Is It Too Late To Become A Concert Pianist?

[@DihelsonMendonca]

⚠️ Josh, I agree with you. I'm 57 years old. I am also a pianist. I can play more than 60 Chopin's piano pieces, a lot of Beethoven, Bach, Debussy, etc. I am also a jazz pianist and composer. But there's a BIG problem: I live in Brazil. On a small city. Long ago, I perceived what you said: That the world is oversaturated of excellent pianists. The market, the music industry is full of excellent musicians. I could have been a concert pianist, with extreme effort, but I noticed that life is very short. Over the years, I played throughout the Country, playing Mozart, Chopin, I received several awards as a musician, but that's all. There's no way for me to continue now. I'm sick, I'm almost blind, reading music became extremely difficult, because I can't see the notes, my memory is not good, I have several diseases, after 50s... I never thought it would be this way, but there's an opportunity window in everyone's life, from 20 to 55, perhaps. You need to study and do all the things while you are young. Because, perhaps you won't have a second chance to do them later. I still love and play the piano 🎹, I love music, I listen to good music about 6 hours a day since childhood. But I have no more dreams to become an international, worldwide concert pianist. The competition is terrible. But we don't need to be that way. We can play for ourselves, for our family and friends, to people who want to hear. It will always be a pleasure. Age awake us to get rid of the fool dreams. We don't always need to be professional musicians, and earn money from that. Life is very short. Live your life while you still have it. I never wanted to be like those guys who play the piano since 4 years old, and come out from the room when they are 18. Which doesn't know anything about life, never experienced life as it should be. Music is very good. I love music, but music is not the only important thing in life. Unfortunately, most people will only understand that when they are too old for living. Money is not everything either. Music is not everything, but Life, i.e TIME iS EVERYTHING. Time is life. Don't waste your life. 🎉❤❤

[@PianoMatronNeeNee]

I started five years ago at 50. Never too old to live your dream.

[@jasonwestwood7092]

Yes but a World class concert pianist.

[@gregoryhouston1886]

I also want to add that it is possible to perform in concerts but you have to kinda take matters into your own hands and start your own concert series/or ensemble. Yes, you may only perform in front of 10 people to start but if you learn to market yourself and choose repertoire that others may not be doing, people will eventually notice. I created my own concert series and it really enabled me to perform in concerts and get my compositions heard. The sad part is music schools do not prepare you for this route but that is a conversation for another time lol.

[@joshwrightpiano]

Congratulations Gregory! Great initiative. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@pjbpiano]

Music schools prepare you to play music. What you are talking about is entrepreneurship. Learning to present your products and sell them. Most musicians do not know that this is a field for sole proprietors. The music is just the acquisition of the product. Selling that product is now the problem.

[@spada60]

@@pjbpiano well isnt that the problem. They should include entrepreneurship in the music curriculum

[@pjbpiano]

@@spada60, there are entrepreneurship and sales courses that exist everywhere. It does not need to be introduced in a music curriculum.

[@voskresenie-]

This is what I want to do. There are so many incredible composers who are quite famous but are still well-known, and far more that aren't famous at all but still have incredibly interesting works. Even among the frequently-played composers, the frequently played repertoire is limited. I'm planning to at some point rent out a small venue and put up fliers everywhere I can. I figure there's gotta be some bored retirees or young music lovers out there who will go to anything. Do you have any other tips on how to get started?

[@michaelkennis6097]

Josh, it is indeed rare to find such humility, frankness and kindness, on KZbin, or in fact anywhere. Wonderfully expressed. ( I started piano studies a year ago @ 72).

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you Michael! I appreciate your kindness and support

[@tamarisk2592]

⁠@@joshwrightpiano I’m 21 I never touched any instrument before and I just started piano 7 months ago with teacher, I dont have a own piano and practice on my aunt’s piano 5-8 hours in a week. I have a few questions 1-Should I practice more? 2-it will be hard to answer this question on online but Do I have potential? I’m writing my process here to help, now I can play 7 pieces , my first pieces are 2 pieces from amelie by yann tiersen, then I learnt 2 chopin pieces prelude in E minor, waltz in A minor, after that schubert waltz in b minor and bertini etude op29 no 9 and my last piece chopin Mazurka 67 no 4, and currently working on Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet Dance of the Knights. I will be very glad if you answer, thank you for your time ❤

[@MishaSkripach]

@@tamarisk2592 no you don't. Too late. Think tennis and figure skating, it is the same.

[@cheewanng6138]

The most honest description of the music industry so far. I am a Singaporean in my late 40s. Not a conservatory graduate but worked extremely hard to obtain both the FRSM and FTCL from ABRSM and Trinity College respectively during the 90s. Done donkey years of teaching, piano accompanying and giving public performance with some amateur chamber group. What I can say is this. As a small country, there is only so much market for the ever-increasing music graduates from both local and overseas conservatories each year. It's like the size of the pie remains the same but more people are eating it. As a result of this, I made a decision to go back to the university to obtain a bachelor and current now a post grad degree in STEM. Did a complete career transition to the STEM industry 4 years ago. Didn't looked back since. HOWEVER, now after not being in the music industry for the longest of time, I am back practicing the piano with greater passion without worrying about the money part. It's like life. One big round all over again. There is no right or wrong. Just choose your next move wisely.

[@pp-1954]

I've never pursued a pianist career, but I started playing since I was 5 years old. I've lost interest in it during my adolescence years, but in my adulthood the interest sparked again, and I've been playing for fun since, learning on my own. It's the most joyful and satisfying thing to do these days, because I can see the progress proportional to the effort I put in. And I love playing beautiful music and putting my emotions to it. I'm actually doing a masters degree in AI now. Sitting down all day in front of a computer is really difficult and painful. I wish I could immerse and concentrate in the researching like I immerse into playing the piano.

[@pianopracticediary]

It‘s never too late to realize that it’s unrealistic to become a concert pianist🤷‍♂️

[@BlueGrovyle]

Accurate. Though, obviously some people can do it if they really want to and have the financial stability.

