Keeping up with the violin after college?

April 13, 2007 at 08:47 PM · Hi Luke,

I was in a similar boat. I started young too, but during college my interest peaked and although I was not a music major, I practiced almost every day as I took lessons for credit. After my senior performance, I put my violin down for probably 2-3 years, rarely playing. I was just more concerned with having a career and making the transition to a new city.

In the last few years though, I've picked it up again and even though I'm busier with my career than I was when I first left college, I find the time to fit it in. A lot of community orchestras practice in the evenings or on the weekends, so I often bring my instrument to my job with me and stowe it under the desk so I can attend rehearsals after work. Other than dealing with the "is that a machine gun?" questions, it isn't really a big deal. I did once have someone ask me "is that a french horn?" That kind of blew my mind...

If I had to do it again, I wouldn't have taken a "violin break" after college. I think my skills did slip a bit and I'm working to get them back to where I was when I graduated. However, playing in groups with really talented people can be a great learning experience. I feel like I learn a lot by watching others. It doesn't equal a lesson, but it's something.

April 14, 2007 at 11:07 AM · i think it will be a treat to be able to keep violin alive all your life since you have already had a good start/exposure, but i agree that with your line of work, esp in the very beginning, it will be very tough to keep up with violin because simply you will be physically exhausted. to climb the ladder faster, you may need to get into columbia's executive mba, thus your whole weekend will be shut. it sounds like you know what you are going into, so at least you are mentally prepared.

one thing good about your future job is that it is still in the city and finding a teacher is not that difficult. may find an easy going teacher that can mentor your once a month or something. i doubt you can really learn those pieces well on your own without feedback. at your level and with those pieces, it is not playing the notes anymore. but, just picking up the violin for 5 minutes a day, playing twinkle, will probably be the most therapeutic thing you can do, to purge your mind of numbers and rates so you can start afresh the next day.

i hope you make lots of money doing things you love, be content with what you have at any moment in the fast lane and try to develop yourself into a long term player by being level-headed and patient. and when you make it, do your share to promote classical music:)

oh, if you want to be a serious player in investment banking, start learning golf. it will probably be more important than your diploma. it will open many more doors than your columbia pedigree. and golf takes time, so your violin playing will become even more precious.

good luck.

April 14, 2007 at 12:28 PM · Luke:

I was in your situation 40 years ago (and still am). Click on "violin practice tips" at the following website - http://www.iit.edu/~marcus/

This was my solution to daily practice. It got me through graduate school and beyond. While I have taken lessons on and off ever since, I have rarely given up daily practice and work on an occasional informal recital, plus joining a few community orchestras from time to time and also amateur string quartets.

So, as an amateur with limited time and energy for extensive practice, it can be done.

Cordially, Sandy

April 14, 2007 at 08:50 PM · Thanks for your responses guys... yeah I guess i will just try to squeeze in a good fifteen minutes every day or something. The website is very interesting...hmm 3 minutes! I can do that =D guess i will try that out soon. Yeah, and I guess i will look into golf, although i will probably not advance up on the career later that high to ever get a chance to play heheh

I guess it's still early- I've got 2 more years before I finish school. might as well squeeze in every ounce of practicing before then!

April 15, 2007 at 01:56 AM · "in case you were wondering, I am entering investment banking many for the exit opps and extremely good pay since I've always been interested in finance, and I think I would choose a career in finance over violin if it came down to one or the other, although it would really really suck.

Luke,

I can't understand why someone--who's smart enough to get into Columbia and get hired on Wall Street--could decide that he's got no choice but to enter an unpleasant career for money. There are so many things someone like you could do. Is your lust for lucre such that you're willing to sell your soul pedalling investments? Are your parents pressuring you to enter a high-paying profession?

The tone of your post suggests it's not your first choice in life.

April 15, 2007 at 04:33 AM · It's not a either/or choice. The treadmill can become crazy after awhile, so you'll need the diversion--especially something so comforting as music, and even more so, violin.

April 15, 2007 at 05:15 AM · Luke, As a professional player who is currently doing the stay-at-home mom thing, I can find myself going weeks without playing and not missing it, even though I'm passionate about performing and love to do it at a very high level when I have the opportunity and ability. So I can understand your not always "missing" the playing, but I still think you'd be VERY sad if you allow your abilities to leave you by not keeping it up. And in my opinion, the very best way to do this is to have lessons. You will NOT keep it up purely through self-motivation--you have to have some outside source of motivation, and weekly lessons is the perfect way to do that. I currently have a private violin studio and teach several amateur adult students. They get tremendous enjoyment from taking lessons, improving their playing and finding outlets to play with others in chamber music settings or just for their own enjoyment. I would strongly encourage you to continue taking lessons. Best wishes in your future career and musical endeavors! Amy Appold

April 15, 2007 at 05:34 AM · I'm not taking lessons currently, but I'm playing with the local chamber orchestra, and it's amazing how much you'll want to practice simply because you want to do a good job with the orchestra. I guess that's what somebody would say is "outside motivation" - it certainly works!

April 15, 2007 at 06:02 AM · Yeah, again I'm making this post pretty early since i'm just finishing up sophomore year (I can think ahead right?) so I'll probably be posting something like this in two years when i graduate =D

I guess i will need a teacher as an adult, since I really want to learn the Tchaikovsky, and I know it'll be at least another year before I can learn it =( . hopefully I will also find a need for that outlet as well and stay motivated.

in response to scott, the truth is I kind of gave up on the violin in high school and became extremely interested in math/economics (my major here) and finance. in college i picked it up again after seeing soloists. It's funny because every time I see a soloist I get so motivated and want to be just like the performer. At the beginning of college i saw joshua bell and became inspired, and then two days I saw Lisa Baratashvili play the Shostakovich at the lincoln center, which was amazing. hence two nights ago i joined this website and have been practicing hours each day. i hope this inspiration continues...lisa baratashvili is amazinggg by the way, and the shostakovich is equally as amazing =) . in regards to wall street it's not that i don't like finance, I do, it's just I don't like the long hours (in fact I dread them). i am however willing to work those long hours for the first two years so i can exit investment banking and go into b-school or a hedge fund (i have a path kinda figured out). no it's not due to parental pressure, but i guess it is the nyc college atmosphere here that somewhat pressures me. of course my number 1 choice would be to play profesisonally but that's not happening, and i don't think i'd make a good music teacher because i am pretty impatient (i have to give kudos to those who teach beginners; i think i would get massive headaches listening to them). yes, and money is a motivating factor as well, but i figure at worst i'll stay in teh industry for 2 years and leave. heh i realize i talk about myself a lot and this information isnt relevant at all so sorry! =)

and yes, chamber orchestras... i'm definitely going to consider that. but also i was wondering are there any amateur orchestras for adults that aren't that amazing but are still good (i'm thinking like along the level of all-state orchestra or top youth orchestras like New england conservatory Youth symphony / philharmonic)? i think i would like to join one of those orchestras at that level in the future.