Should I major in music?

bassistpatrick · #1 03-03-2011, 06:26 AM

I want to major in music, but I know even for good players, getting on with an orchestra is very hard. I've thought about majoring in something else, but after searching through all the degree programs at several schools, and trying to imagine myself studying/doing these things, I don't think there's anything else I want to do but music. So I have a few questions.

1. What can you do with a music performance degree? If performing doesn't work out, what kind of non-music jobs will be available to you simply because you have a degree? Would they pay well?
2. I've thought about being a music education major, but how competitive is that? Is there a shortage or abundance of Music ed majors and jobs?
3. What kind of music related and non-music related jobs are available to music history and music theory majors?

That's it for now. Thanks in advance for any help

MonetBass · #2 03-03-2011, 07:12 AM

My advice: Unless you plan on teaching or playing music as a profession, don't major in music. Get a degree that will help you pay the bills. I have a music degree, which I don't regret getting simply because I learned so much from it. But I also have an MIS degree, which supports me and my family. Could I have gained the same music knowledge without a degree? Certainly. But I also made some good friends through it, which I could not replace.

There is always a shortage of quality music teachers, though. Several of my friends who got music education degrees are no longer teaching. They decided that (1) they didn't enjoy it as much as they thought they would, and (2) they weren't making enough money. But their circumstances were likely different from yours. Just be sure you check out all of your options before diving in. Contrary to most other majors, you start taking music classes your first semester if you're a music major. Just some food for thought.

David Kaczorowski · #3 03-03-2011, 07:15 AM

Higher Education shouldn't be thought of as trade school. Certainly there are majors that can lead to careers, some of them lucrative. However, Higher Ed., ideally, is about better oneself, becoming a more complete, thinking, person.

I majored in philosophy. That prepared me for a life as a bass player. You can major in music, and maybe you'll be a bass player too. But you might also be a Guitar Center sales guy, or a cab driver.

PRUNEFACE · #4 03-03-2011, 07:18 AM

I think everyone (hopefully) realizes that teaching would have to be a major part of your path as a post-music major. I mean even players that in theory dont NEED to teach DO teach (ex. Edgar Meyer, Harold Robinson, Tim Cobb, etc. etc.) and some survive mostly on their teaching chops (ex. Jeff Bradetich). I think post-secondary school (tertiary) education is where it's at if you're an amazing player simply because there are a relatively large number of decent paying teaching positions vs. the number of large orchestras that pay well in the country.
Take this with a grain of salt: this is a high school student's perspective who loves listening to "war tales"

prd004 · #5 03-03-2011, 07:21 AM

You better like/be good at teaching, because that's what most of them (music majors) end up doing for a living.

jgroh · #6 03-03-2011, 07:24 AM

I had this dilemma my first year of college. I was always an artist (drawing, painting, etc) so since I was 5, I always said that I would be an artist when I grow up. So I went to Vo-Tech for Commercial Art in high school, and then I enrolled in college majoring in Advertising Design. But at that time I was playing bass heavily and was very close to switching to majoring in music. But, Ive always been very practical as well. There are very few jobs you can get with a music degree, and alot of competition. I decided to stay with the graphic design and I am so glad I did. Its provided very well whereas the people I knew who majored in music are working in other areas.

bassistpatrick · #7 03-03-2011, 07:30 AM

I know I don't need to go to school to learn. I'm 24, and I've been teaching myself music theory, music history, keyboard, and aural skills on my own. I have a good well-known teacher and work hard on my own. I work at a warehouse and I don't like it very much. However, I don't think there's anything else I would want a degree in besides music, and that's apparently pointless. I really don't care about business, chemistry, finance, medicine, or anything else I saw.

MonetBass · #8 03-03-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassistpatrick

I know I don't need to go to school to learn. I'm 24, and I've been teaching myself music theory, music history, keyboard, and aural skills on my own. I have a good well-known teacher and work hard on my own. I work at a warehouse and I don't like it very much. However, I don't think there's anything else I would want a degree in besides music, and that's apparently pointless. I really don't care about business, chemistry, finance, medicine, or anything else I saw.

