Thinking about a year off university (music school)...

needmoney · #1 03-26-2008, 06:18 AM

Janek,

Lately I've been seriously contemplating taking a year off from my University course (Bachelor of Music). Basically I can leave and come back starting again where I left off...

It's not that I don't like it, it's quite good and I've met some great people and players. But in all seriousness, 50% of my classes are total time-wasters. By this I don't mean theory or aural, that stuff is all good. Some classes I sit (or stand) and think, why am I here when I could be practicing or even doing anything the slightest bit more constructive. I'm lucky to get a couple of hours in while I'm there for the day, between classes and trying to find a room (I'm usually there from about 8 'til 6).

As well as this, I now have a plethora of information, techniques and regimes which can and will boost my playing, but trying to find time to shed them between classes/assignments/homework as well as commuting to and from Uni... Let's just say I'm finding it quite tough at the moment.

So anyway, I'm wondering what your thoughts are on this subject. Basically I'd really like to take a year or so off school and just spend monday-friday (work saturday/sunday) practicing and really getting inside all the knowledge and material i've picked up and stored patiently but haven't had time to actually PLAY. It would also give me a chance to get some steady gigs which I'd really like to do since I have hardly had a chance whilst studying (which in turn could potentially get me off weekend work, leaving more time to shed). Oh and much more time for transcriptions!

Cheers mate,
Rick.

janekbass · #2 03-26-2008, 09:27 AM

Rick,

I'm all for it. I think there's nothing like spending a good amount of time shedding for many hours a day. If you want to be a great player you're going to have to do it at some point in your life. so why not now?

Play as many gigs as you can, try and take lessons with visiting musicians from time to time, and work on transcription as much as you can. I don't think there's a much better music education than that.

Easy,

Janek

needmoney · #3 03-26-2008, 04:49 PM

Thanks for your input Janek.

Your last paragraph is gold. Gigging and transcription are the two things I'd really like to spend much more time on. I've got to the point where I need to get out of the classroom and get out and play!

Also, funny you should mention the lessons. I was trying to line up a lesson with an amazing bass player from down south while he was up in Brisbane, and just couldn't slot it in with my classes. Let's just say I was quite peeved.

I just wonder, if I take the time off, will I really want to go back to get the paper? I guess time will tell..

Once again, thanks Janek!

Sorax · #4 03-27-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needmoney

Also, funny you should mention the lessons. I was trying to line up a lesson with an amazing bass player from down south while he was up in Brisbane, and just couldn't slot it in with my classes. Let's just say I was quite peeved.

Who was that?

janekbass · #5 03-27-2008, 05:40 PM

It really doesn't matter if you do want to go back to the paper. You can do that at anytime in your life. Taking time off, improving your playing, and seeing if you can work as a musician will tell what you need to know for your life. A piece of paper can't do that.

I don't know what it's like in Australia, but I know in the US one of the main reasons people graduate from school is to be able to get a good paid teaching position at some point. Ask yourself if you want to be a teacher at some point or not, and you'll answer the question of whether or not you'll go back to school at some point to get that piece of paper.

I dropped out of school in London at the royal academy of music after one year, I then came to the states and quit berklee after three semesters.

I have since taught at conservertoires and music schools all over the world from switzerland to los angeles, London to Japan. I'm on the faculty in a school in the UK whenever I'm there on tour, and I'm a clinician for several companies, all without a scrap of paper with my name on it. Well I do have my passport, but that only cost $150 and I got it in no time at all.

So I really don't think it matters in the end if you can play. You're going to do what you're going to do and at some point you'll be able to teach should you feel the need, and should there be students who show an interest in studying with you.

Easy,

Janek

needmoney · #6 03-27-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorax

Who was that?

Jonathan Dimond (www.jonathandimond.com)

needmoney · #7 03-27-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janekbass

I don't know what it's like in Australia, but I know in the US one of the main reasons people graduate from school is to be able to get a good paid teaching position at some point. Ask yourself if you want to be a teacher at some point or not, and you'll answer the question of whether or not you'll go back to school at some point to get that piece of paper.

