Do You Have What it Takes to Make it in Music?
A client asked me this week, “Do you think I have what it takes to make it into an orchestra? Should I keep trying to do this?”
Ooof––big question! While it is certainly not up to me (or anybody else) to tell someone what they should do with their lives, I do have a few thoughts.
One Big Hill to Climb
Making a career as an orchestra musician is no easy feat. It takes years of dedication, hard work, and a certain level of natural ability to even have a shot at success. For most people, it’s a lot harder than they realized. If you haven’t heard that it’s difficult to get into an orchestra, then I’m glad you’re reading it here instead of experiencing it first-hand.
Are you up for a long, hard climb? Lots of other careers are easier. It's understandable to have doubts and questions about whether or not pursuing a career in an orchestra is the right choice for you.
Here are two questions that might give you some clarity:
Can you imagine yourself doing anything OTHER than playing in an orchestra? (If so, consider doing the other thing. It’s probably easier.)
If you got to the end of your life, and you never got a chance to be an orchestra musician, how would you feel about your choices?
Good Enough?
I’ve heard lots of people talk about whether someone is “good enough,” as if this were some kind of universal constant. What does “good enough” even mean? It took me a ton of auditions to figure out what I needed to work on. My playing level went up (and sometimes down) for years before I started winning jobs. What if my failures convinced me to give up before I connected the dots?
It's important to remember that everyone starts somewhere. In my experience, too many people place too much importance on natural ability, aka “talent.” I’ve seen many, many musicians who started off as the most “talented” eventually get beat by people who worked harder.
In general, talent is a very poor indicator of future success. When you wonder if you’re “good enough,” just remember this saying: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.”
You need to put in consistent effort. You need to find good teachers. You need to continue to grow as a musician. And instead of worrying whether you’re good enough, ask what kind of life would make you happiest.
Process, Process, Process!
The pursuit of success can consume our thoughts and energy, leading us to believe that the end goal is the most important thing. However, it's crucial to remember that success is not a destination, but a journey. In other words, it's important to enjoy the process of pursuing our goals.
If you are pursuing an orchestra job, it's important to enjoy the process of practicing and performing, of learning from mistakes and working hard to improve. Your goal may be to secure a job in an orchestra, but you should get a sense of fulfillment and purpose from the daily process of honing your skills.
With any goal in life, enjoyment of the process is essential for long-term success. Pursuing a goal solely for the end result can lead to burnout and a lack of fulfillment. On the other hand, enjoying the process allows you to find joy in the daily work, making it easier to stay motivated and persevere even when things get tough.
Finally, happiness is a habit, and if you don’t learn to enjoy yourself during the journey, you won’t enjoy yourself when you arrive.
Show Me the Money
It’s important to consider the financial side of being a musician. While some classical musicians are quite comfortable, well-paying jobs are hard to get and rare. Most orchestra musicians have to find additional income. Whether it’s a working spouse or a teaching job, you might need a backup plan to finance your dream of playing in an orchestra.
Keep this in mind when considering what type of lifestyle you want.
What Drives you?
It's natural to have doubts and questions about pursuing a career in an orchestra. Ultimately, the decision should come down to your passion and drive. If you're willing to put in the work and make the necessary sacrifices, and if you're passionate enough about playing in an orchestra to weather the ups and downs, then pursuing a career in an orchestra may be the right choice for you.
Remember, success in the orchestral world is a combination of talent, hard work, and perseverance. Keep practicing and pushing yourself to be the best musician you can be.
For further reading on this topic, check out Seth Godin’s The Dip.
Happy practicing,
Chris @ Honesty Pill
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