As a musician and as someone who's been inspired by many, different sorts of "artists", do you believe in getting a dgree in music? I specifically mean the schooling of theory, how to produce,etc..( I think Jason has some sort of degree.)
Or do you believe in getting loose, and jamming without making sure that every notes is correct or even impressive?

As as someone who has went to school and got trained, how are you able to seperate or blend in your creative side with the technical part?

I tried getting into Berklee College of Music in Boston but it sure isn't easy, and it certainly is expensive. It's hard to find many universities that offer degrees in music outside of being a great performer on one instrument or teaching music in school. Yeah, I'd love to be a professional music producer and songwriter, but where do you get a degree in that? It's more about who you know, and working your way into a job in a recording studio. It's too great a sacrifice for me to leave my job, friends & family to go to a big city on the slim chance that I might actually get a foot in the door and have someone take notice of me. A degree would help, but where do you get one outside of performing or teaching music? Besides, I'm happy where I'm at now with music as my hobby. Maybe someone here knows more about getting a degree in music and doors it might open for us?

My studio partner went to Berklee College of Music in Boston the same time as Steve Vai.

He said that it was the biggest waste of time, and that everything he learned he learned from a teacher that he hooked up with in Ft. Lauderdale when he got back home.

Vincent Breedice was the man.


Nowadays might be different if you were looking into producing, or engineering. But as far as playing the Axe, he said that even Berklee taught him nothing for carreer advancement in music.



The ones in the spot light today didn't get no "fo' mo' ed-u-cay-shun".

But the record executives did in accounting.
[This message was edited Tue Oct 1 11:05:39 PDT 2002 by yamomma]

I think a balance of both is important. I think formal training is good, but when I went to school I wasn't focused on my own songwriting. I ended up taking independent study courses in electronic music so I could.

Now that I have a degree, (an A.S. in commerical music) I've been focusing more on myself and exploring my writing and recording skills. If I went back to school, I would probobly go to the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. They offer 4-year degrees in commercial music. (Commercial music meaning the business and technical side of music, not being "commercial" or doing jingles.)

They're program looks really good for experience performing and the contacts you can make there. You can "major" in guitar, bass, voice, keybords or recording. www.mi.edu

I have an associates degree in musical engineering from a small Christian college. The equipment I trained on was far from par as compared to the technology of the current times, but I got the general idea and earned the degree.

Didn't do me any harm , although I learned and still learn more being on the outside and doing it.
Met some of the best musicians at college but also some of the worst!!

Studying one at the moment

Its very hard & Im the youngest in the class too but I know afterwards that I can proove my abilities on paper as well as pratically

In my opinion, if your thirst for knowledge is great (like mine), then experience is the best teacher.

Sometimes experience includes taking classes at a college other times a Workshop (where the same teaches perofrm and teach).

The piece of paper you've earned from someones' idea of what classes make up a degree means nothing to me in regards to music.

At the same time if a musician spends the time and money to go through Berkley, I've got to say "congrats". It's an accomplishment that is pale to none.

I am currently Getting my Minor in Music, and it helps you learn so much more. I have been reading music since I was about ten, and I am just adding to my knowledge and skills more and more every day. It's not necessary, but it can b fun 4 people who r musicians!

Not necessarily. I think it all depends on the individual. Some are more adept at learning their instrument and/or the technical side of recording, and composing/producing, etc. Others have to work harder at it, and may need (or just feel the need) to go to school for it and earn a degree. Most musicians in the music industry don't have degrees, but I wouldn't discourage anyone to take that road if that's what they want.

I'm currently about to rap up a Bachelor Of Popular Music
over here in OZ (3 years). It's been great, web design, Pro Tools, Live
sound reinforcement etc. I'd definitely recommend furthering
your musical studies if your so inclined and the opportunity
presents itself.

http://www.geocities.com/isaccole

"If U don't dig the ride... Get out and walk"
[This message was edited Mon Sep 23 18:22:09 PDT 2002 by mannix59]

A relative of mine just started at Berklee this month...

A lot of academically trained musos may B highly advanced in their chosen art 4m but from my experience it seems as though they have literally sold their souls 2 get there and it will show.

Very few people can maintain the 'feeling' U get from abstract with the combination of academic training.

If the vibe is right, U will know and it will flow... and the masses will hear.

There are a few artists on my roster who I deem 2 B 'conceptualists'. They don't have a degree or any other qualification in any field of music, but yet they seem 2 be able 2 express themselves.

Would it help if they were academically trained is purely subjective.

'dre

DreZone said:

once again, thankyou for your enlightening and articulate response. can u adress the alleations of the people who are on your roastors?

subyduby said:

There you are suby!

Get back to the General Discussion Forum this minute young lady!

2the9s said:

!!!

I am currently in my final year at the Queensland Conservatorium (in Australia) studying Orchestral Trumpet. I'm probably the only one in the whole institution who digs Prince. Most people just think he's some old pop star. I think as far as music thoeory and technique, university is a good way to go, but it is by no means the be-all-and-end-all of music. If you were truly into the music, you could still learn all this stuff without being in a university. Throughout music history, usually the most innovative people are the ones who turned their back on formal trainting ect. I am open to both views, so I figure that while I've got the opportunity to study (it's a lot cheaper to study here in Oz than in the US or UK) then why not? I'd rather do this now than regret it in 10 years time no matter what I eventually end up doing. The choice is yours!

I've got a Bachelors inVocal Performance. Before I graduated, I already had a job w/ the local opera comp. I then went to study/perform in Austria. I now wk at a major airlines and wonder WHY???I belive it is Ambition and the want and the courage over having peice of paper the declares one competent. You have to push yourself out there to be seen/heard. Look at all the so called "artists' with record deals, while we real musiscians, and poets, and composers, and opera singers (me), are struggling to make a living doing what we love , by subsedizing our salaries with jobs we don't. It is very difficult. I'm not saying not to get a degree,to educate oneself is the highest level of selfrespect. I'm just saying, I personally, am having a difficult time doing what I love, regardless of degree, because the record exec's would rather have a teeny bopping, skinny, no talent having big boobed girl that can dance to
overproduced "music loops",than a technically trained voice.

Whew! Sorry y'all.Touchy subject.

pazzuzzu said:

great post! i agree on a lot of it especially on the fact that education is very much self-respect.congratulations on your degree. how many years did it take to get that?!! also,
i never heard anyone doing Opera, can u contribute here and put up a file of u just singing anything? thanks.