Can You Become a Serious Pianist Without Becoming a Professional?

Maybe learning piano has been on your bucket list for a while, and you are finally willing to take it seriously – does that mean you need to become a professional? There is a general assumption that being serious about a sport, profession or even hobby automatically means pursuing it professionally.

As if there needs to be credibility in claiming, “I have started to take it seriously.”

Many adult pianists have careers, families and other commitments but still want to become accomplished musicians.

It is as though there are two unofficial boxes people can categorise you into: playing piano casually as a hobby, or becoming a professional pianist.

Often, the former gets painted as the lesser simply because it is for fun or recreation.

Whereas the latter receives wide-eyed recognition and praise, with the assumption that because you make a living from it, you must be a serious pianist.

Although this may most probably be true for many professionals, a casual pianist can be just as serious as someone who makes money from playing.

For many, piano ends as a fun hobby.

But for others, it is much more.

If you are looking to take your piano playing more seriously without turning it into a profession, this article will explore what it really means to become a serious pianist and how you can continue developing your skills without making piano your career.

Serious Does Not Have to Mean Professional

A professional pianist is someone whose piano playing forms part of their livelihood – whether through performing, teaching, accompanying or another musical career.

Whereas a serious pianist is someone who is committed to developing their musical abilities, regardless of whether they earn money from them.

A serious amateur pianist may actually study and practise at a very high level.

Yet, the word “amateur” should not be mistaken for unskilled or poorly trained.

Its original meaning relates to doing something for the love of it.

Being an amateur does not determine the quality of your playing.

It simply means that playing the piano is not your profession.

You Can Have Professional-Level Goals Without a Professional Career

Your goals for learning piano do not have to be financially motivated for them to be valid.

The standard you aim for can be high even if piano remains a personal pursuit.

There is no need to feel that your ambition to take the piano more seriously needs to be justified by the amount of money you earn from it, competitions you enter or any other external achievement.

For adult learners, many already have work responsibilities, making it difficult to take on another professional career or switch over completely.

It might still be a dream of yours, but it may not be feasible for the season you are in currently.

As mentioned before, this does not mean your skills are limited or capped simply because piano is not your whole life.

Rather, it can naturally form part of your life while progressing just as you would if it were your profession – without the stress or ties that come with piano being your job.

You can still set ambitious goals, learn challenging repertoire and continually develop your musicianship without needing to turn your passion into a career.

What Makes Someone a Serious Pianist?

A serious pianist is just as described in the title – someone who takes playing piano seriously.

It looks different from someone who only plays occasionally or whenever they feel like it.

If you play piano just for fun, you may be more likely to maintain your current skill rather than actively develop it.

A serious pianist, however, is committed to continuing to improve, even when progress is slow.

Yet, how does a serious pianist’s skill grow? This is an important aspect.

A serious pianist does not necessarily practise for hours every day, but they do practise regularly and purposefully.

There must be intention in their playing and an intention to become better each time they sit at the piano.

They remain curious about music instead of believing they have ‘finished learning’.

The seriousness is directed at your approach rather than the number of hours you practise.

And although more practice hours can certainly help, it is better to use that time with the intention of improving.

This means going beyond simply playing the right notes and paying special attention to rhythm, dynamics, musical expression and interpretation.

Performing Can Still Be Part of Your Journey

Performing might feel as though it is reserved only for professionals.

However, it is not.

A serious pianist can perform without pursuing a professional career.

It can be satisfying to see the results of your efforts on stage and have them appreciated by fellow musicians.

Performing gives practice a sense of purpose and teaches skills that simply playing alone cannot replicate.

Even performing once a year can help restore and refresh your love for learning the piano and push you to continue taking it seriously.

From student recitals to performing for charities or simply informal concerts for friends and family, performing – whether publicly or privately – can feel very rewarding as a serious pianist.

It is not just for the professionals, but for anyone who shares a love for music.

Conclusion

After reading this article, I trust you have peace and clarity of mind that you can become just as accomplished a pianist as a professional, even if it is only for the love of it.

There is no need to put unrealistic expectations and pressure on yourself to see results in order to prove that you are taking it seriously.

A serious pianist is committed to regular and intentional practice.

One who accepts that progress can be slow, but remains curious and willing to learn.

Your career does not determine how seriously you take the piano – you do.

If you would like expert guidance as you continue developing your playing, the London Piano Institute offers piano lessons for adults who wish to progress with confidence, purpose and musical depth.