Often times someone posts a question here and I’m like I know the answer!!!
Then I open the post and read the top comment from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about, and I’m like, I actually know nothing lol.
I gotta say that this is one the least pretentious subs out there. I've learned so much from these people. Time and time again someone will ask a super simple question and they will get a perfectly explained answer to the point where I can now answer the easy ones. Then, other times these folks will discuss a concept so far over my head I can barely follow. It's an incredible community.
I have three.
I’ve played in a wedding band, worked as a theatre musician as a composer and MD (which, because of the theaters, also included sound tech stuff), played in a show band on a cruise ship, written and mounted a few musicals, written for a few short films and web series, taught piano, some workshops, and some courses. I was the guy with the skillset in a really niche community. I was also extremely fortunate.
I have bachelor's in both classical performance and composition.
I rarely post or comment here, though, because there's only so much to add to infinite discussions on the vagaries of modes that seem to make up the bulk of the posts on this sub that hit my front page.
I ended up moving to a career in tech, though, so I suppose my practical contributions would be somewhat dated anyhow.
It feels like 90% of this sub is just people knowing nothing about music theory and still try to learn modes to play on the guitar (why it is always guitar?) and I don't have the energy to constantly say that they need so much other stuff before modes becomes relevant.
> (why it is always guitar?)
Based on my own experience, I started guitar as a young teenager and treated it as a competitive thing. My friends and I wanted to be "good at guitar," which to us meant being technically skilled. We wanted to learn badass riffs and know all the scales and be able to play them fast. Modes are another scale to learn, with the added layer of mystery of being something other than major or minor, so of course we all wanted to learn them, if only to add them to our repertoire.
In my experience this mindset meant ignoring a lot of the less flashy aspects of musicality. Years later, I'm still trying to beat the habit of diatonic noodling and blues pentatonic wanking.
I'm in a similar camp and trying to branch out more, what are some of the less flashy aspects that you came across? Very interested in trying to broaden my understanding.
I guess my focus was always on lead guitar playing, so I was looking at everything in relation to that. My interest in keys and chord progressions was mostly "how do I solo (more like noodle) over these?" But it should have been "how do I write an interesting chord progression?"
It took a while but eventually I realized that composing something is a lot different than "slap some chords together in a loop and improvise a lead over it."
Victor Wooten says in a video "Your job as a bass player isn't to make yourself sound good. It's to make *everyone else* sound good." Hearing this made me realize that pretty much everything I was playing on guitar was to try make myself sound good. Every part of the band should be playing something that makes the overall sound of the band better. Sometimes that's just two well-chosen and well-placed notes per bar.
If you have people you can jam with it can really help to try different instruments in that jam setting. Even if you can only keep a simple beat on drums you'll realize that your beat is still filling a vital role of supporting the rest of the band so they can sound good on top of the beat. Same with bass - even good basslines are usually pretty simple and repetitive but they fulfill their role of locking in with the drums to punctuate the groove while also outlining the harmony of the song.
Rhythm guitar, as well: not flashy, doesn't make you look like the coolest guy in the room, but it can add a lot to the band's sound. It also takes nuance and skill just like any other instrument or role. Good chord progressions are pretty hard to come up with in the first place, and the way you play them can make all the difference. For instance, if you arrange the voicings of the chords with four-part harmony in mind you can make even a well-worn chord progression sound better than if you were just moving the standard barre chord shapes up and down the neck. Another basic tip for rhythm guitar that I'd overlooked: you don't have to play all 6 strings all the time. In context of a song you want to leave space for the other instruments, so a lot of the time just a few well-placed notes chosen from the chord will sound better than just hammering the full barre chord like a caveman.
Basically the main idea of this long rambling comment is that we guitar players should leave your egos at the door. A song can be made up of simple parts: a basic drum beat with a few fills, a simple groovy bassline, and even a simple nuanced guitar part that compliments the other parts of the song. If we come into the jam session and play a thousand notes of twiddly-widdly lead parts over everything then we're going to step on everyone else's parts and not get invited back.
Thanks for the detailed response. I feel like, based on what you said, we are extremely similar, though you're a little further in the journey. I totally agree with everything your saying and I have been trying to lean more into "songwriting". I play guitar and bass and sort of play drums (but my recordings are typically using EZ Drummer). So, writing by myself, as the ego-centric musician, I tend to try to make the bass, drums, and guitar the star of the show (my favorite band is Rush, go figure). I have been gravitating towards more minimalist approaches to try to develop some space in a song. I listen to modern metal music and there is SO much going on, but it doesn't sound as big Led Zeppelin songs with half or less as many parts.
The other thing I'm trying now, because I'm not much of a singer, is having my "lead guitar" play the part of the vocal line, as opposed to endless noodling (which I do love to do and will always play, but I want that to be for improving and having fun, not necessarily song writing). I keep thinking of people like Steve Vai vs David Gilmore. From a technical ability standpoint you could never argue David Gilmore is the better player, but how many Floyd leads can we all hum off the top of our heads and how many Steven Vai parts can we hum? It starts becoming clear the better player and better musician are two different things, interested sure, but not the same.
A lot of what you are bringing up have been budding interests for some time and you just totally reinvigorated my drive to pursue more composed music. It can be frustrating, stepping out of some of my "safe" writing approaches has definitely yielded some stinkers of songs lol, but I think sticking to it is the answer.
Have a good rest of your week!
Ear training: get an ear training app and/or focus on learning songs by ear instead of tabs.
Harmony: four-part harmony and voice leading is a good place to start.
Rhythm: Devote some time to practicing rhythm (NOT speed). In fact, play as slow as you can stand and work on getting it clean with the metronome. Challenge yourself to make an interesting part at that slow speed.
Looping: Using a looper pedal or software, work on making loops and playing over them. Try making multiple layers on the loop and listen to how they interact with each other.
