If your definition of success is “making it big” then you’re pretty much guaranteed to be disappointed, especially as that evaluation relates to what should be considered a hobby. Music isn’t something even a lot of professional musicians can make a living doing. Depending on what you mean by big then it’s possible that only a handful of people ever made it that far. That’s not a realistic goal to set for yourself in any endeavor.
My wife is a profesional musician who has received a number of accolades. Just from her connections, I have been stunned at how many “internationally known” musicians (within the field, not necessarily known to the layperson), with impressive histories, mostly get by doing tons of small scale gig work. Or who have to keep a completely separate day job to pay the bills (as my wife does).
People think they understand how much of a moonshot “making it big” in music is, but most truly don’t. It’s like winning the lottery or getting struck by lightning twice, plus a lot of sacrificing normal stuff from your life, and a whole lot of it depends on luck and things completely unrelated to your technical skill at musical performance.
It’s not toxic positivity to suggest that someone pick up a hobby when they’re no realistic chance of “making it big” in that hobby. Most hobby don’t have a “make it big” component and those that do 99% of people don’t make it so with your attitude why start at 3 either?
Some things are really impossible, like becoming an Olympic athlete or an astronaut, but most things are pretty reasonable to be done at any age. One can become an artist, a scientist, an entrepreneur, and a lot of things at any age.
And that is great, don’t get me wrong, but what are the chances he’s going to make it big?
Of course, that doesn’t matter as long as it makes him happy. But if there was an overton window for “success” it has almost certainly passed.
If your definition of success is “making it big” then you’re pretty much guaranteed to be disappointed, especially as that evaluation relates to what should be considered a hobby. Music isn’t something even a lot of professional musicians can make a living doing. Depending on what you mean by big then it’s possible that only a handful of people ever made it that far. That’s not a realistic goal to set for yourself in any endeavor.
My wife is a profesional musician who has received a number of accolades. Just from her connections, I have been stunned at how many “internationally known” musicians (within the field, not necessarily known to the layperson), with impressive histories, mostly get by doing tons of small scale gig work. Or who have to keep a completely separate day job to pay the bills (as my wife does).
People think they understand how much of a moonshot “making it big” in music is, but most truly don’t. It’s like winning the lottery or getting struck by lightning twice, plus a lot of sacrificing normal stuff from your life, and a whole lot of it depends on luck and things completely unrelated to your technical skill at musical performance.
It’s not toxic positivity to suggest that someone pick up a hobby when they’re no realistic chance of “making it big” in that hobby. Most hobby don’t have a “make it big” component and those that do 99% of people don’t make it so with your attitude why start at 3 either?
Kids who start guitar at three: …
Parents who start their kids on guitar at three: “HE’S GONNA BE POPULAR!”
Kids who start guitar at 28: “This is pretty relaxing.”
Some things are really impossible, like becoming an Olympic athlete or an astronaut, but most things are pretty reasonable to be done at any age. One can become an artist, a scientist, an entrepreneur, and a lot of things at any age.
In practical terms I’m equally likely to make it big picking up an instrument today as I was as a child.