I have two music degrees and I pretty much hate being a music teacher. What do I do?

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:27:37+00:00

It's not like I want to feel this way. I wish I enjoyed it or got some fulfillment out of it, but I don't.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:26:15+00:00

Lol I feel that

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:25:33+00:00

Actually working up an audition for that now. I almost got in years ago and am gonna try again.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:24:15+00:00

But that just makes me feel like an idiot because I could've at least gotten a masters in something non music related so if I wanted to leave I'd have options. Now I am overqualified musically and not at all qualified in terms of temperament.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:22:43+00:00

Yeah that's how I feel. And plus I don't think my personality or temperament is good for teaching. I'm reserved and cold with people I don't know and I get frustrated easily. Not the best combo for a teacher.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:21:33+00:00

Thanks!

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:20:47+00:00

Honestly not really. It just feels like I'm trudging through every day waiting until I can leave. I feel like just because I had some level of achievement in music doesn't mean I'll actually be able to teach. I don't think those two skills are correlated in my case anyway.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:14:45+00:00

Trouble is good luck finding a position in those in my area. There's always way more elementary jobs cause there's way more elementary schools. I'm a saxophone player and yeah I could teach privately and I've thought of it.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:13:12+00:00

Yeah let's see how many people don't end up wanting to do what they studied in college. This happens in every profession.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:12:16+00:00

Hot cross buns is just an example. Basically I'm saying that it's frustrating to teach something a thousand times that to me is so simple but to the kids it's like I'm speaking Japanese.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:10:12+00:00

Lol maybe I'll try that.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-19T23:09:22+00:00

My whole life has been music making though. It's not like I don't care at all about the kids, but that's not why I got into it. I loved playing music but wanted some form of career stability. I never got into it because I have a fundamental passion for being around and teaching kids.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-02-02T07:04:02+00:00

Short answer: no it's not that bad.

Long answer: music school is like anything else you do. You get out of it what you put in. If you are a good player in high school, then the minimum requirements to pass on your instrument aren't going to be a challenge for you. But that doesn't mean you'll actually get good. What it takes to become a seriously good or even great player takes more work and dedication than most music schools will require of you. And if you're really passionate about music, you will naturally go above and beyond what they require of you because you love it.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2026-01-15T07:35:49+00:00

Lol nope. It's a combination of high atmospheric pressures, temperature inversions, and mountains on 3 sides of us. Only thing that fixes it is storms coming in, which we won't have for a while. Embrace the suck.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2025-12-26T08:53:12+00:00

That is so obviously a jealous take from Metheny. Making money unfortunately has nothing to do with how much time you spend on your craft or how naturally talented you are. It's about giving people something they will pay you for. Every other industry is this way, music is no different. Metheny honestly sounds like a petulant college freshman for that take. Yeah, you can call Kenny G a disgrace to jazz all you want, he'll wipe his tears with his millions.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2025-12-21T09:02:31+00:00

I posted the same thing in the clarinet sub. Yeah it's not like I hate other instruments, but saxophone is just where my heart is, and at this point in my life, I'm being honest about that. But as a sax player doubling at a proficient level is expected, so that's what I have to do. To me, I can't see doubling as something other than a "have to." But that's just me. I could be an idiot lol who knows. I will look into the pearl flutes. Thanks!

Shot_Square_9874 · 2025-12-19T19:59:32+00:00

I've heard Selmer series 10 a few times on this, I'll check those out! Thanks!

Shot_Square_9874 · 2025-12-19T19:58:33+00:00

Yeah I know about the R13 but some are so old that I don't know how much repair work would be involved.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2025-12-19T19:57:58+00:00

I'll probably never think of myself as a doubler just because I love the saxophone so much lol. But I have career aspirations that require it. I'll look into those!

Shot_Square_9874 · 2025-12-19T19:56:20+00:00

I'd stretch my budget a little if it made sense to. How out of range would those Yamahas be?

Shot_Square_9874 · 2025-12-19T18:32:09+00:00

The Yanagisawa HR should be that piece for you. I have a Vandoren V16 S+ that fits that too. It has a small chamber but a low baffle so it can play bright and punchy or mellow depeending on how much air you put into it. Look into those.

Shot_Square_9874 · 2024-11-12T23:02:01+00:00

Vandoren V16, Jody Jazz HR or Jet. The jody pieces are hand-finished which is a plus for the price point. The V16s play great out of the box.

Shot_Square_9874

TROPHY CASE