Music Degree

[Womber]

Hello Fellow Low Lifes

Just taking a survey. Many years ago I was a college student and newbie bass player. I was a biology major and was interested in minoring in music but decided that chemistry would be better for my career. Fast forward forty years and I am a more accomplished bass player and retired from a career in medical sales. I have always wanted to pursue that formal music education and said to myself, what the hell, contact your alma mater and inquire. So, long story short, on January 19 I start my quest for a Bachelors Degree in Music with a concentration in Music Theory. The reaction from friends and family are mostly indifferent to negative. I get comments about it being a waste of time and quite a few people asked the ridiculous question “What are you going to do with that degree?”

Not that it matters what anybody says because I’m doing this no matter what but I thought that I would ask my kindred spirits at TB what you all think about this adventure that I’m about to set off on? Way cool or crazy dumb?

 

[Matt Liebenau]

If that’s what you want, and it sounds like it might be a long time desire, and the tuition isn’t going to run you broke I think it’s great. Have fun.

 

[rickster4003]

Do what you want and to heck what others think. More power to you, go for your dream. I got my masters at 48 (not in music). Who is to say you won't use it, you never know where the winds of life will carry you. Best of luck in your studies! Remember, when the going gets tough don't give up.

 

[wallawallabob]

Education is never a waste of time - if it something you want to do, do it. Majoring in music is not an easy thing to do though. For sure, you will be a better musician when you're done.

 

[fdeck]

Cool!

 

[mongo2]

My son has a BA in music but it hasn't helped him much in his improvised plan B career as a college administrator.

He loves music and my wife and I always encouraged him to do what he loves so he got the degree. He's happy with keeping music as an advanced hobby and we're happy he's happy.

I got a BS in electronic engineering and followed that career path but kept playing music as a part-time endeavor. I After retirememt from the engineering I started playing and studying music more on my own. It was my dream retirement "career". I've considered pursuing a degree in music and took a couple of courses at the local college (where my wife and son work) but I'm happy with the playing and learning I'm doing on my own so the idea of getting a music degree went by the wayside.

Follow your bliss.

 

[BarqsBitMe]

Hello Fellow Low Lifes
The reaction from friends and family are mostly indifferent to negative. I get comments about it being a waste of time and quite a few people asked the ridiculous question “What are you going to do with that degree?”

I will never understand people who think education is only worth pursuing if you can make money with it...and lots of money at that. It has also been my anecdotal experience that most people with this mindset either hate their jobs because they care more about being wealthy than having a meaningful life, or they decided education ends with high school. If some 20 year old was talking about taking on massive amounts of debt to get a degree in something that is unlikely to make them any money, I might suggest they rethink that decision. The situation is much different for someone like you who already has/had an established career and is fine money-wise. Personally I would love to be in the position to be able to return to college to pursue a degree in something purely out of interest and personal development. I say go for it! Let the haters hate. A few years from now you'll have your music degree and they will still be hateful. One should never abandon their pursuits because of other people's inane opinions. The world needs people other than software engineers and financial analysts.

 

[mrcbass]

You need better friends and family. Aside from cost, what possible harm cold there be to anyone if you pursue this course? Follow your passion.

 

[MonetBass]

This is awesome. My story is similar: I got a Management Information Systems degree and after leaving my first job out of college, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. So I went back to school and got a bachelors in music focusing on music business. Even though I don't use that degree to make a living, I don't regret it for a second. The knowledge I gained in music in such a short time, the new friends I made (and even reconnected with an old one!) and my increased skill as both a double bass and electric bass player was well worth the time and money. Kudos!

 

[arbiterusa]

If you've got enough money stashed/invested to live on it doesn't matter a damn what anyone thinks, including me.

I will say this: you'll be an unusual student. Most music majors, at least at my alma mater, went in not knowing how to play an instrument and came out in the same condition. Which I think is a disgraceful state of affairs. It will improve your bass playing no end.

I was a biology major and was interested in minoring in music but decided that chemistry would be better for my career.

I wish I'd been 1/10th as smart about it.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

If you've got the time and money, sure. While you're at it I would take some regular private lessons. Hit up the jazz department bass faculty. Also, make sure you play in different ensembles. IMO, being able to make music with other like minds on a regular basis is one of the more valuable things about a music degree. The people who lecture you about being a waste aren't necessarily wrong... the vast majority of students who go into college music end up doing something else. But seeing that this is more of a hobby for you, why not?

