Hey i was wondering if anyone on here has or is majoring in music? Also is it a difficult rode to travel, and will all the money you pay for going to school end up paying off in the end. Im in my first year of college and am working on my Accosiates in arts degree and will eventually, after that, try and get into a nice music college (Berklee hopefully) and major in music. Any advice?

Thanks








_________________
Tama Starclassic maple in marygold sparkle (studio kit)
Tama Starclassic Birch in silk white (gig kit)
DW 9000 series harware
Axis Al-2 Longboard pedals
Zildjian A custom and Sabian AAX cymbals
Evans skins
Vic Firth sticks

ud have 2 hit up fiestyreddrummer she said shes a music major. cheers.








_________________
Gretsch, Zildjian, Axis, Gibraltar.

"If you can play, you can play anything. I don't like classifications."

http://www.myspace.com/metal_in_entropy

mattcore wrote:

Hey i was wondering if anyone on here has or is majoring in music? Also is it a difficult rode to travel, and will all the money you pay for going to school end up paying off in the end. Im in my first year of college and am working on my Accosiates in arts degree and will eventually, after that, try and get into a nice music college (Berklee hopefully) and major in music. Any advice?

Thanks

sup homes.
I'm a music major.
It is really difficult. I'm not going to lie. and your first two years are probably going to be the hardest you encounter. But really. stick in there it really does pay off and it is well worth all the sleep deprivation. If you can get through your AA then you will be well on your way. And You know, half the people I knew (i.e. freinds who were also music majrs) dropped out within the first year or two. So stick to it!
Berklee is an amazing conservatory, i hope you get in! Dedicate yourself to your instument, sleep eat, dream it. And you willl for sure be ready to audition for Berlee within a year. Five sho.
If you wanna talk more about music and college and your trouble with your classes lol hit me up on AIM AlmostAnAngelCyn.
I started off at a community college simply because my grades weren't good enough to get me into any big time schools. My auditions got me in, but when they saw my grades i got a big NO letter in the mail. It was a very long and slow process for me, and very fusterating.

I got my AA and then went on to get my BA in music, I'm now working on my Masters. So I've been doing it for awhile now. Believe me, the money will come back. There are a lot of things for you to do with a degree. ANY degree even if you don't stick in music once you get that degree. Its a piece of paper that says you went to college, and you can earn ten times more than the people without that degree. There is a satistic i'm going to see if i can find it for you. But it calculates your life earning based off of how much schol you have attended.
I know its a hard road. But If a little girl from Compton California (thats right) who has had her fair share of ups and downs, and make it in college as a drummer with the big boys. So can you.
If you need any advice or are looking for other ways to pay for college let me know, i may be able to help.

Cyn








_________________
You didn't steal my riff, it was free.

cool thanks! Are there any classes i should be taking right now to better my chances of making it into a good school? Right now im just taking my core classes, music appreciation, and im in the Jazz Ensamble. And the jazz chior instructor has asked me to play for them, but i dont want to be overwhelmed beacause i go to school 6 days a week already! Also, How did you audition?








_________________
Tama Starclassic maple in marygold sparkle (studio kit)
Tama Starclassic Birch in silk white (gig kit)
DW 9000 series harware
Axis Al-2 Longboard pedals
Zildjian A custom and Sabian AAX cymbals
Evans skins
Vic Firth sticks

mattcore wrote:

cool thanks! Are there any classes i should be taking right now to better my chances of making it into a good school? Right now im just taking my core classes, music appreciation, and im in the Jazz Ensamble. And the jazz chior instructor has asked me to play for them, but i dont want to be overwhelmed beacause i go to school 6 days a week already! Also, How did you audition?

okay there is a lot there to answer.
So you might be able to help me out before I can answer these.
I need the website to your school...yeah...
I said it.
lol I'm not stalking to you or anything But I need to see the lay out of courses your school offers before I can answer that question to be honest. If you don't wanna put it on here, just PM or IM me with it. I know what Berklee is looking for cause I auditioned for them twice, and got in both times. I just decided to not go there.

