Many years ago I had run into an old childhood friend. We hadn't seen each other for twenty years so we had some catching up to do. He had started a small business in another state and it was floundering. He was clearly troubled when he spoke of it and then said, "You're really lucky. You play guitar."
Although I didn't say anything to him, I was a little offended. Luck had nothing to do with it. I started as a kid and worked my butt off. I couldn't tell my friends about my dreams of a successful music career because they would have laughed at me. Well, maybe not, but in my teenage awkwardness that's what I imagined. But I had been working hard at this since I was 15 years old.
Trying to earn enough to provide for my family was a huge challenge and so I worked as much as I possibly could. I was balancing my blue-collar roots with the highest level of professionalism I could. I finally hit the wall. I was actually too busy. I was teaching 93 private students, 3 classes, and 2 ensembles in 5 different locations around the state and was driving over 700 miles each week. I usually got home around 10:00PM except Saturdays when I would get home around 7:00PM. I wasn't feeling very lucky. Just tired.
One constant that any private music teacher has (and I suppose this is true for art or dance classes as well) is attrition. People take lessons for a while and then stop. So part of the job is replacing them. However, this time I didn't. I let things shrink some. Instead I started to practice more and occasionally played a gig or two. Balance. It's always about the right balance and I was starting to seek it out. And the thing about balance is that we're never completely balanced. There is always some correction one way or the other. But I'm getting closer.
So these days, as I look back, I'm grateful for the opportunities that I've had. Making a living playing and teaching classical music on a guitar is an unusual activity. It's been a humble life, but a worthwhile one.
I've had time to reassess the "lucky" comment made by my friend. I still think he was wrong. But I am lucky that I've met so many wonderful people. "Kings and paupers" as it were. I get to be on a first name basis with "movers and shakers". I treat them with respect and affection and they reflect it back to me. Funny how that works.
I am very lucky to have met so many talented and hard working artists over the years. And luckier still to be able to call them my friends. I feel fortunate that many of my former students have joined their ranks. To read favorable reviews about their playing or that they've won a prestigious award is very gratifying.
Being a professional artist is a manic life. Working too much and then not working enough. There is always some worry about earning enough and taking care of the "nuts and bolts" of life. But being an artist is also a philosophy and an entire lifestyle. So when I have a young student who is seemingly interested I tell them the truth. It's generally not very glamorous and you can end up spending a lot of time alone. But if you study as much as possible, work very hard, and plan on being in it for the long haul you can have a successful life in the arts.......if you're lucky.