Not sure where else to put this

[michaelgilleran]

All my life, Ive known I was supposed to be a musician. I play in every ensemble I can get my hands in, I spend all my time thinking about music, and I regularly skip classes to practice. So Im not trying to sound like a jerk, but if your gonna try and talk me out of being a pro musician, your wasting your time.

Heres my dilema. I play tuba and electric bass (upright bass too, but not well enough to make a profession of it). Im not ashamed to say that Im really quite good at both. My bass level is a very solid playing of Wootens Norweigen wood, and my tuba playing is the Vaughan Williams Tuba concerto.

The problem is, I cant decide which I should pursue as my profession. I love both instruments equally. As for electric bass, I have a small studio of beginner students, and I play in two regularly gigging groups that have a pretty decent pay scale. Im also experienced in pit work. For tuba, Im in two symphony orchestras, but they do not perform nearly as much. And I have a brass quintet, but it rarely gigs.

Based off this, I would say bass is the way to go because Im getting more gigs for it, right?

But, Ill be at college in just over a year, and very few colleges offer degrees in electric bass. In fact, the only respectable one I can think of is the california institute of the arts (CalArts). On the other hand, I can think of about 20 colleges with very respectable tuba programs, and once you "make it" as a tuba player, the jobs are more consistent and usually higher paying

My question to TB is this. Which instrument should I pursue a degree in, and ultimately, make my profession?

EDIT: Its worth mentioning that Ive recorded 2 albums in pro studios, and done a lot of hired work for semi pro bands. So while I dont claim to know it all, Ive got my feet wet and have an idea of what Im getting into

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by michaelgilleran

All my life, Ive known I was supposed to be a musician. I play in every ensemble I can get my hands in, I spend all my time thinking about music, and I regularly skip classes to practice. So Im not trying to sound like a jerk, but if your gonna try and talk me out of being a pro musician, your wasting your time.

Well then you`re already screwed kid

I was good back in high school too. In fact, I was really good and got accepted to quite a number of schools with top notch musical programs. Then I realized just how insane the workload was to become a "pro" musician and just how hard the life was. We`re talking 27 hours worth of school work a week just for 17 hours of credits. Then I educated myself about possible job options in the field - basically there are none past being a teacher that are steady. If you do land gigs you`re still subject to teaching private lessons on the side because gigs won`t pay enough to cover house payments or your children`s expenses, and even then money will more often than not will be lean.

Take my advise, go to class and get an education. Then move on to college and go into a field that will at least pay a modest wage. You won`t be guaranteed a job of course, but it`ll be a better bet. Music will ALWAYS be there for you and you can always gig on the side and work your way up the local music scene as a bassist and make good pocket money as a sub while pursuing a degree that`ll let you eat something other than ramen noodles for the rest of your life.

If you really are that good then people will find you and become aware of your talent if you play out enough. But what happens if you aren`t as good as you think you are and then are stuck with a pretty useless degree that won`t help you land a normal job? Just think about it for a hot minute. I was in your situation not even 3 years ago and thought I was hot stuff because I could play Wooten and Jaco stuff like no other, had very strong sight reading skills, and a good ear. Turns out there was always someone better and younger than me and by comparison I really was nothing. Solid, sure. But I wasn`t going to be the next Marcus Miller.

Anyways, my point is that I want you to really think about it. If my post made you mad then it worked and hopefully you`ll really reconsider your priorities in life. Again, music will always be there for you. Study it in your free time and work your butt off to become the local go-to bassist in town for sub work. It`ll get you more places than a degree in music will, unless you want to teach high school bands for a living.

And also, don`t be a bum. Go to class. Get your education. And become very good at math. <-- words I wish someone told me when I was in high school.

[michaelgilleran]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Well then you`re already screwed kid

I was good back in high school too. In fact, I was really good and got accepted to quite a number of schools with top notch musical programs. Then I realized just how insane the workload was to become a "pro" musician and just how hard the life was. We`re talking 27 hours worth of school work a week just for 17 hours of credits. Then I educated myself about possible job options in the field - basically there are none past being a teacher that are steady. If you do land gigs you`re still subject to teaching private lessons on the side because gigs won`t pay enough to cover house payments or your children`s expenses, and even then money will more often than not will be lean.

