Ok,assuming child is very able musically-what is next?

[Worriedandlost]

Dd1 is taking music lessons and considered to be good at it (piano/violin). Assuming that pattern continues, what is next? To carry on with private lessons as it is now or are there other ways? And what is about future, what are employment opportunities for the adult musicians? I have heard that music area is very competitive and low paid. The reason for the question is that dd1 is coming to the point where practicing takes too much of our time and this affects other activities, this is not to mention cost of the lessons, would be nice to know that there are at least remote possibilities to get something back out of it :)

I suppose it really depends on if it is something your DD wants to do. I don't mean does she enjoy it now as I assume she does but more does she have dreams of being a musician? what sort of musician? would she like her life to go in that direction? OR does she actually just enjoy it at the moment and happen to be very good at it but secretly want to be a librarian, vet, author, scientist, police woman or something.

Some time ago she said she wants to be a dinner lady at school (saying that she refuses to have school lunches :)). Again, it is a lot of assumptions in this topic as dd1 is still pretty young, but assuming she likes it in the future, or does not really have other preferences (I never had, my parents decided and chose a very good degree for me :))-shall I try and gently push her into music direction, assuming she is good at it?

Have you checked for Music Service in your county/borough?
There she can play in an orchestra, learn theory, take up another instrument - all depends what they offer (all at discounted prices)

Encourage yes push even gently no! How good actually is she? Grade 5 age 6 after 2 years of lessons happily practicing two hours a day? Or grade 2 aged 10 after two years? Former = big wow, latter = normal progress. How much practice is she doing for it to actually affect family life? An hour a day should be manageable I'd have thought?

County music services IME aren't that big a subsidy I've found unfortunately.

antimatter, she is doing two instruments with private teachers and one of the teachers took her at orchestra, so I think it is more or less ok for the moment, I just try to make my mind how much effort to put in a long term

titchy, I just read the book written by mum of Maxim Vengerov, who is considered to be a violin genius of our time, she says he was practicing 7 hrs a day from age 5 :). Under mum's supervision till about 11yo if I remember correctly :). I personally do not believe that musical geniuses come from practicing two hours a day no matter how talented child is :).

No, dd1 is certainly not grade 5 age 6, though she had her first grade at 5, and never will be grade 2 at 10 :). But may I not give too much information in order to keep your attention on my questions :), as I said-they are based on a lot of assumptions. And I ask them to clear my head first of all. So, if her progress is really good what I do next? And what sort of career one can have in music? Violin player in the local orchestra at the best?

She does not practice hour a day, it is usually minimum hour a day on one instrument, can be up to three hours together (no hard pushing though!), as teachers give quite a lot to practice! And we have to do it together as dd1 is still too young.

Do you have access to a music school or conservatoire?

My brother was grade 5 aged 7.8- he went to music school, but is not a professional musician now (though a rather good amateur )

Don't know if this is helpful but there is a shortage of certain instrumentalists, Not sure if she old enough to start but oboe players and the like are usually quite sought after. It may give her more opportunity to play in groups, even if it's just for fun.

well, she can only have a career in music if she really wants one.

Its a bit like asking what sort of career you can have as a footballer…
you could be an international soloist and earn loads of money, you could play in a top orchestra and earn a decent wage (think around £35k), you could be the leader of a top orchestra and earn more, you could be a freelance player doing sessions and earn as much as you work, you could teach and earn a teachers wage, she could become injured and not be able to play, she may become disillusioned and not like the un-socialable hours required, she may be really happy having music as a hobby.

The normal way into the profession is to learn locally with a teacher, take A levels, then go to music college, then audition for jobs.

Is that what you wanted to know?

Or depending how old she is, she could audition for a school such as Chethams, or Purcell for example. Then onto music college…..