The auditon require ments are pretty strenious but you just have to set your mind to it, and really just practice your ass off every day.
So. Let me ask YOU questions before I can answer yours.
Do you play set? (i'm assuming you do)
Do you read music?
Can you sight read?
How is your rythm reading?
Do you have any basic musical theory backround?
Did you ever march in a marching band, if so what did you play?
Can you play any mallet instruments?
Can you play classical concert snare?
Do you play Timpianis?
Can you play hand drums (congas)?

Answer these and I can help you out a little better.








_________________
You didn't steal my riff, it was free.

I'm a music major, but not in percussion. Wind instruments is my forte.








_________________
Speak the rhythm with your hands.

http://www.myspace.com/yjamband



Pearls, Zildjians, Vics, Evans.

FiestyRedDrummEr wrote:

mattcore wrote:

cool thanks! Are there any classes i should be taking right now to better my chances of making it into a good school? Right now im just taking my core classes, music appreciation, and im in the Jazz Ensamble. And the jazz chior instructor has asked me to play for them, but i dont want to be overwhelmed beacause i go to school 6 days a week already! Also, How did you audition?

okay there is a lot there to answer.
So you might be able to help me out before I can answer these.
I need the website to your school...yeah...
I said it.
lol I'm not stalking to you or anything But I need to see the lay out of courses your school offers before I can answer that question to be honest. If you don't wanna put it on here, just PM or IM me with it. I know what Berklee is looking for cause I auditioned for them twice, and got in both times. I just decided to not go there.

The auditon require ments are pretty strenious but you just have to set your mind to it, and really just practice your ass off every day.
So. Let me ask YOU questions before I can answer yours.
Do you play set? (i'm assuming you do)
Do you read music?
Can you sight read?
How is your rythm reading?
Do you have any basic musical theory backround?
Did you ever march in a marching band, if so what did you play?
Can you play any mallet instruments?
Can you play classical concert snare?
Do you play Timpianis?
Can you play hand drums (congas)?

Answer these and I can help you out a little better.

my schools website is www.centralaz.edu

yes i play set, i read music but i do need a little work, i can sight read but that would be my weak point, my rythm reading is good, ive never taken any music theory im looking into taking that class next semester, I was in highschool marching band from seventh grade to my senior year i played quads from seventh to freshman year, and was lead snare from sophmore to my senior year. I played concert snare from 6th grade to my junior year. I can play timpany but im rusty. I dabble on congas.
Thanks for helping me out with this btw i realy appreciate it.








_________________
Tama Starclassic maple in marygold sparkle (studio kit)
Tama Starclassic Birch in silk white (gig kit)
DW 9000 series harware
Axis Al-2 Longboard pedals
Zildjian A custom and Sabian AAX cymbals
Evans skins
Vic Firth sticks

FiestyRedDrummEr wrote:

mattcore wrote:

Hey i was wondering if anyone on here has or is majoring in music? Also is it a difficult rode to travel, and will all the money you pay for going to school end up paying off in the end. Im in my first year of college and am working on my Accosiates in arts degree and will eventually, after that, try and get into a nice music college (Berklee hopefully) and major in music. Any advice?

Thanks

sup homes.
I'm a music major.
It is really difficult. I'm not going to lie. and your first two years are probably going to be the hardest you encounter. But really. stick in there it really does pay off and it is well worth all the sleep deprivation. If you can get through your AA then you will be well on your way. And You know, half the people I knew (i.e. freinds who were also music majrs) dropped out within the first year or two. So stick to it!
Berklee is an amazing conservatory, i hope you get in! Dedicate yourself to your instument, sleep eat, dream it. And you willl for sure be ready to audition for Berlee within a year. Five sho.
If you wanna talk more about music and college and your trouble with your classes lol hit me up on AIM AlmostAnAngelCyn.
I started off at a community college simply because my grades weren't good enough to get me into any big time schools. My auditions got me in, but when they saw my grades i got a big NO letter in the mail. It was a very long and slow process for me, and very fusterating.