Take my advise, go to class and get an education. Then move on to college and go into a field that will at least pay a modest wage. You won`t be guaranteed a job of course, but it`ll be a better bet. Music will ALWAYS be there for you and you can always gig on the side and work your way up the local music scene as a bassist and make good pocket money as a sub while pursuing a degree that`ll let you eat something other than ramen noodles for the rest of your life.

If you really are that good then people will find you and become aware of your talent if you play out enough. But what happens if you aren`t as good as you think you are and then are stuck with a pretty useless degree that won`t help you land a normal job? Just think about it for a hot minute. I was in your situation not even 3 years ago and thought I was hot stuff because I could play Wooten and Jaco stuff like no other, had very strong sight reading skills, and a good ear. Turns out there was always someone better and younger than me and by comparison I really was nothing. Solid, sure. But I wasn`t going to be the next Marcus Miller.

Anyways, my point is that I want you to really think about it. If my post made you mad then it worked and hopefully you`ll really reconsider your priorities in life. Again, music will always be there for you. Study it in your free time and work your butt off to become the local go-to bassist in town for sub work. It`ll get you more places than a degree in music will, unless you want to teach high school bands for a living.

And also, don`t be a bum. Go to class. Get your education. And become very good at math. <-- words I wish someone told me when I was in high school.

Dont worry, your post doesnt make me mad. But it just doesnt sway me

[Sharko]

I'm not going to try to talk you out of a career in music, but I am going to try to convince you to stop skipping your English classes

[michaelgilleran]

Originally Posted by Sharko

I'm not going to try to talk you out of a career in music, but I am going to try to convince you to stop skipping your English classes

Typed it on my iphone

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by michaelgilleran

Dont worry, your post doesnt make me mad. But it just doesnt sway me

Well in that case just know that any competent music program will make you learn both upright and electric. Keep that in mind when deciding.

If you want a career in music, do it. If you want to be a firefighter, do it. If you want to be a hedge fund manager or an ice-trucker, do it. Set your goals and never waver.

As far as bass or tuba; which do you feel better doing? Which feels 'right' to you? Think about it. Write down what you think and feel after playing bass and playing tuba. Which piece of paper has more 'good' stuff on it?

You'll make the right decision.

[michaelgilleran]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Well in that case just know that any competent music program will make you learn both upright and electric. Keep that in mind when deciding.

CalArts doesnt make you do both actually, but I know enough upright to play it through college as a secondary

[mpdd]

unless you have rich parents who are going to bankroll your music career, you need to meet specific people who have met and not realized the goals you have, so you will be able to decide if the challenges and accomplishments will be worth it, i went through the same thing with sculpture, i turned around yesterday and realized that i was 36 and it was time to be thankful that i have a cool art teaching job and a great photography job and i started playing music again for the first time in ten years and it's cool to teach my girlfriend songs and to jam with my buddies (i don't need to be a hotshot musician or art star anymore i spent about 18 years doing that, in LA, NY, and Cleveland)

[Stumbo]

So you want to be a music major?

[brentonkim]

Originally Posted by michaelgilleran

All my life, Ive known I was supposed to be a musician. I play in every ensemble I can get my hands in, I spend all my time thinking about music, and I regularly skip classes to practice. So Im not trying to sound like a jerk, but if your gonna try and talk me out of being a pro musician, your wasting your time.

Heres my dilema. I play tuba and electric bass (upright bass too, but not well enough to make a profession of it). Im not ashamed to say that Im really quite good at both. My bass level is a very solid playing of Wootens Norweigen wood, and my tuba playing is the Vaughan Williams Tuba concerto.

The problem is, I cant decide which I should pursue as my profession. I love both instruments equally. As for electric bass, I have a small studio of beginner students, and I play in two regularly gigging groups that have a pretty decent pay scale. Im also experienced in pit work. For tuba, Im in two symphony orchestras, but they do not perform nearly as much. And I have a brass quintet, but it rarely gigs.

Based off this, I would say bass is the way to go because Im getting more gigs for it, right?

But, Ill be at college in just over a year, and very few colleges offer degrees in electric bass. In fact, the only respectable one I can think of is the california institute of the arts (CalArts). On the other hand, I can think of about 20 colleges with very respectable tuba programs, and once you "make it" as a tuba player, the jobs are more consistent and usually higher paying

My question to TB is this. Which instrument should I pursue a degree in, and ultimately, make my profession?