[@rik-keymusic160]

As Henry Ford once said. “ if you believe you can do it your right, if you believe you can’t do it your also right”… 🤷

[@anthonykomives2811]

Well….when l realised l wasn’t going to be a concert violinist, (l had the necessary credentials….Jewish Hungarian father….from a long line of musicians….one ancestor was a Cantor in the Budapest Synagogue….German mother who LOVED the violin 😂), l was way too young to think about ending it all with the help of scotch on the rocks! My dads musical education came to an end at the age of three; his dad who was a stage actor told him it was time to start earning a living, took him to the convent for his first piano lesson. But he was terrified of the Nuns and their outfits, so he ran home and refused to ever go back 🤔

[@lindamcdermott2205]

Lol! O yes!

[@farinellafarinella2292]

Who needs a stage if Tiktok can bring you millions of fans? 😆

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

I absolutely agree with you Josh. Pretty much all of the highly skilled pianists I knew at my conservatoire who just spent all their time in practice rooms drilling Liszt because they were so set and fixated on becoming the next Trifonov, Horowitz, Kissin etc. have basically disappeared into the abyss. Whilst many of the less skilled ones who networked and did more collaborative, unique and creative things are now very successful and getting lots of work.

[@DelsinM]

dumb it down for the dumbasses and they will pay you. which of your networking friends (or, to be fair, your practicing ones) will be remembered by history?

[@argi0774]

And today's pianists are just players, nothing more. Top level pianists like Lang Lang are lightyears behind top level pianists of the past like Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt

[@farinellafarinella2292]

@@argi0774 Yes, that is how it goes. If you take sometime to observe the YT, you will find that serious piano tutorials got much much more lower views and likes than popular music genre intrumental covers.

[@jrodriguezpiano]

All those. Conservatory instrumenters drilling Liszt could probably never tell you anything about the experience itself of working an instrument

[@janepianotutorials]

Am one of your admirers, Josh. Learned from you. Ten years ago I gave similar advice under my Winter Wind Etude tutorial “… perhaps it's better that way, because becoming a professional pianist is one of the toughest goals to achieve. It’s much harder than making the NBA. Just have fun playing.” For those as ourselves building from the ground up: Having a career, saving as much as possibly (practice delayed gratification) in order to invest in the stock market is a proven way to accumulate a nest egg. Index investing is safe and passive.

[@lindyl9486]

Excellent guidance, bravo👏 I realized I likely won’t be one when I was 14, changed course and joined high tech after engineering study. It’s a satisfying career, and I never stopped playing music on my instruments 🎹🎻

[@MishaSkripach]

Such an excellent video. We know Trifonov's teachers - at the age of 8, he was already considered special at the professional music school in Moscow, highly competitive institution, accepting about 8 kids pianists a year fom the whole Soviet Union.

[@martinbennett2228]

I am impressed how Tiffany Poon is carving out a career for herself by taking an alternative path. It helps that some of her youtube performances are exceptional. Josh is doing something similar, though not quite the same; certainly his youtube presence can support something of a concert pianist career.

[@ciararespect4296]

Yes I suppose she can't compete with all of them now so yt pays a few of the bills

[@Marcel_Audubon]

who??

[@ciararespect4296]

@@Marcel_Audubon lots of better pianists

[@Marcel_Audubon]

@@ciararespect4296 Tiffany Poon is lots of better pianists? hope she gets help for her condition

[@infotalkk]

@@Marcel_Audubon what condition ?

[@jrodriguezpiano]

good luck josh buddy. People like you exist in every field, just a happy angel

[@dustinlaferney3160]

Wise advice. I studied at a community conservatory until I was 18 but did not pursue music in college. I love playing for choirs, vocalists, service music, congregational singing, and for the occasional program. It is my passion and rarely ever feels like work.

[@joshwrightpiano]

That’s great Dustin! We need more musicians like you

[@vettejakes]

Great advice as always.

[@witali5165]

I want to be a musician, but I don't know if that is the life I want. My teacher thinks I have a lot of potential and she really really wants me to study music at a conservatory, but I doubt that it will satisfy me. I think I need to be as talented as the pianists you mentioned, in order to be satisfied with this carrer, but I know even with extremely hard work, even more stress in my day to day life, I will never be as good as these legends. Music is my biggest passion but maybe I should leave it at that. The problem is, I don't know which other carrer path I can take. It's complicated.

[@Lannysmith610]

I feel this exact way.

[@robbes7rh]

A good question to ask oneself is how many classical piano recitals (concerts, performances) have I paid to attend in the last year? Your answer is why there are just a few big names who make a living exclusively from performance and recording. J.S. Bach was not just a prolific writer of high quality music; he also taught school, taught private students, taught four of his sons to become respected composers; he could take apart and reassemble organs and harpsichords: he was arguably one of the best organists in all of Europe, he played the harpsichord, clavichord, violin, and viola for chamber ensembles, he sang and directed choirs, and to top it off the music he composed was not the hottest ticket in town. Telemann was much more in demand than he. But the music he wrote was pleasing to him. It had been a life long goal to perfect the art of writing fugue and he did achieve that. Bach spent his whole life in just a small area of east Germany, he lost his parents before the age of 10, he lost his first wife and 12 of his 20 children did not survive past 3 years. He found solace and passion in writing music which he did with abundance and gusto.

[@JBNYCMusic]

Well put...I studied classical music at the university level and accidentally fell into theater music. It was a lucky detour in that I was able to turn this genre into a business which has enabled me to re-engage in Classical music with no financial pressures. Again, well put and right on target...the number of fine classical pianists is daunting!

[@Angelo-z2i]

If there's something I've learnt about classical music, is that the vast majority of people don't care about it. If you want to make money performing, play pop or contemporary. Much easier to learn and much more appreciated.