I got my AA and then went on to get my BA in music, I'm now working on my Masters. So I've been doing it for awhile now. Believe me, the money will come back. There are a lot of things for you to do with a degree. ANY degree even if you don't stick in music once you get that degree. Its a piece of paper that says you went to college, and you can earn ten times more than the people without that degree. There is a satistic i'm going to see if i can find it for you. But it calculates your life earning based off of how much schol you have attended.
I know its a hard road. But If a little girl from Compton California (thats right) who has had her fair share of ups and downs, and make it in college as a drummer with the big boys. So can you.
If you need any advice or are looking for other ways to pay for college let me know, i may be able to help.

Cyn

I wish I would've stayed in school. I didn't drop out because it was hard, I dropped out because I thought running the streets was more important. Talk about a seriously stupid decision. At 30, going back to school is a goal but not a very easy one.








_________________

Dr. Rodney McKay wrote:

Well, I only know one thing and that is that flying darkness that eats energy can only be very, very bad.

http://www.MySpace.com/PageFive

i was a music major for a few years - it kicked my ass! when i signed up for it i thought i'd just be playing like snare and set stuff - hell no. marimbas, timpanies, snare, bells, everything that makes a freggin' sound! but the theory was the hardest. music history was no easy concept either... tons and tons of memorization.

so yeah, i dropped the music major and became a business major - i lost my soul, but i didn't have to study anymore. i've been thinking about going back.

mattcore wrote:

FiestyRedDrummEr wrote:

mattcore wrote:

cool thanks! Are there any classes i should be taking right now to better my chances of making it into a good school? Right now im just taking my core classes, music appreciation, and im in the Jazz Ensamble. And the jazz chior instructor has asked me to play for them, but i dont want to be overwhelmed beacause i go to school 6 days a week already! Also, How did you audition?

okay there is a lot there to answer.
So you might be able to help me out before I can answer these.
I need the website to your school...yeah...
I said it.
lol I'm not stalking to you or anything But I need to see the lay out of courses your school offers before I can answer that question to be honest. If you don't wanna put it on here, just PM or IM me with it. I know what Berklee is looking for cause I auditioned for them twice, and got in both times. I just decided to not go there.

The auditon require ments are pretty strenious but you just have to set your mind to it, and really just practice your ass off every day.
So. Let me ask YOU questions before I can answer yours.
Do you play set? (i'm assuming you do)
Do you read music?
Can you sight read?
How is your rythm reading?
Do you have any basic musical theory backround?
Did you ever march in a marching band, if so what did you play?
Can you play any mallet instruments?
Can you play classical concert snare?
Do you play Timpianis?
Can you play hand drums (congas)?

Answer these and I can help you out a little better.

my schools website is www.centralaz.edu

yes i play set, i read music but i do need a little work, i can sight read but that would be my weak point, my rythm reading is good, ive never taken any music theory im looking into taking that class next semester, I was in highschool marching band from seventh grade to my senior year i played quads from seventh to freshman year, and was lead snare from sophmore to my senior year. I played concert snare from 6th grade to my junior year. I can play timpany but im rusty. I dabble on congas.
Thanks for helping me out with this btw i realy appreciate it.

Awesome! So You have a good muscial backround. Very good you have a better start than most. Okay so I looked at your schedual of classes and first I wasn't that very impressed, but then I found the right schedual lol.
Okay so you need to start off by taking Music Fundamentals. It will start off very very basic but it starts off slow and gets you ready for the real theory.
So I hihly suggest this as your next semester:
Music Fundmentals
Band
Private Instruction: Percussion
Jazz Ensemble (yeah its two performance classes)
I say join as many performance classes as possible, because then you get more time to practice and use your instrument.
Now being a percussion major is not easy. We have to learn so many more instruments , and more techniques. Cause not every drums is the same. It takes a lot of practice and dedication. Because its not like violinists, we can't just pull our instrument out of our back pockets and practice at home. But its worth it.

Now If you want to audition for a university be prepared to be able to play two classical snare pieces. two mallet pieces, one in four mallets and one in two. Two timp. pieces (buy the Vic Firth solo timpist book very very good book i use it all the time)
You will have to play a little something on the set, they usually prefer in jazz style with your own made up fill.
You will also have to audition on some classical crash cymbals, using proper technique. And classical concert bass drum, using classical technique (muting the drum. rolls, stacciato)
You will also have to do some hand drums work of your choice.

