Sunday 20 September 2009

Why become a musician?


Why become a musician? Or anything else for that matter?

My father always wanted me to get a steady job; he often mentioned banking as a suitable career because of the security it offered. His own path had led him into an unexpected life in the military via the second world war, going back in after de-mob when he discovered teaching wasn't for him. The stable peace of the cold war made for safe and secure employment.

Today I wouldn't associate safety and security with either of those fields. But they obviously appeal to some for all kinds of reasons. The important thing is to follow your heart. I was told the following at a party last night:

Confucius said "find a job you love and you'll never do a day's work in your life".

Now doesn't that sound like good advice?

2 comments:

  1. Wonderful advice. I have another slant on it, which is to "find something you love doing and then find someone who will pay you to do it". I know someone who won a job as a video games tester, for example. He spent every waking hour playing different video games, and that was
    *before* he got the job.

    For musicians, I think, the question is: how much of the job involves actually being a musician? I don't know the answer to this.

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  2. I've just finished doing my books - all ready for the accountant - so hopefully there'll be more music in the job than there has been lately. If maths is related to music then accountancy is related to Muzak (TM).

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