Well I've been teaching one night a week at a small music school for about 6 weeks now (decent pay). Went from about 5 students to 8 and is still increasing, hopefully it will lead to another night. I'm guessing if I ever wanted to apply for a bigger and better teaching position, having that on my resume (as well as a good list of performances) would help me more-so than that piece of paper.

LowDown Hal · #8 03-27-2008, 07:54 PM

I am of a contrary opinion. Once you start living life and making money IT IS DIFFICULT to go back to school.

How far along are you towards your degree? I'd think real hard about sticking it out.

Sorax · #9 03-27-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needmoney

Jonathan Dimond (www.jonathandimond.com)

Melbourne is happening, apparently.

Quote:

Originally Posted by janekbass

I don't know what it's like in Australia, but I know in the US one of the main reasons people graduate from school is to be able to get a good paid teaching position at some point. Ask yourself if you want to be a teacher at some point or not, and you'll answer the question of whether or not you'll go back to school at some point to get that piece of paper.

Same deal here.

needmoney · #10 03-28-2008, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowDown Hal

I am of a contrary opinion. Once you start living life and making money IT IS DIFFICULT to go back to school.

How far along are you towards your degree? I'd think real hard about sticking it out.

I did a prepatory year, and will have done 1 year of my actual degree by the time I take the leave.

The thing is, I'm not really out to make money in the year off, I've got my whole life to fill my wallet. I'll just be spending the time practicing and gigging (whether it be paid gigs or just jam nights). I know what you mean though. If I started making good coin it would be tough to go back.

needmoney · #11 03-28-2008, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorax

Melbourne is happening, apparently.

Mhmm. Two killer bass players from up here recently made the move. Seems like a natural progression. Get the heck out of Brisbane and move to Melbourne!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorax

Same deal here.

I think it differs wherever you teach. Some places will want the paper, others will just judge on your ability (the latter being how I got the current job).

just_me · #12 03-28-2008, 09:10 AM

I only speak in my name and I know it's always different but I do think that school is a place with such a lot of informations; I wouldn't turn that down. I know it sucks sometime you can't practice because of too much class. but I think it teaches quite a lot....

SevenReasons · #13 03-28-2008, 07:13 PM

I did my first two years and have spent the last year and a half on a cruise ship shedding the **** out of my bass. Saved and ton of money and learned alot. I'll be going back to school in Sept. It was the best thing for my playing as it gave me time to sort all that info out. Plus you have all day long to shed ( when you're not hitting on the dancers:-) Its pretty easy to get the gig to if you can read okay. Not even read well just ok, cause you'll learn quick out here. Good luck

needmoney · #14 03-28-2008, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SevenReasons

I did my first two years and have spent the last year and a half on a cruise ship shedding the **** out of my bass. Saved and ton of money and learned alot. I'll be going back to school in Sept. It was the best thing for my playing as it gave me time to sort all that info out. Plus you have all day long to shed ( when you're not hitting on the dancers:-) Its pretty easy to get the gig to if you can read okay. Not even read well just ok, cause you'll learn quick out here. Good luck

Wow that sounds like great fun! The bold part is exactly what I'm getting at, and hoping to achieve.

Lokire · #15 03-29-2008, 11:16 PM

My experience is that I went to Cornish college of the Arts here in Seattle, studying music for a year (2006/2007). I loved it there. GREAT teachers, and I met a lot of really great people and players. I was learning a lot of important stuff, but like you, I couldn't find hardly any time to really drop everything and just practice what I needed to, inbetween classes, working on ensemble pieces, doing way too much repetitive theory work (not that that's bad), and writing papers and such. I struggled to really feel comfortable improvising in ensemble classes.

Anyways, I didn't go back this year, mainly because of financial reasons (Cornish is expensive!). But I noticed that just in the few months after school had ended, my playing drastically improved. And by the end of the summer I was amazed at how much more comfortable I was with improvising and trascribing. Learning by ear. Sight reading chord charts...etc. I feel like just having that freedom of being away from all the routines and requirements of school finally allowed me to put into practice all that I had learned over the year.

