Let's cut to the chase - read this!
This entry won't be long because Yo-Yo Ma's advice really hits the point, at least for my set of beliefs and ideologies - that music is for music, to grow the community, for the neighbourly-ness. If we use music as a transactional process, then we miss the point of it all. Yes, we need to feed ourselves and our families, but the monetary aspect of performing music is prioritised further down that chain of command.
To me, it really is like religion. Don't worry I won't touch this and besides, I'm not the kind who will shove religion down someone else's throat. But I do believe that God works in His way and that everything will come/happen in due time.
True story: I was thrown into percussion in secondary school because of my piano background. Prior to that, I was playing the flute in primary school and wanted to continue it into secondary school. Of course I was disappointed that it didn't work out but who knew that I would be having so much fun learning and playing percussion! Look where it brought me today! Call it fate or destiny but to me, it really is God's blessing and we usually only realise it on hindsight.
I am a firm believer that if we stay true to ourselves and to the music, everything else that is secondary (and further down the chain) will come in its due time. As I said, I'm not out to force my beliefs on you, so please take it with a pinch of salt if they don't align with yours. But whicever it is, I would love to hear from you so please comment below! It's always interesting to hear various stories and beliefs. In the meantime, thanks again for reading and I hope you guys stay safe and well out there!
Joachim