Degree Courses

BassPlayingCat · #1 06-28-2011, 05:40 AM

I may be interested in disappearing for a few years to do a uni course in contemporary music performance with a view of session work, touring and all those glamorous kinds of things.

Has anyone on here been to any of the courses available over the UK? I was looking at ACM, The Institute etc but am finding it hard to decide which one would actually be the best.

Thanks,
Chris

BassPlayingCat · #2 07-04-2011, 04:50 PM

Bump for a poor bassists professional future

Rob Lewis · #3 07-04-2011, 04:57 PM

A friend of mine did one. Couldn't cut the session stuff as they didn't really teach "proper" reading (all tab and modes and that cheatery) and has now been dragging around the South Wales valleys for the last fifteen years banging out Mustang Sally to order. I wish you luck, I really do. Do you have Youth on your side?

**bassybill** · #4 07-04-2011, 04:58 PM

I play with guys who have done these courses and to be honest, the qualifications are only of use if you want to teach. If you want to gig, tour, record and so on - well, nobody books anyone for those things based on academic stuff. Do the degree if you want to learn what it offers, but if you want to earn a living as a working bassist, don't bother. Honestly.

**bassybill** · #5 07-04-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Lewis

A friend of mine did one. Couldn't cut the session stuff as they didn't really teach "proper" reading (all tab and modes and that cheatery) and has now been dragging around the South Wales valleys for the last fifteen years banging out Mustang Sally to order. I wish you luck, I really do. Do you have Youth on your side?

They didn't teach reading notation on a music course? Wow. Almost unbelievable, really. Do you know where that was?

I'm not sure about modes being "cheatery" though, as that's an entirely separate issue to whether you can read or not, apart from the very obvious issue of spending time studying one may stop you spending time on the other (depending on how things are taught).

Rob Lewis · #6 07-04-2011, 05:16 PM

Can't remember the name of it but it was based in Wapping in London. They even sent him off to some studio sessions where he was handed "proper" sheet music and told "five minutes, you're on" and he, by his own confession, couldn't fathom a note. And he was/is a damn' fine player, he just can't sight read. As to "cheatery", I don't really know modes but they strike me as a way of learning what will "fit" over a given key, which I would consider limiting. Also, I studied music in the 60's and I don't really remember modes being discussed, altho' that may well have been a fashion of the time thing.

MysticMichael · #7 07-04-2011, 05:32 PM

The London College of Music (University of West London in Ealing) has a good reputation. Have you considered them?

MM

aidan784 · #8 07-04-2011, 05:34 PM

I'm supposed to be going this september, applied and accepted and that (sort of against the odds because I don't have music A level) but I don't think I'm going to get the grades so I'm not sure what's going to happen.

It's interesting what you say Bill. I decided to go for it mainly for the learning as you say. I mean people said to me 'so what do you do with a music degree at the end?', but it wasn't the end result that was important for me, but the journey itself. Much like music in general.

Basically 3 years purely dedicated to music, able to practice all the time that I want to, really appealed to me. Free instrument lessons, then all the actual classes, meeting new people to play with plus for me getting closer to a better music scene etc.

I would agree that you may see more improvement with just a GREAT private teacher, but I'm trying to weigh it up with amount of practice time that will be available too.

Sorry, started to drone a bit, tend to do that.

Also, not requiring reading on a degree course is nothing less than a disgrace.

devine · #9 07-06-2011, 08:01 AM

BassPlayingCat...

It depends on what kind of music you want to study...

If it's general (pop, jazz, gospel etc) ACM is a good choice... they have good tutors there and are well established.

If you want to go down the more jazz type route you should be looking at...
The Guild Hall, The Royal Academy, Middlesex University, Birmingham Conservatoire, Leeds college of Music.

Going to college/Uni is a GREAT opportunity! And, it can make learning a lot easier in certain ways... your kinda force fed the information whether you want it or not whereas is your studying on your own with a private instructor it's up to you to do the practice and hard work. Now don't get me wrong you need to do practice and hard work whichever route you take... it's just easier when your getting an ass kicking every day from your tutors.

But here's the big thing...You also make INVALUABLE contacts when at Uni.Networking, meeting and playing with fellow musicians is a big part of it all.

But... you can do it without going to uni (I did - well I worked as a pro musician for 10 years before going but in the end I got my degree because in the future a teaching qualification could be handy) but, it can be a lot easier + if you want to do a teaching qualification in the future your going to need it.

Hope that's of some help.

Scott.

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