On November 15 2016 03:55 Aerisky wrote: Hey man, thanks so much for taking the time to share that. I think partly since it's coming from you, someone who's actually had a great deal of experience auditioning and trying over and over again before you succeeded, it feels even more personal and more real somehow. It definitely sounds like an unbelievable struggle--I can't imagine four years of rejection before it worked out--and I'm so happy you were able to achieve your dream.
I don't know if I'd be able to do it full-time like you are, but I'm actually really encouraged by your words, and I think it's definitely worth keeping at it, not giving up, and just following your passion while enjoying the process. Thank you so much
Oh, I'm glad if I could be of some comfort!
Remember always, above any concerto opportunity, recital, performance, success or lack of thereof, the most important thing is always to enjoy simply playing and practicing, and that you derive most of the pleasure from improving. Your dream is to be a really great pianist, not to play one concerto one time, try to always keep your eyes on that.
And if that can make you feel better, I never played a concerto with full symphony orchestra, still happy with my career :-)
On November 15 2016 03:55 Aerisky wrote: Hey man, thanks so much for taking the time to share that. I think partly since it's coming from you, someone who's actually had a great deal of experience auditioning and trying over and over again before you succeeded, it feels even more personal and more real somehow. It definitely sounds like an unbelievable struggle--I can't imagine four years of rejection before it worked out--and I'm so happy you were able to achieve your dream.
I don't know if I'd be able to do it full-time like you are, but I'm actually really encouraged by your words, and I think it's definitely worth keeping at it, not giving up, and just following your passion while enjoying the process. Thank you so much
Oh, I'm glad if I could be of some comfort!
Remember always, above any concerto opportunity, recital, performance, success or lack of thereof, the most important thing is always to enjoy simply playing and practicing, and that you derive most of the pleasure from improving. Your dream is to be a really great pianist, not to play one concerto one time, try to always keep your eyes on that.
And if that can make you feel better, I never played a concerto with full symphony orchestra, still happy with my career :-)
Good luck and have fun!!!
Oh definitely! I think reading your thoughts helped a lot ^^
Yeah, I think even if it's nice to have a specific goal, the enjoyment of the music and the process should come first. I think personally for me, maybe it's because the piano is such a solo instrument, but my particular concrete goal just happens to be performance of a concerto, and I don't have an intention to join a symphony orchestra (keyboardists not really a regular necessity anyway, haha). But yeah, the big picture is just to learn and grow as a pianist, not to do one concerto once then quit or something like that.
I hate to be the pessimist here and I know you are mostly pissed that you didn't get to showcase your talent, but it seems like you're trying to do two things at once, probably to the detriment of both. You're a non-music major trying to practice like a music major while taking a full courseload. It might be time for you to consider that you should be an amateur musician and focus on whatever you want to do professionally.
No I get it, yeah. That was pretty much my exact sentiment. For what it's worth, I did take a lighter courseload as mentioned, and basically structured my last 6 months around this competition (but then you'll always have people who make more time for this, etc). Granted most of the competitors actually weren't music majors, and are students like myself doing multiple things at once as well; hence my feeling that this would be my best chance, as I could afford to take a lighter courseload than most (though also as mentioned my techs ended up being way harder than anticipated lmao).
I definitely have no intention on doing this professionally, and only aim to play piano as a main hobby/as an amateur. I think most people probably have time for at least one main hobby outside of their profession, and this is probably it for me, when it comes to the devotion of time. I intend on focusing on my career for while doing my best on the piano end within reasonable bounds.
On November 14 2016 19:02 Aerisky wrote: I've come close twice before to performing with an orchestra, where I essentially got into the final round but came up short in the end, so this was the third time, though I've never in my life prepared so hard and sacrificed so much for this goal, whether it be piano or otherwise. Getting to perform as a soloist is incredibly difficult as an adult because it's definitely a strictly competitive kind of scenario, and the degree of talent, dedication, and sample size of participants (as well as prestige of orchestras that will hold competitions etc) only rises exponentially as mentioned.
Well, the opening was an awesome read. Even though it didn't turn out for the best for you, Aerisky. I still think it was a great decision to give it a go. Competition is a bitch, though, sometimes it feels like no matter how hard you push, you can't get over it and be the winner. Your whole post made me think. First, on randomness and the huge role it plays in life. I read a book a couple of months ago, Fooled by randomness. The main point was that people tend to think it's their skill that set them up for success but the author proves in a scientific way that it's pure randomness. With all the data and stuff, yeah, it's an amazing read. What I got from the book was that I still should try to do my best in work, in life, with people, to do my job with as high quality as possible. But when I fail (and I will, no matter what) at some point, I shouldn't be too harsh on myself. And that's my advice to you. Just don't try so hard. Second, on hobbies. I do gaming (rarely lately but I watch some csgo and a little bw). I also do bodybuilding. I don't know if it's a hobby or a lifestyle change though. Anyway, it's easy to do and it's not that challenging, just eat properly, strength and form come naturally, they are like a by-product. At least for me, my goal is not to look good at any cost but to make healthy habits and stick to them. The thing I wanted to mention the most is art. Or some form of it. I am in awe of musicians, I lately listen to classical music and some mix of metal and classical music (now playing Lacrimosa - Echos album) and I just can't wrap my mind around the time and dedication those instruments require. So the fact that you're playing the piano, even as a hobby, is, IMO, amazing. Recently I started to draw again, I used to draw when I was younger but left it around 12th grade in high school. I don't know why I started to do it again. But it's refreshing and calming and no matter the result, most of the times it's not what I wish, it's still a positive experience, never feels like wasted time. I am learning animation. I spend like 20 hours to draw in Flash 5 a counter - terrorist character and have it more and turn around. It's a great fun. This is all that matters for me in a hobby - to generate fun. I used to play texas hold'em, I was never a good player but with some effort and volume, I managed to make a roll to play at NL50. One day, as I was playing (I never lost long term money with this game, I have to stress this), I just thought "This is exhausting, this amounts to nothing, I win some money and it means nothing to me, it makes no sense.". So I just stopped and picked csgo, haha. Way more fun than winning money on poker, I never regret that decision. I guess I am trying to say that even if you don't make it to concert pianist but playing the piano makes you calm and happy inside, stick with it.