Then you just answered your own question. But again: What is your ultimate goal? Do you want to teach? Play professionally? True, a degree is not necessarily needed for either of those. But getting a degree would allow you to network with others with similar passions and interests, which can't be overlooked. And that may open some doors for you in the long run.

If music truly is your passion, then that's the road you should take.

SteveHeissner · #9 03-03-2011, 07:37 AM

An extremely talented musician can starve. An average MBA and IT consultant can easily earn a 6 figure salary. Find something you enjoy that pays the bills and major in that. Then play in a band on weekends... unless of course you decide to be a music teacher. Then you've found your calling and you should major in music.

bassgod76 · #10 03-03-2011, 07:44 AM

If you're interested in eating or making ends meet, major in something other than music. I know that may not be what you want to hear, but this economy is tough for those in right-brain dominated careers.

Bochafish · #11 03-03-2011, 08:02 AM

I had several friends major in music in college.
1. Went to Berklee, got married, had a kid, dropped out. Now her and her husband own a recording studio in LA, and are doing well. He was a music production major.

2. Went to University of Northern Colorado on a music scholarship, dropped out and is now going back to school for marketing. He gigs all the time, plays in a touring band, and has been teaching privately for many years now. He still lives with his mom at 34 yo.

3. Jazz performance major, full scholarship to Depaul. Literal genius, he could have majored in anything and got full academic scholarship. He has played with some bigger names. Talented dude, now tours the southeast with his original project. He is now, and always has doubled as a waiter.

4. Vocal Jazz major, NIU, full scholarship- Lisa found her soulmate, and sax player at school. They continue to gig together to this day. Lisa kept going to school, now has her doctorate, and teaches at a university in Nova Scotia.

I don't think any of them have any regrets about following their passion in music.

I took the other path. My dad said I'd never find a job if I didn't get a degree in Business. I graduated with a Marketing degree and took a job with my step brother in mortgages. I made a lot of money, and had health insurance, but I wasn't happy. That field went down the tubes, and I didn't have experience in anything else. It's been a rough ride the last few years. Taking this route is no piece of cake either. In the business world you can get fired at anytime, and you need to know people or have significant work experience to get a job.
My advice if you take the safe route: get good grades and major in something no one can question. Example, CPA licence, teaching certificate, etc.. If you get good grades, you can always go back to grad school for whatever you want, flexibility is key.

StuFordBass · #12 03-03-2011, 08:16 AM

If you love music, I'd say don't do it. If you were a band geek, who loves being a band geek with other band geeks. If it's really the playing that you love, get a respected private teacher and practice your ass off. Being able to say you went to this school or that school doesn't really have much clout with pro musicians in my experience. It always comes down to whether you can play or not.

transition · #13 03-03-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Kaczorowski

Higher Education shouldn't be thought of as trade school. Certainly there are majors that can lead to careers, some of them lucrative. However, Higher Ed., ideally, is about better oneself, becoming a more complete, thinking, person.

I majored in philosophy. That prepared me for a life as a bass player. You can major in music, and maybe you'll be a bass player too. But you might also be a Guitar Center sales guy, or a cab driver.

This. 100x this.

I majored in music (saxophone performance and music ed - this whole bass thing is new to me). I now work as a "computer scientist" (software engineer).

Would it have helped to have learned some programming in school? Well, it definitely would have removed the need for me to have taught myself.

But ultimately, what gets you a job is your skill, and how you got it matters less.

Higher education helps you learn HOW to learn. I have no doubt that my experiences in school—even though they were unrelated—helped me in my work of teaching myself a totally new skill set.

I had a great time majoring in music. I would have hated majoring in computer science.

