looking for experienced musicians to quiz

[PaulonBass]

Hi, i'm Paul and i'm 22 i have so far learnt all i have learnt by teaching myself.
Just recently i've considered going to college to perhaps bring my playing on a level.
My main concern is that i'm currently in a band who are all very talented musicians who are all self taught. my dilema is that i feel like if i leave these chaps i will be compromising myself and leaving them with out a bassist and maybe missing out on my opportunity to make it while i'm young and can.

if anyone has any views on this i would be very greatful to hear them

Thanks

[lefty007]

I think that "making it" is like winning the lottery. Just a very small percentage of musicians and/or bands "make it" big, as in touring, selling millions of records and making $100K + a year, etc.

But there are many ways a musician can have a career and make a decent living, and a key ingredient to that is being prepared for anything. That includes knowing music theory inside and out, being versatile, and proficient in reading and writing.

I'm also self-taught and I'm 36. I have toured and have been surrounded by many top-notch artist, producers, and musicians, and there is no doubt in my mind that I would have gone much farther in my career if I had good knowledge of music theory and knew how to read and write.

My simple advice is to seek music education in your town, no reason to leave and to leave your band. I don't think you need to go to Berklee to get a good music education. School is only 50% of the education you need, the other is real-world experience, playing gigs.

You could even try to get private classes with a good teacher, even a good piano teacher that can teach you music theory, composition, etc.

And at the same time, you should think about having a second career. The music business is hard, man. It may look promising now, but when you start getting closer to 40 and have a family, and you don't "make it," life get really tough.

I know dozens of University of Miami graduates (a highly regarded music school) that after spending $80k+ going to school for 4 years are now playing $50-gigs. School won't guarantee you'll make it, it is a combination of your talent with the education and savvy career management.

[PaulonBass]

indeed. thats probably what i needed to hear actually. Thanks very much for the reply.

Paul

[CrashClint]

+1 to Lefty007. I remember hearing Jaco say that learning theory and reading music is what carried his playing to a higher level. Jaco was self taught and as good as he was he came to the realization that if he wanted to become a better musician he had to learn theory.

I will tell you, when you walk into an audition and they put a score in front of you and first time around you nail the bass part or come really close to nailing it, you will get the call back.

My advice is learn the theory and buy a good metronome.