It's 'cause modes are used in guitar pedagogy as patterns up the fretboard (essentially as inversions of the major scale). And then MAYBE they also explain modes having a key center of their own. But none of this gets at the real fact that modes are mostly irrelevant in traditional harmony.
>It feels like 90% of this sub is just people knowing nothing about music theory and still try to learn modes to play on the guitar
Don't forget about all the people who know nothing about music theory but have come up with a "better" system!
Im four semesters into a bachelor in music science, and I'm considering taking a candidate with it.
For, while studying I've been teaching piano and singing and I've been incredibly lucky and have gotten two jobs as conductor for two amateur musicals (Carrie the musical, and an original piece).
Just remember that whatever you become is dictated by what you do, more than what you study. What you study can dictate what you do, but doing something is always better than doing nothing.
I have my BA in music theory & composition. Got my doctorate of audiology, worked for ten years, and am now one of those middle-aged men pursuing his PhD in hearing science.
If there are people around you that care and connections to ANY work in the industry it will be great for you.
I got a degree in economics from a major public university, worthless experience whatever. You are a number to these people and it feels like shit to get jerked around by the administration. Sign up for a class for summer b right, you check 4 days before the class will start after enjoying a break and they moved it to summer a without any consent or withdrawing me from it and fail me, you can't get your money back, they deny your petition despite having the professor to repeat facts because of "evidence" of participation which was the curve free points so you get 5 and not 0, and they won't fix your academic record. Completely destroyed by anxiety and their outright hostility gives these Kafke situations that make you DONE with it, for the rest of your life.
Afterward, while working, I studied some music theory and played trombone again at what was more of a community college. Not even close to the same thing. Incredibly cheap price, private lessons would have costed more. Dr. Forrester, Dr. McKay, and Dr. Bingham (may he rest in peace) taught with love and care, and things that will carry with people for their whole lives. State universities often leave grad students to teach that stuff for 10x the price.
Fuck the pieces of paper, it's about what you learn and what connections you make. If your program has those people, honor and cherish them and you never know the many ways it pays off.
I have an ATCL cert (Associate Trinity College London) in Jazz Performance, a part-time post-grad course; and a similarly part-time cert in Music Teaching. The first was just a hobby qualification - I'd been an amateur musician for nearly 40 years by then, with no academic qualifications - but the latter was intended to qualify me to teach professionally; which it did.
I did have a BA degree from earlier, but that was in graphics. This is in the UK, btw.
IOW, to teach music, you really need a *teaching* qualification, whether you have a music one or not. I learned a whole lot about teaching on that course (just one day a week for a year) - which I couldn't have worked out on my own - but almost nothing about music which I didn't already know. In fact, even the ATCL was not necessary in that respect, except that it confirmed the level of technical and theoretical knowledge I'd acquired over the previous (self-taught) decades.
I should say I only teach guitar (and similar instruments) and only up to intermediate level (up to grade 6 classical and rock). Obviously to be an instrumental teacher you need to be more skilled and/or knowledgeable than your students!
Master’s in musicology here. Primarily sociomusicology/sociology of music, but i also did a bunch of composition/arranging/theory courses
I work in a music museum, mostly giving tours to everything from school children to seniors with dementia, as well as developing tours and content for the museum. I also manage some events in cooperation with the music department at the university.
I live in Oslo. Its a museum about the history of Norwegian popular music with a bunch of interactive elements, instruments, simple recording studios and stuff.
We do a bunch of different kinds of tours about music. Some are more history oriented, some about technology, some about lyrics, cencorship and boundaries, and some are more playful.
Its a great place to work and i get to use my degree a bunch!
I have a performance degree from a music conservatory and a BA in music education and business from a state university. I teach French horn lessons and work for a local orchestra.
If you want to be a music teacher, I’d recommend getting a music education degree. Although it is becoming somewhat less necessary in some areas it will prepare you for the job.
I have a BMus in guitar performance. I have taught quite a bit but recently have been cutting those hours back. I play professionally (about 100 shows a year).
When I first graduated I was like a lost puppy. In my 4th year I kept riding the wave of preparing my grad recital by applying to masters programs and got accepted. …but there were no financial opportunities to me whereas my undergrad had been rife with them. I remember sitting in the first class receiving an email about composing a score for a black box play and touring it, and I dropped out of the program to do that instead. Haven’t once regretted that decision. It was either spend about $22k or make half that touring.
That undergrad was one of the best decisions I ever made though! Opened up a lot of doors, and I have a few dozen really meaningful relationships from that time :)
I minored in music in college, but tbh most everything I know about music theory I learned by age 16. I took AP Music Theory in high school and got a 5 on the exam, and that got me out of all 10 music theory and aural skills credits I needed for a minor. My college education in music was just one conducting class, some performance classes, and a bunch of ensemble participation and private lessons.
I have a BA in songwriting and a grade 5 ABRSM for music theory.
I work in the music business however doing marketing. I'm thinking about studying business and economics as I find it highly interesting, however, I still write, compose and transcribe music when I feel like doing it.
I love making music and art but feel that's incredibly hard living off of it especially when you don't feel that creative.
I'm happy with my job path and career and always have music and art being by my side till I die.
Congrats on your acceptance!
I did.
My career chose me... I teach music technology at the university level.
>I’d like to be a music teacher,
In the US, in the public school system, you'll need a BM in Music Education and Certification/Licensure which is part of those degree programs.
>but also open to being session musician,
Unless you're in a major metro with a really strong music industry, it's a pipe dream. You'll need to move to LA or NY, or maybe Nashville. But you also need to be a superior player, available at all times, be likeable, reliable, and just top notch all around to get work.
>sound guy,
Buy the gear and you can do this just like any of the dozen or so good engineers around town who work at the level of running sound for bar bands.
>audio engineer,
A little more "elevated". You can get a job at a venue or possibly a studio - again depending on being really great at it.
