To not understand why parents encourage music

[angryeumigrant]

when classical musicians earn so little.

The real money in music is in music production, composing, DJing, club nights, breakthrough bands, etc. Even that is not what it was in say the 1980s. There is next to no money in classical music performance.

I'll all for children learning to play an instrument for pleasure, read music, music theory, etc. However, I do wonder why parents would not actively discourage their children from spending too much time playing an instrument during GCSE / A-Levels. I think it's one of those things that is considered a "good thing" without it ever getting looked at objectively.

I would much rather my child was composing electronic music or sounding a computer game than reaching a top level playing the violin, because frankly the former is not only more creative but also more career-enhancing.

I do understand the OP's view, to a point. It is hard for classical musicians to make a career out of music. We are at the stage with our DD of guiding her in her choice of university degree. She is a talented cellist who lives and breathes music - she doesn't listen to the latest music, just classical, and she is 16! What would you do? She asked for a violin at 6 years old. I am not musical at all. I haven't pushed her; she decides when and for how long she practices; she teaches other kids and is the section leader of the regional youth orchestra.

Would you have told her no?

Most people don't use their degrees. Would you discourage someone from studying almost any academic subject as a degree.

It's hard to make a career as a writer. It's hard to make a career as a scientist or a historian or use geography or religious education or as an artist.

This thread gives me the rage! I'm an orchestral musician and teach part time too. OK, I'm not rich but I love every working day. I have never said 'I don't want to go to work tomorrow' - can you say the same OP?

Also, how many parents choose their kids careers? I remember my dad not being delighted by my choice, but it was MY choice and not his.

Go switch on the computer for your kids OP and don't dare let them make their on choices!

Humans have been making music in many forms for millennia it is part of our culture world wide and hugely beneficial both socially, academically, for wellbeing amongst many other things. Stories were shared through song and rhythmic beats.

There are theories that music predates language. Where would we be without that?

OP doesn't seem to have a problem with music per se.

Some parents sign our DC up for sport lessons, art, drama, dance, music or whatever (or all of them!) and strongly encourage practice and themselves put in time effort (eg driving DC to competitions in a sport) over many, many years. This is sometimes guided by DCs' expressed interests, sometimes by parents' wishes with different degrees of interest/compliance from DC. Others don't sign DC up and wait to see what DC will be keen on or able at, let DC alone decide what to continue or drop, or just can't afford it! This stuff can cost a bomb and require a lot of parents too.

Seems likely that more DC with parents like the former, and perhaps wealthier parents (look at all the actors from private schools, for example) will pursue these kinds of things after school: those with the latter situation might themselves head towards things, but probably relatively fewer.

Also, one can appreciate all the positive things about playing music and criticise the music industry.

In classical music, for example, it's a small, highly competitive industry. many people are subsidised financially by family for many years, and have big advantages workwise over people living independently. Hardly any permanent orchestral jobs. Freelancing can mean extensive travel (sometimes not subsidised), unsocial hours, "zero hours" contracts where refusing work means risking not being called again, and unfair and non transparent "trials" for jobs, plus there are issues like sexism.

I'm a classically trained musician who is now a HoD in a lovely independent school who also does freelancing performing work; playing in church/accompanying exams, playing in shows etc. I will never be rich, that is true, but I earn well above the national average and get to see the happiness and joy that music brings to young people every single day. You won't remember every maths lesson you ever had but chances are you remember who you were in your end of year 6 production and probably some of your lines.

There is nothing like the rush from playing something really really well in a group, that sense of achievement and resolution. Classical music touches the soul in a way that not many other things do.

Would I encourage DS to make his living from music? I don't know, I was so totally focused and obsessed with music when I was a child and teenager that I never felt like I had the choice.

Because when playing music to a certain level your brain is using areas that no other person can!

Amazing, the areas of the brain that "light up" when a trained pianist for example is playing I can't even get them to work.

It is good for prevention of Alzheimer's, avoiding depression, learning discipline, socialising.

In other countries music is learnt by most.

I didnt learn music but I wish I had

Music is a great thing to have and encouraged brain development. It will also ward off dementia as you get older.

If you are academically able, you will do well anyway. If not, it is great for self esteem. The only way in which I would agree with the OP is that music should be downgraded in GCSE and A2 years. Trying to get a good set of GCSES and pass grade 8 in the same year is highly stressful (I have seen kids try to do it).

I practised my guitar thane revising for A Levels, it kept my brain going whilst on a break, better than getting sucking into TV watching or computer game playing.

I was never going to be amazing at it, in fact I stopped at Grade 6 because I hated doing the exams.

I agreed that with a load of top results a student with a range of other interests which can be measured in exam results must look a better candidate on paper.

If you don't understand the value of classical music then I feel very sorry for you.

I had violin lessons as a child and did Saturday violin and singing classes with the local county music service, then went on to do GCSE
Music. I didn't pursue music as a career but as an adult I sing with one of the best amateur choirs in the country, which has given me the chance to work with some of the world's best orchestras and conductors. Singing has enriched my life hugely and I can't imagine living without music. If my DD wants to pursue it as a career I would be delighted.