That's my experience anyways

needmoney · #16 03-30-2008, 03:17 AM

Thanks for sharing Lokire

bass349 · #17 03-31-2008, 11:52 AM

hey man i was in a similar position.. did a year of single study, then a 2 year contemporary course over here at waapa. I then migrated into the Ba Jazz stream and after a year and a bit of that i just couldn't handle being at the place any more for numerous reasons - one of the main things being that i just had so much to work on and was really struggling to organise myself and my study. All i can say is it was the best decision i could have made! I have been gigging HEAPS (which is the key IMO), with great players and my playing has improved out of sight in the last 12 months. I'm also making some serious coin in the process, gigging and teaching..

..which means i'm really struggling to make the decision to go back and finish my degree. IME it's been VERY hard to sacrifice that income and go back to living the poor student life.

As far as teaching goes.. you will definately get paid better (if you're working at schools not "music academy's"), but you may need to slap on the Dip Ed at the end of your degree (not sure over east, but thats how it works over here). A drummer i'm working with at the moment has just finished his jazz degree and is doing that Dip Ed at the moment - he mentioned that his pay will go from $45/hr to $60/hr when he gets the education dip.

Anyway, i have no regrets for the decision i made, and i was seriously worried at the time that i would. My practice routine is going better than ever and as well as my regular gigs, i've been doing heaps of sub gigs as my name is getting around town. If you do end up deferring just make sure you gig as much as you can, with players that are better than you. Network like a mofo whilst you're still studying, make friends with good/gigging players and make sure everyone has your number before you leave!

hope it helps bro.. and good luck with whatever path you decide to walk!

Andy.

pointbass · #18 03-31-2008, 01:15 PM

I would agree with Janek's observations .... if you intend to teach in an established institution or public school system the degree becomes important. But if you have performance as a goal it becomes far less critical.

I have a prestigious degree from a prestigious institution. In real life that diploma means nothing .... sure, it looks cool on a resume but that's about where it ends. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret the formal education and I always encourage everyone to at least seriously consider a fomal course of study, but it's not always the answer ....

Just be sure you have the requisite skills to push into the "real world", specifically, at least some general theory and the ability to read notation. Good luck with whatever route you decide to take .....

4Mal · #19 04-01-2008, 09:10 AM

Life happens and getting back to finish might be something that doesn't. Part of what getting 'the paper' show's is that you can committ, start and finish something. To a future employer, outside music - just in case you're one one of the 9999 out of 10,000 players that doesn't get to make a full time lkiving at music - nice to have a fall back that pays ...

True that the actual degree you achieve aften doesn't correlate to what it is that you end up doing in life - many, maybe most employers hire potential - not a specific skill set. Not having the paper is often a barrier to entry...

buckle down, get your degree and find the time to practice. Discipline - it's what's for dinner ...

janekbass · #20 04-01-2008, 10:40 AM

and this is why before I give any advice about anything I tell people to ask themselves a few serious questions.

If you go into the music business with the attitude of maybe not making it, then the you immediately shrink your chances of it happening because part of your brain is occupied with the chance that it might not.

Ask yourself the question of whether or not you really want it or not. If the answer is yes, put everything in your life aside for a while, including all the worries about the future, and make it happen. It's as much will power as it is hard work and talent. And there is no doubt that you can make your living as a musician on some level or another. It doesn't have to be touring the world with the latest rock band, or playing on the new whitney houston album. It can be playing 4 or 5 nights a week in the state where you're from. I know some really great bass players in texas for instance who spend most of their time working between houston, dallas, austin, and san antonio. They play with great players, have a lot of fun, make a good living, and lead a really happy life.

If you're not sure about what you want, you may want to take a while to really consider the options. If you're not sure making a living from playing or teaching is for you, then you may well want to hold onto the safety of an academic program for a little longer while you make up your mind.

Easy,

Janek