[@ryancheung9408]

Thanks for the video Josh! I’m 43 and making a living out of teaching private lessons, and whilst it’s out of my reach to perform the most difficult pieces, it always make me passionate about learning new techniques and pieces every time. It is still my dream to perform in any capacity but I guess it’s just live and enjoy throughout the journey :)

[@joshwrightpiano]

Absolutely! And finding local venues to perform at, even if just for family and friends, is a great way to exercise that performing muscle :)

[@reidunregineodland6938]

I've struggled a bit lately, not because I didn't go the pianist route, but because I'm stuck with the feeling that my music doesn't belong anywhere. I'm from a place in Norway that has brought out some extraordinary pianists like Leif Ove Andsnes, Christian Ihle Hadland and Steffen Horn (shared one of their teachers). Music is my passion and I practice a lot, but there is no room for me in the music world. I've always been realistic that concert pianist is not for me. I could teach publically, but have no higher musical education. I could teach privately, but the market is saturated. I do have higher education and normal job, so not actually looking for more work. But I do play my heart out with Rachmaninov's Preludes, Beethoven, Liszt... I saved for grand piano to celebrate my childhood dream. And I don't have anyone to share the music with. On some rare occations where I find the courage to play maybe during a break in choir practice, I get asked if I could please leave it for now, because they need to rest their ears, but "you do play really well, I'm just so tired". It does make me sad. Really enjoyed your video, it makes sense of course! I just need to come to terms my musical self :-)

[@fareshajjar1208]

Late or not, it's the worst job in the world. I was close to a Van Cliburn gold medalist for 2 years and observed that he could barely make a living. Most of the graduates of Juilliard, even those who received top fellowships, are unable to even make their rent unless they resort to teaching the next generation of students which involves basically deceiving them to believe that they will be able to make a living if they get degrees from top conservatories. I know Master's grads from Juilliard and Curtis who have applied to 70 orchestras over a 5 year period after graduation and didn't even get a single offer. Finally they just give up and become a real estate agent or trade stocks and this is after 15 years of insanely hard daily practice and getting degrees and scholarships from the world's best music schools. The pianists repertoire is the largest and most difficult. There are 800,000 high level (concert pianist) level students right now in China. Van Cliburn winners can barely draw a crowd and end up performing at tiny venues at state colleges. Where does that leave the hardworking grads who didn't win the Van Cliburn (a stratospherically difficult accomplishment.) There are about 40 gifted piano stars worldwide right now who make a good living and they are gifted and also plugged into the industry. That is the top echelon. Unless you are the next Kissin, forget it. You won't break into this group. Then there are about 600 more who eek out a living performing and teaching and doing grueling summer camp circuit. This group plays concertos for crappy little regional and youth orchestras and tries to get into some second tier college as a professor. The dirty secret about that is that colleges want people with academic creds, not so much the uber talented Juilliard and Curtis crowd because the level of performance puts to shame the rest of their music faculty. If you've performed in Carnegie, Royal Albert, and Kennedy and won major competitions, then expect regional colleges and universities to not even give a call back after you have submitted their 10 page application. There are simply 10 times more talented, well-trained classical musicians than there are paying audiences who want to sit through a concert or recital. So what happens? All those folks just end up teaching and deceiving youngsters to believe that they will be playing on stages one day and the cycle just continues. Sorry-- been down this road for a couple of decades. Enjoy music and play, but do something else to pay rent.

[@DrQuizzler]

Back in the day when I was spending crazy hours in the practice rooms while contemplating and theorizing as to my various music career options, it would have been nice to have a music insider sit me down and give me this talk. Instead, I came to it on my own in degrees, and I eventually decided to try one of my other interests as a possible means of making a living, and unlike with music, over time, things came together pretty well and those avenues worked out. Nowadays I find that music is way more fun when I'm not competing for applause or for income.

[@gregoryhouston1886]

I went to Berklee College of Music in Boston and did study piano there even though my major was composition and film scoring. I knew a lot of the pianists who went to New England and Boston Conservatory, Boston University, and Harvard. What was scary is that almost all of us played the exact same repertoire and if we ever were to compete in a competition, god only knows who would win. That was one of the main reasons why my piano teacher said to not be a classical pianist and do something else in music. Looking back, that was the best advice I ever received.

[@dyno1747]

This is very nice (and relatable) to read as a current composition student at berklee, hope all is well for you!

[@TimothyChiangPianist]

Great video Josh thanks for this! The reality of being a concert pianist is that it’s so hard. Some already super talented individuals get rare opportunities which propel into the limelight, but otherwise for most ppl we blindly enter and slowly discover the realities of what it would entail to be a concert pianist. Keeping it as a passion without the stress of it being necessarily a source of income is a great piece of advice

[@mariottipiano]

Very meaningful and pragmatic description of the reality of music world. Should be showed to every music student of any instrument. Thank you Mr Wright!

[@MishaSkripach]

music students know that :)

[@richarpadilla1891]

I studied piano profesionally since i was 17 years old, got a bachelors degree and i'm 51 now ,i'm still learning new pieces , i'm also studying jazz piano improvisation . I used to dream with a concert career when i was young until i realize all that you said today in this video.I have another job and today music makes me real happy because i'm really enjoying it, without all that stress ! Your advice is the best i've ever heard .i'm discovering other venues to contribute to my country culture and to enjoy music !

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you Richar. I wish you all the best in your musical endeavors!

[@simonsmatthew]

I'm really glad I did not persist in being a full time classical performer. It's stressful, a lot of (memory) work to the point where you are sick of the pieces and you are happy to have no music, just silence. It is also a lonely life. For some people it is still worth it, and good for them. But people should just be aware of the likely downsides.

[@MishaSkripach]

Interesting. For some people there is no memry work at all... everything just gets remembered easily. Do you think your ability have something to do with your impression?

[@jonion7648]

I never really wanted to be a concert pianist or performing musician, but sometimes I get a little envy because concert pianist can practice as much as they want, because it's their job. If you earn your money with another job, it's a lot harder to have enough time.

