Att bli och att vara framgångsrik musiker – socialisation och sortering genom livet

This article concerns learning, socialization and social sorting among successful musicians. The aim is to understand and problematize not only what it means to become a classical musician but also what it entails to be a successful classical musician. In what ways are musicians socialized through life? What approaches are formed among musicians, and what is the meaning of these when it comes to performance of work? Are their specific arenas and rituals of particular importance, when it comes to socializing and sorting among musicians? Interviews and documents about twelve musicians have been analyzed with the aid of Bourdieusian concepts, for example, practical sense and habitus, and research on elitist practices within music, arts and sports. The results indicate that there is a typical and similar career path for successful musicians, where young musicians are socialized into considering their careers in music as natural and given. The musicians are recognized as talented or wonder children at an early age, and they are accepted as students of a master teacher. Their careers are built by merits, such as a spectacular debut leading to an international career. These career steps function as both merits and as an opening of doors. Further, they contribute by strengthening the musicians´ identities and their roles as successful musicians and role models within the field.