Two Degrees = Perpetual state of Undergrad

Allow me to paint a picture; a sketch of perspective I should say. There are billions of people in the world today and at least half of the population are people who make music in some manner; singing, piano, guitar. So, out of the ? billions of people, approximately 12% are “musicians” and will attempt to make a living performing or pursue a degree in the field of music.

Now, how many people make it into the top notch performing positions?

Less than 1%

Why? Well thats what I’m going to write about.

When I was in high school I was an untalented piece of crap that had no clue how to make music. I was barely reading music at the time and struggling into getting into regional honors orchestras. Then one day I decided that I really wanted to play, and by that I mean that I decided that it could be something that I wouldn’t mind doing as a living. So, I began to practice and eventually got really good. Suddenly I was able to blow away all of my competition. Why? Because all I ever did and thought about was practicing. I would think to myself “How much is my competition practicing?” and then I would double the amount of time and practice that many hours.

As I continued to work, the more benefits I would see. I kept on winning chairs and thus the respect of my peers. They would talk and talk about how wonderful I was and how well I played, like I was some kind of super being.

BULL SHIT!

I became good because of how hard I worked, nothing more and nothing less. I wasn’t extraordinary, I was just a kid who really cared about playing well and I put in the effort to do so.

People don’t become great because they are oppressed or they just aren’t capable. People don’t become great because they settle for less. Once you have settled then you have officially cashed in your chips, thats it, the game is over. Amazing performers and miraculous talents are developed by good training and an aggressive work ethic and neither can survive without the other.

Mediocrity is a sickness that plagues the world of classical music, and it afflicts most classical musicians. (I mean really? Would the greats really be great if we didn’t have the mediocre to compare them to?) And the cure? Hard Work, Diligent practice, and patience to maintain the hours and hours of study required of a great performer.

Many Musicians (and I must admit, I myself am a part of this category) start practicing when they are young and learn a great deal of literature, gain a lot of stability in their technique, Get comfortable and then Stop. They can play everything fine enough and they have the ability to understand nuance and will do what their conductors want them to do and will make a decent living. Steady pay check supplemented by the occasional extra paying gig; not a bad life in the least. However, if people don’t reach this point, the became what I like to call “the mid range performer,” who don’t get much work because they just aren’t quite good enough.

Its an extremely difficult field of study and a perpetual source of sorrow in terms of finding a steady career path. However, the formula in which to succeed has remained the same for generations and the manner or degree of success is all dependent on the individual. Its not for everyone, but all of those who have committed their lives to the art have found sustenance in the act rather than taking joy from the payment. Something that many people wish they had, but will never know.

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