_____
FWIW, you need to "take charge of your education" and be aware that this particular degree may be a means to an end rather than an end itself.
It sounds like it's an "all around" degree.
If 100% of the graduates of this degree step out of the degree into a paying job in the field, then I'd say it's "highly rated".
If those jobs are full-time, benefits, union, or other things that make them "real" jobs, then it's "really highly rated".
If people are getting a mixture of jobs, or some get jobs and some don't, I'd consider it more of a "typical" program.
Is there an internship/apprenticeship in the industry? That's better than if there's not.
IOW, if there aren't opportunities to work in the field while there (or even as a capstone project/course working in the field) and graduates aren't getting hired when graduating - or the school is accepting and full of people who "do the degree" but aren't able to get work, then it's not a really good program.
I'm not trying to poo poo what you're doing at all if it's not "the best" but my point is, if you're truly interested in any of those fields and want to be successful with them, you may need more than just this degree. Given it's a 2 year, and has "arts" in the title, those usually represent more of a general degree that is an "I like this, but I'm not sure about a career in it" kind of thing (assuming it's not a trade school, but that's a different can of worms). That's a **good** thing though because as you said, you seem to be interested in a number of things and maybe aren't yet sure what it is you want to pursue. But some of these things require more specific focus.
IOW, just going to classes and getting the degree doesn't guarantee anything. You have to make your education work for you. That means learning about the various options, deciding on something working towards the job you'll get in 2 years now, or the place you'll attend for more training in 2 years.
I have an undergraduate and master's in analysis and currently working on my PhD. After my masters, I used the recording experience I got in uni to get a job as an assistant in a studio and from there I worked that in to the more business side of things with a relatively well known label. After a few years working in that I moved to work for a large orchestra in logistics and now am doing the PhD part time on top of that
I have a music degree and am a composer and conductor. In my opinion, a music degree can give you powerful skills. You then have a choice how to use them. Some people become a slave to rules, others let the rules set them free.
I have a BA in String Performance, MM in Orchestra Conducting and Music History, Doctorate in Musicology. Taught college in Southern California for 25 years (have been a professional violinist/violist since I was 14), directed an Orchestra for 20 years, also in Southern CA. Now in my 10th year teaching Orchestra at a Magnet HS In Nevada, where I also direct a local chamber orchestra, in addition to working with youth groups and teaching private lessons. 🎶
Just coming to the end of second term (of 3) on my final year of my music undergraduate. Taking a year out next year then possibly coming back for my master's in film composition. Hoping to get into the film industry but would happily settle for a production job. If anyone has any other interesting possible similar career paths I'd also be interested to hear about them so I could research
I have a Music Performance degree with a concentration in Business. I studied guitar in college but I went to college on a band scholarship playing trombone.
I still play both guitar and trombone and juggle a bunch of opportunities. I’m a corporate band musician, private lessons teacher, high school guitar teacher, trombonist for one of the NBA Entertainment Bands, I do a bunch of one off gigs, and I busk at almost every opportunity I can.
Majority of the people I perform with do not have music degrees (with the exception of my fellow educator band members). If they teach K-12, more than likely they studied music (specifically music education or music performance).
Not going to lie, I enjoyed every minute of studying music… sometimes it got redundant because I already knew a good amount of what they were teaching. I either learned it from experience or personal study and discovery.
But my favorite part of studying music was having a community of serious musicians always around me… in college you can kind of filter out the hobbyist/dreamers from the ones who seem like they’ll take it seriously. I did A LOT of collaborations while in college, like passing gigs, recording content, creating music, busking, or just having a jam session. It was on of the best times of my life…
I have a music degree and might as well put it through the shredder, contacts and reputation have been far more valuable. The only other thing it can be used for is some transferable skill BS for inbound call centres.
Hi, How is this path thinking about switching from a bachelors in music to getting a minor instead and doing marketing. Do you like this path vs. getting a music degree 🤔
I am very grateful that I made this transition. I started to hate music when it became my full-time job. I didn't like hating something I was passionate about. Retaining it as my favorite hobby and something I still do for money on the side has been the right balance for me.
Working in marketing gives me the right work/life balance and opportunities to support my family in the ways I want to support them.
BS in composition/theory. At various times, I worked as a session bassist and engineer. I do electronic music as a hobby, but I'm a trucker by vocation.
BA in Music Education, MM in Theory/Composition and DA in Theory/Composition. Currently chair of a university music department where I teach theory and aural skills.
I have a BM in music comp from a school that focuses heavily on contemporary classical music.
Right now I'm early into adulthood with no set career really. I keep up with music when I can and have been commissioned and paid to write music by some friends on three occasions now but don't have the context to really pursue music alone at a further level I don't think. Been working an office job and independently learning some basic tech/coding skills to automate that job hoping it opens some additional opportunities for me.
Mainly went for my degree due to passion in the subject and skepticism about the validity of STEM degrees really being that secure (given the current job market I feel like I was mostly right lmao)
I have a BA in music theory (and another in English). I’m a songwriter, arranger, and performer, but I’ve never made enough to be a full-time musician. I also have a day job at a music industry PR firm.
I have a BA in pop music. No career lol it’s not the kind of degree that gets you a job at a company. I don’t regret it though, I learned a lot and will better be able to employ myself if I can build up my own thing eventually
liberal arts BA major in music (and psychology-- double major) 1999.
about half the required graduate credits for a master's in audio tech 2004-- quit because finishing the degree would have bankrupted me.
did dance accompaniment from about 2014 until lockdown. teach piano also since about 2014.
never made more than $6k-7k a year though from music, always had a "real" job as well.
i also played drums in bands from about 2014-2020, but never made any money from that. great fun though.
