Benefits of a Music Degree and the Learning Involved

[Beginner Bass]

I'm looking into goint to North Texas University for Jazz Studies, and perhaps go for an orchestral degree (I'm in orchestra and the school jazz band). I wanted to go for it because of the sheer learning experience of being in such a band, but also realize that a career as a musician is a tough goal. Besides just becoming a better musician, what are the benefits of going in such a direction?

[Scottgun]

Go for it. Don't worry about getting gigs. If you master your instrument and acquire a firm knowlege of music (the kind which only orchestral and jazz can give.), then you will be suited for any gig and they will come as a by-product of the work.

[esoomssab]

In my experience, a music degree is almost worthless. No one hires you for a gig because of a sheet of paper. I've heard plenty of college educated musicians (even from UNT, Berklee, NE Conservatory, etc.) who I would never hire or want to work with.

That being said, the benefits are of course the fact that you'll be playing and learning the whole time. Lessons on and off the instrument from people who (should) know what they're talking about and can really help you grow. Networking is another benefit. I have a buddy who was in the One O'Clock Lab Band at North Texas (alto sax) - he's constantly getting calls and opportunities from old friends and classmates. Dream Theater was formed while Petrucci, Myung, and Portnoy were all at Berklee.

The formal education experience is a great route, but you can't just expect to come out after 4 to 5 years being awesome. You'll be better than you were going in, for sure, but you get out of it what you put in. If you put in the time to network, meet people, and play in lots of different groups, you'll end up adding versatility and potential call-backs in the future. If you practice your ass off and take advantage of the knowledge and resources being given to you, you're playing will improve by leaps and bounds.

It's not for everybody, but I definitely enjoyed my experience at college. And I squandered most of it - I wish I could go back and finish my degree, but I ended up with a sweet gig without it.

Edit: The other thing I heard about UNT's jazz program - if you're going for bass, it can be really rough competition for the top lab bands (One O'Clock, etc.) The trumpet/sax sections get 4/5/6 guys x 9 bands - bass players get 1 guy x 9 bands. Just an FYI.

[Beginner Bass]

Originally Posted by esoomssab

The other thing I heard about UNT's jazz program - if you're going for bass, it can be really rough competition for the top lab bands (One O'Clock, etc.) The trumpet/sax sections get 4/5/6 guys x 9 bands - bass players get 1 guy x 9 bands. Just an FYI.

I am fully aware of the kind of competition there can be over such a covetted position. But I plan to improve the most I can. Besides, I have about 5 years to prepare, and I plan to make use of every one of them.

[jallenbass]

College for me was one of the most enjoyable times of my life. I have a BA and MM degrees in DB performance. After 13 years as a freelancer I "retired" and chose a different career path. What I could not have foreseen was how much my musical connections would help me to land a non-musical job. Twice.

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by Beginner Bass

I'm looking into goint to North Texas University for Jazz Studies, and perhaps go for an orchestral degree (I'm in orchestra and the school jazz band). I wanted to go for it because of the sheer learning experience of being in such a band, but also realize that a career as a musician is a tough goal. Besides just becoming a better musician, what are the benefits of going in such a direction?

No knowledge is wasted. However, in a field of study such as music (which is far from a pure science, as we all know), it is of arch-importance to be totally engaged in your studies, learning every possible nuance about the art and craft of music. The only way for it ever to be worthless is if you half-ass your way through it. Godspeed, John Glenn.

[m_bisson]

There's never a "need" for artists, whether it's music or dance, etc. The "best" are not always the most popular, which means that even if you become the best bass player ever you still may not be able to earn a living off of it.

You only live once, and you've gotta do what you love... That being said, having and being able to take care of a family is a lot more important to me than making music.

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by Beginner Bass

Besides just becoming a better musician, what are the benefits of going in such a direction?

I think you've pretty much listed it.

[onlyclave]

Originally Posted by Beginner Bass

I am fully aware of the kind of competition there can be over such a covetted position. But I plan to improve the most I can. Besides, I have about 5 years to prepare, and I plan to make use of every one of them.

Well, you're right up against players who have had 10 years to prepare.

You go to music school because you love and appreciate the art. Don't expect them to teach you how to play bass and don't expect them to get you a job afterward. That's all up to you.

In the seven years I spent in undergrad and graduate programs what I came away with most was how to practice and teach yourself.

BTW, how's your reading?

[bobwhite]

I am going to shoot out another angle.

Certain schools have become pipelines into certain elements of the music business--they are not just places to learn some music theory and skills. Belmont College in Nashville is such a place.

Trisha Yearwood, Brad Paisley and Josh Turner attended there, as well as a number of backing players and production/management folks. It has a fine music department, and since Belmont is located in and plugged into Nashville, it is a fine stepping stone. It has a great network. It also has all the other common degree programs--its a full service undergrad college.

If your goal is to be a working musician or to work in the biz, I'd suggest you look for and examine those schools and programs that best feed the pipeline--schools like Belmont.

