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As I listened to an NPR interview recently with a guy trying out for the 6th(?) time in the Van Clyburn piano competition, it occurred to me that this guy had been playing all his life just for the FUN of it. The interviewer asked if he thought he'd enjoy it as much if he did it for a living. His answer was that it was purely an enjoyable escape for him from his 'blue collar' job.
Is it an escape for you? or is it as enjoyable to play for a living?
In your answer, please explain why you picked amateur or pro, and identify if you are an amateur or pro.
Based on the level of musicallity I see in the responses here on SOTW, it is apparent that many of us (yes, me included) thought very seriously about doing music for a living at one time or another.
MY ANSWER:
I think amateurs have more fun for the escape factor. I know that the opportunity to play at age 46 is so much more precious than it was at age 11, or 21, or 31. At 21 I made a choice to become a geologist, not a musician. When I finally got back into music in my late 30's, it was again the greatest pursuit of art in the world for me! It was like being in the 5th grade again...the excitement was back! I plan to enjoy it until the day I die. If it ever becomes a job for me, I'll starve
Is it an escape for you? or is it as enjoyable to play for a living?
In your answer, please explain why you picked amateur or pro, and identify if you are an amateur or pro.
Based on the level of musicallity I see in the responses here on SOTW, it is apparent that many of us (yes, me included) thought very seriously about doing music for a living at one time or another.
MY ANSWER:
I think amateurs have more fun for the escape factor. I know that the opportunity to play at age 46 is so much more precious than it was at age 11, or 21, or 31. At 21 I made a choice to become a geologist, not a musician. When I finally got back into music in my late 30's, it was again the greatest pursuit of art in the world for me! It was like being in the 5th grade again...the excitement was back! I plan to enjoy it until the day I die. If it ever becomes a job for me, I'll starve