I was in the same spot as you 6 years ago. The school I was going to has one of the most reputable music programs in the country (Middle Tennessee State) and people come from all over the world to attend it.

It was a tough decision, and this was when the economy was booming. I ultimately decided to go into health care (Bachelors of Science in Nursing, Minor in Psychology) and I'm glad I went this route. I have a good paying job that allows me to buy my toys, it's basically recession proof, i can move anywhere I want, and I have multiple opportunities to extend my education and make even more money.

I'd love to have spent those 5.5 years studying music, but I don't want to be that guy sitting on the corner strumming a guitar, hoping for tips. I think musicians like that are rather pathetic (Just my opinion)

There is not much money left in dance music, and it's shrinking in other markets as well, so I'd strongly advise you to get something that will give you job security which will allow you to buy your toys, online production lessons, or whatever. By the time you graduate, who knows where technology will be.

But yea - Don't get a music degree. They don't mean $hit - It's all about getting the job done or not getting it done. (And good luck finding a job to begin with)

I took a Music and Technology course WHILE getting a "conservative" Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. It wasn't a "Music Technology" major, though, it was an actual Music major where I learned compositional theory, music cultures, and a bit about technology.

Learning something like "Music Technology" is such bullshit. Why not go to school to learn Microsoft Word, too, while you're at it? It's just people teaching you how to use the software, what a compressor is, how to use an EQ, etc. They're not going to be able to teach you to make great music. If you want to get a studio job, learning production on your own while having a respectable music education from a real school, not one that is 100% for profit, will make for a far better resume.

Get a real education and double major in something useful with Music on the side; that way you get the music education AND you get a job.

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I did a masters in composition and undergrad in piano and computer science. I can't really deny the fact that I could of learned everything on my own but this is true for all undergraduate fields. It did afford me time and a few opportunities but like every other degree other than the ones people will actually verify because your work can kill people if not properly executed, the paper is meaningless. Whether you have a degree in comp sci or say you have one won't really if you can actually do the work.

You won't really learn anything in any field in 4 years so I would just go with what you want to do. You can always go do another degree.

as a final note, If the course you are looking at is one of those fluff music technology courses that will show you garage band and explain what sample rate and lfos are , I would go to the university. You won't learn anything, you will feel like you just bought windows vista and i'm pretty sure there will only be drab geeks that dream of being rockstars.

Last edited by RichieV on Aug-31-2009 at 14:13

quote:

Originally posted by DjStephenWiley I'd love to have spent those 5.5 years studying music, but I don't want to be that guy sitting on the corner strumming a guitar, hoping for tips. I think musicians like that are rather pathetic (Just my opinion) But yea - Don't get a music degree. They don't mean $hit - It's all about getting the job done or not getting it done. (And good luck finding a job to begin with)

the problem is that you will be that guy that will have always wondered if he just had picked something he loved rather than the easy money route, he could be making money doing something he loves. I find that situation almost as pathetic as the guy panhandling. Most of my colleagues work in the music industry, some went on to med school ( you can have an undergraduate in basket weaving if you ace your MCATS ) . some became lawyers and one ended up in jail. All with a music degree.

+1 who knows someone that started with music degree and is now a lawyer

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Processing a highly structured and complex pattern of sensory input as a unified percept of "music" is probably one of the most elaborate features of the human brain.....understanding how music is perceived and how it may elicit intense sensations is far from being understood.

quote:

Originally posted by Sonic_c my course includes music history where I have to do university level harvard referenced 5000+ word essays on for example how "music has influenced or contributed to racism in america" Your average idiot prob couldnt do that.

I hear there's a high demand in the industry for people who can write essays on the links between music and racism in America.

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quote:

Originally posted by RichieV the problem is that you will be that guy that will have always wondered if he just had picked something he loved rather than the easy money route, he could be making money doing something he loves. I find that situation almost as pathetic as the guy panhandling. Most of my colleagues work in the music industry, some went on to med school ( you can have an undergraduate in basket weaving if you ace your MCATS ) . some became lawyers and one ended up in jail. All with a music degree.

Well aware of all these things. Can also spend two years to be a physicians assistant with any undergrad degree. I know an airline pilot who became one. I didn't go into health care just for easy money. I like helping people and it is a rewarding job. 6 of the last 7 years nurses have been the most trusted profession in the country, with pharmacists beating us out one year. Lawyers are almost always last, although I don't think they should be.

For all of your friends that did those things with a music degree, there are an equal amount, and probably more, who did the music equivalent without a music degree.

Point being: It's all about getting the job done. Doesn't matter if you're managing a nitro drip or engineering for somebody.

Degrees get you jobs (not always of course). Once your foot is in the door the degree is largely irrelevant.

I still wouldn't do a music degree first up because I don't consider it safe enough. If I could have done whatever I wanted to do I would have gone to film school and learned how to act but I went with a science degree instead. The beauty of that is that science brings me money and unbeliavle career progression, yet allows me in the long run to afford much better production gear and even a chance at taking time off to act later on than had I done acting and not made it big.

It's all about how much risk you're willing to take at the end of the day.

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quote:

Originally posted by DigiNut I hear there's a high demand in the industry for people who can write essays on the links between music and racism in America.

STFU and read my posts I am saying that essay writing and research are desirable qualities in candidates for jobs in all sectors. When in my posts have i been saying that a degree in music will help you gain work in the music industry definately? i said it could due to networking etc. If you were not so keen to try to be clever and took the time to read my posts you would see my point is;

Unless you intend to look for a specific job a degree of any sorts can add value to your resume. Providing of course you choose a course that demonstrates key qualities employers look for such as research, presenting, academic thinking and writing, time management etc.

If you want to be a doctor do a medical degree if your not sure what you want and are interested in music a music degree wont do you any harm at all.

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Processing a highly structured and complex pattern of sensory input as a unified percept of "music" is probably one of the most elaborate features of the human brain.....understanding how music is perceived and how it may elicit intense sensations is far from being understood.

Last edited by Sonic_c on Sep-01-2009 at 14:51

The music industry is as wavy and irregular as a stream, how can anyone actually expect to make a living in it? Espseially if you are an artist.

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quote:

Originally posted by Fledz The beauty of that is that science brings me money and unbeliavle career progression,

I almost spat out my coffee on the keyboard. Funny stuff.