So You Wanna Be a Classical Musician

a Get-together given by Child Prodigy 
Inna Montesclaros

As a Classical pianist/musician, there are certain things I've realized these past 15 years. So here's a list of things to think about and remember if you want to enter this field:
1. Age is just a number.
Although it is true that it will be easier for you to learn ANYTHING when you're younger, it doesn't necessarily mean you wont learn when you're older. Personally, i started when i was very young, but I've met a fair number of people who started very late! Dr. Raul Sunico , Enzo, Almond, and Alicia dela Rocha...-provided you are driven and passionate

2. A good teacher can make the biggest difference
-The teacher has the responsibility to teach you the proper technique, stylistic playing, interpretation, etc. --- but must still motivate and inspire you!

3. Protecting the work: Learning to practice properly and Work ethic
- The number of hours does matter but what is most important is how you practice.
HOW TO PRACTICE:
a. warm up properly
b. have set goals
c. be patie
d. complete focus
e. learn to have breaks
f. be ready not to have immediate results
-- The sacrifice this profession requires -- social life, sleep... haha,  sanity, etc.

4. Center stage
A musician is also a performer. You can"t just practice for yourself. The whole point of a musician's existence is to share their music. And for us, although at first it is terrifying and nerve wracking, there is nothing more exciting, more fulfilling or more fun than to communicate and touch people with our music.

5. Healthy competition is healthy.
-These days, one of the ways to 'Make it' is to compete. The prizes usually in these competitions are money and exposure. But more importantly, competitions can bring out the best in you. Aside from the contests, another crucial place where competition happens is during auditions for big schools----------- UST, Juilliard, Curtis, finally, RCM

6. the big NO.
Rejection is a HUGE part of any musician's life. Especially for classical musicians nowadays where the market for classical music is lower than before. There are fewer spots to fill and more talented people to compete with. One must be able to stand up from these situations. It can be heartbreaking but it also makes you stronger and better. It also is good for you because then you realize that you are never and will never be the 'best'. It will humble you.

7. Fighting loneliness; having a support system!
-Something I've realized recently is how lonely the musician's life can be sometimes. You have to give your time and your self to your instrument or to your craft for anything to happen. And especially for the classical musician, practice is best when you're left on your own to do it.
Family and friend support are the best booster!

BUT by remembering the reasons why you do it in the first place, you will get out -of your funk and get through it.

8. Playing for the passion, not for the money.
The reality of things is that this profession will not give you a lavish lifestyle. If the monetary reward is what you are after, you should never go near the classical musician's life. True, there are those few who have risen to rock star status like Lang Lang or Evgeny Kissin, but more often than not, a musician's life is more passion and love than money and status.

9. The best musicians are not the ones who can play the fastest, the loudest or the 'best' in the usual standards of people today. They're not the ones with fireworks and super unnecessary movements. The real and the best musicians are those with their own 'voices' and who can show the Truth in their performances. They're the ones who can communicate and touch their audience and give them something to think about and to feel.

10. You Are Your Biggest Competition- Laziness, Pride and Greed. Once your performance becomes about the money or the fame then everything goes down the toilet. Once you are too complacent and start thinking that you can make do without practicing properly, you're in trouble. And once you start believing that you've already 'made it' then you are done.

11. Trusting God and His plan will always and forever be infinitely better than trying to make yours work.
If you do, your music will always be at its best. Everything will be bearable. And everything will fall into place. 

---