High school bass player thinking about college

Do as you please. If you don't study music in college it isn't like music is then cut off from your life. You can study accounting/engineering/mortuary science/etc, and still play bass outside of school.

 

Depends on your goals. If you want to study science, then study science. If you are serious about music and can see teaching / playing music as your career, then do that. It isn't an easy path, and takes an intense amount of dedication, but, if you are dedicated, it's worth it.

 

I'm a UNH graduate, and changed my major a few times before I finally decided on Communication Arts at the Manchester campus. The major had a pretty wide variety of classes from audio and video editing to interpersonal relationships. What really intrigued me was the A/V stuff, and I ended up meeting a lot of other people with the same interests. I was still in a band when attending, and never let my interest in music die. If you have any questions about the program let me know. Posts if good info on the UNHM site too.

 

I am in high school too, think about this. Some jobs a degree opens up careers. An example would be teaching, you need a degree to teach, but you won't need one for a lot of bass gigs.

If you want to go play in a symphony, then you may need specialized performance study at some fancy music university.

Physics is by far the toughest class I am in, (mechanics) but if you are interested go for it. My teacher ruined it for me.

 

My background: I played cello and electric bass through high school, then went to college and did a double major in math and physics. Then I got a PhD in physics. While in college I started taking lessons on an upright bass, and that has become my main instrument.

I went to a college that didn't have a super competitive music program, so there were spaces in the college music groups for non-music majors. I played in the jazz band for four years. I imagine that at a big college, you could probably get into an orchestra, but the jazz groups might be a bit more competitive due to the smaller number of bassists needed per group. But who knows?

There is such a thing as music scholarships for non-music majors as well, due to shortages of some instruments in the college groups. They'd rather give you a scholarship than have to hire players from town. One of my band mates has a son who just got a full ride music scholarship, and is double majoring in music and physics.

Today I have what I think is a pretty cool job at a company that makes the other kind of instruments -- scientific instruments. I'm not a "first call" bassist in my locale, but I definitely get my chances to play out. And I've managed to bring physics and music together in a modest way with my little business.

@Jesus: Don't let yourself be turned off by just one teacher. You might have to do some of your own reading about the subject to see if it sparks an interest.

 

Number one All State and you still don't think you're good enough? Well poop, I'm up a creek without a paddle if that's the case

Given what you've said, you sound like a smart kid and you probably have a bright future ahead of you regardless of what you do. May I suggest, however, that you use your brains and focus on something like physics, engineering, or accounting in college and continue to pursue music on the side (perhaps as a minor). I decided to take the business route, but I've continued to play music on the side throughout most of my stay in college. In fact, I've done fairly well at it and have become a bit of a 'go-to' bass guy for bands needing a sub on short notice. It's nothing crazy, but it's cool to say that I'm a somewhat in demand player considering I am not one of the jazz cats at my school. In fact, I tend to be employed just as much as most of those kids who decided to pursue music in college and make it their living!

Ultimately, do what you think is best, but know that just because you don't go to school for music doesn't mean you can't continue to play and make music (even if only for a few years) a part time job for yourself. It's what I'm doing, and it has been an amazing experience.

 

Not trying to rain on your parade, but...

Honestly, it IS really hard to make a living off of music, even if you are a spectacular player. You usually have to be incredibly good, incredibly lucky, and most likely both to make a really good living from it. If you are valedictorian and interested in science/physics, I would pursue that and keep music as a hobby.

I went to college for graphic design (which is what I do now for a living) but almost switched to music as a major in my first year. After alot of soul searching, I decided I would likely have a better chance for a good living with graphic design (and I was right).

 

While I definitely am far from making it, I can say that this is very true. In addition, it's not always the best players who make it. A lot of the time it's the guys who are the most business savvy and who have the better networking connections that make it. Even in the minor leagues this still holds true. I'm definitely not the best sub bassist in my town, but I'm definitely never short of gigs if I want them because I know how to network and sell myself to other players and bands.

 

+1

 

One of my teachers always says "never pursue music as a career unless you cannot be happy without it".

 

Hey, small world I saw you play at Jazz All State (my daughter was second to you) You were really good-- Good time/great feel! We were all impressed with your playing. That was an incredible group!
Why not combine your interests? Some sort of engineering and you can incorporate music. Go with what you love and you can't go wrong. Congrats on being valedictorian too. It sounds like you will be successful in anything you set your mind to!
Best Wishes

 

I left a pretty spiffy conservatory program (in 1981) in part because I didn't feel like I was exercising the parts of my brain that weren't involved in music. If you're really interested in science you might wind up feeling the same way. But on the other hand, I never stopped playing. I'd like to think that I made progress as a musician even though I have made my living as an attorney for almost twenty years.

Same with my kid. He was a strong high-school player but went to college for computer science / electrical engineering. He has never stopped playing and I KNOW he's made progress.

Good luck and have fun with your search and your choices.

 

Follow your gut. FWIW, here's my story:

Started at age 13 or so, private lessons all the way through into college. All-state, all-city, even a coveted student spot in a professional symphony. Despite all that, I knew I certainly didn't have the raw talent to be a professional musician. Majored in physics and psych in college but still played plenty. Played classical, bluegrass, small combo jazz, big-band jazz, theater, etc.

Off to graduate school for a Ph.D. and stopped playing. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb!!! Started up again years later, went for formal jazz training with fine teachers while having a day job.

Now, I play jazz for the love of it. I'm a dedicated amateur, semi-pro, whatever you want to call it. It sure makes me happy!

Best wishes with your decision!

 

You can always minor in music and keep playing while at school as many have suggested.

 

I would probably get into a school with a great science program in a city with a good music scene (pick any large city in the NE). That way you could take lessons, meet other musicians, get on the scene while pursuing your academic studies. You could not do it the other way around: major in music and study science on your own.

If you're truly serious about music then you'll keep playing. When I was doing my master's at MSM there was a piano player there who did his undergrad in Physics at Princeton and a sax player who did his undergrad in biochemistry! Sharpening your mind with the sciences is a good way to ensure some degree of success in the music business.