Or put her on Britain's Got Talent

1805 is spot on. If she wants it, it will just develop by itself, from her own impetus, if she doesn't, she will lose interest and it will stop or change. You cannot really "make" someone be a musician. They either are, or they're not. Speaking as a musician who also does some teaching, I can also say that a good teacher can spot within a very short space of time if the student has "it" or not. And there's nothing wrong with "not it" - you can still have a lifetime of enjoyment and fulfilment as a good amateur outside the profession. And frankly be able to earn much more money and work more sociable hours. But that is the child/musician's decision to make - not the parents. It's hard to explain but this is a thing that is really outside the guiding hands of parenthood. Talk to her teacher, but even though she is a child, let her make the decisions.

Or put her up for BBC Young Musician of the Year

Speaking as a music teacher I would say the following things:

1. where do you live? If you're within a reasonable distance of London, Manchester or Birmingham the music colleges do Saturday schools (places by audition). It means they get all tuition in one place on one day and includes things like orchestras, choirs, theory etc
2. private school music scholarship, this can be a way out of having to do all the running around, again lessons usually on site and if you pick the right school, plenty of appropriate ensembles etc
3. what are your DDs music teachers like? Are they aiming high for her and realistic about her talents?
4. usual pattern is grade 8/poss diploma whilst still at school and then university or music college. Music college is pretty much entirely practical, university more academic study of music.

I think it is pretty negative to say that you need to get 'something back out of it', if she was really good at swimming would you feel the same way? I always knew music was what I wanted to spend my life doing, and yes there are many better paid professions, but that wasn't and isn't important to me.

1805 just wondering from your username if you are a fellow member of the squeaky band, btw?

Yes - agree with starry - you will never 'make' her become a professional musician. It's hard. But by all means find out what it entails.

FYI - both me and dh are professional musicians (classically trained) and although our dc are good at their instruments, we are actively encouraging them into other (better paid) careers and keep music as a hobby!!!!

By squeaky do mean 'modern'? No I'm not!

Nooo 1805 I'm thinking gut strings and out of tune woodwind!!

And like you, I'm a professional musician, and my DC are both musically trained, both reading music - one at Oxbridge, one at a London conservatoire... against my begging and pleading. Musician NO! Captain of Industry/Lawyer YES!

Like I say, if it's in them, you can't change it.

Oh yes, and I'm a (not out of tune if I can help it) 1805-ish type

ha! now i get you! nooooooooo in the middle mainstream me!
good luck to everyones dc!! mine are going to be a lawyer and a vet! (although dd very much wants to be on the stage, but there's hope for ds yet!).

Oh yes, vet, lawyer, doctor, managing director, accountant!! ACTUARY!!! Ah, fond dreams...

Giyadas, probably too young, but she can play in groups with her violin?

Like many careers, musicians life differ hugely, some international stars, some prefessors in music college, adjudicators,some teach in private schools, board examiners, some struggle to find a pupil, some do local music service, teach year 2 group recorder. But if you absolutely love it and really talented and willing to work hard, I am sure you will find you comfortable place ,the life style you love. Some people enjoy evening performance, as the centre of stage, some don't, would rather sit down as audience, but a music lover.
The music teachers I know, both long time examiners, one is orchestra conductor as well, both teach in private schools, and teach privately. Both have long enough list of pupil, and long list of pupils's name on tropies, both have wonderful reputation made me proud just by knowing them, have such good energy for their age and love of their family life . Both have definitely a high above average income, of course they are working hard you know.

How old is your DD, when did she start, how much practice did she do to achieve where she is now?

My another comment is :when you are not sure , you are not ready. If she is absolutely telented, with little teaching, fraction of practice time, achieved far far beyond her age, full of natural sparks, natural style, then you will know what's next.

1805, I think it is more about life philosophy :) As I said above my parents chose degree for me, same for my dh. So, apparently, strong mind regarding career choice is not running in our family :). Dd1 loves doing music, does not like practice too much of course. She appears not to be strong minded too. I really think I can forward her where I think it is right. It is up to her to achieve something though. But thank you for describing the opportunities.

teacher123 thank you for your input! Yes, we live within the commute distance of London and Saturday school is a good idea, thank you! But it is not necessary to get there as at early age as possible, is it?