[@markfowlermusic]

The problem is it’s not a job anymore relatively speaking, it’s been phased out slowly but surely by popular social media platforms. The truth is your more likely to earn higher revenue from being successful purely online streaming and creating content… look at the amateur pianists on KZbin playing at train stations to commuters, they are no where near concert level performers in terms of skill or musicianship, but that’s ok as the general public doesn’t know the difference between an average piano player and a professional musician who’s trained their whole life to be the best at something that doesn’t exist anymore… the millions of viewers around the world are providing the revenue via google ads, I don’t know exactly how much concert pianists make but they are training incredibly hard and to a high level and probably have less success than your average train station player on KZbin and TikTok 😢😢😢 also skill level and musicianship take a back seat now to how good your camera quality is and what you look like, get those right and it doesn’t matter how you play as long as it’s pleasing enough.

[@jamespeyton3399]

I have studied piano for decades with my professor but changed my major to English during my sophomore year to become an English teacher. Variables such as health insurance, job stability, and retirement benefits became important considerations. Also, I wasn't anywhere close to concert pianist caliber although I have always loved playing.

[@c.dallasblakely9477]

Thanks Josh, been listening to you for 10 years now. You're one of the best educators and music ambassadors out there. Kudos to you!

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks for your longtime support Dallas!

[@lindamcdermott2205]

Yay for piano teachers!!!

[@stacerogers4008]

I’m in my early 50s and was self taught up until about a decade ago when I started formal lessons. After spending many years playing in bands I’m now enjoying music and piano far more than ever before. I realise I’ll never be a concert pianist, but continuous self improvement is my mantra and every year I aim to tackle more complex and fulfilling pieces. Thanks for your videos and meaningful advice 👍

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you Stace. I wish you all the best in your musical endeavors!

[@jcortese3300]

I think that people underestimate the importance of what they can personally bring to the table, and how important it is to add in their own uniqueness. I always think of my favorite of the high-octane performing violinists, Rachel Barton Pine -- records with the best orchestras, performs all the Paganini caprices in one nights, plays a zillion-dollar Guarneri, etc. etc. etc. Al the standad stuff. She also plays a ton of HIPP music on period instruments including the viola d'amore, plays thrash and doom metal and blues, does enormous amounts of academic research, and it all comes out when she plays. There are a thousand reasons why I'd want to hear HER specifically play even the standard rep as opposed to anyone else in a beautiful dress on an eight-figure fiddle. Really, there are so many recordings available for free on KZbin of the big names playing Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart that if I'm going to take a day off work, get on a freeway, and pay for parking to hear someone play Tchaik or Brahms, there had better be a reason for me to want to hear THEM do it as opposed to anyone else. And they shingle she hung out is unlike anyone else's.

[@BsktImp]

Assuming the top teir technical and artistic requisites are in place, probably the only way for a non-standard entry into concert world is to have a highly unique back story, personality, extra-musical skills and/or looks.

[@YangtongxinXiang]

From a young age, I had a desire to study piano at a music conservatory. However, my piano teacher always discouraged me, saying that I should consider playing as a hobby and that pursuing a career in music would be even more challenging and unfair than I imagined. Later, I enrolled in a comprehensive university to study philosophy, and only then did I realize how correct my teacher's words were. Music is just a part of life; what I should strive for is to gain a deeper understanding of the world, lead a rich and colorful life, and establish connections with more people.

[@lakep7798]

This was awesome, thanks. It confirmed my decision in life to keep piano in the “fun” category as my passion and choose something else as my money maker. Now my joy is performing in solo recitals wherever I want just for the absolute love of it. Any money I get from it is bonus. I love piano, and I love piano performance. I could care less about any fame or money associated with it (since it’s not my bread and butter). Great hearing from you on this topic. Thanks, Josh.

[@amypellegrini1732]

It took me so long to understand this, and now that I finally do, it gives me freedom. I earn my money with a different job, and make music in my own terms. Thanks so much putting this words out there!

[@EtoGmajor]

Paul Barton is my biggest inspiration. Not because he's my favourite pianist, but because he's made a name for himself at a later age without ever having been a concert pianist. My favourite pianist is Cateen. His undergrad degree is in electrical engineering. He was a semi finalist in this last Chopin competition, but truly his beauty is that he employs his deep classical abilities with jazz and pop music. You can either contribute breadth or depth, but you can be mostly depth and then branch out once you've reached your potential.

[@jimgans8249]

Hi Josh, I’m a beginner at 65, retired and love the process so far. I have a digital baby grand with amazing sound quality I hope to do justice to. My favorite current pianist is Alexander Malofeev. Thank you for your lessons.

[@shawnwilker2755]

This is very good and practical advice. I went into medical school after music school because I saw my potential music career as mainly being limited to teaching kids and small gigs. The layer of stress that he mentioned took the enjoyment out of playing. Now I can play when I want and on my own terms. I am so much happier than I would have been.

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

I do stock media production as a means of passive income as well as investing in stocks to ease the anxiety of paying the bills which is common in the freelance music profession meaning I don’t have to stress during periods of a less than fully booked calendar of paying gigs and teaching and can enjoy playing my instrument and music in general more

[@scottborenstein8291]

I haven’t seen the video. But my answer is if you have to ask if it is too late, it is.

[@rodsalvador3608]

I washed out early. In retrospect, I am thankful I did as I was not well suited for this path. I couldn't even be Trifonov's page turner. Now in middle age, I'm returning to the piano and am falling in love with it again. Our talents water different gardens, but they produce flowers all the same. But I really commend and admire everyone here who is striving to make a go of it. Onward!

[@martyburbank3356]

True comments about keeping it a passion. I was younger I was a competitive sailor, Once I got to a professional level it stopped being a fun passion and became a job, and I got burned out. Now I make a living as an attorney and am back to enjoying sailing, and Piano is my passion and get a great deal of joy palaying. If it became my job, not sure the passion would remain.

[@gixelz]

IF YOU ARE YOUNG (teens, 20's) WATCHING THIS Practice! Keep it in your life, whether you go hardcore or not. You absolutely WILL NOT regret it later on. You always hear regrets of older folk who stopped, or never started. Start now, or keep going.

[@MishaSkripach]

So, just practice?

[@claudesaint-nuage]

If you are old enough to ask this question, “yes” is the answer.