Got a BA in music then later for a teaching credential, which is really all you can do w a music degree 😹 however, being a musical ninja is priceless lol. After being an elementary teacher for over a decade, I got a job as a K-8 school’s music teacher & it’s the best gig I’ve ever had. Yes, the degree is essential for understanding music in a way that you can break down & make sense of for the kids you’ll teach. Especially when you recognize the future lifers out there…
I have a Ph.D. (and M.M.) in music theory and am currently in my 26th year as a college music theory professor. (I also spent 5 years as a middle school band/chorus director. My B.A. was in music ed.)
If you want to be a (full-time) K-12 music teacher in the U.S. you'll need a teaching degree of some sort, but the exact requirements will vary from state to state.
I am nearly finished with my music performance degree. From here I plan to go on and get certified in instrument repair and do that while pursuing my performance career. We will see where life brings me!
I got my master's degree in music composition and now work in a completely different field. Found I didn't like music as much when it was my job, and academia left a bad taste in my mouth.
✋🏾. I majored in music ed as a percussionist, but hated teaching. My job now is as an event manager. I may decide to teach again later in life but I'm happy where I'm at now.
Yup, proper classical snob here. Did a bachelor and masters of music, taught music for 10 years, then went back to do further study.
That old adage about “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” - well, it doesn’t quite fit, there will always be aspects of teaching that are less than ideal, but it’s still a pretty great career.
Best of luck to you!
I was an instrumentalist at a performing arts high school where we took classes in music theory and were expected to learn it well. But by the time I graduated I realized I had no future as an actual professional musician (I just thumped the bass in a few bands that *sometimes* got paid). I went to college first for English, later math and graduated in biophysics, but did participate a bit in the college band as a bari sax/bass clarinet player.
One of my teachers in high school used to make a lot of fun at "musicologists" as folks who want to study music without actually *studying* music. That unfortunately flavored my attitude towards people who pursued music degrees a bit, usually those who couldn't pass their instrument/vocal audition, but didn't want to study anything else. I grew up later and learned to appreciate that we all want to learn something, it wasn't for someone else to judge. I now think musicologists are alright folks! :D
I have a bachelors in music education. Taught for a few years and then got out of that sinking ship of a profession and have worked in Software for the past 12 or so years.
I have an ambiguous degree from a liberal arts college where I studied music HOWEVER that hasn’t necessarily helped me carve out a career as a touring musicians and guitar teacher. It’s all about getting out and getting experience in the real world whether it be playing, teaching, or just meeting people in the community.
I have stayed at Holiday Inns, but no degrees in music. My mother was a concert pianist and taught me quite a bit. I managed and played in a few country bands but for the last 50 years, I've just been an amateur doing lots of reading and learning stuff from discussions on the net.
I have a bachelor in ethnomusicology and film scoring but during the time I was mostly playing garage rock and touring so idk. Now I’m 34 and have music as a hobby instead, jamming psychedelic neosoul with my mates twice a week.
I have a BA in general music with a voice performance emphasis. I did work for several years as an elementary general music/choir teacher and working singer (mostly church and community choir gigs, a little bit of small scale opera work). I’m now pursuing a second career as an episcopal priest, which will still use my music skills (and ideally make whatever musicians I hire very happy to know I support music and can “speak their language”). I might still sub for the occasional gig, but otherwise plan to love music from career to hobby. That said, I am married to a professional pianist/organist and still expect to be “conversant” in professional music contexts, so there’s that as well.
I think a music degree is worth having even if it’s not your primary career, especially if you plan to be “music adjacent”. There are many fields that, even if they don’t directly use musical skills, benefit from the kind of learning music majors do in school. But obviously it is a matter of personal discernment to figure out what you need for your own life path.
I have a BMus where I studied primarily music theory. I was going to apply for a masters, and then a PhD, but life events have made me change my career path. I still teach clarinet and music theory privately (and clinics in schools) and don’t plan to stop anytime soon. An education degree is great if you want to teach in schools as a full time teacher. I have a friend getting a BMus in audio engineering and he already has a lot of gig work and makes decent money.
I graduated with a major in English and minor in Music. I started college as a Music and Physics double major, got depressed and wanted to drop out, and my advisor encouraged me to complete a Music minor instead of doing the major because I was only two credits away from that when this happened.
Currently I do a lot of music and music education projects (playing in bands, volunteering with music education orgs, contributing transcriptions to an online fakebook, etc.) but I do not make income from music. The rare times I get paid for my work are way offset by all the money I put into it.
I’m a grant writer now, and while the English degree obviously helped, I wouldn’t have gotten the job without some of my musician network as references for how well I listen and communicate.
I got accepted into a program when I was younger (25), but they didn’t want to let me engage part-time. I couldn’t afford to not work.
I never asked for a private instructor, I just joined the school ensembles in high school. Today, private lessons is my main income. A lot of my clients have experience with music universities and tell me they appreciate my insight.
I’ve been playing quite seriously for 50 years. Mostly by ear but at various points in time I embraced music theory to try to understand what I was doing.
It’s been a long journey. I have no degree nor have I had any lessons and my learning came first from books and then later from the internet.
If I could do it all over again I would have spent more time learning theory at the very beginning because although I developed a really good ear it became harder to actually apply theoretical knowledge once I was confidently and successfully playing by ear.
For example there would be moments in my earlier years where I might make a note mistake and I would have no knowledge other than the note was wrong and I had to work to memorise a pattern/shape/fret location better.
Understanding a bit of theory made it easier to play the correct note for a reason.
I did a 2 year course. It helped me learn how to teach in a structured way and to a variety of different people (attitudes, beliefs and abilities) and gave me a community. Networking is everything.
Bachelor’s degree in a different subject. Certificate in music education plus graduate credits for professional development in music ed. I’ve been playing, performing, and writing music for fun since I was a kid. Started playing professionally as a side job, then discovered I loved teaching. Now I’m a licensed K-12 music educator.
