Posted by tuba-lew on August 17, 2000 at 07:16:18:
In Reply to: Re: Can you make a living? posted by Jim on August 17, 2000 at 00:37:48:
I am not a professional but have a sister and a brother and a very good friend who are. As Jim said, a very small proportion of players, or any instrument, survive solely on playing. Most that I know supplement their income by teaching, either private students and/or fulltime in a school. A family friend is one of the best french horn players in the world, and he currently teaches in a conservatory (in Europe where he is from) for a living. He still plays, but it doesn't pay the rent.
On a more philosophical note (no pun intended), I believe that one can't really be living unless you are doing what you love. You should never go into anything for the sole purpose of "making a living." Only by doing something for which you have a true passion can you fully succeed. If the passion is there you will find a way to live, if not, don't bother.
Just one person's opinion.