[@rad-guidance7]

I am a professor in a French conservatoire, I also give concerts fairly regularly, so I'm lucky, but it isn't my main source of income. As a student at the Royal college of Music in London I was practicing 7 hours a day. Sometimes more. Today I keep up with 4 hours a day in average and on the days I don't go into the conservatoire I'll probably do five to six hours. I have always been very transparent to my students, thirty minutes a day isn't going to cut it, the excuse, "I have lycée", doesn't work either. I have told them each time to choose their regrets. The CNED is always an option... (School at home)

[@MishaSkripach]

Absolutely right!

[@thomassoh6440]

I think it’s not about late and not being a concert pianist, it’s about loving this instrument and this music, and even you know it’s almost not possible to become a concert pianist, you’ll still play piano until the end of your days.

[@ligy2569]

agree

[@azdruval8536]

Total agree it’s not about make a living with music,it’s about make a life for music ❤

[@mitchnew3037]

Thank you for the advice. I’m determined to become a professional Pianist. I started learning since I was 4

[@MishaSkripach]

How old are you now?

[@da.concert]

Agreed with your philosophy 100% Dr. Josh, and may I add the resonance I feel being part of a wonderful piano community brings much more joy and therefore probably worth more than a path of being a professional concert pianist!

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks Ada! Great thoughts

[@frankzhou3529]

I appreciate the much needed realistic perspective. Like many others, I also had high hopes of a professional musical career, but the realities of life set in. Fortunately, there are a growing number of amateur competitions for serious hobbyists (which music is not their main mode of living). Recently, I've dedicated my time to performing piano works by lesser-known composers and featuring score-videos on my youtube channel. I've found it to be just as fulfilling as if I had a concert career (many professionals recycle the same pieces from the standard repertory anyways).

[@thehappypiano2985]

My goal is to become a concert pianist and a composer but have no winning competitions history but and I’ve told my self maybe I can’t but this before gave me the courage to keep on going

[@findelka1810]

I have to fully agree. I quit being a professional musician so I can enjoy music better than ever. I play at concerts, and I play what I like. It was the best decision of my life. What’s more I took on two more instruments. You just have to make sure you have a job/ income that pays for your bills and you have enough time left to practice.

[@davidcarter3049]

When I was younger artists like Van Gogh inspired me - the idea of committing to your passion regardless of success at the time, a Taoist idea of flowing through your heart. I was also really inspired by John Cage who taught that you don’t have to be a musician to make sound, that hitting a note on a keyboard (or a stick on a cooking pot) is to live, is to be present, is to engage in something wonderful..I love The Killers song ‘are we human or are we dancer?’

[@caseysheehan8437]

Thanks again as always, Josh! Very enlightening ❤🙏🎵🎶🎹❤️

[@easypeasyabcsy7883]

Thank you for sharing your view on this subject.

[@quaver1239]

Thank you. Filled with wisdom.

[@dirksdiamonds]

This is very helpful, reinforcing the reality, rather more than the dream, while also endevouring to help people understand there's nothing wrong with whatever comes from your musical studies, practice and experiences! The same goes for people that want to act, for example. Okay, we can aim for these things, but shouldn't forget to ensure we also have something else to fall back on.

[@moy9022]

Josh, you have a good point. I've spend decades of playing piano, my goal is to satisfy myself and challenging my brain, now my piano is my love companion. Good luck to you. You are a excellent pianist and teacher,

[@JaySuryavanshiMusic]

Such an insightful video. Really important information for everyone thinking of pursuing music as a career. Keep up your good work, Josh

[@mccafferyfamily]

Music is definitely my side passion and I love it. I work in IT but all my side projects are music and makes it low stress when gigs are hard to find etc as it’s not essential income . Also it means I can do what I want with my music not having to target some particular commercial interest

[@baoluan1288]

Very interesting and insightful video, thanks! The world has changed a lot, with streaming and KZbin etc... I wonder if someone can have a successful performing career using this media exclusively, vs in-person concerts...

[@sanjosemike3137]

I started at age 8. An "early" start like this should have equipped me with a high degree of technical facility. It was enough to do the Grieg Concerto with an orchestra. But I still had some technical issues that would have required "special handling" by a very competent conservatory professor. This is a tough issue because by the time you REACH conservatory level pianist, you are NOT expected to have any technical issues remaining untamed. My level of clarity of performance was enough for Rach 2, but not enough for Rach 3. I know that some great artists have built careers without Rach 3. Helene Grimaud certainly was able to. She did the Brahm's concertoes instead. Artur Rubinstein never did Rach 3, either. He usually said he was "too lazy" to learn it. Sometimes it is necessary to face reality. I became a surgeon instead. Getting into medical school and starting my own Medicare Certified Surgical Center was far less competitive than a classical pianist career. I'm just being honest here. Josh would be able to identify my technical flaws inside of a few minutes, even if most people here were super-generous not to mention it. I am not dissatisfied with my career choice. I was a very good surgeon and I retired at age 52. I loved doing it. I had an opportunity to work with and help Veterans during the Vietnam War during my surgical residency at a VA and Army Hospital. So I think I did some good. I still gave classical piano concerts over the years. But not professionally. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA) Retired surgeon

[@ancientsolar2]

I started piano at 21 (2009), only 6 months after starting, our church pianist died in a car accident - following that, they asked me to play, - at 6 months I couldn't read music well, but knew a lot of chords from learning the guitar, so I was able to mix it up. - The level of pressure made me want to quit every week, however, the amount I learnt under pressure was incredible. after 18months learning I played my first Classical solo at Church, "the prayer" Tchaikovsky's op 39 (I believe) - As my Uncle was a Pastor, I was able to travel around to a lot of churches and play. - Parallel to the church, I was climbing up the grades fast, buying books too, started attending classical concerts, I crashed in 2012 - death of my grandmother, home situations got to me- it took me until 2018 when people started believing I should go for my Grade 8 (highest number grade in UK before diplomas) I only did the exam because I met a girl in Africa and needed a career out there - thought about piano teaching - that was it, - well I did my exam, and I was just a few marks off distinction - At doing so well , how could I ever stop learning ? fast forward to 2022 after pandemic never went to Africa, but , people started approaching me from the churches I played.. asking for their children to have lessons.. so i'm now a piano teacher, and still striving to reach Diploma, I hope to become a wedding pianist too.

