From music student to professional: the process of transition

Genre

_________________Example: Pressures on time_________________

Classical

“I was really struggling to get more than 4 hours in a day because of
all my other commitments. And also energy, you know, Ijust didn’t
have the energy. ” (Portfolio musician)

Scottish
traditional

“Time-wise, during the day, because you have to earn a living, Ifind
it very difficult to fit in more than about an hour’s playing in a day.
And that ^,s all I can manage. But I do it every day. ” (Portfolio
musician)

Jazz

“In theory I’m doing an hour a day, but in practice it ^,s not
happening. I kick myself on sometimes, but Ifind just that my family
demands... ” (Portfolio musician)

Popular

“I’m very frustrated at the moment because I should be going out
there and I’m good enough to be playing most of the festivals across
the country and I should be doing that but it ^,s also having children. ”
(Portfolio musician)

Genre

_____________________Example: Self-doubt_____________________

Classical

“Anxiety aged 21-23; sort of on the cusp of realising your
livelihood depends on what you are doing basically. That's quite a
big issue for me. Realising that I will be doing this for the rest of my
life, and how well will I be doing, I need to feed myself! ”
(Undergraduate)

Scottish
traditional

“The more established you are, the more difficult it is to keep
yourself playing at that level. As soon as you step on a stage people
are waiting to hear what you’re gonna do .. You have to maintain
that, and that ^,s a real pressure for anyone. ” (Portfolio musician)

Jazz

“ There can be stresses that get in the way of the playing, you know,
'oh, is the audience gonna come ’ or ‘if is somebody in a bad mood
then how’s that gonna affect. ’... and these things can sometimes
get in the way. ” (Portfolio musician)

Popular

“The first gig we did with the trio was a little bit nerve-wracking-
just the idea of can we do it? ” (Portfolio musician)