Possible blog about what it's *really* like to be in a music conservatory

[dreampianist]

Hey PianoStreet Community! I've mostly been a silent member of this site, but I've found it so helpful in my journey as a musician.
As a conservatory music student, I was wondering if it was worth starting a blog documenting the joys and struggles of becoming a professional pianist.

A little info about me:
I am one of those people who definitely had a poor start in playing the piano. I did not start off with a good teacher, and I wasn't able to build a strong technical foundation early on. I have a very small repertoire list for a college music student, and most probably have fewer repertoire in my fingers than many members here do, since most of my "big and major" repertoire (which was learned under the guidance of a good teacher) was mostly learned 1-2 years before auditioning for music schools. I am posting this idea out because I remember reading so many forums and articles about "is it possible for me to be a concert pianist", "do I have enough repertoire", "am I too old", etc. It's always been prodigy this or that, or play concerto/win major competition by this age...
The blog I am thinking of is to encourage those who think that it's too late or that they are not good enough. I would also like to show people that a college music student has challenges with learning pieces like everyone else does, because I think many professionals are quite hush hush about their own musical journey in regards to learning and improving pieces while they were students. There was a time that I thought, "Students at conservatories are so good. I'm sure that once I get there, it will be so much easier to become an amazing player too." While in some ways it is true, since I do have a wonderful teacher, and there are many great opportunities in music school, the road is definitely not smooth and is full of bumps. I still struggle with technique and my sight reading is not the best. I am like a lot of people in this forum, with the fingering struggles, trying to play pieces up to tempo, and all.
I would appreciate feedback and let me know if you guys think this is a good idea. Stay safe everyone! 

[pianoannieq]

Hi Dreampianist,

As a student who will be applying to music school soon, I'm very excited to hear more about this project! This is a big ask, but could one of your first posts be about your audition process and the months leading up to it?

[dogperson]

I’m sure you would get a lot of eager readers, Both now and in the future.  I hope you decide to pursue the blog.

[quantum]

This would be a wonderful idea. 

A lot of students have grand notions that to become successful as a professional musician one needs to do a laundry list of impressive things, like have x amount of virtuosic pieces in their repertoire or have debuted with Rach 3 at the age of ten.  Of course not true.  It would be good to hear realistic accounts of a music student's journey.

[ranjit]

I would definitely read the blog. It sounds like a great idea, especially given that I don't know of many blogs, or even videos on youtube for that matter, that detail with the experience of a conservatory music student. The closest I can think of are some videos by Tiffany Poon or Nahre Sol, and they don't really give a proper idea either, given that Tiffany was a prodigy who was doing her Masters' at Yale, and Nahre only touches upon some aspects of life at a conservatory. For the most part, there is still a lot of mystique surrounding what people do at a conservatory for those outside of the system. This is opposed to many other subjects such as mathematics, where you can find dozens of excellent, thoughtful blogs about what it is like to be an undergrad/Masters/PhD student.

I'm curious too as to where all the amazing pianists who aren't prodigies end up.

[dreampianist]

Hi Dreampianist,

As a student who will be applying to music school soon, I'm very excited to hear more about this project! This is a big ask, but could one of your first posts be about your audition process and the months leading up to it?

I'll do my best to put one out. 

[dreampianist]

Thanks to everyone for the positive response. It is much appreciated. Please let me know if there are any specific topics you would like me to write about. Once I get the blog up and running (hopefully in a week or two), I will post a link on this thread.

[jimf12]

I think there would be an audience for it.   I am an adult re-starter with virtually no chance I would enter a conservatory (maybe when I retire?   That's an idea...).    At one time I gave a thought of being a music major, and wonder what it would have been like.   

I say go for it.

[dorihunt]

This would be a fascinating read.  I am far far beyond the age at which I could attend a music school.  Nonetheless, I would most definitely read your blog.  Of course, you would have to provide lotsof details to make it interesting, but I doubt that would be a problem.  Your readers could live vicariously through your blog and also see how you solve problems when tackling musical challenges. Sounds like a fabulous idea.

[dreampianist]

Thank you for your patience, feedback, and kind words. This is an announcement that the blog is finally up and running!

Please check the link below, and subscribe if you would like to receive updates of new articles!

savvypianist.com

[jimf12]

Good luck and have fun with it.   I have subscribed.   Looking forward to your posts.