[@ancientsolar2]

I know in my heart, that I wouldn't be good as a concert pianist at a competitive level, (aside from technical ability, but stress levels)- but I believe there are still Concert recitalist opportunities - at churches, charity events, online, community meetups amateur competitions - these things may lead to new students or private engagements. .. buut, I love performing, I love to capture the music in my head and heart, and project to the people I'm playing for., this somewhat helps as a tonic to anxiety too.

[@zah_old_acc]

Glad to hear that, cause what i've been doing is basically what you suggest one to do. Thanks for confirmation haha.

[@Mukundanghri]

Thank you, Josh. I'm 61 years old with no aspirations for profit, adoration or distinction with my music and compositions. it is just my passion for self-discovery and creativity. Your comments reflect the hard reality of the life of a musician and were not discouraging at all.

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you! I wish you all the best in your musical endeavors

[@achaley4186]

This video is super encouraging! Thank you Josh 🙂 There are so many ways to contribute as a musician and you have brought that to light. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🙏🏼❤

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you for your kindness!

[@xujia1001]

Good post. Most of people who do running do it for staying healthy and for fun, but you certainly don't think that you can run like Usain Bolt. The same goes with music. You can learn music, and age is not a problem. With a good teacher and sufficient practice, you can play very well. But if you don't have the talent and the training of Martha, Daniel, Sergei, then you should not think of becoming their colleagues, which is equivalent to standing on the same starting line with Usain Bolt. In another perspective, concert is a traditional way of appreciating music. People invented it in the last few hundred years when there were no records, no internet, when the only way to bring music to people was to assemble an audience in a venue. Time has changed. Today there are so many means to enjoy music and bring it to a much wider audience. So just as Josh said, be creative, look for alternative and also very promising ways to make people happy!

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks for your kind and insightful comments Jia!

[@WorstSanta]

It’s like in sport - the winner takes it all.

[@benedictdsilva3954]

Very good information.. Yes a side job still in music and also in other fields.

[@jenc9086]

I’m doing abrsm classical performance diploma, 38 years old. Just for fun. When I imagine playing to make money it takes the joy from my practise and fills me with nerves 😅 I have played Bach in our local bus station, and received compliments from strangers passing by. It was a touching experience. I have SO much respect for those who are following the route of competitions and conservatories, but for some of us this can be intimidating, distracting from the music itself. Josh struck a chord with me here (🤦🏻‍♀️😏) I once was paid to play, and it took the heart of the music away, for me at least. As an older pianist, it’s daunting to imagine all the young and incredible up and coming pianists, but as an older pianist, I notice elements in the music now that I may have missed 10 years ago. I know my neighbours open their windows to hear me practise, and I love to bring a little bit of Beethoven into our village…perhaps this isn’t fiery ambition, but it drives me to play beautifully for the people in my community who may not otherwise listen to this wonderful music. I guess it all depends how one interprets the meaning of ‘concert’… thank you Josh, you are an inspiration ❤️

[@MishaSkripach]

Why do you need the diploma? It is meaningless.

[@lucasm4056]

This video was for me ❤ it really resonated with me. Thank you

[@Yanisspiano]

Thank you for sharing thatJosh! Trying to make a living as a musician is actually quite CHALLENGING and A LOT of work has to be put behind the scenes for musicians to be successful. Edit: thank so much for this video Dr. Wright!🙂 Reminder: if anyone knows they want to become a successful musician KEEP doing what you can to make MUSIC to help you be financially fit, but it will be stressful at times and this life requires a lot of sacrifice. To end this comment I'll leave my taught as a former piano teacher, *every student I taught in the past have DIFFERENT STRENGHTS and this enlightens the process of making music also! :D

[@danblackwelder5995]

At 78 with some arthritis in the knuckles I still enjoy practicing, but only the slow ones.

[@joshwrightpiano]

Good thing those are often the most beautiful pieces 😊

[@emilynelson3504]

Couldn't have said it better, Josh, this inspired me! A very realistic yet encouraging look at the many hats most musicians will wear. I also wonder about the role that social media will play for current and future musicians, i.e. the possibility of sponsorships and Patreon. I'm thinking of a couple young and well-known pianists who share a bit of their lives and musical journeys this way and I wonder how competitive this area is and how much of a living they're able to make.

[@MishaSkripach]

The system is changing. All future concert musicians are now visible online while their still little kids. We pretty mch already know who wil be competing for the major violin contracts in the next 10 years, the world became very small. Tye kids competitions are also becoming more transparent in their ridiculousness, as each contestant can be compared online with the winners, and it is now possible to check online, a pupil of which jury member the wnner is. So it stays competitive, but the rules are changing.

[@most_sane_piano_enthusiast]

Many modern "concert pianists" kinda cosplay as concert pianists, while in reality they make their living as teachers or even have completely different carrers. I know one amazing pianist personally. He sounds like he should be winning top tier competitions left and right (Likely an exaggeration, but he does play like a highly skilled professional musician. One time I heard him play Scriabin op. 28 and it was otherworldly. Better than most recordings I heard on KZbin.) . But do you wanna know what job he has? He is an industrial chemist. How does that man even find time to practice?

[@joshwrightpiano]

The Van Cliburn amateur competition is always mind-blowing to me. Individuals who were highly successful in other fields but can still play at the highest levels

[@most_sane_piano_enthusiast]

@@joshwrightpiano I think people who have careers outside of music are on the average more passionate about the music making than professionals. For professional musicians music might slowly become more of a monotone job than the thing they love. I know this doesn't apply to everyone, but there surely are at least more professional musicians who hate their job than amateurs who hate making music (because why would they do it?).

