At one point in life I also had the mistaken (and costly) impression that one should pursue one's dreams: that is a fine idea if the dreams are good and you have a way to make a living and stay solvent and prepare for the future. But to think it must make a living is to make a demand of the marketplace that it has no care whether it satisfies for you.
I think the author's angst comes from missing that:
1) Markets outweigh other financial considerations we wish for. Currently, those don't support as many musicians as there are people wanting to be professional musicians. As a music and history lover who got some attention as a youth (also in a small pond), I eventually realized that programming pays better, if one is persistent to learn.
2) We can scratch our itches in the form of hobbies or outside interests, as part of having a balanced life. And in activities with family, friends, neighbors, and church members. For example, my mother made us practice the piano (she was just tougher than I was when I tried to quit), and I am so grateful to my very non-wealthy parents for those sacrifices. We had good times as a family singing around the piano: we weren't what anyone would call very good at it, but those are priceless memories to me. (It also taught us that we can do hard things, if one sticks with it and practices the right way, like, one hand slowly with many repetitions, then put them together: life can be similar.)
We sang mostly "parlor music", like Stephen Foster melodies from an old book, etc etc., and kidded each other and had popcorn and told stories etc. It didn't have to make me a living to add joy to life. Similarly for our little, amateur, local church choir. Some people learn to jam together. (Coolness...)
We have to make realistic choices (and avoid debt!), and strive for a balanced life. I write some things about having a balanced life, and balanced human growth in good ways, at http://lukecall.net .
I think the author's angst comes from missing that: 1) Markets outweigh other financial considerations we wish for. Currently, those don't support as many musicians as there are people wanting to be professional musicians. As a music and history lover who got some attention as a youth (also in a small pond), I eventually realized that programming pays better, if one is persistent to learn. 2) We can scratch our itches in the form of hobbies or outside interests, as part of having a balanced life. And in activities with family, friends, neighbors, and church members. For example, my mother made us practice the piano (she was just tougher than I was when I tried to quit), and I am so grateful to my very non-wealthy parents for those sacrifices. We had good times as a family singing around the piano: we weren't what anyone would call very good at it, but those are priceless memories to me. (It also taught us that we can do hard things, if one sticks with it and practices the right way, like, one hand slowly with many repetitions, then put them together: life can be similar.) We sang mostly "parlor music", like Stephen Foster melodies from an old book, etc etc., and kidded each other and had popcorn and told stories etc. It didn't have to make me a living to add joy to life. Similarly for our little, amateur, local church choir. Some people learn to jam together. (Coolness...)
We have to make realistic choices (and avoid debt!), and strive for a balanced life. I write some things about having a balanced life, and balanced human growth in good ways, at http://lukecall.net .