All of this presumes, of course, a whole lot of self-motivation and discipline. You get out of it what you put into it: marking time through any program is not going to automatically lead to a job. Just getting a degree in and of itself is completely meaningless.
(^^^ just putting this here because I'm finding myself to be a cranky old man sometimes; I'm sure you have plenty of self-motivation and discipline since you've already displayed that in learning to play an instrument... it just doesn't hurt to have a reminder to apply that to all aspects of life.)

As for teaching as a profession:
I LOVE teaching. Love it. I HATED my student teaching, and chose not to follow the teaching path.

I learned that teaching in the public school system is about so much more than just teaching, all of which I hated. Add that in with a terrible salary and the downsizing of music in the schools (so no job security), and I decided to bail.

Don't go into teaching (at least public school teaching) because it's a way to pay the bills while still being involved with music. You've got to LOVE it, and love it so much that you're willing to put up with a lot of BS in order to do it.

EduardoJoel · #14 03-03-2011, 08:56 AM

Me and my best friend used to play in a band. We had an airing of grievances type of conversation a couple nights ago. 10 years ago we were in the same band, 5 people. 2 of them are still trying to study music, one just got accepted into Berkley last year at 26 yo, the other is not doing so well either. The other just bummed around college and made one record with a band that didn't go anywhere. And my friend is a guitar teacher and is still studying music at 27. I considered music briefly but decided on Medicine. I'm now a full time Physician and I still play. This week I went to my friend's house and I asked him what was going on and why nothing was really happening to his career. It came down to lack of focus/discipline and lack of money. Thanks to my education and the effort I had to into m life I have both. But it wasn't easy. I'm not a dumb guy and Med School was literally the hardest thing I could ever imagine doing. I graduated at 24 and started working right away. So me and my friend decided that we would make a record together. I will provide the structure and finance the project and he will handle other aspects of it. But here's the thing and the moral of my story. If I didn't have a 9 to 5 job I couldn't afford to be artistic. And I know it sucks and life should be easier for those who are talented but you have to eat too. So my advice is, take an aptitude test, and go to the best school that will have you for the best paying field that you can go into. If it's fulfilling fine, if it's not tough cookie. Music will always be there. If you keep practicing in your own time, your talents will not fade. But don't depend on others, don't hold out your whole entire life for a record deal that may never come. And don't be one of those jaded music teachers that spend half the class reminiscing and the other half wondering what it could've been. Youth is the most powerful tool you have right now, don't waste it.

waleross · #15 03-03-2011, 08:59 AM

I have a degree in Performance , not ed. I say minor in Business if you major in music. Like my old classmates used to say that way you can always sell insurance, etc. Years after I finished with my music degree I went back to school and got a 2 year degree Associate in Business Admin. You can also take music business courses now a days which weren't around in my school days. Performance is a tough ticket, now matter how good you might be there are many bigger fish than you, thousands. Teaching music is a great profession but now a days music teachers are always the first to go .

..................Best of luck no matter what you do .

DocGeorge · #16 03-03-2011, 09:15 AM

I have my Performance degree. I don't regret it. But like others have stated here, if you enjoy eating and having a roof over your head, you may want to re-evaluate your priorities because there is no gaurentee that you will constantly have either. I ended up joining the Navy. I also don't regret this choice either. In a few years I will be able to retire and have a paycheck for the rest of my life and still be able to play. If you are really want this I recommend starting at a junior college that has a good music program and a sound engineer program and start both at the same time. That way you are still in the industry, you are still making contacts, and you are still using your ear. Just a suggestion...

tstone · #17 03-03-2011, 10:39 AM

Someone -- maybe it was Mark Twain -- once said that you should do what you like second-best for a living.

That way, the thing you like best won't be spoiled by financial concerns, the daily grind, boredom, frustration, etc. I have a music degree but I also have two degrees in engineering. I don't have to tell you which I ended up doing for a living. I'll never be famous as a musician, but I'm very happy with the choices I made.

bassgod76 · #18 03-03-2011, 10:55 AM

Some of the best quotes in this thread.

"If I didn't have a 9 to 5 job I couldn't afford to be artistic."