[@TheZombieGAGA]

This video seamlessly adresses pianists as well as musicians as a whole - although some instrumentalists (other than pianists) face different challenges and opportunities. Piano is an amazing instrument and I wish that I had studied it.

[@jordinne2201]

it addressed the arts as a whole tbh

[@NN-rn1oz]

In this age of social media I find that there is even less incentive to be a concert pianist. Anybody can now record themselves and share their artistry with a fairly large and international audience. Amateurs don't have to deal with the stress of building and maintaining a large repertoire, having to perform consistently day in and day out, travelling long distances and then be impaired by jet lag, and whatnot.

[@murdo_mck]

The awful truth, for us mortals, is that building and maintaining a large repertoire, performing consistently every day, and practicing until they can (almost) play the music as they want it to sound is a challenge they enjoy and thrive on.

[@noone-uw6ui]

The world is evolving in terms of how people can perform and make a living. Surely finding audiences now (not just work) can be opened up to live streaming and content distribution platforms? Is the classical world still focused with the stage? I'm not saying people should give up on public performance, of course that is a skill that shouldn't be neglected. But people find good audiences and financial stability on twitch, which leads to lessons/requests as well as private work, selling of recording and improved visibility to companies or other collaborators and experiences. There are players who stream their practice sessions daily, yes... imagine earning money just practicing!! Being a musician can now honestly be a lifestyle where you can connect more with your audience globally, earn money from multiple sources and not be dependant on 'making it'.

[@sarahlovessweden]

Great video. Keeping a passion for music is the key! And as you said, being creative. Another avenue which requires good ears and playing with others, and is a wonderful career is music therapy. Certainly in the more improvisation based approaches. I have found great joy and growth as a musician in being able to play piano for my groups and individuals who participate in music therapy. And it is natural to branch out into playing other instruments as well, as well as composing music for music therapy.

[@davidk7529]

So you _can_ be a concert pianist if you set up your own concerts

[@bw2082]

There are over 8 billion people in the world. The amount of individuals who are true “concert pianists” in the sense that most people think of it is less than 50. The odds are not in your favor.

[@christopherpaul1810]

I started on piano at age 4 my mom taught me. It's not my best instrument but it has become my 3rd best and I enjoy making performance videos. For money I cook in a restaurant so I'm not a starving musician I eat well. If my childhood choices were a bit different I may have tried to be a concert pianist.

[@monkeflip2510]

I started playing piano at the age of 17 (I'm 20 now and study at a conservatory) I think the fact that I started so "late" is both a bless and a curse, it's a curse because I could have been at a really higher level by now if I started early, and I would have many less weaknesses (for example, coordination between the hands or, mostly, sitghtreading) plus I've always been encouraged to start playing piano (my father and my brother are musicians too) but I've never been intrested. It's a blessing because I was enough mature to understand that I was just too late to become a prolific concert pianist, but I didn't let down, instead, I changed my mindset (and I'm not talking about the entrepreneurial mindset or stuff like that). Instead of having "dreams", I have a (realistic) goal, I want to become a good teacher, if good enough (so that means, taking part in competition, and hopefully, winning some of them, or record some CDs, or graduate with a good mark, or for example, to study also composition so that I have another master degree, I mean something like that) to teach in a conservatory. I don't know if this mindset is a good thing or not, but I'm giving everything that I can to the piano so I guess my mindset isn't that bad. And in the end, I guess it all starts from dedicating as much time as possible, and with a good method (luckly I have a fabulous teacher, both as a pianist and as a teacher, and also as a person), then the results will arrive somehow. Great video as always. :) Edit: I think it's also important to understand a thing that sounds obvious: "what do I like?" I mean, do I like playing piano, dedicate hours to it, getting angry because a passage doesn't work, getting a lot of punches in the face from teachers, other competitive pianists, competitions or do I like the idea of being famous and rich by playing piano? Plus I personally don't like the idea of "compete" with music, but competition are a good way to meet other pianist or to open new ways.

[@MishaSkripach]

What conservatory accepts students who started at 17?

[@monkeflip2510]

@@MishaSkripach It depends on the level of the student, not on the conservatory, when I made the exam they didn't know I started at 17 🙃

[@MishaSkripach]

@@monkeflip2510 Well, Moscow conservatory, for example, will not accept without secondary special edication with solfege marks etc. What conservatory was it? Can't imagine a conservatory where the auditioning committee would not spot someone with 3-4 y of study only.

[@monkeflip2510]

@@MishaSkripach the system is just different I guess, I entered at what corresponds to the fifth year (?) Of the old system which is now called "Corso accademico di primo livello", that is basically the first year of university, I just skipped the preliminary course of 3 or 5 years where guys do stuff like hanon exercises, Clementi's sonatines, Bach two/three parts inventions, and did that at a private school. Plus yes, I didn't have the solfege diploma so I had to have an extra solfege exam in order to gain access to the harmony course and other stuff

[@MishaSkripach]

@@monkeflip2510 Preliminary course of 3-5 years? Trifonov played Chopin etudes at age 10. What is the conservatory? Is your playing anywhere online? In Moscow cons., they still have to do entrance solfege exam - a two voice dictation with no key hint ( so without perfect pitch not passable). I just cannot imagine what level of required technique can pass someone who started at 17... unless they are absolute genius ( but then for the next 4-5 years of study that genius would become the best in the world with his rate of learning).

[@NicolasEngelMusic]

I play the piano in the streets and I’m doing fine 😊

[@Barrelhousekjell]

I guess it depends what being a concert pianist mean to you. Also, what kind of music you play, but also what starting point you have before you go for it. I would assume top-level classical achievement might be even more difficult than blues, jazz or boogie-woogie as an example. Any style, it still requires an incredible dedication to become great, but any level of ambition will not stop you from having fun while still improving step by step.

[@shahriyar85]

I always prefer honesty, and tnx for that. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks Shahryar!

[@sammcbride2149]

A long time ago my piano teacher told me that if you're not a concert pianist by the time you're 12 years old then it's too late. I was 17 at the time - haha. But I was under no illusions about playing at the concert level nor did I really want to.