 

[LBS-bass]

Hello Fellow Low Lifes

Just taking a survey. Many years ago I was a college student and newbie bass player. I was a biology major and was interested in minoring in music but decided that chemistry would be better for my career. Fast forward forty years and I am a more accomplished bass player and retired from a career in medical sales. I have always wanted to pursue that formal music education and said to myself, what the hell, contact your alma mater and inquire. So, long story short, on January 19 I start my quest for a Bachelors Degree in Music with a concentration in Music Theory. The reaction from friends and family are mostly indifferent to negative. I get comments about it being a waste of time and quite a few people asked the ridiculous question “What are you going to do with that degree?”

Not that it matters what anybody says because I’m doing this no matter what but I thought that I would ask my kindred spirits at TB what you all think about this adventure that I’m about to set off on? Way cool or crazy dumb?

I think it's a great idea, if it's what you want to do and you have the time and money to do it. Why do you have to "do something" with a degree besides learn? Too many people these days are confusing college for trade school. Go to school, learn something, apply it to your playing, and have fun.

 

[J33]

I'm failing to see the "Life according to OP's family members" book in everybodies feeds nor have I seen a new religion based around their profound knowledge of what makes everybody in the World fulfilled so I'd probably say it's safe to enroll yourself and go after what makes you happy O.P.

 

[bass12]

If money is not an issue then Bob's your uncle. I have two music degrees (completed ten years apart) and both lead to a considerable amount of growth on my part (also, since I am in Canada the cost for these degrees was entirely reasonable and didn't send me into a whirlwind of student debt). I suspect you will have a blast and will come out the other end a much improved musician.

 

[MrLenny1]

Way cool, that you want to pursue music.
Crazy dumb, IMHO, to get a degree.
My approach would be private studies with a top instructor.
But, either way Kudos for doing it.

 

[DirtDog]

Hello Fellow Low Lifes

Just taking a survey. Many years ago I was a college student and newbie bass player. I was a biology major and was interested in minoring in music but decided that chemistry would be better for my career. Fast forward forty years and I am a more accomplished bass player and retired from a career in medical sales. I have always wanted to pursue that formal music education and said to myself, what the hell, contact your alma mater and inquire. So, long story short, on January 19 I start my quest for a Bachelors Degree in Music with a concentration in Music Theory. The reaction from friends and family are mostly indifferent to negative. I get comments about it being a waste of time and quite a few people asked the ridiculous question “What are you going to do with that degree?”

Not that it matters what anybody says because I’m doing this no matter what but I thought that I would ask my kindred spirits at TB what you all think about this adventure that I’m about to set off on? Way cool or crazy dumb?

Makes more sense than what a lot of folks do after retiring. Kudos to you. It’s about a quest for knowledge than the pursuit of a career or something that would be considered practical.

heading towards retirement myself in a few years. Even though I have a couple of advanced degrees, I’ve been tinkering with the idea of civil engineering or law. The former would mean starting from scratch (even though I have the necessary credits in math, statistics, physics etc) where the latter I could walk into law school (assuming I do week in LSAT). Neither would be in pursuit of a second career, it would be purely knowledge.

But then again, I might be happy going fishing or sailing.

Music degree might be interesting….hmmm…lots of knowledge I’ve wished I had many times over the last 40+ years.

 

[LBS-bass]

Funny thing, this got me to thinking about how I would go about doing the same thing. I'm retired too, and the thing that sticks in my head is being the old woman in a class of young 'uns. I guess they are doing online clases still? That would lower the bar to entry for me

 

[s van order]

Cheers to you! You are done with the grind and those studies will broaden and deepen your knowledge and appreciation and love of music.

 

[s van order]

Cool!

Says it all in one word.

 

[J33]

Funny thing, this got me to thinking about how I would go about doing the same thing. I'm retired too, and the thing that sticks in my head is being the old woman in a class of young 'uns. I guess they are doing online clases still? That would lower the bar to entry for me

I'd bet good money that you'd go in there and out work those young 'uns to the point that most of them would be reevaluating their life choices by the middle of first semester just because of your presence. 100 bucks cash.