• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Which college music classes to take?

#21
If it is your dream to be a working professional musician, let no one steal your dream or tell you otherwise. Do what makes you happy. Some guys make a decent living playing music, while many do not.
 
#22
I don't know where all the majoring in music stuff is coming from, music is certainly not my major, it's just something fun for me to do. I haven't really decided on a major yet, but I have it narrowed down to architectural drafting, accounting, or teaching. I'm just trying to get basic prerequisites out of the way while taking some fun classes too.
 
#23
on what your likes are. If you want to work more in the classical world, then classical music theory and piano will be your bedrocks. with classical guitar not far behind. But if you plan to work in pop music or jazz, then take piano and jazz theory / jazz improv. If your focus is composition for film or orchestra, then you will need both classical and jazz theory, plus orchestration techniques and conducting. And computer based music composition classes, so you can learn how to compose digitally and how to operate a midi / digital audio project studio.

Since you are still feeling it out, I'd say take jazz theory / improv, and piano - you won't waste any time there, and what you will learn you can use in a lot of situations.

As much as I hated the class, and hate recommending it, take sight singing, especially if you want to write or become a better music reader. I hated every day I went to solfeg (sight singing), but one day, when I wanted to write down something that was in my head, and all I had was manuscript paper, I realized I could "see" the pitches as I heard them and could clearly hear the melody in terms of intervals, and I could write down what I heard in my head, on paper. This class will also sharpen your ears,and you will be better able to pick out and transcribe music because of improved pitch perception.
 
#24
goldenglory18 said:
Whatever you do, I would NOT major in Music. Take some electives, but major in something more broad/useful.

As for the classes, Theory/Comp is a must, and if your college has it, take a popular music class. I did that and the combination has made me a much better songwriter. Not to mention I listen to music completely differently now...
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if there is a popular music class, I know there's one for jazz.. I'll have to go over the list of courses again
 
#25
music theory is good, especially if you've never had that. personally, i had a bunch of that in high school, and skipped it in college.

i did take some music classes that were super amazing, though none were actually in the music department. some highlights:

history of the blues (american studies dept)
improvisational music (residential college)
afro-cuban drumming (residential college)

i list the departments to emphasize that you should expand your search for music classes beyond the music department.
 
#26
jefkritz said:
music theory is good, especially if you've never had that. personally, i had a bunch of that in high school, and skipped it in college.

i did take some music classes that were super amazing, though none were actually in the music department. some highlights:

history of the blues (american studies dept)
improvisational music (residential college)
afro-cuban drumming (residential college)

i list the departments to emphasize that you should expand your search for music classes beyond the music department.
Click to expand...

I haven't had any since elementary school, and I quit playing music after the 6th grade, so I definitely need some more. I do however, like the idea of music history classes as well, I hadn't considered that before.
 
#27
I see a fair number of posts that say "take music theory." Has this subject become so generic in 30 years? I went to an engineering school that had a very good music department. I took two classes in Classical theory (figured bass, tonality/modality, inversions, cadences, etc.) followed up by a class in Jazz theory (harmonic analysis, chord substitutions, etc.). Having the basis of classical theory under my belt made the jazz theory, which was far more useful to my actual playing as it turned out, much more productive.

Has the concept of separate classes for classical and jazz theory gone the way of the dodo?
 
#29
I just took a theory class last semester and plan to continue with the next level this coming semester. Classical theory is all that is offered (community college), but it's a good way to drill basic concepts, and improve reading. The upcoming class includes a piano ear training / sight-singing lab, which I'm looking forward to.
 
#30
FretlessMainly said:
I see a fair number of posts that say "take music theory." Has this subject become so generic in 30 years? I went to an engineering school that had a very good music department. I took two classes in Classical theory (figured bass, tonality/modality, inversions, cadences, etc.) followed up by a class in Jazz theory (harmonic analysis, chord substitutions, etc.). Having the basis of classical theory under my belt made the jazz theory, which was far more useful to my actual playing as it turned out, much more productive.

Has the concept of separate classes for classical and jazz theory gone the way of the dodo?
Click to expand...

No. It's just that, without knowing his school's catalog, there's no way for any of us to know what specific theory courses are offered at his school, and what the course progression (prerequisites and such) might be. So, we say "Theory," and let him choose the theory courses that apply to his needs.
 
#32
RxFunk said:
The catalog only says music theory and composition. I'm assuming it's classical theory.
Click to expand...