Now it seems like a alot, and it seems over whelming now.
But trust me if you have a good practice routiene set up and you practice 3 hours a day everyday, you will be fully prepared within a year.
Good luck! and really, keep it up. You know where to find me if you need any help!
Cyn








_________________
You didn't steal my riff, it was free.

joejoeplaysdrums wrote:

i was a music major for a few years - it kicked my ass! when i signed up for it i thought i'd just be playing like snare and set stuff - hell no. marimbas, timpanies, snare, bells, everything that makes a freggin' sound! but the theory was the hardest. music history was no easy concept either... tons and tons of memorization.

so yeah, i dropped the music major and became a business major - i lost my soul, but i didn't have to study anymore. i've been thinking about going back.

Its never too late!
And yeah Theory is hard, but IT gets easier. After your first year of theory things start to get a little easier.








_________________
You didn't steal my riff, it was free.

mattcore wrote:

Hey i was wondering if anyone on here has or is majoring in music? Also is it a difficult rode to travel, and will all the money you pay for going to school end up paying off in the end. Im in my first year of college and am working on my Accosiates in arts degree and will eventually, after that, try and get into a nice music college (Berklee hopefully) and major in music. Any advice?

Thanks

I'll give it to you straight-

If you want to live the life that is deemed "normal" in societal standards, this is NOT the gig for you. As with most artists, you are gonna have to suffer greatly for the art until you find a niche'. I have gotten real lucky (as most who do this will confess)

When you go to Berklee it's not as if you get a free pass that says "ONE MAJOR GIG AWAITS YOU UPON GRADUATION". Nope. Usually it's the guys who are not in school of any kind who are hitting the road. There's NO TIME for being static in one location!! I always wanted to go to music school but when I was 17 I was on the road playing hotel lounges, drinking vodka & tonics, and having my choice of the eye candy because I was "the baby of the band" (jeebus I so miss those days). I was livin' the life no doubt!!

Here it is, 21 years later and I am still working in similiar situations as I was when I was young. Oh I have climbed the top of the proverbial mountain. I've played almost every major music fest, recorded almost 100 full-length CDs, won a Grammy award, and lived abroad for long periods. I've taught one or two drummers that you definitely know, a few you might know, and countless others that you will never hear their names. About 1000 guys & girls have passed through my door as students. I have played every gig you can imagine, even some you can't. If I were to hang up my sticks for good tomorrow, I'd be comfortable knowing that I set out and accomplished in 37 years (the length of my tenure on the instrument) what many will never dream of doing in this business. And there has been a price- a broken marriage, a nervous breakdown, times of no money (read: abject poverty) and dealing with a crop of assholes that would make a group of charlatan sportsfans on a murderous, vandalizing tear look like a bunch of panty-waisted choirboys.

As you age, it gets harder and harder to do this. Not because the body doesn't want to work (different story altogether) but because the jading sets in. You can get a bad case of "who gives a fuck" and that's real hard to cure. Currently I am kind of in that mode. I have had to refocus myself on "in-town" stuff, as I have a 7 year old who I don't want to miss growing up. (only occurs once for them).

My advice- play drums for the love of it. Live a "normal" life. You are not cut out for this, trust me. I know I am not very encouraging but really, unless you are willing to sell off rights to your soul in certain instances you are not made for this task.

Hey, hate me now, thank me later. And should you throw caution to the wind and somehow reach the pinnacle of combined career/financial/emotional success then kudos to you. Maybe my telling you that you CANNOT do something will be the imptus for your glory. I was always told that this was the bad decision and still I didn't listen. Look what it got me...... (ROTFLMAO)








_________________
13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums

BillRayDrums wrote:

mattcore wrote:

Hey i was wondering if anyone on here has or is majoring in music? Also is it a difficult rode to travel, and will all the money you pay for going to school end up paying off in the end. Im in my first year of college and am working on my Accosiates in arts degree and will eventually, after that, try and get into a nice music college (Berklee hopefully) and major in music. Any advice?

