Recently, I found myself having a very interesting conversation with someone I recently met. We are both school teachers and discussing how much we enjoyed working with children. When I expressed how much I enjoyed teaching music, she revealed to be that she used to be a classical musician who worked in various orchestras and said that she had a Master’s Degree with her instrument. She had not only performed in orchestras but had, on occasion, been a soloist. Her skill level and her experience in performing is very impressive! I then revealed to her that I don’t enjoy performing, I love playing and teaching.
The next thing she said surprised me. She told me that she didn’t enjoy performing either because she didn’t enjoy all the pressure and stress that comes along with performing. She ultimately decided that she was going to change careers and be a school teacher because she loved working with kids and that the pressure of performing for decades would ultimately take too much of a toll on her health. Apart from being impressed by her musical skill, I felt privileged for her being open about her personal experiences and her insights.
We talked a little about performing and we mutually came to the conclusion that performing is for adrenaline junkies.
I get that the above statement sounds a little extreme but it is accurate. Performing, especially at a professional level would have an enormous amount of pressure because you are being paid to perform perfectly. Near enough would definitely not be good enough. Also if someone under-performs in the context of an orchestra or a band, not only does their personal reputation suffer, the band or orchestra’s reputation could also suffer, which could then lead to a financial loss through lack or reduction in the number of ticket sales.
If a person performs regularly but in an amateur context, like a church band, there is still a pressure to perform, because they want to do their best and not be embarrassed from making mistakes.
I personally don’t enjoy performing because I don’t enjoy the pressure of being prepared by a certain day and I don’t enjoy the pressure of the moment of making sure that I performing at my best. What doesn’t bother me about performing is making a mistake because I learned a long time ago how to cover up any mistakes.
Unlike me, some people thrive on the pressure of deadlines and of getting things exactly right. People who choose to be journalists or surgeons or chefs (to name but a few) are all occupations where people are constantly working under stressful time pressures and enjoying it. Clearly these type of people thrive on the adrenalin rush.
If you happen to be an adrenalin junkie – someone who really enjoys a regular adrenalin rush, then I would encourage you to find some way do piano performances in retirement, even if it is just regularly playing for family and friends.
If you happen to be like me and the thought of performing is off putting, then don’t fall into the trap of thinking that learning to play the piano in retirement isn’t worthwhile. Even if you are playing the piano purely for your own personal satisfaction, then it is still very much worth playing the piano.