[@joshwrightpiano]

Haha and the younger generations just keep getting better!

[@williamtaittinger4529]

hope you're playing la campanella by now

[@DesertRat332]

The girl from Omaha (Sarah Fernandes) in the recent spelling bee contest was only 10 years old and had recently played at Carnegie Hall.

[@murdo_mck]

The head of Juliard's pre-college division was asked how you get the kids to practice. You don't. For them it's not work. They do it because they love it.

[@williamtaittinger4529]

@@murdo_mck Juilliard is a complete scam

[@balladin9200]

thanks for the insight, starting at 14 years old (almost 18 now) I thought the bridge between people starting to play in the womb and me becoming the best pianist could easily be jumped by long deliberate practice but after getting a lot of hand injuries (i'm injury prone because cold hand syndrome which I think is caused by stress for me) that dream has definitely become more realistic ... and depressing, but I guess from now on it's focusing on composition and enjoying not breaking my hands. I have to walk on my own pace and enjoy the strides, my own strides.

[@melindamills6995]

A very useful and needed video: Content was realistic and communicated in a confident and kind way.

[@supgloserv]

I have a question, and this may seem insulting to other musicians, but I think it'd be nice to hear the realities of being a concert pianist. For the few pianists that you know who make a living PURELY from playing, what components contribute to that? Luck? Monstrous talent? Connections galore? Extreme work ethic??

[@MishaSkripach]

We have a friend who is world class concert pianist. The info is first hand: one needs outstanding perfect pitch by age 5, absolute musicality, outstanding memory for sounds and music, total velocity and proficiency in piano technique by age 12, total dedication to music with NO day practicing piano less than2 hours and often 5-6 hours since age about 7. Education in a highly selective institution with the best teachers from age 6-7. Total devotion of a parent to the child's choice and vocation, all family events organised around music learning, no holidays, no ordinary weekends. Personal life all tailored around music. At adult age, ability to get a piano concerto to a concert level at a short notice (1 day), keeping all the repertoir in memory constantly, physical health, stamina, strength. Connections form as you go.

[@myklkay]

The first thing you should ask yourself : what can you bring that none other has brought before ? That's where the difference will be made. Of course if you start at 20, there's a ton of people that started at 4 who have 16 years of experience you'll never catch up with. And I'm not even including prodigies.... Take a look at the Chopin competition : how many amazing pianists you see there you'll never hear from again ?

[@joshwrightpiano]

Great points!

[@richterkleiber]

This is a really terrific video, Josh! ✨🥂🙏

[@davidedwardspiano2340]

Great job Josh! Thanks! I accompanied on scholarship during my master’s degree in piano performance at UofSC, in the studio of a man who spent 20 years as an opera singer in Germany. Big man, jovial, wonderful. He said something one day in such an easy, matter of fact way, with his inimitable big voice, that I’ve never forgotten. In fact the statement has been on a sticky note on the fall board of my piano in my teaching studio for many years now: “Bloom where you’re planted, bloom where you’re planted.” It says it all. It’s what you’re promoting and what I have enjoyed doing all these years. God graciously planted us where we find ourselves. We have the chance to live with purpose by blooming in that spot. I’ve played many weddings, done much church work, and always tried in my teaching studio, to model my college professors’ schedule of teaching, practicing and performing. We’ve done too many creative recitals to go into here, but the point: I never stopped practicing. In fact, I just played a full solo concert of very difficult music just for the “heck of it!” as my mother used to say😄. Actually it was a fulfillment of a request by my youngest son because he just wanted his friends to hear what he had seen his father doing while he was growing up. Now THAT’s a fulfilling life in music! There’s so much more than touring the world (and it comes with a lot less hassle!) We need good local artists who hold the integrity of presenting a good, very polished performance of music the locals might never hear otherwise. -not perfect performances, not shabby, careless playing, but full of life and humanity and energy. Lots of opportunity for the creative mind as you say. Keep up the good work!

[@robertdouglas8314]

Very good life advice! Well stated. That's not pessimism. I have been several incarnations of a musician and have enjoyed almost all of them.

[@11kwright]

It’s all about the mindset and persistence. Practice is key to success and believe in yourself even when it feels like it’s just not happening. Jut keep evolving your playing and technique in exploring and researching getting around problems you may encounter and with persistence you’ll overcome it and progress up. Some stages of progress will take longer than others but as long as you understand the downfalls that as humans we all have by way of doubt then you will persist on if you have the mindset. And what works for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you. And it’s not about aiming to be JUST a concert pianist, you could compose your own music and make much more money than a concert pianist which is very niche. Where there’s a will there’s a way.😊

[@thepianoplayer416]

There is a pianist in the city who was featured on TV a few times. He is a dentist by professional but plays in all sorts of competitions every few years. The man doesn't rely on playing as his main source of income or perform F/T with an orchestra or music group. He does perform as a guest soloist with orchestras occasionally. Technically he's considered an amateur musician like the rest of us but plays at a very advance level. Many of us plays as a hobby and probably not planning to have a career related to music either as a performer or teacher.

[@waggawaggaful]

It's amazing how 99% of people who play music are technically amateurs but don't consider themselves so! Lack of humility in our generation.

[@larghedoggo9607]

​​​@@waggawaggaful I just finished my internship as a medical student. I've just started self-learning for a year. The story of this dentist is definitely my model, seeking another posibilities out of my major job(as a doctor). I also have been thinking what's the purpose to learn music(piano). Sometimes, I really doubt myself for those professional musicians who have beening learning inatruments since childhood and graduate from a music academy. What's the purpose if I play those advanced pieces but there are too many people have mastered it while they can learn new pieces 10 times faster than me😂. Currently, I think it's great to share my emotion, amuse myself/people(or even teaching some beginers) I will keep going and try my best.😇

[@trueself1752]

Such a great advice from such a good person

[@podgesaxpiano]

Great video!

[@radudeATL]

I love accompanying (and I’m really good at it), but I’m kind of a one-trick pony. I’m ready to give it up.

[@aimlessspace]

How insightful! Thank you Josh!