.

Scriabin and Rachmaninov should both have a similar impact on you as well, since they did exactly same if not very similar things. While married. I'm sure there are many others of our idols who do very much the same we just never take the time to read about their lives.

and he is also a good player who is passionate about teaching.

I think that part matters most. Teaching, helping others, being aware that it's not a bad occupation as many people make it out to be.

[kawai_cs]

My cats keep getting fat, I think I must get new ones asap!

   same here. After reading this I gave them ultimatum - they loose 2 pounds (each) or ...  

It is definitely the most wonderful thing to be doing in life what you love because work does not feel like work anymore.
I must however admit that I do enjoy to play the piano just for pleasure. Not having to deal with strong competition, pressure and stress that I have to make a living out of my playing.
Still, if I were you I would probably give it a try and choose to do both teaching and performance degrees. No risk, no gain.

[dcstudio]

Actually,  the best advice I can give you is to not limit yourself to one area in music.  

A few things I have done and been paid for-- as a music school dropout

solo pianist/jazz combo pianist/vocalist/guitarist
elementary music teacher at private school-GREAT gig. had to put together all the "shows" too.
music dir for production of "1940's radio hour" --had to play everything onstage with the actors
session pianist for projects in major local studios
accompanist for gold cup, solo and ensemble, etc for HS and college level
private teacher with 40-45 students usually
recreate backing tracks--in the days before you could find it online--for Broadway songs and Art songs mostly for vocalists.  I had a nice computerized recording studio early on.  I also recorded all the shows at the school--made cd's and sold them to the parents... big bucks.  
summer camp music program teacher for teens at a junior college
pit pianist for lots of productions.
church musician---sigh--of course...
and much more... lol.

I am bragging...but also telling you that you really have to think outside the box to be successful.  Also -- networking with other teachers and musicians in your area is VITAL.  Never say you can't play something or do something...  TAKE the gig and figure it out later.

Most importantly-- 98% of the paychecks you receive will be signed by folks who have NO idea whether or not you are a decent player--they really can't tell.   Never apologize for your playing no matter how bad you think it sounded.  

Be gentle with people who are paying you but do not know how to tell you what they want to hear...  be kind to people you have to play with who are below your level musically...  try not to "speak theory" and confuse them.   Be extra nice to students that you accompany for competitions and such--they will pay well to have you play for them--and they will want ONLY you to play for them.  they always have younger siblings too... 

Have the reputation of being easy to work with under all circumstances... you will be chosen over the "superior player" jerk every single time...    be professional no matter how un-professional the band is behaving...lol    Steer clear of drama queens, diva players, and drunks.

In all group performance situations---"show up, set up, and shut up"    word.  

and again... best of luck to you..

[kawai_cs]

dcstudio, your post was very interesting to read And you shared so many possibilities that a young musician can try out. Your resume must be exciting.

[dcstudio]

Thank you        it pays to be creative. 

I used to rent a booth at the bridal extravaganza each year--sit in the booth and play my digital piano and hand out business cards to brides.  It usually got me 4 or 5 wedding gigs at least.   you can't sit around and wait to be discovered...lol... it just doesn't work that way. 

Try different churches until you find one that needs musicians--it's a great way to get students, too. Send your business card to wedding planners and funeral homes also hire pianists... (that's a weird gig---lol)