On November 16 2016 21:28 IntoTheStorm wrote: Well, the opening was an awesome read. Even though it didn't turn out for the best for you, Aerisky. I still think it was a great decision to give it a go. Competition is a bitch, though, sometimes it feels like no matter how hard you push, you can't get over it and be the winner. Your whole post made me think. First, on randomness and the huge role it plays in life. I read a book a couple of months ago, Fooled by randomness. The main point was that people tend to think it's their skill that set them up for success but the author proves in a scientific way that it's pure randomness. With all the data and stuff, yeah, it's an amazing read. What I got from the book was that I still should try to do my best in work, in life, with people, to do my job with as high quality as possible. But when I fail (and I will, no matter what) at some point, I shouldn't be too harsh on myself. And that's my advice to you. Just don't try so hard. Second, on hobbies. I do gaming (rarely lately but I watch some csgo and a little bw). I also do bodybuilding. I don't know if it's a hobby or a lifestyle change though. Anyway, it's easy to do and it's not that challenging, just eat properly, strength and form come naturally, they are like a by-product. At least for me, my goal is not to look good at any cost but to make healthy habits and stick to them. The thing I wanted to mention the most is art. Or some form of it. I am in awe of musicians, I lately listen to classical music and some mix of metal and classical music (now playing Lacrimosa - Echos album) and I just can't wrap my mind around the time and dedication those instruments require. So the fact that you're playing the piano, even as a hobby, is, IMO, amazing. Recently I started to draw again, I used to draw when I was younger but left it around 12th grade in high school. I don't know why I started to do it again. But it's refreshing and calming and no matter the result, most of the times it's not what I wish, it's still a positive experience, never feels like wasted time. I am learning animation. I spend like 20 hours to draw in Flash 5 a counter - terrorist character and have it more and turn around. It's a great fun. This is all that matters for me in a hobby - to generate fun. I used to play texas hold'em, I was never a good player but with some effort and volume, I managed to make a roll to play at NL50. One day, as I was playing (I never lost long term money with this game, I have to stress this), I just thought "This is exhausting, this amounts to nothing, I win some money and it means nothing to me, it makes no sense.". So I just stopped and picked csgo, haha. Way more fun than winning money on poker, I never regret that decision. I guess I am trying to say that even if you don't make it to concert pianist but playing the piano makes you calm and happy inside, stick with it.
Hey man, I'm really glad you got something out of this sorry for all the unabashed angst and all that, but I think I might as well leave it up as so I can look back on this a few months or years down the line and cringe at the pseudo-self-pity of it all haha. Yeah, I definitely agree that a lot of things come down to a numbers game, and just chance here and there. All you can do is maximize your chances by preparing well.
Totally agree about just doing it to enjoy the process, yeah.
Honestly, venting here on TL and just reading and responding to all of your guys' comments has been really nice, and it's helped me look ahead more positively. It's probably due to a number of factors, but just typing it all out here and just having time to read and reply is really cool, and there's the realization that there are people all over the world who have experienced something similar. Also, if you're a friend to someone speaking in duh real lifez, most of the time you'll have seen them go through the struggle so you feel bad for them, and maybe you end up with some platitudes about how it'll be okay, maybe you try to talk to them but they don't really want to talk. But here on TL I can just fucking rant and speak with other pseudo-strangers and hash it all out Thanks guys!
If you have the time and desire to do so - record yourself playing the concerto that you practiced for so long for us TL members to enjoy.
btw the fun fact refers to the piano in the All By Myself by Eric Carmen song or to the concerto that you practiced for? Maybe I missed it in the thread but is there a link to the concerto that you prepared performed by someone else?
Yeah, I might do that! I don't have any decent audio equipment, so the recordings I do have (to play back for myself to listen & make notes) are me playing solo, and are super clipped because the the practice rooms are ridiculously loud.
The fun fact refers to the Eric Carmen song, yup. Not sure if the embed works, but it's at 22:20 if the timestamp doesn't work, and the bit is basically the following 2 minutes. Rach 2 is actually probably my personal favorite piece of music ever tbh. So kinda funny the piano winner was playing my own fave piece of music and won with it.
I know this is not really music, but if I ever feel like shit, I usually listen to this.
So you failed once. Get up and try again. Do you know how many attempts Thomas Edison had made before he finally got a working lightbulb? one thousand, eighty three times.
Granted I think there are certain endeavors in which it would be folly to throw your entire life into without any regard for anything else, and for every MLB or NBA player you have a bunch more just grinding out their lives in the minor leagues or D-League and who never make it etc (ultimately it's just up to your personal philosophy), BUT a life lived without purpose is much worse, yeah.
EPT
Thanks guys!
