Studio Work and Popular Music degree

[dyuaru]

Hi Justin,
As the title of this message alludes, I'm that asian kid that you bumped into at FYF fest yesterday. Sorry if I took up a little too much of your time, I know your daughter was tired It was great running into you and I was totally starstruck and I was thinking it was kind of ironic that you're more famous than any of the acts at fyf yet just hanging around the grounds

Anyways, I had a question about studio work and what it takes. I'm a Business Major studying at USC and will be double majoring in music starting second semester. (Music's the passion, business is the safety) I came to USC with the idea that I wanted to double major in Vocal Arts as that's what I'm working on at the moment but it's always been difficult for me juggling singing and playing bass. I love playing bass and right now I'm starting to consider majoring in the new Popular Music program just cause there's a lot of opportunities to jam and work with others like me. Alphonso Johnson is the main bass teacher there and it would be really awesome. I just realized this schpeal doesn't have much to do with the studio work question but I'm not really sure which direction I should go and seeing as you're a successful LA musician and director, I was hoping you could help.

Thanks,
Philip Cho

[JimmyM]

dude, i can't think of a degree that compliments a music degree better than business. it is, after all, a business, and i wish i had understood that more fully when i was your age. but i think you need to set your own priorities and decide which is most important to you musically. studying with alphonso would be great. but more than anyone else in the band, good singers are the most in demand. still, not like bass players have gone out of style. if anything, they're more in demand now, even though keyboard players keep trying to replace us

so i can't tell you which to choose, but if i were you, i'd work really hard at combining singing and playing. i've gotten gigs over people who can play circles around me on bass simply because i can sing. i'm not a great singer, but i'm a good singer who can harmonize well, arrange harmony parts quickly, and throw down a convincing lead vocal when i stick to my strengths.

again, not the question you asked, but by all means, try to combine them. it's a good career move because it makes you even more valuable than doing one or the other.

[jmjbassplayer]

HI Philip,

Nice to see you on here. And nice to have met you.

I'm not sure how to answer your question, or what your question specifically is, but I will attempt to put it together.

You need to do whatever you do with confidence, resolve, security, and commitment. So if you really want to do this, there shouldn't be a doubt. A backup? Sure. Nothing wrong with that, especially a business major. That's excellent! But don't let the backup steal your fire away from your passion. But first, you need to establish what your passion actually is. If you don't dig Vocal Arts as a double major, switch over, man! Focus on your passion. Get what you want, because now's the time.

All that aside, every free moment you have should be spent exercising your skills, and NOT alone. You should be jamming with all kinds of people. Late into the night, every night.

Eat it, sleep it. It's your life. If you want to do music, do it NOW, and do it in every other moment you're not working on your other major (which has great validity, by the way).

It doesn't actually matter as much "what it takes". What matters more is what you think it takes to be all the musician you want to be. Anything I say to you about that is irrelevant in the long run, because ultimately I believe that every problem, difficulty, trap, challenge, hurdle that gets in the way of becoming a successful musician has little to do with whatever anyone else says, and EVERYTHING to do with your own passion and drive vs. YOUR OWN obstructions and/or barriers along the way, perceived or otherwise. It's largely in you, you are responsible for your destiny. Not the ups and downs of the music business, not the odds against you. So very very much is in your mind when it comes to the subject of "making it". People can blame all kinds of extraneous factors that swallow them up, but I submit to you that any barrier I've ever had or still have is largely self-created. That's a big pill to swallow, but at least it means you are responsible for your life and destiny, wholly and completely. That's what works for me, anyway.

All the best to you. Follow your heart.

Best,
JMJ

[dyuaru]

Thanks for the input guys.
Yeah I definitely want to try combining the two majors but I'm not really sure if the Popular Music department will allow it. Hopefully I can work something out.

Justin, I definitely need a much more confidence and security with it but it helps a lot to hear those words. I was pushed by my music directors in high school to pursue music but my parents had always looked down upon it and said it wouldn't be a practical profession. However, that's where my passion is and I really gotta take that to heart. I'm definitely gonna look into what the Popular Music department has to offer and see what I can do. I would definitely want to do both bass and vocals cause I enjoy both equally.

Thanks for the words of encouragement!