I'm thinking about doing a diploma or some kind of course in Music or Music Technology. I just wondered if any of you have studied music academically and whether or not you thought it was worth it?

Any advice would be gratefully receieved.

I used to be strongly against it before, but now I don't see why not. In fact, I've taken a lot of courses in musicology at the university over the years. To be honest they've been very disappointing and not really challenging at all, but hey - it's a way to kill time at least.

Just be careful with the "music tech"-programs, a lot of them won't teach you anything you couldn't learn at home yourself by reading usenet discussion groups. Many of the programs have even used substandard equipment claiming to be of "professional standard". The real recording engineer programs usually won't admit more than a couple of people in, the rest seem to be cashing in efforts to me (as it's something so many seem to want to do).

I've been taking a couple classes a semester for the last couple years and I'm not sure why. The musician teacher who runs the program has told me on numerous occasions that the only reason people get a degree in music is to teach.

While I'm not going to be a teacher, the second and third theory classes have been a challenge and it has me questioning why I'm doing it. The money and time investment has never bothered me before but when people are getting degrees with a career plan it seems kind of frivolous to just take classes

At the end of the day, whatever, it doesn't matter as long as you are growing and forever learning, I think that's the real point as a musician.

My opinion about this is that courses kill creativety. Your tech. will improve but feelings get limited to rules. I never took any lesson at all and just created my music with the feeling i had at that moment.
The danger in a cource is becomming mainstream and a copy of the teacher.
Beter to explore yourself and come up with original ideas.
My vote is nay

Lechovitz

http://www.myspace.com/lechovitz
[Edited 2/16/07 12:10pm]

knowledge is always better than ignorance.

I find it very helpful knowing the hows and whys of getting from point A to point B and beyond. Garnering knowledge can only help...

YAY!!! I just received my Bachelor's of Music in December, emphasis on Vocal performance. I am now auditioning for graduate schools.I believe studying music helped me appreciate it more. I think the thing that turns people off about "classical" music or technique is that they haven't gone deep enough in it to know exactly how to apply it to their lives. It can prove so useful, it makes you find out exactly what and why you like the things about music that you do. I was so blessed to have received my education and I suggest it to anyone who can seriously commit to it. If it's your life then learning a little bit more won't hurt.
[Edited 2/19/07 20:45pm]

If you want to work profesionally in the music industry, formal education will help a lot. I'm often sorry I didn't take that route. (Then again, studying language did land me a nifty job as a writer in advertising. Choices!)

Scofield is living proof that formal eductation needn't hurt your feel or originality. Many other great musicians have proven that you don't need iut to play great. It's your decision!

My feeling is knowledge is good, but the more knowledge, the more work it is to incorporate it into your own style. But is you can do it it will pay off in the end.