AIBU to think I could be a professional violinist?

[Violastia]

Posted in music but also here for traffic.

Hello! I am a 30 something mum of 3, qualified accountant but after watching the RSNO play a few weeks ago, the musical spark in me has been relit and I’m wondering what are my chances of becoming a professional orchestral violin player?

I have my grade 8 and played in NYOS (National youth orchestra of Scotland) for a few years but this was probably 12/ 13 years ago now.

What are my chances? I mean with a good few years of lessons/ intense practice, would I even stand a chance at my age having not been to music school?

I would say less than zero, sorry. It's ultra-competitive, and Grade 8 is practically worth nothing in the professional world. These are people who have practised hours every day since they were kids, and even then have to have talent that raises them above the ordinary. Coming back in at your age, I can't imagine how you would ever get the experience, not just the practice, to get you to professional standard.

What might be more achievable: playing in a high-standard amateur orchestra or chamber group; possibly becoming a violin teacher. Both those would still require a lot of commitment, but I think they are more realistic.

So you don't have a diploma, or anything else past G8?
You could probably join am amateur orchestra, but where I live, even those expect something rather more than G8, especially for violin.

Don’t they say ‘10,000 hours’?

Nothing past grade 8 but would even a diploma make much difference? Thanks everyone for the advice, I appreciate it even though my dreams have been crushed 😂

A friend of my sister’s won Young Musician Of the Year and struggled to make a full time career from music. I think your chances are zero, sorry.

Ha ha are you me?. I think it really depends on what you want to achieve.

I returned after "retiring" from music when i went to uni. I started in local amatuer orchestras and things went from there. I played alot in amateur groups and slowly built a reputation locally. These days i do a fair number of local shows in pit bands which do pay (but not vast amounts) and a reaosnable number of weddings which pay a little bit more. Its not my full time occupation though (and i couldnt survive financially on it alone) but its more than a hobby i guess. Its enough to satisfy my musical itch but it does take up lots of time and lots of evenings. And there is pressure - you are only as good as your last gig

Why don't you try and find out. Ignore what everyone says. If it's your dream, it's your dream... who knows. If it's something you enjoy put the time in and enjoy it :)

Sadly not much chance. The competition on the professional circuIt is brutal. It’s made up of musicians from around the word who are the best of the best - scholarships at international musical schools/colleges, prize winners of national and international competitions, masterclass attendance etc. And as good as they are there are always an upcoming generation of brilliant musicians looking to make a name for themselves, get into orchestras. My DB got a scholarship to the RCM at 15 for weekly lessons. He went on to study there when he finished A levels. He won all sorts of competitions. He is an incredible pianist. His contemporary was Stephen Hough who went on to have a solo career. My DB was just not quite as good. He has a wonderful career in music but not professionally. The main thing is to enjoy music, to get as good as you can and to keep on improving. Join amateur groups and orchestras, attend residential courses if you can. You could train as a music teacher perhaps? But a professional career isn’t achievable I don’t think. Not trying to be mean just realistic.

I’m a teacher and I recently went on a school trip to the royal college of music. The students there practice for a minimum of four hours every single day of their lives. Even then, becoming a professional musician is a distant dream for the lucky few.

Wow ok, it seems I have been somewhat niaive in what I could achieve. I’m going to look into some amateur orchestras and maybe take it from there. Thanks everyone!

Everyone said i was unrealistic too but whilst i probably wont make LSO or the proms i do play a lot and i do really enjoy it :)

It has taken years to get where i am though - i got back to my previous standard within about 6 to 8 months and i am probably playing at a higher standard now than i did (i went to junior Conservatoire as a teen). Sometimes the evenings are relentless though and you need an understanding dp or really good support network

I think it's achievable - remember 'professional', just means to be paid for playing, so that could include playing as part of the 'pit' orchestra for your local amateur dramatic society.

I passed my grade 8 at 16. I took lessons again in my early 30's and got my performance diploma. I was practising for 2 hours plus a day. (Took a while just to get back up to grade 8 standard let alone diploma stuff!)

I work for the local music service teaching violin and I treated myself to an electric violin a few years ago (a yamaha silent I love it). I often do 'demos' to recruit children to start playing and do stuff such as Skyfall and Sam Smith's 'writing on the wall'.

The thing is, what I play is not technically demanding at all - grade 5 max! But because I play on an electric and have a juice bar to blast out the back ground music everyone loves it and I am quite often approached to play for corporate functions.

I do the occasional wedding (on my acoustic violin), I do more teaching than performing because I prefer day hours whereas the professional playing is generally in the evening.

Defo go for it if you want to - I expect you have Sevcik scale system?? Aaargh painful but so good for you!

Probably no chance, but please prove me wrong. I work with professional string players, and have been told that the younger generation entering orchestras now are of an incredibly high standard, quite intimidating so. That said, there's plenty of scope for a career that could be a combination of some quartet work, eg.weddings, teaching, music therapy etc. There are no shortage of amateur orchestras that don't even concider players below a grade 8 standard, and often with conductors who work with professional orchestras so auditioning for one of those might be a good place to start.

Being in a Pit band is my favourite thing :)

Hi, your username suggests viola? Plenty of demand in amateur orchestras for viola 😀.
Just because you can't join a professional orchestra doesn't mean that you can't make music a massive part of your life.
There are some really high standard amateur orchestras. You could also get a really good quartet together for gigs. If I were you I'd find a really good teacher and start working towards a diploma. Get recommendations for a teacher.

If you really want to I think you could make it happen! Have faith and enjoy it even if it doesn't lead to a career

I hate to bang on about this, but what was good enough for NYO 12 years ago, probably isn't now. My children do NCO, and the violinists in U10s are all G7, G8. The people going through to Main, and on to NYO are already "professional" standard tbh. They are studying in junior conservatoire from 3 or 4yo. Many play in high level regional orchestras or attend music schools, or independent schools with a strong focus on music etc.
As someone upthread said- switch to viola.

Anything is possible but it would talk a huge amount of effort to catch up with those who've been playing professionally for so long. Playing in a top orchestra is highly unlikely but you could get through college and teach/play locally. I do know a few people who were amateurs and did turn pro later on.

It can be done but it will be gruelling.
I'd suggest practising like a maniac now, going for good amateur orchestras and trying tobhook up with a quartet or small emsemble for weddings etc. Think about auditioning at a good music college; royal northern/royal academy sort of thing to further things and get a good level of tuition.
My friend became an opera singer in her late 20s but did an opera singing course at royal northern in Manchester but it took a further three years after that to get a full time job in Austria as she couldn't find work in the UK. And she's GOOD.
Another friend has been plugging away for 10 years and is now a freelance classical singer, but only after a stint at the conservatoire in Amsterdam.

Am I the only one who wonders how long a marriage would last if someone played the violin at home for several hours every evening?

I think it’s difficult even for people who studied music at university. There are so few jobs, I don’t think a person without qualifications would even be considered.

You should definitely pursue it as a passion though - you could join an amateur orchestra or chamber music group. Lots of amateur groups still put on concerts, so you could still have the opportunity of performing.

Hollow I think they’d be best in a relationship with another musician. My DB and SIL both practice their various instruments for hours a night sometimes and are often preparing to accompany someone or to play in an ensemble. My SIL plays a v niche mediaeval instrument so is in demand in early music ensembles. They both teach too. Their whole life together is music and they’ve been happily married for nearly 40 years. But if either had a partner who wasn’t a musician then I’m not convinced it would have survived that level of involvement.

Yes, I agree with you there, Frozen.

Not good. One of DIL a professional violinist. It takes a lot of hard work, education, and knowledge just to get in the door for an audition.