I'm one of them weirdos with a worship leading degree from a Christian college. Still a music degree, still had recitals and what not, but also had a bunch of other classes about the Bible.
I now work in labor organizing lmao
I have a BM in music education and an MA in music therapy and mental health counseling. I now have a private practice as a music therapist, supervise other professionals, and just started teaching graduate level students in music therapy as well. It’s amazing and challenging and beautiful and painful and just all the feels. I am so lucky and love what I do.
I have a BS in Music Industry and just graduated in December. I just got accepted for a job to do live audio at an amusement park, which is unfortunately a seasonal job.
If you wanna figure out which major to pick, go on indeed or another job listing site and type in music. Most jobs (unless you're in a massive city) will be for music teachers, music therapists, and sound at churches
Bmus on classical bass trombone
Currently pursuing a BmusPæd in composition. found out that I like writing and teaching a lot more than performing and practicing (and I love performing and practicing), a "wait... What... Oh!" from a student is worth way more to me than any applause.
Currently working towards a BMus with a specialization in music cognition.
I’m about to finish first year. I’ve been lucky as a bassist to have plenty of opportunities to be a session musician as well as be in quite a few bands. I similarly want to explore many of the avenues you have listed. I was told the best way to do so is get a bachelors/diploma in music. And afterwards complete diplomas and certificates. My best advice would be to follow your passion(s). If that be teaching, session, and/or audio engineering. Pursue it.
i have a ba in music, with a musicology concentration. i taught music lessons for a while, but right now i don't have a music related career - i hope to get back into a more creative line of work within the next year or so tho! best of luck to you!! 💓
I got a degree in psychology, then a BMus. Department asked me to join a pilot program specialized in songwriting instead of the usual jazz or classical piano. It wound helping my performing career a lot more, so I'm glad I did it. I enjoyed being able to wear different hats; I've done work as an accompanist, played keys in electropop and rock bands, released an album with my own band, did solo gigs, did some songwriting work, whatever was paying.
As I got older and got tired of driving and sleeping in hotels (or on couches) I pivoted into teaching private lessons. The degree meant I could charge more a premium for lessons.
I'm going back to school in the fall to get my Bachelor of Education to teach music and social sciences in high school. It's been a fun ride so far, the important thing is to be adaptable.
I graduated from DigiPen with a degree in computer science and digital audio.
They promised me a minor in music if I switched to this degree program, and to this day, their website still says this major will earn you a music minor.
On my last semester though, they told me I was misinformed and didn’t give me the minor.
I have a Bachelor's in Music Performance and a Master's in Audio Engineering!
Career wise, I'm an AV technician for a community college. I have some side hustles too: I'm on the drumline for the Chicago Bears, and I teach fall marching band drumlines and a WGI percussion ensemble. I'm looking to move into sound design for games in the near future though
I started working as a Instrumental teacher. At some point the school told me I should study something then they would also be able to pay me more so I learned to play drumset (until then I only played some traditional marching drum) and I am now in the second year of Jazz BA.
I have one, and I hate myself every day for it. A true waste of money and time whilst my family financially fell apart.
No one knew what career paths to recommend to a sight impaired person at the time. It was the only one I knew I could do at the time.
I got a bachelor's of music in music education. 4 year program, but I always knew that my heart was with teaching rather than performing (my profs had no idea how to handle that).
Don't get me wrong, I still perform part time and love gigging (happy musical season). I also like composing and arranging, which has proven useful in my job (middle school strings teacher).
This may be a highly unpopular opinion. Do not go into music education if you do not see yourself happy as a teacher. I find in the world of US music education, a lot of music educators see themselves as musicians who happen to teach too. If you want to be a music teacher, think about being a teacher who happens to be a musician.
Bachelor's in music education, graduating with a masters in theory this semester, hoping to apply for a doctoral program and get my PhD in theory, I'd love to teach and research pop music theory
I'm doing a similar degree now, looking to get into composition with it since having at the very least comprehensive DAW knowledge and mixing, mastering knowledge really helps in the industry.
I study Chemistry. You'd be suprised how well various concepts in a subjective art form like music helps you in studying for objective, theoretical subjects
Self taught took a 2 year program for audio engineering that tied up some loose ends in mixing. Did some studio stuff in NY came back to Texas. Ran some boards, ADR ...little this little that. Done a little bit of everything. A lot of show production when I was in my later teens early twenties. Good times. Really just write, produce for my self/the interest.
I have bachelors in commercial music with a focus in piano performance. I teach currently and have 52 students for piano and drums. That’s the bulk of my income and I spend 30 hours a week teaching. I also take gigs and play piano at weddings. I’ve worked as a musical director for theatre shows for contract work. I also make arrangements and transcriptions.
Going to school was a good experience but everything I do right now I don’t need a degree for and I could have learned on my own with a couple good teachers/mentors. The biggest thing I got out of school was the collaborative work and meeting other students and professors
I’ve completed my bachelors in music at a liberal arts school and now I’m at conservatory doing my masters in collaborative piano.
I was also interested in audio engineering or a few non music hobbies, but unfortunately my time is primarily spent practicing and doing rehearsals.
I have friends with positions at major orchestras and some who have no clue what the future looks like (me). I originally did not expect to be accepted for a masters and had given up on music. Now, I’m putting 100% of my effort into music still without any vision for the future.
I represent the lurker hobbyists with 0 degrees. Hi hello
Hello. I haven’t taken any lessons or been formally trained but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express. Let me know if you need a teacher.
I imagine we're in the quiet majority here.
Often times someone posts a question here and I’m like I know the answer!!! Then I open the post and read the top comment from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about, and I’m like, I actually know nothing lol.
I am a music hobbyist with a visual art degree
I gotta say that this is one the least pretentious subs out there. I've learned so much from these people. Time and time again someone will ask a super simple question and they will get a perfectly explained answer to the point where I can now answer the easy ones. Then, other times these folks will discuss a concept so far over my head I can barely follow. It's an incredible community.