Thanks

I'll give it to you straight-

If you want to live the life that is deemed "normal" in societal standards, this is NOT the gig for you. As with most artists, you are gonna have to suffer greatly for the art until you find a niche'. I have gotten real lucky (as most who do this will confess)

When you go to Berklee it's not as if you get a free pass that says "ONE MAJOR GIG AWAITS YOU UPON GRADUATION". Nope. Usually it's the guys who are not in school of any kind who are hitting the road. There's NO TIME for being static in one location!! I always wanted to go to music school but when I was 17 I was on the road playing hotel lounges, drinking vodka & tonics, and having my choice of the eye candy because I was "the baby of the band" (jeebus I so miss those days). I was livin' the life no doubt!!

Here it is, 21 years later and I am still working in similiar situations as I was when I was young. Oh I have climbed the top of the proverbial mountain. I've played almost every major music fest, recorded almost 100 full-length CDs, won a Grammy award, and lived abroad for long periods. I've taught one or two drummers that you definitely know, a few you might know, and countless others that you will never hear their names. About 1000 guys & girls have passed through my door as students. I have played every gig you can imagine, even some you can't. If I were to hang up my sticks for good tomorrow, I'd be comfortable knowing that I set out and accomplished in 37 years (the length of my tenure on the instrument) what many will never dream of doing in this business. And there has been a price- a broken marriage, a nervous breakdown, times of no money (read: abject poverty) and dealing with a crop of assholes that would make a group of charlatan sportsfans on a murderous, vandalizing tear look like a bunch of panty-waisted choirboys.

As you age, it gets harder and harder to do this. Not because the body doesn't want to work (different story altogether) but because the jading sets in. You can get a bad case of "who gives a fuck" and that's real hard to cure. Currently I am kind of in that mode. I have had to refocus myself on "in-town" stuff, as I have a 7 year old who I don't want to miss growing up. (only occurs once for them).

My advice- play drums for the love of it. Live a "normal" life. You are not cut out for this, trust me. I know I am not very encouraging but really, unless you are willing to sell off rights to your soul in certain instances you are not made for this task.

Hey, hate me now, thank me later. And should you throw caution to the wind and somehow reach the pinnacle of combined career/financial/emotional success then kudos to you. Maybe my telling you that you CANNOT do something will be the imptus for your glory. I was always told that this was the bad decision and still I didn't listen. Look what it got me...... (ROTFLMAO)

Wow dude... you just made me realy want to prove you wrong. but mabey like you said, thats what i needed a more motivation. so... To everyone that reads this remember this name

"Matt Horn"

You'll probably hear alot of it in a few years
End of Thread








_________________
Tama Starclassic maple in marygold sparkle (studio kit)
Tama Starclassic Birch in silk white (gig kit)
DW 9000 series harware
Axis Al-2 Longboard pedals
Zildjian A custom and Sabian AAX cymbals
Evans skins
Vic Firth sticks

When I first moved to San Diego, an old jazz guy named Ray Tejedas asked me "where you from, dookie?" I told him and he said in a very angry voice" well go the FUCK back to where you came. We don't need another drummer here"!

That made me angry enough that I proved him wrong. And I'm not telling you this as an "easy out". You really don't know what you are getting into here. If you have a great support net, are independently wealthy, or have a screw loose (my problem) you will have a very rough road.

I give you 10 years as a "music and nothing else" type. Yeah, that's right. All through your 20's and into your 30's. Then reality hits and the dream gets shelved. I've seen it happen to many....there's no shame in it at all. Like watching that "NAVY SEALS Boot Camp" show where the guy who is weakest rings the bell.....I've seen a whole lot of bell ringing in my time. I've thought about it myself but haven't. I can't.

Otherwise, I look forward to your proving me inaccurate in about 20 years. I'll still be here, doing the same thing I am doing now. Playing drums, tinkering with web development, and being a dad.








_________________
13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums

hey billy ray -
you're kind of a prick! you shouldn't intentionally discourage people from their passions - even if you think you're doing them a favor. how on earth can you know what this kid is like - you've read a couple of threads of his. don't be a dick.