oracle2world:

It varies enormously, because of child prodigies. But generally a musician (no matter what genre of music) is always playing or practicing music all the time.

A virtuoso musician plays music in a virtuoso fashion (aka perfectly for the genre). So Evgeny Kissin played some easy music in a virtuoso fashion at a young age where his talent was recognized.

As far as classical music, unless you are extremely well connected or a child prodigy, forget it. Few classical musicians ever make a living (even a meagre living) from it.

Jim:

If you consider a virtuoso to be a soloist who travels around the world performing in front of orchestras think again. The members of the orchestra might be better musicians. I remember hearing a story about the Los Angeles Philharmonic traveling in three busses for a school concert. One of the busses broke down and the remaining two thirds of the orchestra decided to put on the concert anyway. They were passing parts around like mad. Trumpet players sight reading and transcribing flute parts, Cellists sight reading viola parts. That’s virtuosity!