That's ok. The very basics apply to most music anyway. And, you'd be surprised at how much of "classical theory" applies to modern music. Much of classical theory will apply to different periods of music through the ages. It's good to understand that, as it gives you an idea of what makes different styles sound the way they do.

Funny story: once in theory class the prof said, "You must not use parallel fourths and fifths." I raised my hand and said, "Why not, I do it all the time (playing rock and jazz)." The prof then said, "Mr. Lowery, if you wish your music to sound like 18th-century classical you must NOT use parallel fourths and fifths." Me, "Oh yeah, I see [slinking down in my desk]." LOL.
 
#33
Russell L said:
Funny story: once in theory class the prof said, "You must not use parallel fourths and fifths." I raised my hand and said, "Why not, I do it all the time (playing rock and jazz)." The prof then said, "Mr. Lowery, if you wish your music to sound like 18th-century classical you must NOT use parallel fourths and fifths." Me, "Oh yeah, I see [slinking down in my desk]." LOL.
Click to expand...

Parallel octaves, 4ths, 5ths, hidden parallel intervals, voice-crossings, dissonant leaps, doubling voice rules, cadential rules, disjunct vs. conjuct motion... Ah, species counterpoint - the bane of Theory I students.
 
#34
You're giving me a flashback headache! Part of the struggle for me was that I did use so many of those things in R&R (even if I didn't realize I did), that I had trouble divesting how I pictured music back then with what the classical theorist was trying to get across. I think I finally really figured it out about ten years after I graduated. But that training has helped in how my style has evolved. I'm sure I'm still breaking many of the rules of the 1700-1800s, but I instinctively try to create counter-movement when I hear a line, and I like that.
 
#35
Everyone has said it but I'll just reinforce what they have to say.

I've been out of college for a long time now and the things I got most from my music degree were Music Theory (take as many classes as you can. 18th Century Counterpoint was a pain but it was totally worth it), piano, and choir. Why choir? Because that REALLY helped my ear hear harmonies beyond the root note. Being bass players, we tend to focus on just the root.

Other than that, make sure you practice 5 days a week and take private lessons.

Things I WISH I'd taken: Business, and electronics.
 
#37
None, go join a band and book shows.

If you can't get a following play better music that communicates to people.

I'd advise you to take marketing and management classes instea those are way more use full to a musician than actual music classes.
 
#38
the_stone said:
Definitely the theory class, and I'd also recommend a piano class. A good general music theory class will open your eyes to a very deep and (in my opinion) fascinating world of music that goes way beyond the "holy trinity" of scales/modes/arpeggios that are usually discussed here.

The piano class - the ability to find your way around on a piano keyboard is of immeasurable value to your ear-training, theory, transcribing, and general music chops. Keep in mind that, if you do take that theory class, many of the concepts will be explained with notation written to be demonstrated at the keyboard. Being able to play those examples will help strengthen your ability to hear the concept being discussed, which should be your ultimate goal.
Click to expand...

+100
 
#39
FretlessMainly said:
You're giving me a flashback headache! Part of the struggle for me was that I did use so many of those things in R&R (even if I didn't realize I did), that I had trouble divesting how I pictured music back then with what the classical theorist was trying to get across. I think I finally really figured it out about ten years after I graduated. But that training has helped in how my style has evolved. I'm sure I'm still breaking many of the rules of the 1700-1800s, but I instinctively try to create counter-movement when I hear a line, and I like that.
Click to expand...

Yes, and the other side of the coin is that by understanding these things you also understand what to do to NOT make your music sound like something else. Or, that is, you understand just WHAT any style needs in order to sound like it does.

For instance, parallel 5ths in rock? Why, of course, all over the place.
 
#40
Space Pickle said:
I would try and figure out who the best music teachers are at your school and take their classes regardless of subject, especially if you're not a music major and have a limited selection.
Click to expand...

This plus 111 !

Take percussion lessons if at all possible. As a bassist you need to have your rhythm inside out and upside down while asleep solid. Snare drum in particular is a valuable instrument to have in your musical arsenal as it takes melody out of the picture and makes rhythm a physical presence you can focus on and really tighten up.

If there is a killer teacher take some lessons - on any instrument. You'll be surprised at how much of what you learn will help your main instrument. Other instrumental issues can show you the strength of your instrument and the weaknesses of your instrument and make you a more effective bassist and musician. Nothing like a fresh perspective to get you moving in fresh directions.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back