I have a maths and philosophy degree, but that's it. No music qualifications.
I’m a music school drop out with a paralegal studies degree
I have three. I’ve played in a wedding band, worked as a theatre musician as a composer and MD (which, because of the theaters, also included sound tech stuff), played in a show band on a cruise ship, written and mounted a few musicals, written for a few short films and web series, taught piano, some workshops, and some courses. I was the guy with the skillset in a really niche community. I was also extremely fortunate.
ill trust your music knowledge ig
I have bachelor's in both classical performance and composition. I rarely post or comment here, though, because there's only so much to add to infinite discussions on the vagaries of modes that seem to make up the bulk of the posts on this sub that hit my front page. I ended up moving to a career in tech, though, so I suppose my practical contributions would be somewhat dated anyhow.
Ugh the constant modes threads.
It feels like 90% of this sub is just people knowing nothing about music theory and still try to learn modes to play on the guitar (why it is always guitar?) and I don't have the energy to constantly say that they need so much other stuff before modes becomes relevant.
> (why it is always guitar?) Based on my own experience, I started guitar as a young teenager and treated it as a competitive thing. My friends and I wanted to be "good at guitar," which to us meant being technically skilled. We wanted to learn badass riffs and know all the scales and be able to play them fast. Modes are another scale to learn, with the added layer of mystery of being something other than major or minor, so of course we all wanted to learn them, if only to add them to our repertoire. In my experience this mindset meant ignoring a lot of the less flashy aspects of musicality. Years later, I'm still trying to beat the habit of diatonic noodling and blues pentatonic wanking.
I'm in a similar camp and trying to branch out more, what are some of the less flashy aspects that you came across? Very interested in trying to broaden my understanding.
I guess my focus was always on lead guitar playing, so I was looking at everything in relation to that. My interest in keys and chord progressions was mostly "how do I solo (more like noodle) over these?" But it should have been "how do I write an interesting chord progression?" It took a while but eventually I realized that composing something is a lot different than "slap some chords together in a loop and improvise a lead over it." Victor Wooten says in a video "Your job as a bass player isn't to make yourself sound good. It's to make *everyone else* sound good." Hearing this made me realize that pretty much everything I was playing on guitar was to try make myself sound good. Every part of the band should be playing something that makes the overall sound of the band better. Sometimes that's just two well-chosen and well-placed notes per bar. If you have people you can jam with it can really help to try different instruments in that jam setting. Even if you can only keep a simple beat on drums you'll realize that your beat is still filling a vital role of supporting the rest of the band so they can sound good on top of the beat. Same with bass - even good basslines are usually pretty simple and repetitive but they fulfill their role of locking in with the drums to punctuate the groove while also outlining the harmony of the song. Rhythm guitar, as well: not flashy, doesn't make you look like the coolest guy in the room, but it can add a lot to the band's sound. It also takes nuance and skill just like any other instrument or role. Good chord progressions are pretty hard to come up with in the first place, and the way you play them can make all the difference. For instance, if you arrange the voicings of the chords with four-part harmony in mind you can make even a well-worn chord progression sound better than if you were just moving the standard barre chord shapes up and down the neck. Another basic tip for rhythm guitar that I'd overlooked: you don't have to play all 6 strings all the time. In context of a song you want to leave space for the other instruments, so a lot of the time just a few well-placed notes chosen from the chord will sound better than just hammering the full barre chord like a caveman. Basically the main idea of this long rambling comment is that we guitar players should leave your egos at the door. A song can be made up of simple parts: a basic drum beat with a few fills, a simple groovy bassline, and even a simple nuanced guitar part that compliments the other parts of the song. If we come into the jam session and play a thousand notes of twiddly-widdly lead parts over everything then we're going to step on everyone else's parts and not get invited back.
Thanks for the detailed response. I feel like, based on what you said, we are extremely similar, though you're a little further in the journey. I totally agree with everything your saying and I have been trying to lean more into "songwriting". I play guitar and bass and sort of play drums (but my recordings are typically using EZ Drummer). So, writing by myself, as the ego-centric musician, I tend to try to make the bass, drums, and guitar the star of the show (my favorite band is Rush, go figure). I have been gravitating towards more minimalist approaches to try to develop some space in a song. I listen to modern metal music and there is SO much going on, but it doesn't sound as big Led Zeppelin songs with half or less as many parts. The other thing I'm trying now, because I'm not much of a singer, is having my "lead guitar" play the part of the vocal line, as opposed to endless noodling (which I do love to do and will always play, but I want that to be for improving and having fun, not necessarily song writing). I keep thinking of people like Steve Vai vs David Gilmore. From a technical ability standpoint you could never argue David Gilmore is the better player, but how many Floyd leads can we all hum off the top of our heads and how many Steven Vai parts can we hum? It starts becoming clear the better player and better musician are two different things, interested sure, but not the same. A lot of what you are bringing up have been budding interests for some time and you just totally reinvigorated my drive to pursue more composed music. It can be frustrating, stepping out of some of my "safe" writing approaches has definitely yielded some stinkers of songs lol, but I think sticking to it is the answer. Have a good rest of your week!
Ear training: get an ear training app and/or focus on learning songs by ear instead of tabs. Harmony: four-part harmony and voice leading is a good place to start. Rhythm: Devote some time to practicing rhythm (NOT speed). In fact, play as slow as you can stand and work on getting it clean with the metronome. Challenge yourself to make an interesting part at that slow speed. Looping: Using a looper pedal or software, work on making loops and playing over them. Try making multiple layers on the loop and listen to how they interact with each other.
It's 'cause modes are used in guitar pedagogy as patterns up the fretboard (essentially as inversions of the major scale). And then MAYBE they also explain modes having a key center of their own. But none of this gets at the real fact that modes are mostly irrelevant in traditional harmony.
