Greg Anderson 2/7/13 Greg Anderson 2/7/13

Finding a Career

Dear Greg,
Hi, I am a 15 year old who isn't extremely advanced in piano (right now I am working on a toccata by Debussy, an etude by Mozkowski, and a Prelude by Chopin) but I REALLY enjoy the piano and love putting much expression into my pieces. Last summer I attended the Interlochen Arts Camp, I was accepted into the interlochen arts boarding high school, and this summer I have been accepted into the Eastman School of Music's high school Music Horizons program. I was wondering, how likely is it for me to be a concert pianist? Also, how much money does a concert pianist typically make?
- Rachel

Dear Rachel,

To answer your first question, I have copied and pasted my response to a previous question:

Please peruse the "Piano as a career" archives. I've already responded to quite a few questions about the demands, difficulties, and joys of playing the piano as a career, and my responses are archived there. To summarize: it is extremely difficult to make a living as a "concert pianist," even for the best pianists. Many Juilliard graduates I know have quit their instruments and turned their attention to finding alternative means of income. I fully believe in the realization of dreams, but some dreams take a ridiculous amount of work (especially in this case); you have to want it so bad that you are willing to make enormous sacrifices in other areas of your life.... like your day job... like time spent with your friends... like sleep... The rewards can be awesome, but you have to decide if the cost is worth it to you.

However, and I'm repeating myself here, there are other ways to earn money as a pianist that don't involve performing on concert stages. None of them are easy, all of them are important, and all of them can be extremely rewarding.

If you truly love playing the piano, if you enjoy creating music, if you are fascinated by the piano repertoire... you could always consider the greatest musical vocation of them all: you could be an amateur. By definition, amateurs "love" what they do. Amateurs keep music alive in homes around the world. More so than many professionals, amateurs are truly in touch with the joys of music, and their joy is contagious. Amateurs help to raise the musical literacy around the world. Amateurs deserve enormous respect, and America, in particular, is in need of many more amateur pianists.

To answer your second question: there is no typical income for a concert pianist. A pianist's annual salary entirely depends on the number of concerts he or she performs. It is a highly irregular, unpredictable, insecure, and wonderful job. :-)

- Greg

Greg Anderson 2/7/13 Greg Anderson 2/7/13

Advice for Adult Beginners

Dear Greg,
I stopped playing the piano when I pass my ABRSM Grade 5 piano practical exam in 2000. Discouragements and disappointments leaded me to give up achieving my dream of being a professional pianist. However, I dunno how, not too long ago, I managed to have the desire to play the piano and dream to be a pianist again. I'm now 24. Is it too late for me to continue practice playing the piano to achieve my dream? If I may still have the opportunity to be a pianist, how can I achieve this dream? Do I need to possess national playing standard and have a degree in piano performace? P.S. Your true and most honest opinion will be very much helpful. Thank you very much.
- Andrea

Dear Andrea,

Good luck!

- Greg

Greg Anderson 10/23/09 Greg Anderson 10/23/09

Getting into Juilliard

Hi Greg,
I'm 14 and I'm wondering if I could go to Juilliard when I graduate high school. I've played for three years, but have only been serious about it for a couple months. In 4 months, I've gotten considerably better. I went and saw the 5 Browns last Saturday, and they were amazing. It was the only classical concert I haven't almost fallen asleep in. So, my questions are: 1.) is it at all realistic that I could get into Juilliard? and 2.) how much would I have to practice to achieve this? 2 or 3 hours a day? Thanks!
- Holly

Hi Greg,
I have been what you could call a "lost soul" when it comes to my future and what I would like to do musically once I reach college (I'm a junior in highschool). I feel pretty set on doing something music related. But I'm not sure what. So you wont be left in the dark, a little background on my music situation: I took two years of piano when I was nine years old, and after then have been playing for my own enjoyment and only recently was able to get back into lessons; at thirteen I played violin, again for two years, before switching to cello which I've found much more to my liking. I've only played for nearly half a year so far. I want to major in music but I don't know if that's possible for me, seeing as I've started so late and may only make five or so years of decent progress. I'm not sure if I could be an extremely advanced pianist, though it is an instrument I hold close to my heart and can usually learn on quickly; I've progressed well on cello so far and I think I may be able to learn quickly enough if I really practice hard. All of this worry about being "advanced enough" points to one college in particular... you guessed it: Juilliard. My family encourages me that I can do it. I've had the notion in my head for a while but I was too ignorant (and a little too self-assured) to study more seriously until now. Has there ever been a person advanced enough to study there who hasn't been playing since they were three? Can one reach that level in a short amount of time if they work at it? Am I crazy to want to go there still?
- Caroline

Hi Holly and Caroline,
Yes, it's unlikely that you would get into Juilliard, just as it is unlikely that any pianist will get into the school. But it isn't impossible. I can think of at least two pianists who began playing the piano when they were 13 and still got into the undergraduate program. As far as practice goes, I typically practiced a couple hours on piano and a couple hours on violin every day when I was in junior high school. I quit the violin later in high school and relegated its practice time to the piano. This, by no means, reflects what other students would need to invest to get into the school.
Having said all that, I advise you to remain flexible with your future. Don't pigeon-hole yourself into one path to happiness. While Juilliard is a fantastic place to be, it certainly is not the be-all and end-all of music schools. I received my doctorate at Yale, and my experience at the school was similarly wonderful and refreshing (the facilities there, btw, are incredible -- top notch). Who knows how your life will progress! If you don't get into Juilliard, please don't treat that as a sign of failure; the rejection could lead to a transformational experience at another music school... maybe you'll meet the love of your life, or you'll work with an amazing and magical teacher, or maybe your group of friends will ultimately band together to form a chamber ensemble of awesomeness. I always tell myself, "things work out the way they should."
Happy practicing!
- Greg (Oct. 23, 2009)