EDIT: Its worth mentioning that Ive recorded 2 albums in pro studios, and done a lot of hired work for semi pro bands. So while I dont claim to know it all, Ive got my feet wet and have an idea of what Im getting into

i stopped reading there.
just because you can play norweigen wood, doesn't mean you're good.

hehehe

[Ugly Fingertips]

Eleven months ago I was in nearly the exact same position as you. I was a junior in high school with a strong desire to major in music. I had played Electric Bass for four years and I had a few years in on saxophone prior to that. Despite being absolutely ahead of my age group as a musician, I would of had a lot of trouble getting into any university with the skills I had at the time.

Well, I found an excellent teacher who got me started on upright. I practiced 6-8 hours a day, alienated myself from my friends, and got loads better as a musician and a bass player in the process. After only four months of playing Upright Bass I auditioned at a University that had a Jazz Program known for it's stellar faculty, artists in residence, and for performing at the Newport Jazz Festival, Montreux, and elsewhere throughout the world. I got in with the professors commending me as a musician with a strong work ethic, being able to get this far in such a small amount of time.

Whatever you decide to do, understand that no university will be impressed by the flash of a Wooten piece. You have to go in there prepared to demonstrate your ability as a musician and a quality human being.

I hope I was of some help,
David

[duff beer]

Originally Posted by michaelgilleran

Typed it on my iphone

Why is that an excuse??

[michaelgilleran]

Originally Posted by brentonkim

i stopped reading there.
just because you can play norweigen wood, doesn't mean you're good.

hehehe

No, just because you can play anything doesnt make you good. But I do a very solid rendition of it. I was just trying to give people an idea of where my playing is

[fdeck]

I would go with Ugly, and ask if it's not too late for you to pick up the double bass. My general rationale is simply that DB pedagogy tends to be at a higher level. There are more programs, including the top music schools in the world. And there are plenty of students in those programs who will graduate with a really solid foundation, and who are more than competent on electric bass.

[michaelgilleran]

Originally Posted by fdeck

I would go with Ugly, and ask if it's not too late for you to pick up the double bass. My general rationale is simply that DB pedagogy tends to be at a higher level. There are more programs, including the top music schools in the world. And there are plenty of students in those programs who will graduate with a really solid foundation, and who are more than competent on electric bass.

I already do play double bass. Im in the top band at my school and Ive done a few low profile gigs with it, but its just not where my heart is. And if theres one thing Ive learned from talking to pros, its that if you dont love the instrument with all your heart, dont even try.

[Wasted Bassist]

Why pick? I've got a friend who just graduated with a music performance degree specializing in bass with some tuba on the side. He ended getting scholarships from the school he went to for both (well all three if you count bass guitar) instruments.

[Ugly Fingertips]

Originally Posted by michaelgilleran

I already do play double bass. Im in the top band at my school and Ive done a few low profile gigs with it, but its just not where my heart is. And if theres one thing Ive learned from talking to pros, its that if you dont love the instrument with all your heart, dont even try.

Well... it appears you already have your answer. Good luck to ya!

[Beginner Bass]

Subbed

[R. Laevinus]

...well, if trying to talk you out of it won't work, I won't try.

I think you might wanna listen carefully to the people who do try, though.


Aside from that, I'd reccomend you do both electric bass and tuba. And I'd reccomend you study tuba at the post-secondary level.

My reasoning is thus: The classical music community is small and tightly-knit. In order to get a spot in a professional orchestra, you need to not only know people, but be in the right place at the right time with the right instrument wearing the right tie and playing the right score. And earning a degree will help you get to know the people in the know, as well as (hopefully) driving your playing to a professional level. It's also pretty much impossible to make it in the classical world without a degree in the performance of your instrument.

Play bass on the side, though - don't bother studying it, because in jazz and pop music, it's far more important to have a long list of accomplishments than to have a degree. While knowing the right people is also important in jazz and pop, a degree won't help nearly as much because the scenes are so broad. Schooling wouldn't hurt, but it just won't help as much in rock or jazz as classical schooling will help your classical career.

Seriously though... while being a pro musician is great, being a failed musician is a fate I wouldn't wish on anybody.

And there's a lot more failed pros than working pros.