I've just started a postgraduate course at the Royal College in London, coming straight from university but I'm feeling so overwhelmed by it all. Even though I'm only part-time, I'm struggling to fit in my recommended 4 hours of practice, umpteen lectures, rehearsing in loads of chamber ensembles and then working to help pay for it all. Plus my new teacher has basically told me to completely change my technique and is trying to get me to play pieces I played when I was at school! I'm nowhere near up to standard!

The point is, has anyone else been in this situation or taken a year out in between uni and music college? I'm very much considering deferring till next september to give me a little time to develop, earn money and just help me mature. I know I'm so lucky to have been given this opportunity in the first place but I'm feeling so overwhlmed at the moment that I'm not enjoying it as much as I know i should and can be!

Sorry to have ranted, I was just wondering what teachers/students/parents thought about this. No worries though, this is a big decision so I'm not going to foolishly rush into anything!
Thanks

Hi Cakey

Congratulations on getting into RCM - a fine achievement.

I think it's early days yet for you - all new situations can seem really daunting and scary. Do you have a tutor you could talk this through with?

Try and get some help at RCM so you don't make the decision alone. If you take a year out, you just may find that you don't use it as well as you hope because other distractions will creep in and then next year might seem even harder to get started. Alternatively, it could work in your favour.

I would give it another couple of weeks or so and, after that, if you still feel the same way, seek help.

Good luck whatever.

Having technique picked apart seems to be a fairly common experience, judging from previous threads - most report feeling pretty demoralised by the experience, but then go on to say just how much their playing has benefited. I wouldn't see being given previous pieces to work on as a step back - you are at the level you have reached, but your teacher is using familiar material to help you to adjust your technique in order to be able to progress much further - it would be much more difficult to take on more challenging music whilst also changing technique. I've found going back to old pieces after a gap a very interesting process - I find that learning other music in between usually helps me to play them better, even if some of the notes have gone a bit rusty.

It is normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at the beginning of any new course or job - give it a few months to see how you settle in before jumping off at a tangent. Good luck!

Just out of interest, what uni did you go to and what instrument?

I went to Nottingham university studying clarinet

Hi,

You haven't had many responses to this I see. As a couple of people have said, it is early days yet and I would imagine you must be pretty good to have got in to do your course. How are things going now? Try and look to the positives, although I realise it can all be pretty scary at first.

I think I know someone who teaches clarinet at Nottingham.

I have also just started a MMus and so far have been thoroughly enjoying it and I think my BA Mus course has prepared me well so far, although again it is early days. I have my first clarinet lesson tomorrow and are looking forward to it.

Sorry I probably haven't added much, just wanted you to know that you're not alone.

Chin up, and good luck.

Aotearoa