Should I stay, or go?

LCMBassist · #1 10-07-2008, 04:12 PM

I have a choice to make ladies and gentlemen. I bagged myself a place at Leeds College Of Music earlier this year, despite thinking I'd ballsed up the audition. I was all set to go, but then fell ill with depression amongst other things, and at the enrollment, I just didn't feel up to it. After chatting with an advisor I explained my situation, and also the fact I was worried that I wouldn't have a career I wanted at the end of the degree. So they let me differ for a year, holding my place for me. I was interested in being a session musician, but I fear I'll never have the chops to earn enough to support myself and any future family I may have. So, what other careers are open to me, and do I NEED this degree to get those jobs, or am I getting myself into debt for no reason?

fenderhutz · #2 10-07-2008, 04:18 PM

Minor in Business. You will be set.

EricF · #3 10-07-2008, 04:23 PM

It sounds a lot like you're letting anxiety and fear rule your life. You're worrying about supporting a family you don't even have yet? Who knows, maybe you'll marry a rich chick and it won't even be an issue. Worrying about all the "what ifs" now is a sure way to have a life filled with "I should haves".

TheDarkReaver · #4 10-07-2008, 04:25 PM

You don't really have majors and minors over here.

fenderhutz · #5 10-07-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

You don't really have majors and minors over here.

Well that's a pain.

LCMBassist · #6 10-07-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricF

It sounds a lot like you're letting anxiety and fear rule your life. You're worrying about supporting a family you don't even have yet? Who knows, maybe you'll marry a rich chick and it won't even be an issue. Worrying about all the "what ifs" now is a sure way to have a life filled with "I should haves".

You're right. My illness, which was a lot of 'what ifs' ended up in me losing my relationship recently too. I've learned the hard way.
So you think I should go and give it a shot? There is, however, a lot of snobbery towards people like me, who LOATHE Jazz, and like nothing more than a big dirty riff. They presume that because my favourite genre is relatively simple, I can't play anything.

EricF · #7 10-07-2008, 04:37 PM

Go - and learn EVERYTHING you can, even if it's not music that turns you on. Your eyes may very well be opened to things that you can apply to the music that DOES get your blood pumping. Knowledge is power - absorb now, filter later. Prove the doubters wrong.

CapnSev · #8 10-07-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Minor in Business. You will be set.

Good advice. You have a better chance at being a pro athlete than a pro musician.

MJ5150 · #9 10-07-2008, 04:39 PM

You sound like you're looking for someone to convince you to go to this school. If you don't want to go, don't.

-Mike

CapnSev · #10 10-07-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

You don't really have majors and minors over here.

Whoops! Just saw this. Bummer....

LCMBassist · #11 10-07-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

You sound like you're looking for someone to convince you to go to this school. If you don't want to go, don't.

-Mike

I wouldn't say that. It's just £12000 of debt is a lot if it won't get me anywhere.....

JNowiski · #12 10-07-2008, 05:13 PM

you don't need chops like wooten to be a session musician. just go for it and take the opportunity that lazy people like me will never have.

Brummie · #13 10-07-2008, 05:23 PM

I'd go for it, I'm past it but would love an opportunity like that, even if you don't like it - it might lead to something you will love doing.
Go on - give it a whirl - it's not like you'll HAVE to support Leeds United when your there.
cheers

Belinda123 · #14 10-07-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brummie

I'd go for it, I'm past it but would love an opportunity like that, even if you don't like it - it might lead to something you will love doing.
Go on - give it a whirl - it's not like you'll HAVE to support Leeds United when your there.
cheers

Go ahead

lowendgenerator · #15 10-07-2008, 07:59 PM

I would pour my heart and soul into learning, then get a job as a studio musician, or maybe even as a professor.

Stay on top of that depression, it hit me a while back, and I made a ton of stupid decisions. Now I'm trying like hell not to lose my house, wife and kids. Getting diagnosed is the most important part.

Happynoj · #16 10-07-2008, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCMBassist

I have a choice to make ladies and gentlemen. I bagged myself a place at Leeds College Of Music earlier this year, despite thinking I'd ballsed up the audition. I was all set to go, but then fell ill with depression amongst other things, and at the enrollment, I just didn't feel up to it. After chatting with an advisor I explained my situation, and also the fact I was worried that I wouldn't have a career I wanted at the end of the degree. So they let me differ for a year, holding my place for me. I was interested in being a session musician, but I fear I'll never have the chops to earn enough to support myself and any future family I may have. So, what other careers are open to me, and do I NEED this degree to get those jobs, or am I getting myself into debt for no reason?

Do it. Stay in Leeds.

Once you have got a degree, you can do whatever you want - if you want to be a session musician you have to work at it whether you have a degree or not, and getting a degree will not guarantee you a job as a musician. However, it will certainly help - and it can't do any harm!

I'm guessing from the anti-jazz comment that you are on the BA Pop course?

I've just started the second year of the classical course, and I went through a couple of spots last year when I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do - did I want to be doing this degree? Did I want to be doing a degree at all? I wasn't even sure whether I wanted to be in a relationship any more. Everyone that I know went through it last year. However, after a couple of weeks the feeling went away, and I felt the surety come back to me - I knew that what I was doing was what I had wanted to do for the past however many years.

I realise that your depression may be much more serious, but if doing a music degree was what you were sure about, then stick with it - the surety is there, just hidden.

If you still aren't sure, head over to The Wardrobe, watch some of the bassists in there, and then tell me that you don't want to become a professional musician...

MakiSupaStar · #17 10-08-2008, 01:34 AM

Get some exercise. Stop worrying and step up.

Bruce Lindfield · #18 10-08-2008, 02:21 AM

I think it's really hard being a session musician and making a living - over the years, I have got the impression that it's more about who you know- networking, than about musical skill and that this is something they can't teach at college..?

Although College is a good place to start networking - it'll be up to you to do it - nobody else!

If you want a safe income from music - than it'll almost certainly be in teaching - and that will mostly require Classical or Jazz - although there are more and more institutes opening up for rock/pop - like BIMM at Brighton...?

Serious music though is very much seen a Classical and lately Jazz..?

Munjibunga · #19 10-08-2008, 10:14 PM

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. No risk, no reward. Etc. etc. etc.

LCMBassist · #20 10-09-2008, 04:27 PM

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. MY Mum said that once when I was contemplating ringing the ex....I did it, and it messed everything up.

Haha.....at least with this I don't have anything to lose but some money.