I see your point OP. I think it's each to their own but, it's not all about the money

DD2 has just sat grade 8 in her second instrument a week after finishing her A level exams. It was her choice and practising certainly gave her a break from revision. What I have noticed it that DD and the majority of her concert band friends all study Stem subjects.
DD1 had to have extra maths help when she was 7/8 as she was so poor at the subject. She went on to get A level maths and accepted for a degree course in maths. I do think learning a couple of instruments helped develop her 'maths brain'.
Both DDs have had such enjoyment from learning and playing music. They have been travelling in Europe with a concert band and made some great friends through music. DD2 also plays a guitar and does gigs. Music is their way of relaxing. I also enjoy the fact that they share a hobby, share music friends and are very close as a result of this.
I wish I had the chance to learn an instrument when I was young and have decided to enrol in lessons now.

I don't even know where to start with that 😞

Is that aimed at me Sukey 😜

Learning to knit, sew, and embroider teach many of the same qualities, but are less impressive at a party. They are viewed as women's work, and devalued in these days of Primark clothes. I come from a family of very unmusical people.

DH plays piano, violin and guitar to a very high standard (whatever you do beyond grade 8. Diploma?).

He is in two bands and earns good money from regular gigs.

He also earns a shit ton from his day job which is a technical/software role. His degree was in music and maths.

Without the background he had in music it's unlikely he would have had the skills and discipline to get as far as he has in life. And it's given him a hobby that he loves.

I get what you mean, OP. I was shocked by the amount of emphasis music received in this country. It's a cultural thing.

I learned an instrument, even took a class in composing music - and today I have NO clue how to read music, so that bollocks about you never forget is just that.

Personally, if as much emphasis was placed on painting or scultpting or any other activity that encourages you to think outside the box and use your creativity - it would be far more enriching that memorising scales.

And I haven't picked up an instrument in 20 years. I will encourage my kids to find their outlet but I definitely won't be pushing them to practice the piano daily.

I'm a classically trained musician and have just finished a tour with one of the world's most prestigious theatre companies.
It wasn't a difficult job for me (once I had got it) as I literally learned the music and then had the plwasure of playing it every night.
I've seen cities around the world that I would never have seen and I have been paid very well for the experience. Also I have made lots of contacts.
It is a more limited career choice than teaching or nursing, but there are definitely opportunities for fulfilling and well paid jobs.
I have already lined up another tour for next year (through the contacts I have made) and in the meantime, am just doing a few pub gigs and festivals to tide me over.
It is a career that has opened me up to (quite literally)a world of opportunity and i love what I do.

I also spend my leisure time learning more instruments. Because it's awesome

Not had time to read the whole thread, but MaybeaFool what a fabulously inspirational comment, that's lovely.

I do not understand why any parent would encourage 'sounding computer games' or creating electronic 'music' if they have the will and the talent to physically play an instrument. I would so much rather they were doing something, with friends or alone, that shared something beautiful, than that they were responsible for more of the discordant cacophonies that are part of modern life.
Only a few will make a lucrative career from either activity but I would be proud of any who developed their talent enough to perform on stage.
It's not about class, it's about a perception of worth and beauty.

I was made redundant a few years ago. I have disabled DC to look after now, but if I didn't there's no work in my field in this area so I'd be stuck. Ex colleague has a degree in music and teaching qualification. She now gives individual music lessons to children from 3.30 - 7, and has adult pupils in the daytime, plays organ in church every Sunday and plays for funerals, weddings and visits to residential homes and other things I can't remember. She's by no means loaded but has a good income that can continue well beyond retirement age if she wishes.
I think it's a very useful skill/ qualification to have.

Surely it can only ra good thing to encourage exposure to as many different things as possible? Music, sport, whatever.

I was encouraged to play the piano and was rubbish at it, but then I found I had an interest in a different instrument and switched over to that.

I still play now as an adult - for fun not for money.

Practicing is a very therapeutic break from work and other stresses.

Playing in groups is sociable and I've made many a friend though music.

Playing an instrument is an enjoyable skill to acquire, practicing an instrument is good discipline, and reading music is a life skill, in my opinion. I believe that the ability to read music and play an instrument, along with some knowledge of the classical repertoire, is essential to being a well-rounded and well-educated person. My children all play at least one instrument to a level that they find it a relaxing hobby. My DH never learned to play or read music and he regrets it to this day.

Music was valued as a subject when I was growing up partly because it was useful if you wanted to be a primary school teacher. However, by now I do regret the time I wasted on piano lessons and doing music at school. I was no good and didn't enjoy it much and it took time away from other, more useful subjects. I spent time helping in a school abroad where music is not a school subject at all and all the pupils cope fine. I think music is a great thing to encourage for those who either really like it or have some talent, but not something to be pushed on other pupils. That's more or less how I feel about team sports as well - great for those who can do it, but absolutely pointless if you're sitting down making daisy chains when you should be 'fielding' as I did, because I couldn't catch a ball to save my life and no amount of being forced to do sport was going to change that.