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JOIN THE DISCORD VIEW THREADI get why Syn calls you 'the truth' because that's some really solid adviceSimple, hard truth time.
Your parents actually WANT you to succeed. They do love you. They have difficulty accepting that music is a path to success.
They're not wrong, if you're honest. For every Syn out there making millions, there are literally millions out there not making ANYTHING. I know - I was one of them. Well, still am, but it's less relevant to me now. There's a REASON that most first-generation entertainment success stories are people who started with nothing - they had nothing to lose and parents could pin their hopes on the minuscule chance of success like buying a lottery ticket with their last $2.
Syn is not first generation. Papa (I think) was. He could speak to his life growing up, if he wants to, but it may have been long enough ago that it didn't matter (no offense, big man!) - the industry changes a lot.
Grades = choices. Period. The better your grades are, the more choices you will have in life. The more options and, dare I say, the more freedom. To pursue your passions, or whatever. And if you've gathered the smarts along with the chops, you're not relying on people you may or may not be able to trust to handle those decisions for you. Read up on Billy Joel and what his brother-in-law/manager did to him. There are a million stories like that. They used to call them "Behind the Music" on VH1.
The other equation to consider is "communication = maturity." Take some time to compose your thoughts about a compromise you could make with your parents. Sit down with them calmly (at a good, calm time for all of you), and let them know you want to work towards a solution that proves to them that you're taking your schoolwork seriously while also allowing you reasonable time to play guitar. Explain that you know that while you want to be a successful musician, you are also aware that you need to have a backup plan and that knowledge is power - that even if you DO make it in music, you understand that you need an education to really understand it.
My parents did not understand my love of music. They never got it. But as long as my grades were decent, they left me alone. Not GREAT, but decent. Find the balance that works with your parents. They DO love you - they just don't understand a better way to approach it. There's no handbook that comes with the job, and it's REALLY FUCKING HARD sometimes. We make mistakes.
And you... You're very good. VERY good. But that's no guarantee of success. Being the BEST is no guarantee of success. That's entertainment.
Good luck. We love you.
Ed, you should be charging people for this kind of advice! Plus, it took a lot not to mention a certain band in Canada.
Simple, hard truth time.
Your parents actually WANT you to succeed. They do love you. They have difficulty accepting that music is a path to success.
They're not wrong, if you're honest. For every Syn out there making millions, there are literally millions out there not making ANYTHING. I know - I was one of them. Well, still am, but it's less relevant to me now. There's a REASON that most first-generation entertainment success stories are people who started with nothing - they had nothing to lose and parents could pin their hopes on the minuscule chance of success like buying a lottery ticket with their last $2.
Syn is not first generation. Papa (I think) was. He could speak to his life growing up, if he wants to, but it may have been long enough ago that it didn't matter (no offense, big man!) - the industry changes a lot.
Grades = choices. Period. The better your grades are, the more choices you will have in life. The more options and, dare I say, the more freedom. To pursue your passions, or whatever. And if you've gathered the smarts along with the chops, you're not relying on people you may or may not be able to trust to handle those decisions for you. Read up on Billy Joel and what his brother-in-law/manager did to him. There are a million stories like that. They used to call them "Behind the Music" on VH1.
The other equation to consider is "communication = maturity." Take some time to compose your thoughts about a compromise you could make with your parents. Sit down with them calmly (at a good, calm time for all of you), and let them know you want to work towards a solution that proves to them that you're taking your schoolwork seriously while also allowing you reasonable time to play guitar. Explain that you know that while you want to be a successful musician, you are also aware that you need to have a backup plan and that knowledge is power - that even if you DO make it in music, you understand that you need an education to really understand it.
My parents did not understand my love of music. They never got it. But as long as my grades were decent, they left me alone. Not GREAT, but decent. Find the balance that works with your parents. They DO love you - they just don't understand a better way to approach it. There's no handbook that comes with the job, and it's REALLY FUCKING HARD sometimes. We make mistakes.
And you... You're very good. VERY good. But that's no guarantee of success. Being the BEST is no guarantee of success. That's entertainment.
Good luck. We love you.
I was actually talking about Triumph, of course.Well, with Neil passed now, there was no point, but I'll look for places to mention Rush in the future, for sure. Thanks for the advice!
Simple, hard truth time.
Your parents actually WANT you to succeed. They do love you. They have difficulty accepting that music is a path to success.
They're not wrong, if you're honest. For every Syn out there making millions, there are literally millions out there not making ANYTHING. I know - I was one of them. Well, still am, but it's less relevant to me now. There's a REASON that most first-generation entertainment success stories are people who started with nothing - they had nothing to lose and parents could pin their hopes on the minuscule chance of success like buying a lottery ticket with their last $2.
