College ROCKS. - Page 2

Tbeers · #21 09-04-2006, 04:50 PM

The beginning of the first year is exciting. Congrats, everyone! I am just starting my second year, though not as a dedicated music student. It's probably a little different for me.

One thing I assume is the same for all college students: the big importance of the first couple weeks is networking. Talk to everyone you can. Some people will piss you off for sure, but if you go into any of it with a cynical attitude then it will set you back by months socially. And despite the stern warnings of your parents and elders, without a solid group of friends and an environment of mutual respect, you will find it difficult to accomplish anything during your four years of study. I've seen too many colleagues try to keep their heads down and work alone, and they end up burning out. You and your peers will learn as much from each other as from any professor or book.

Aaron Saunders · #22 09-05-2006, 09:45 AM

Hey guys, just checking back in so you know I'm not dead (yet).

Last few nights were like every college movie ever made, so take that as you will. I had my first class this morning (fundamental keyboard with Richard Whiteman) and it was pretty cool. Psyched for ear training and improv later. Tonight there's a jam at the Rex, so I'm going to go check that out as an audience member, but not to jam. Got some time until my next class so I'm chilling out in my room for now, might crack out the electric for the first time in months.

**Mark Wilson** · #23 09-05-2006, 06:09 PM

Improv was a killer class.
You THINK you know how to play a Cmaj scale, but really you don't. You have no idea.

Too bad I completely missed that ear training class. Oh well!

-Mark

Aaron Saunders · #24 09-06-2006, 05:38 AM

Hahaha, good job Mark. That was pretty funny.

Looking forward to improv and theory today. Yesterday's schedule was fun:

Wake up at 6:30, go back to own room at 7:30.
Go to class for 9. Attend classes, come here, etc.
Finish at 4:15, and practice between meals/other stuff.
Party at night, chill with another musician and a friend of mine until 4:30am or so.
Musician goes to bed, friend of mine and I head to the gym at 6:30.
I return from the gym now, shower, and craaaaaash.

Wake up in time for my 2:30 improv class.

velvetkevorkian · #25 09-07-2006, 06:24 AM

Thats a proper student schedule. I salute you. With a beer, naturally

Aaron Saunders · #26 09-07-2006, 10:25 AM

Well, I've got Tuborg and Keith's...any preference?

**Mark Wilson** · #27 09-07-2006, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Saunders

Well, I've got Tuborg and Keith's...any preference?

Whatever you drink, Aaron, make sure you wake up in time for class

-Mark

Aaron Saunders · #28 09-18-2006, 03:28 PM

Does it count if I don't know where my clothes are?

Also, as a side note, ear training is kicking my ass. Consequently, learning tunes by ear in Song Materials is also kicking me around -- I got maybe 75% of Bessie's Blues in class. Guh.

5stringDNA · #29 09-18-2006, 04:46 PM

I'm in my 5th, and last, year of college and couldn't be happier to be waving GOODBYE. I am jealous of you guys that are digging college as I have deplored every day of it- I've learned to like my job more and more. I didn't try to audition for a music major as I am completely worthless on piano and mild proficiency is required at most schools, mine included of course. Then again,I am commuter.. but dorm life never look that tasty.

Aaron Saunders · #30 09-27-2006, 03:14 PM

Theory class is boring the hell out of me right now. That's why laptops + campus-wide wireless internet is a gift from god.

FWIW, every day we touch on one little thing that's kind of new, and we looked at the Well Tempered Clavier which was pretty cool. Then after it's stuff like "So does everybody know what a 2-5-1 is?"

I guess this class being easy is kind of like having a break after Ear Training

.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #31 09-27-2006, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Saunders

Theory class is boring the hell out of me right now. That's why laptops + campus-wide wireless internet is a gift from god.

FWIW, every day we touch on one little thing that's kind of new, and we looked at the Well Tempered Clavier which was pretty cool. Then after it's stuff like "So does everybody know what a 2-5-1 is?"

I guess this class being easy is kind of like having a break after Ear Training

.

Try this: when sitting in theory class, focus on trying to mentally hear every detail of the theoretical concepts being discussed. If you're talking about secondary function chords, try to hear them in relation to their chord of resolution, then try to hear that in relation to tonic. This will help with your ear training as well.

Aaron Saunders · #32 09-29-2006, 07:22 AM

I think you may have saved my brain from deteriorating in that class, Chris! Thanks.

**Mark Wilson** · #33 09-29-2006, 02:49 PM

I've definitely got to get a lap top and internet.

Aaron- When you showed me that you were on TB in Art History, I realized how much this damn website rules my life.

Speaking of which, I hate art history.

-Mark

Aaron Saunders · #34 10-04-2006, 11:30 AM

Oh man -- I love improv class. Kirk MacDonald is probably the most intense teacher I've ever met. I couldn't even begin to imagine studying with him privately as a sax player

We have the class Tuesday and Wednesday, and we get the same amount of homework on Tuesday night that we do on Wednesday! Probably the key, though, is that as high as the standards are that he might hold for us, he holds himself to even higher ones and plays his ass off all the time. One hour until class -- lets see if I can get my two octave pentatonics in all 12 keys in time for class.

**Damon Rondeau** · #35 10-04-2006, 12:32 PM

...wish I had the chance to take another run at art history, even though saying it makes me seem the old fogey. Damn those educators for thinking even a little glimpse of the big picture is worth anything!

Aaron Saunders · #36 04-04-2007, 11:25 PM

It's been a while since I posted in this thread. It feels like it's been so much longer than the few months I've been here, but there's been a lot of interesting times.

All in all, my experience at Humber has been flat-out amazing. It's been an interesting ride, can't wait to be back next year. I've learned a lot about my playing and about music but I've learned a lot more simply about myself. This year has been more than anything a real education in who I am and who I want to be.

There've been a lot of times this year where I've been inches away from throwing in the towel. If I recall correctly, there was one night in February in particular where I was completely spazzing, and was hours away from dropping out of school to enlist in the military.

...

I'm so not even close to kidding. Believe me, I hung by on the skin of my teeth sometimes...I learned a lot about getting nerves. Bad nerves. A lot. Still haven't figured out how to beat 'em though...getting better. I honestly can't count how many times I've known something absolutely cold and forgotten it as soon as I started playing near a teacher. The good thing is that all the teachers are generally pretty understanding about this -- I mean, they're not going to let you just stop trying just because you're having difficulty, but it's not a "perfect by this class or you fail" kind of thing either.

This year in the foundations program was probably the best thing that ever happened. If nothing else, you'll definitely know whether or not you want to do music as a career if you do something like this. Maybe 1/3rd of my section dropped out.

FWIW: I finally ended up seeing "Accepted" last night on DVD -- funny movie.

Michael Case · #37 04-04-2007, 11:45 PM

I'm another old foggie that went to college later in life. I started at 30 and I'm about to finish with my music degree. I remember feeling as excited as you guys when I started. That excitement can also swing into disillusionment at times, but don't let that get to you. It's part of life in general, I had the best time of my life and met some great people as a music student and wouldn't trade for anything. Art history can be a drag!

Good luck and have fun,
Mike

**Mark Wilson** · #38 04-13-2007, 08:45 PM

I agree.
This has been an amazing year.

Last night, My group for Song Materials were practicing, and this guy came into the room and asked to sit in on Oleo.
We let him, and we jammed on a bunch of tunes for about 3 hours.

turns out, he was a juno nominee in 99! He was such a cool cat.

This also has been a very stressful year. I'm in a total of FOUR Ensembles. Two regular, and two for another class.

This is a very well deserved summer.