I sometimes think about all the hours I spent practicing and the sacrifices I made. I had a private teacher who easily could of been a very successful full time musician as he was a great arranger and pop player. Howeever the belief of the day was to take the Classical route in my lessons because I wanted to pursue music in College and get a teaching degree. In those days there was very little besides Classical taught in colleges. Beerkey just opened and wasn't accredited for a teaching degree I wanted and I couldn't afford it anyway.
I still believe most of what I've learned and used musically I taught myself. If we ony had Youtube back then !!! I beleive I could of been so much better with better info. If I could do it over some things would be different but its been and interesting part time career. Now that things are slower musically I feel a relief from the pressure of having to practice, learn new material, keeping up with the latest DJ stuff etc. and most of all the self promoting. When I want to practice now I get lost in my new piano and enjoy playing for my dog. Did the money equal the time, definatly not. I made as much bartending at a Country Club while in college as I did playing gigs at night. And i didn't have to invest in a van load of equipment.
How good do you have to be nowadays? From what I've seen not very. A basic skill of an instrument and a great voice is the key nowadays.
Paul Schaffer, great keyboarist from the old Letterman show was on the other night. So what did they have him do ? SING ! He stinks at singing but thats what sells.
Bottom line is when its all adds up music has given me a lot of pleasure in different ways some not related to money.