Music Majors in College

bassist4ever · #1 11-08-2004, 12:02 AM

Are there any music majors in the house? I'm considering transferring to TU in the fall to pursue a Bachelors in Music (instrumental) and was wondering how you all like it? I'm at current a Computer Science major and its getting tiring.

Thanks guys!

hyperlitem · #2 11-08-2004, 05:24 PM

i am. Prepare to practice your arse off. I was a performance major my freshmen year but switched to recording major. Its very fun, but if you do performance be prepared to either play in a symphony after u gradate or work at mcdonalds. You will be really good if you keep up with the workload, which is alot. Most schools i looked at dont really have a jazz bass program, but maybe that school does. I played jazz bass but to do that i had to play upright so weigh your options.

bentem · #3 11-08-2004, 06:38 PM

Ive been looking at majoring in music at school.

What are some other music majors aside form performance, that would be worth looking into?

nicoli · #4 11-08-2004, 06:59 PM

At my university, there's basically performance and education. Like has already been said, in performance you practice like crazy and hope to end up in a symphony.

In education, you basically get a solid background in theory and training on more than one instrument, You're generally prepared for a career as a private teacher, or as a music teacher in schools if you go on to get a B. Ed.

Rhythmalism · #5 11-08-2004, 11:43 PM

I've heard the practice requirements weed out quite a few students. Then many of the grads go into retail or food service jobs.

quatre03 · #6 11-09-2004, 12:14 AM

<-- future berklee alumni. I'm taking lessons from a Berklee grad, and he suggested that i go, so i've given it some thought and i hated my previous major so i'm headed out there. so far i'm going for a Performance, and Composition double major

bassist4ever · #7 11-09-2004, 10:28 AM

wow, thanks for the replies guys. i told my mom what i wanted to to and she laughed at me :cry: ! i understand that its almost a useless degree, but that degree would probably let me get a job at a music store or something. maybe session player?

this particular college has 8 particular majors in the music field, from basic music to teaching music, vocals, and the like. its a fairly well respected school too. University of Tulsa.

Jace The Bass · #8 11-09-2004, 11:03 AM

[quote=bassist4ever]wow, thanks for the replies guys. i told my mom what i wanted to to and she laughed at me :cry: ! i understand that its almost a useless degree, but that degree would probably let me get a job at a music store or something. maybe session player?

I'm in the same dilema myself but I'm working at it backwards
I'm starting a bachelor of Music ( majoring in Jazz ) at the start of next year
But am already a session player and had various nine to fivers

bassmutant · #9 11-09-2004, 11:12 AM

I'm in a similar situation, though i'm transitioning from the working world (last day of work Jan 31st) and heading back to school to work on getting a degree in music. I'm going to a community college first, so my situation is a bit different, but I've yet to find a college in my state (Washington) that allows electric bass as a performance instrument, all the college's in my price range are double bass. The only hope I have is to attend Evergreen state college(www.evergreen.edu, really liberal, non-traditional college, low cost) and work on a customized degree, or head to LA and try to get into MI/BIT after I get my AAS from the community college. I'm going to attempt a dual major if I stay in my state and go for music and mathematics, that way I would be doing two things I really like, but one would be a bit more practical. I've noticed that minoring in music isn't a problem at most four years schools though, since most of the performance related requirements are for the major's, and that might be a route you would consider, that way you get a decent load of theory and get some skills, but you'll still have a meat and potatoes degree for finding a job. Good luck dude. I think the degree in music honestly doesn't mean much, I know lots of local bassits where I live who work in mills, stores, etc. for a living and can play the frets off their basses, but it's the playing time, experience, and performance skills you get from a 4 year degree that helps.

nicoli · #10 11-09-2004, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist4ever

that degree would probably let me get a job at a music store or something. maybe session player?

It would definitely help your status as a hired gun while you're advertising yourself if you're looking for professional gigs. It might be a little extra for work at a music store too.

Certainly doesn't guarantee you work in either field though, like some degrees will.