Hi. I have been thinking, is my violin progress too slow, or is this ok? My piano teacher has said that the piece I am playing on violin now (I am 14), the Mendelssohn concerto, should have been finished when I was four. So I'm starting to wonder am I too slow or am I still safe, can I still study violin at university?
And if you are working, (after studying music at university) I would like to know what job you do now. I would also be happy to hear from people who play other instruments than strings.

When you were 4?! I would be inclined to think that you're more than 'safe' as you put it... I was accepted to study violin at university and had only been playing for 3 years when I was 14.

Did she also say that you should have neen at univeristy when you were 8?

I think it was a joke, or your piano teacher has exceptionally little grasp on reality and the music profession.
Mendelssohn at 14 is fine. Of course it depends more how you play it, as getting through the notes isn't that big a deal but making them sound good really is with this piece. I'm sure university level music is attainable if you keep working hard and ensure that you progress technically and musically. You still have 3 years before auditions. I know people planning on auditioning for places like Eastman, Michigan U (USA) and RNCM with Mendelssohn...(maybe it's easier than most pieces people would choose but that says a lot about your standard I think).

You have loads of time. I was only doing my grade 5 at 14 and I did a music degree at Manchester. To get on to University courses you need to have grade 8 in your first instrument and at least grade 6 in piano - obviously the standard is much higher for music college.

I graduated 2002 and now I do something completely different - I'm a legal researcher. Most of my friends who did the course with me are teaching. Some teach private instrumental lessons combined with some playing. To be honest very few make a living out of playing completely but some do. I have a friend who is a Jazz bassist who makes all his money performing.

Most degrees don't directly lead to a career and I think having a music degree makes you stand out a bit - it's something employers are always interested to talk about at interviews. The skills you develop as a musician are also very transferable. Just make sure that you keep up-to-date with other skills which will help you in a broader career: IT skills, etc.

Thanks for the replies.If I may ask another question, I guess I will need piano I might want to study composition, how high should my level be before university ?

I didn't know you had to have grade 6 piano??? :| *starts to panic*
I can only play piano to like grade 4 standard...
But my music teachers didn't do piano and they did music at uni

You don't. For example, Manchester specify grade 6 piano, I simply cannot play it and got an offer anyway, same with them, B'ham and KCL last year and they're probably the best 3 unis other than Oxbridge for Music. I guess I have good piano skills for harmony, score-reading and that sort of stuff but couldn't play a piece to save my life.