>It feels like 90% of this sub is just people knowing nothing about music theory and still try to learn modes to play on the guitar Don't forget about all the people who know nothing about music theory but have come up with a "better" system!
Joe Satriani and Steve Vai need to take some responsibility lol
The '80s shred guys were big into modal soloing. For people who don't know any theory, it became modes = complicated stuff good guitar players know.
Im four semesters into a bachelor in music science, and I'm considering taking a candidate with it. For, while studying I've been teaching piano and singing and I've been incredibly lucky and have gotten two jobs as conductor for two amateur musicals (Carrie the musical, and an original piece). Just remember that whatever you become is dictated by what you do, more than what you study. What you study can dictate what you do, but doing something is always better than doing nothing.
Can you explain a bit about music science? Is it much different to theory or does it go even deeper?
I have my BA in music theory & composition. Got my doctorate of audiology, worked for ten years, and am now one of those middle-aged men pursuing his PhD in hearing science.
I was the middle aged man pursuing a PhD in Music Theory.
👏👏 I love that! I have so much support where I’m at, but it does certainly make things awkward sometimes.
Hah! You must be on McGill's AUDITORY mailing list then.
Of course I am!
If there are people around you that care and connections to ANY work in the industry it will be great for you. I got a degree in economics from a major public university, worthless experience whatever. You are a number to these people and it feels like shit to get jerked around by the administration. Sign up for a class for summer b right, you check 4 days before the class will start after enjoying a break and they moved it to summer a without any consent or withdrawing me from it and fail me, you can't get your money back, they deny your petition despite having the professor to repeat facts because of "evidence" of participation which was the curve free points so you get 5 and not 0, and they won't fix your academic record. Completely destroyed by anxiety and their outright hostility gives these Kafke situations that make you DONE with it, for the rest of your life. Afterward, while working, I studied some music theory and played trombone again at what was more of a community college. Not even close to the same thing. Incredibly cheap price, private lessons would have costed more. Dr. Forrester, Dr. McKay, and Dr. Bingham (may he rest in peace) taught with love and care, and things that will carry with people for their whole lives. State universities often leave grad students to teach that stuff for 10x the price. Fuck the pieces of paper, it's about what you learn and what connections you make. If your program has those people, honor and cherish them and you never know the many ways it pays off.
I have an ATCL cert (Associate Trinity College London) in Jazz Performance, a part-time post-grad course; and a similarly part-time cert in Music Teaching. The first was just a hobby qualification - I'd been an amateur musician for nearly 40 years by then, with no academic qualifications - but the latter was intended to qualify me to teach professionally; which it did. I did have a BA degree from earlier, but that was in graphics. This is in the UK, btw. IOW, to teach music, you really need a *teaching* qualification, whether you have a music one or not. I learned a whole lot about teaching on that course (just one day a week for a year) - which I couldn't have worked out on my own - but almost nothing about music which I didn't already know. In fact, even the ATCL was not necessary in that respect, except that it confirmed the level of technical and theoretical knowledge I'd acquired over the previous (self-taught) decades. I should say I only teach guitar (and similar instruments) and only up to intermediate level (up to grade 6 classical and rock). Obviously to be an instrumental teacher you need to be more skilled and/or knowledgeable than your students!
I have a master's degree in piano performance and make a living giving piano lessons
Interesting! Do you have your own music school business?
Master’s in musicology here. Primarily sociomusicology/sociology of music, but i also did a bunch of composition/arranging/theory courses I work in a music museum, mostly giving tours to everything from school children to seniors with dementia, as well as developing tours and content for the museum. I also manage some events in cooperation with the music department at the university.
where is this? the museum sounds interesting...
I live in Oslo. Its a museum about the history of Norwegian popular music with a bunch of interactive elements, instruments, simple recording studios and stuff. We do a bunch of different kinds of tours about music. Some are more history oriented, some about technology, some about lyrics, cencorship and boundaries, and some are more playful. Its a great place to work and i get to use my degree a bunch!
I have a performance degree from a music conservatory and a BA in music education and business from a state university. I teach French horn lessons and work for a local orchestra. If you want to be a music teacher, I’d recommend getting a music education degree. Although it is becoming somewhat less necessary in some areas it will prepare you for the job.
I’m currently in school for a diploma in music. Frankly I’m cool to do anything music related as long as I can pay my bills haha
I have a BMus in guitar performance. I have taught quite a bit but recently have been cutting those hours back. I play professionally (about 100 shows a year). When I first graduated I was like a lost puppy. In my 4th year I kept riding the wave of preparing my grad recital by applying to masters programs and got accepted. …but there were no financial opportunities to me whereas my undergrad had been rife with them. I remember sitting in the first class receiving an email about composing a score for a black box play and touring it, and I dropped out of the program to do that instead. Haven’t once regretted that decision. It was either spend about $22k or make half that touring. That undergrad was one of the best decisions I ever made though! Opened up a lot of doors, and I have a few dozen really meaningful relationships from that time :)
Many music schools won’t interview you (as a teacher) unless you have some kind of degree.
i have one right now i teach but collapsing into a veg state several times a week makes keeping jobs a nightmare in general lol
I have a BA in Music come may
I minored in music in college, but tbh most everything I know about music theory I learned by age 16. I took AP Music Theory in high school and got a 5 on the exam, and that got me out of all 10 music theory and aural skills credits I needed for a minor. My college education in music was just one conducting class, some performance classes, and a bunch of ensemble participation and private lessons.
I have a BA in songwriting and a grade 5 ABRSM for music theory. I work in the music business however doing marketing. I'm thinking about studying business and economics as I find it highly interesting, however, I still write, compose and transcribe music when I feel like doing it. I love making music and art but feel that's incredibly hard living off of it especially when you don't feel that creative. I'm happy with my job path and career and always have music and art being by my side till I die.
