Pursuing Musical Profession: A Wrong Choice?
I recently got a wonderful letter from reader Chris that posed a question I’ve faced so much in the past year.
“I was planning on going into music college but I seem to be going the route of teaching history instead. However I have now also reached a bit of a dilemma. Perhaps I made the wrong choice?”
Let me point out the pros and cons of pursuing music professionally in my case:
- I have received a somewhat mentionable scholarship.
- The media have covered me a couple of times.
- As a guitarist, my competition in Switzerland was limited.
And the cons?
- An MA in Music usually leads to a teaching profession.
- Chances of becoming a “star” don’t depend on talent, but on luck and network.
- If I made my hobby my job, what’d be my hobby?
Pursuing music as a profession is one of the most passionate decisions people can make — nobody becomes a professional musician because of job prospects, but because they love what they do.
In my case, I chose not to pursue music because I wanted to join culture management or politics. Since I have some musical background that I can present in a CV, I think that’ll suffice alongside my business degree.
As for Chris, he is pursuing a teaching profession anyway. My best advice can only be that he should go ahead and not look back. I myself don’t practice as much anymore and need to find my groove again, but I’m sure I won’t totally nail my guitar to the wall just yet.
According to Greek Philosophy, it’s important to have one leg to stand on and one leg to play with — in other words, pursue something that’ll keep you alive and challenged, while cultivating a keen interest for something else, some passion. In our case, our love for music.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Uncategorized
9 opinions for Pursuing Musical Profession: A Wrong Choice?
How’da be a pimp » Blog Archive » Welcome to my cock may I take your order plz?
Oct 8, 2007 at 11:28 pm
[…] leave you readers with yet another blog link- this one is an article written not by me but in turn by someone else. In most cases this is normal […]
Chris
Oct 9, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Nice break down of points and thanks for the advice. I still might end up grabbing my minor in music or possibly double major. I’m not to worried about it. Keep up the good work (hope you don’t mind I linked to you on my inappropriate hole of a blog).
-Chr!s
rewsnat
Oct 10, 2007 at 2:06 am
“If I made my hobby my job, what’d be my hobby? ”
Your hobby would still be your job!!
I’m a performing musician, and I couldn’t wait to go to work everyday, jamming away with my fellow musicians…. :)
I wrote a post on the same topic on my blog, comments would be much appreciated..
http://pianologist.com/2007/08/01/money-and-musicpart-1/
Around the Music World in One Day
Oct 10, 2007 at 4:22 am
[…] Pursuing Musical Profession: A Wrong Choice - TheGoodMusician talks about pursuing music as a career. […]
Arjun Muralidharan
Oct 10, 2007 at 4:35 am
If you pursue music as a profession, then you are someone who truly fulfills his life with it.
That’s something wonderful. I myself reflected on this for a long time, and had to conclude that music may not have been what I seek in life. Had I pursued it, I would have also faced a lot of pressure, potential financial insecurity and maybe not the fulfillment I had hoped for.
I could have, but I didn’t. I don’t think I will ever regret it, but hats-off to everyone who is so crazy about music that they are bold enough to go out there and play for a living.
Mike Laba
Oct 10, 2007 at 9:32 am
Great comments.
I think everyone needs to follow their passion.
Yes, that’s often easier said than done, but enjoying what you do will never be a failure.
Life is too short to go down someone else’s path.
» Full text of Ian Roger’s speech — “drm-free” ControlRoom - Mixin’ it with Dr. J
Oct 10, 2007 at 10:02 am
[…] Considering a career in the music business? Read “The Good Musician” POV… […]
rewsnat
Oct 10, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Well said, Mike Laba.
It was about ten years ago when I said the same words to myself.
And today, I’m seeing most of my peers earning a few times more than I am. But at least I’m enjoying EVERY minute of my life… :)
guitar5day
Oct 10, 2007 at 4:04 pm
It is true making your hobby your job can be a double edged sword.
I took the un-professional route and just played in bands. I did take the core music major classes and completely understand music theory.
One of my hobbies was golf so I got a job in the golf industry. It was a fun job at times and a nightmare at others. After 5 years I quit and didn’t enjoy golf for about 4 years.
Now I have made my music hobby my career but now I am self employed and enjoy it much more.
I just opened a new site called:
http://www.music-guides.com
Wish me luck!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: