Who wants there kids to be a Musician?

[MarkMgibson]

Ah, one of these kids could be the next Janis Joplin or Ray Charles. Give 'em a break. Sure, the may end up broke and homeless, but at least they'll be cool.

[kurosawa]

Oh yeah, I want them all to be musicians, whatever their main gig is. One never played. One's a music teacher, clarinet and piano and taiko drumming, has her master's and national cert. She still plays. One used to play trumpet in high school but he quit. One's in high school and plays tuba, trying to get him to learn bass. The little girl's going to choose an instrument next year. The little guy wants to play bass now. He's the one I should have bought the short scale for. His hands are so small. Maybe I will give him a long scale anyway. If he can only reach 2 frets at a time, that's OK. Maybe he'll end up playing like Rocco and do all that amazing left hand muting with the "extra" fingers.

[onosson]

Not a priority for me - I'm happy to encourage and support whatever interest they have in music, but if/when they are not interested in it, it will be entirely their choice. I actually wish I had had a bit *less* encouragement to go into music than I did.

[SquierJazz72]

I'm just not going to agree that it can't or shouldn't be done.
But it does need to be balanced with reality. The dream alone isn't enough.
Talent helps, but even that is often secondary. One also has to have the drive and ambition, from within. That can't be forced on anyone, in any area. Either one has it, or one doesn't. But even that's not enough. As with anything, perhaps more so with music, it's so often WHO YOU KNOW. So being willing to take the talent and the drive and network and meet people and get the right people behind you is where it's at. It all has to come together.

If anyone can manage that, from the start, I say more power to them.

[fdeck]

I think it's justifiable for parents to be concerned if their kids aspire to careers in fields that are dangerous or exploitative.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by fdeck

I think it's justifiable for parents to be concerned if their kids aspire to careers in fields that are dangerous or exploitative.

Just about any job these days is "exploitative" and has some level of danger. One of my singers was t-boned and killed on the way home from a gig at 3am .

[gjbassist]

Both my kids are very musical. My son sings, plays piano, uke, guitar, drums, mandolin and I bought him a trumpet for Christmas. He is a senior in high school and plans on majoring in mathematics but also wants to study music. He may double major depending on where he ends up going to college. It would be great to see him go in to some sort of profession in music but I will let him choose his own path.
My daughter is 12 and sings, plays clarinet in concert band and guitar in jazz band. Too soon to tell with her but she also a very talented artist. I can totally see her doing something music or art related. Funny how both my kids are so musical and artistic but came from two different mothers.

[Bassist30]

I love my daughter so much. I just want the best. Just that the buisness has changed over the years and the availability. I speak to many old time players through the years. I remember good players stated they use to play shows all day and then a gig at night, back in the day. Carol Kay stated that she use to sleep on a cot many nights in the studio because she had an early session. Software has taken over that. Its just hard to figure out where music is going when electronic is moving so fast.

[Roadkill]

If all you all have been following the stories about all the kids graduating college with huge debts and no job prospects that ain't necessarily the way to go either .

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by Roadkill

If all you all have been following the stories about all the kids graduating college with huge debts and no job prospects that ain't necessarily the way to go either .

Interesting, I saw a poster recently of Kindergarten children. It said buy the time they graduate college 85% will be working at a job that has not been created yet.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by Bassist30

Interesting, I saw a poster recently of Kindergarten children. It said buy the time they graduate college 85% will be working at a job that has not been created yet.

That could be interpreted as that 85% of the present jobs will be gone by then...

[oboylebass]

Originally Posted by Bassist30

I have seen and talked to many musicians who play various instruments. many of which feel that they would want the kids to make something else as a profession. Spoken to studio musicians (who were very lucrative in the 80's), Rock, soul, classical etc and feel the way the economy as well as the on going computer updates which take some of the technical skills away that the future of a musician will not be in line with some of the other or most other professions. Now i am not knocking musicians as we are one ourselves and put in more hours in our instrument than many doctors. Things to considers. Is the rate of pay increased as with other professions? Has the need of a musician increased over the years?and finally, this is our kid we are talking about. Remember a girl musician you may ....well want to protect her more than a male child. But its food for thought. I get the feeling a parent might feel differently but hey its something to consider when you yourself may have a child. If you dion't have a child or two or more.

Hard to say...my 7th grade son is a straight A student, but is a VERY good guitar player. He's already sat in with me several times, and can even play some solos. He's got great ears and totally has good groove. My GF gets freaked out when we jam because we're so "on". I always stop and correct him when he's doing something incorrectly. We'll see what happens!

[jive1]

[Ben Lesser]

I'm not sure I ever plan on having children, and if I do, I don't necessarily want them to play music, but I sincerely hope that they find some form of artistic expression that resounds as deeply within them as music does with me.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by jive1

Electrical cord wrapped around leg of tipsy table with glass of water at edge, above hardwood floor, with toddler in room...

10... 9... 8... 7...

But really, that's the way to go! Just make it part of everyday life.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by beggar98

My kids will be in piano lessons as soon as they're physically big enough to play. Never mind whether they pursue music as a career, I don't really care if they even like playing. Study after study shows that kids who have studied music fare far better in math and science, and that is where the future lies.

Do you actually like music, math, or science?

Don't get me wrong, I encourage you to get your kids into music, and piano is a great way to go! But I doubt that music is a magic elixir. Instead, I think there is a correlation because of kids growing up in households where all of those things -- music, math, science, etc., are valued for their own sake -- not just as socioeconomic stepping stones.

[BassMom88]

So many great discussions and points of view...I've really been enjoying this thread!

My daughter has always been musical, but it wasn't until she found the bass that she knew for sure that music was what she wanted to pursue as a career. It's kind of the family business so to speak (on my husband's side) so she's fully aware of the ups/downs of this industry. She is so fortunate to have so many wonderful role models/mentors/teachers in her life who give her very solid advice and guidance.

We have always treated music like any other school subject. It has always been a part of her day on some level. We wanted her to have the option of playing something. It wasn't really ever a hard sell - even as a young child. If she was in a rut or didn't want to practice, we just reminded her that nobody ever says that they regret learning how to play an instrument. Even if she ends up in a different career, it's still a skill she can use throughout her lifetime. Our only rule was that she couldn't quit until it was fun. She tried lots of different types of activities, but through the years it has always been music that feeds her soul, so my husband and I are very happy to help support her dreams/goals as best we can.

Now on the reality side of things, there's no way we can pay even close to the going rate of tuition for any college regardless of her major, so she's going to have to figure that out herself and we'll help by paying what we reasonably can afford. As someone who paid way too much for college and paid it off (but then couldn't save enough for my kid) I have learned that the person who gets out of college with the least amount of debt, wins. So she's been working on her music and schoolwork/activities, trying to be as well-rounded as possible and hoping that she earns a scholarship somewhere - and she's staying flexible about her plan.

As far as finding musical endeavors to help her prepare, we don't have a performing arts high school in our area and her school doesn't even have a jazz band, so she's found a few in-school opportunities playing for the chorus and drama club and some after-school community and volunteer opportunities. During the summers she's been to some wonderful music camps that have really helped her growth as a musician. It's all worked out quite well giving her some great experiences and she's made some really good friends and contacts within the music industry.

She's had successes and disappointments and she knows that's how it goes. Now, at this point in time, keeping her grounded and focused is our job as parents. Her first paying gig at 15 a few weeks ago was a trip to Las Vegas performing on national television and working with some incredible people..soooo she skipped a few steps there, but has resolved to practicing even more - because even though there's still a ton of hard work ahead, it's so much fun. She loves to play and perform and she definitely doesn't want to quit. She was lucky enough to have that amazing experience and she hopes it can happen again. You just never know what can happen or when the phone will ring or who you might meet, but she knows to be prepared.

So overall or the TL;DR version is. It's her life and her choices and as a parent, I really just want her to be happy/healthy and to be a good person who can make her way in the world and hopefully leave it a better place. The path of how to get there may change over the years, but right now it's music and as many of you know that's a pretty nice thing to have in your life - on any level. Enjoy the journey

[jaxom]

Well, I just attended my daughter's 5th/6th grade band performance last night. And the only thing I know is how proud I felt watching her up their being able to play her sax along with others. I am very glad that she showed interest in music. If she never plays past High school, that will be fine with me. I believe learning an instrument teaches great skills that can help throughout life.

[BassChuck]

Children should never be discouraged from doing things that interest them. The will need help assessing the talent and their future based on that talent. (and by 'talent' I mean the ability to play and the love of playing). Reality is what they need. My oldest is a professional cello player. My second child has a performance degree in cello, but recently was accepted to med school. Music is a important part of human existance and everyone should be a part of it. Professional musician is another concept, and needs guidance.

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by BassMom88

So many great discussions and points of view...I've really been enjoying this thread! My daughter has always been musical, but it wasn't until she found the bass that she knew for sure that music was what she wanted to pursue as a career. It's kind of the family business so to speak (on my husband's side) so she's fully aware of the ups/downs of this industry. She is so fortunate to have so many wonderful role models/mentors/teachers in her life who give her very solid advice and guidance.
We have always treated music like any other school subject. It has always been a part of her day on some level. We wanted her to have the option of playing something. It wasn't really ever a hard sell - even as a young child. If she was in a rut or didn't want to practice, we just reminded her that nobody ever says that they regret learning how to play an instrument. Even if she ends up in a different career, it's still a skill she can use throughout her lifetime. Our only rule was that she couldn't quit until it was fun. She tried lots of different types of activities, but through the years it has always been music that feeds her soul, so my husband and I are very happy to help support her dreams/goals as best we can. Now on the reality side of things, there's no way we can pay even close to the going rate of tuition for any college regardless of her major, so she's going to have to figure that out herself and we'll help by paying what we reasonably can afford. As someone who paid way too much for college and paid it off (but then couldn't save enough for my kid) I have learned that the person who gets out of college with the least amount of debt, wins. So she's been working on her music and schoolwork/activities, trying to be as well-rounded as possible and hoping that she earns a scholarship somewhere - and she's staying flexible about her plan. As far as finding musical endeavors to help her prepare, we don't have a performing arts high school in our area and her school doesn't even have a jazz band, so she's found a few in-school opportunities playing for the chorus and drama club and some after-school community and volunteer opportunities. During the summers she's been to some wonderful music camps that have really helped her growth as a musician. It's all worked out quite well giving her some great experiences and she's made some really good friends and contacts within the music industry. She's had successes and disappointments and she knows that's how it goes. Now, at this point in time, keeping her grounded and focused is our job as parents. Her first paying gig at 15 a few weeks ago was a trip to Las Vegas performing on national television and working with some incredible people..soooo she skipped a few steps there, but has resolved to practicing even more - because even though there's still a ton of hard work ahead, it's so much fun. She loves to play and perform and she definitely doesn't want to quit. She was lucky enough to have that amazing experience and she hopes it can happen again. You just never know what can happen or when the phone will ring or who you might meet, but she knows to be prepared.
So overall or the TL;DR version is. It's her life and her choices and as a parent, I really just want her to be happy/healthy and to be a good person who can make her way in the world and hopefully leave it a better place. The path of how to get there may change over the years, but right now it's music and as many of you know that's a pretty nice thing to have in your life - on any level. Enjoy the journey

I saw my daughter recently in her 5 th grade orchestra. Second Violin. She loves the arts. Should see her drawings. Very creative in the arts. Unfortunately, One of the teachers had to do the brass and strings which were separate. Then my daughter got up there and did her chorus performance. Was 4 music teachers last year and now two. Its just sad. Im not trying to discourage music performance as a career. Just trying to see where its going. Unfortunately I can't give an answer. I just hope there is enough to go around. I just want the best for my child. There may just be enough for the elite musician. Not sure where the bass will be 30 years from now.