"Youth is the most powerful tool you have right now, don't waste it."

"Teaching music is a great profession but now a days music teachers are always the first to go ."

"I ended up joining the Navy. I also don't regret this choice either."

Uncle Sam financed my bachelor's degree in accounting. I love playing, but between GAS and the cost of living, crunching numbers keeps me afloat.

TheSuzie · #19 03-03-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Kaczorowski

Higher Education shouldn't be thought of as trade school. Certainly there are majors that can lead to careers, some of them lucrative. However, Higher Ed., ideally, is about better oneself, becoming a more complete, thinking, person.

As you said *ideally*. The problem is that school isn't free for most people and it is more expensive than ever. Coming out of school with a pile of student loan debt and no prospect to earn enough income to pay it off is a big problem. Several of my friends' children and some of my relatives are facing this burden.

It becomes even worse if one wants to start a family and has not managed to pay the debt off beforehand. Before you know it they are into their 30s have a child or two and the school loans are still sucking down their income, reducing their chances to buy a home and to save for the family's future.

Peace,
S

koricancowboy · #20 03-03-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Kaczorowski

Higher Education shouldn't be thought of as trade school. Certainly there are majors that can lead to careers, some of them lucrative. However, Higher Ed., ideally, is about better oneself, becoming a more complete, thinking, person.

I majored in philosophy. That prepared me for a life as a bass player. You can major in music, and maybe you'll be a bass player too. But you might also be a Guitar Center sales guy, or a cab driver.

+100k

I'd have to say that the scope of possibilities presented by most of the other posters here is pretty limited. Of course teaching and gigging are one way to go but there are a lot of places to go with a music degree if you are driven. Some of them will be ready for you right out of school and some will need more training. One of the problems in thinking about a music degree is that so many people try to lop it in with other more vocational degrees. A music degree is not a vocational degree, not even close. Sure you'll learn to be a better player but it does little to secure you a job and frankly never did. Instead it is the study of one of the greatest of humanity's creations. It should be approached like that. Is it useless? Only if you think so.

As far as job prospects, music is in a state of flux. We can't rely on the old ways of getting into an orchestra/band. We have to create our own paradigms. If you are willing to put in the work you can create your niche. If you aren't then you find other ways to make money. Both ways are respectable ways to live. Some things beside playing and teaching include, arts admin, promotion, managing, music therapy, music librarian, musicology, music theory (teaching in college), music cognition as well as tons of other things that you can craft if you have the will and imagination.

As far as music ed, the field is also in the middle of a sea change. Don't let anyone steer you to believe that its going away. In fact the first round of cuts in the school system during budget cuts is SPED. Your program will go away if you don't advocate for it. If you can prove it to be a vital part of the school, it may change but will not be eliminated. I have see this time and time again. Music and other arts are a part of the national curriculum. There are jobs in music teaching out there but it is a competitive field. AS with anything, how well you learn and master the art will determine how competitive you can be in the field.

In the end you need to ask yourself, how musical a life do you want. Is playing on the weekends while you go to a 9 to 5 that is completely unrelated enough? If so, awesome, don't major in music or double major. If that isn't enough and the 9 - 5 you are willing to have must deal with music then logic dictates going to school for music. For the most part though, undergraduate music study is the beginning and most fields will require further training. I am in the middle of finishing both a performance and music ed degree. I plan to go to graduate school to study further, either music therapy, librarianship or musicology.

Mys last thought is this. If you do decide to go to music school, audition at a lot of places and take the offer that is a combination of a teacher you like and a generous scholarship. Bassists are in demand at schools around the country. Because of that you would be surprised at the offers that will come your way if you can play. I am on a nearly full ride between my school scholarship and grants. I only pay for books so my debt will be in the middle part of four figures. It happens. So really you need to ask yourself, how musical a life you want to live? That will answer your question. Don't be afraid. Sure we need to make a living but seriously at 24, you got 76 years left max! Be adventurous and follow your gut and your heart. Just do it wisely and authentically and you will be fine.