Syn is not first generation. Papa (I think) was. He could speak to his life growing up, if he wants to, but it may have been long enough ago that it didn't matter (no offense, big man!) - the industry changes a lot.
Grades = choices. Period. The better your grades are, the more choices you will have in life. The more options and, dare I say, the more freedom. To pursue your passions, or whatever. And if you've gathered the smarts along with the chops, you're not relying on people you may or may not be able to trust to handle those decisions for you. Read up on Billy Joel and what his brother-in-law/manager did to him. There are a million stories like that. They used to call them "Behind the Music" on VH1.
The other equation to consider is "communication = maturity." Take some time to compose your thoughts about a compromise you could make with your parents. Sit down with them calmly (at a good, calm time for all of you), and let them know you want to work towards a solution that proves to them that you're taking your schoolwork seriously while also allowing you reasonable time to play guitar. Explain that you know that while you want to be a successful musician, you are also aware that you need to have a backup plan and that knowledge is power - that even if you DO make it in music, you understand that you need an education to really understand it.
My parents did not understand my love of music. They never got it. But as long as my grades were decent, they left me alone. Not GREAT, but decent. Find the balance that works with your parents. They DO love you - they just don't understand a better way to approach it. There's no handbook that comes with the job, and it's REALLY FUCKING HARD sometimes. We make mistakes.
And you... You're very good. VERY good. But that's no guarantee of success. Being the BEST is no guarantee of success. That's entertainment.
Good luck. We love you.
Hi brothers and sisters, as you know I used to be a pretty much active member here but maybe you realised that these last days I kinda disappeared from the forums.
I talked to my best friends here, they already know the shit I'm living but I think I should talk to you too. You guys are a 2nd family to me. I miss you guys. So here it goes:
I've been with problems about how to be a guitar student and a school student. I'm in 11th grade in a science course, like the hardest year ever. My grades are REALLY bad, and, because of that my parents dont let me play as much as I want. They tell me to study all my free time and they only let me play at the end of the day for 30/40 minutes.
They say that if I don't do better at school, they take my guitars with them...
Last month they toke my guitars with them and they put them in a locked room and I didn't play for so long... They always say that I'm destroying my future when I'm practicing instead of studying. They say I'm stupid. They say I play bad. They say that there's too much good players on earth, so no one cares about me.
They say if my grades keep bad they sell my guitars.
I've been working hard to get better grades, I really am, but I can't. School is hard. Maths, chemistry... I can't do good....
I don't wanna give up guys. I'm trying to play sweep picking 2nd etude. I'm trying, I don't know if I can. Music is my only passion, the only thing I care about and the only thing gives me joy. The only job I want. My dad wants me to be a doctor. My mum wants me to b a nurse. I want me in a good job with money. I don't care about that I want to make a living on music, you know? I'd love to have supportative parents, ID love to go to a music school
I don't any live gigs to play. Don't have anyone to jam with. I'm alone in my room trying to understand chemistry formulas while I just can practice for 40 minutes. I want to practice for at least 4 hours, but I can't....
I don't know. I don't wanna give up. I'll try to be back more active here as some time ago, maybe it helps me to don't give up... Miss this family, I love you so much.
Did you have parents like mine when you were 16?
Thats what im talking about...metal people are the best in the world....very coolI'm actually a science major in college. In all labs, my group depends on me to keep them afloat on our projects. Therefore, if you want some extra help, tutoring, going over assignments, let me know! I use to work as a tutor as well teaching a group of 5-8th graders for a while. We can work something out.
Ed..im that old"Dear Captain" with a picture of Ann Landers, for those of you old enough to remember her.
Great, sound like pretty reasonable parents to me.I just wanted to thank you for all the amazing advices. Every one of you that wrote a post helped me to think better and to find a solution. You helped me to relax and understand things better. I know my parents love me and they want the best for me.
They are just afraid that if I follow music I don't get success. I have the best parents ever BC they care about me. I have friends that their parents dont care about their life. I'm lucky. I see it now. You helped me to realise that.
I had a conversation with my parents yesterday. Told them that at the same time I want music, I want a job with stability to have my own family one day. Told them that I want to study and I'm doing my best at school, and at the same time I need to save time to play at the end of the day.
They understood everything and apologized for being too rude sometimes. They won't take my guitars away again, my dad promised. I promised that Ill do better at school. They promised me that if I end high school with good grades they pay me a guitar course in Lisbon when I'm 18.
Again, you helped me to talk with my parents. A big thank you for you all. I love you all. You are the best!!
Sorry, Ed. I had to google this Father Frank,Good humans, all around. Glad it's settling down and working out! Now, as Father Frank used to say, shut up 'n play yer guitar!
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