[travep]

Here's something you might not have thought about. Denton is a pretty good place to be if you're musically inclined. It's cheap to live there, close to Dallas & Ft. Worth and you'll meet more uber-talented musicians that aren't even in the music school. I knew tons of students that were great players that were studying business or education. If you have the chops to get into their music program, I think you should strongly consider it. You'll end up with a worthy degree that will make you a well-rounded individual and, thus, employable if you leave the music field. I know that Berklee is a respectable music program but if you decide later that the music biz isn't for you, what will you have to fall back on? I say that while you're young, you should pursue it but go to a place that allows you to keep your options open...and UNT is one of the top schools and you can use electives to explore other areas of interest if you are concerned about the viability of a career for you in music.

Just my 2 cents...

[Scottgun]

Originally Posted by onlyclave

BTW, how's your reading?

+100. Get your reading down stone cold. It's the difference between being a musician and being a bass owner.

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by travep

Here's something you might not have thought about. Denton is a pretty good place to be if you're musically inclined. It's cheap to live there, close to Dallas & Ft. Worth and you'll meet more uber-talented musicians that aren't even in the music school. I knew tons of students that were great players that were studying business or education. If you have the chops to get into their music program, I think you should strongly consider it. You'll end up with a worthy degree that will make you a well-rounded individual and, thus, employable if you leave the music field. I know that Berklee is a respectable music program but if you decide later that the music biz isn't for you, what will you have to fall back on? I say that while you're young, you should pursue it but go to a place that allows you to keep your options open...and UNT is one of the top schools and you can use electives to explore other areas of interest if you are concerned about the viability of a career for you in music.

Just my 2 cents...

/Applause

[Beginner Bass]

Originally Posted by onlyclave

Well, you're right up against players who have had 10 years to prepare.

You go to music school because you love and appreciate the art. Don't expect them to teach you how to play bass and don't expect them to get you a job afterward. That's all up to you.

In the seven years I spent in undergrad and graduate programs what I came away with most was how to practice and teach yourself.

BTW, how's your reading?

How exactly do you measure "reading skills?" I could play whatever you gave me, though I can have a bit of trouble past G3, but am working on it.

[MonetBass]

I give you my story, and hopefully it will be helpful.

Years ago, I had just left my first full-time job out of college in the IT field. While looking for work, I decided to go back to school and get a music degree. It was a great experience, and I learned more about ear training, music history, arranging, and playing DB than I ever could on my own. As others have said, the immersion in studying music is key. Not to mention that I made some life-long friends. Unfortunately, that's where my formal music studies ended, and shortly thereafter I went back to work in IT. Do I regret getting the degree? Absolutely not. You could learn a lot of that on your own, though, but I don't feel it would be as enriching of an experience.

Bottom line is: what do you hope to achieve from studying music? Is it worth it (to you) to pursue a degree in that field? Those are the questions that you must answer for yourself.

[thatonedude02]

Have you considered getting a music minor in addition to some other major that you are also interested in?

The university I used to attend had a policy that required every student to have a minor, and many students took music as their minor. Being a music minor gets you in the door to be in the bands/ensembles/etc... and you will learn a good amount about music. Then you always have your major to fall back on in case music doesn't work out.

[Beginner Bass]

Please vote on the poll.

[engedi1]

I have a degree in music from Arizona State and loved every minute of my experience. A career in music hasn't worked out (yet!) but in my experience, employers mostly care THAT you have a degree, not so much what the degree is in, unless of course you are applying at NASA or for a specific field. I have had a great career and made lots of money in a non-musical field, but unlike most people who got a business degree, I loved college, and loved my experiences. I WOULD recommend not going into major debt to get a music degree (or any degree). If you can go to a great school like North Texas and not graduate 100k in debt that is important. VERY few people get a career in their degree and what I will advise my kids is to not waste their college years pursuing a degree they don't love-get a music degree, fine arts degree, english lit degree, whatever. Just make sure you are pursuing what you love, and the career stuff will work itself out. Just remember to avoid debt like the plague!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by bobwhite

I am going to shoot out another angle.

Certain schools have become pipelines into certain elements of the music business--they are not just places to learn some music theory and skills. Belmont College in Nashville is such a place.

Trisha Yearwood, Brad Paisley and Josh Turner attended there, as well as a number of backing players and production/management folks. It has a fine music department, and since Belmont is located in and plugged into Nashville, it is a fine stepping stone. It has a great network. It also has all the other common degree programs--its a full service undergrad college.

If your goal is to be a working musician or to work in the biz, I'd suggest you look for and examine those schools and programs that best feed the pipeline--schools like Belmont.

for every student in that pipeline that makes it big, there are 1000 who get totally ignored. i highly debate the worthiness of going to school to network.

[JerBo]

Originally Posted by Scottgun

+100. Get your reading down stone cold. It's the difference between being a musician and being a bass owner.

Wow...

I can't sight read a damn lick but I can play my ass off and I can LISTEN too!

And I'll go out on a limb and say I'm a better MUSICIAN than a fair amount of people who went to Berklee and learned some chops off of paper...

Don't mean a thing if you don't feel it. But what would I know? I'm just a bass owner without music stands.