Music School Vs. University and a Book question

[mrtapatio]

Two subjects, one thread.

I want to get an education in music, but don't know if it would be better to go to a place such as MI or LA Music or to major or minor in music at a University. I have about a year to a year and a half before I finish my English AA, so I was wondering if I could get some advice from those that would know.

Also - I only play bass guitar, my reading is poor but I'm slowly getting better ( on both clefs ), and I know some theory but realize that my ability to apply it is one of my weaker points.

And for the second part, what books should I go through right now to help with my chops and playing? I have a lot of music books I received from a friend but I do not know which would be most beneficial to my playing. I want to work on reading, walking, and slapping. I am thinking of doing Hanon, Contemporary E Bass Rhythms by Appleman, Art of Walking by Magnusson, and Funk Bass by Lieberman.

[MysticMichael]

I don't have any advice on specific books. But on your first question, that's easy: Get a university education. Despite the training that the trade schools such as Musician's Institute can provide for you, any decent university is simply in a whole other league. Not even close...

(When I first read your thread title's reference to "Music School", I assumed you meant "conservatory". Kind of shows you where I'm coming from... )

May I make one more suggestion? As you continue on with your musical education, always seek to broaden your horizons. For example, don't conceive of yourself as "just" a bass player (not that there's anything wrong with that). Think of yourself first and foremost as a musician...

Have fun!

MM

[mrtapatio]

Thank you very much Michael.

I am trying to learn other instruments, but none have clicked yet - piano, guitar, and drums. I'll keep working at it and I will try to stop thinking of myself as just a bass player, it's actually a habit I've been trying to break. I am just so used to being called a bass player and known as one.

[Mark Perry]

I'd reccomend getting "groove mastery" by Oneida James. That ones not so much about building chops, more a case of applying what you know. Also "Fingerboard Harmony" by Gary Willis. That will help cover the theory side. And one of the stickies on TB "Pacmans sure fire scale practice method" (something like that) is very helpful.

[caeman]

Originally Posted by mrtapatio

Thank you very much Michael.

I am trying to learn other instruments, but none have clicked yet - piano, guitar, and drums. I'll keep working at it and I will try to stop thinking of myself as just a bass player, it's actually a habit I've been trying to break. I am just so used to being called a bass player and known as one.

Try some wind instruments for a completely different mode of playing.

[kimstevens]

It all depends on your goals. Why do you want to go to school? If it's just to be a better musician and bass player, you may be able to get what you need in terms of instruction just by hiring private teachers. For $12000 per year, you can take 40 weeks of 4 private lessons per week at $$75 each lesson, which is a lot more one-on-one than you'd get at a school, possibly for a lot less money (private universities and colleges can cost up to and beyond $40,000 per year; state schools are of course a lot less, usually). However, if you are seeking a class experience and interaction with other students, then perhaps a traditional school would be the thing. One thing is pretty certain: having a degree in music will not get you gigs, although it may assist you in getting a teaching position. As far as instruments other than bass, if you want to go to school, just concentrate on bass and piano -- in fact, for preparing for college music coursework, piano, sight-singing, and transcription skills are the most helpful things you can work on, and if you are too diffuse in your study, you will end up being less than mediocre at everything.