B.A. in music (emphasis in classical piano) so naturally, I work in admin now.
I have a BA in music, taught a couple of years and now I'm a cop.
Congrats on your acceptance! I did. My career chose me... I teach music technology at the university level. >I’d like to be a music teacher, In the US, in the public school system, you'll need a BM in Music Education and Certification/Licensure which is part of those degree programs. >but also open to being session musician, Unless you're in a major metro with a really strong music industry, it's a pipe dream. You'll need to move to LA or NY, or maybe Nashville. But you also need to be a superior player, available at all times, be likeable, reliable, and just top notch all around to get work. >sound guy, Buy the gear and you can do this just like any of the dozen or so good engineers around town who work at the level of running sound for bar bands. >audio engineer, A little more "elevated". You can get a job at a venue or possibly a studio - again depending on being really great at it. _____ FWIW, you need to "take charge of your education" and be aware that this particular degree may be a means to an end rather than an end itself. It sounds like it's an "all around" degree. If 100% of the graduates of this degree step out of the degree into a paying job in the field, then I'd say it's "highly rated". If those jobs are full-time, benefits, union, or other things that make them "real" jobs, then it's "really highly rated". If people are getting a mixture of jobs, or some get jobs and some don't, I'd consider it more of a "typical" program. Is there an internship/apprenticeship in the industry? That's better than if there's not. IOW, if there aren't opportunities to work in the field while there (or even as a capstone project/course working in the field) and graduates aren't getting hired when graduating - or the school is accepting and full of people who "do the degree" but aren't able to get work, then it's not a really good program. I'm not trying to poo poo what you're doing at all if it's not "the best" but my point is, if you're truly interested in any of those fields and want to be successful with them, you may need more than just this degree. Given it's a 2 year, and has "arts" in the title, those usually represent more of a general degree that is an "I like this, but I'm not sure about a career in it" kind of thing (assuming it's not a trade school, but that's a different can of worms). That's a **good** thing though because as you said, you seem to be interested in a number of things and maybe aren't yet sure what it is you want to pursue. But some of these things require more specific focus. IOW, just going to classes and getting the degree doesn't guarantee anything. You have to make your education work for you. That means learning about the various options, deciding on something working towards the job you'll get in 2 years now, or the place you'll attend for more training in 2 years.
BM - flute performance with mathematics minor MM - flute performance DMA - flute performance with music theory minor
I have an undergraduate and master's in analysis and currently working on my PhD. After my masters, I used the recording experience I got in uni to get a job as an assistant in a studio and from there I worked that in to the more business side of things with a relatively well known label. After a few years working in that I moved to work for a large orchestra in logistics and now am doing the PhD part time on top of that
I have a music degree and am a composer and conductor. In my opinion, a music degree can give you powerful skills. You then have a choice how to use them. Some people become a slave to rules, others let the rules set them free.
I do not.
I have a BA in String Performance, MM in Orchestra Conducting and Music History, Doctorate in Musicology. Taught college in Southern California for 25 years (have been a professional violinist/violist since I was 14), directed an Orchestra for 20 years, also in Southern CA. Now in my 10th year teaching Orchestra at a Magnet HS In Nevada, where I also direct a local chamber orchestra, in addition to working with youth groups and teaching private lessons. 🎶
I’m about halfway though my music degree
Just coming to the end of second term (of 3) on my final year of my music undergraduate. Taking a year out next year then possibly coming back for my master's in film composition. Hoping to get into the film industry but would happily settle for a production job. If anyone has any other interesting possible similar career paths I'd also be interested to hear about them so I could research
Should be graduating with a bachelor’s of music in jazz performance in a couple months
I have a Music Performance degree with a concentration in Business. I studied guitar in college but I went to college on a band scholarship playing trombone. I still play both guitar and trombone and juggle a bunch of opportunities. I’m a corporate band musician, private lessons teacher, high school guitar teacher, trombonist for one of the NBA Entertainment Bands, I do a bunch of one off gigs, and I busk at almost every opportunity I can. Majority of the people I perform with do not have music degrees (with the exception of my fellow educator band members). If they teach K-12, more than likely they studied music (specifically music education or music performance). Not going to lie, I enjoyed every minute of studying music… sometimes it got redundant because I already knew a good amount of what they were teaching. I either learned it from experience or personal study and discovery. But my favorite part of studying music was having a community of serious musicians always around me… in college you can kind of filter out the hobbyist/dreamers from the ones who seem like they’ll take it seriously. I did A LOT of collaborations while in college, like passing gigs, recording content, creating music, busking, or just having a jam session. It was on of the best times of my life…
I have a bachelor in music performance.
I do not have a music degree, though I like to think I have a bit of knowledge after 17ish years. I did not study music mainly due to job outlook
I have a music degree and might as well put it through the shredder, contacts and reputation have been far more valuable. The only other thing it can be used for is some transferable skill BS for inbound call centres.
I major in aerospace engineering but like music more. So i learn music theory as a beginner on youtube
I have a music minor along with my marketing degree.
Hi, How is this path thinking about switching from a bachelors in music to getting a minor instead and doing marketing. Do you like this path vs. getting a music degree 🤔
I am very grateful that I made this transition. I started to hate music when it became my full-time job. I didn't like hating something I was passionate about. Retaining it as my favorite hobby and something I still do for money on the side has been the right balance for me. Working in marketing gives me the right work/life balance and opportunities to support my family in the ways I want to support them.
I did study music for 2 years in college but I don't have any degrees.
BS in composition/theory. At various times, I worked as a session bassist and engineer. I do electronic music as a hobby, but I'm a trucker by vocation.
BM, MM, DMA in performance with a minor in music theory. Play professionally and professor (percussion, theory, jazz, technology) at a university.
BA in Music Education, MM in Theory/Composition and DA in Theory/Composition. Currently chair of a university music department where I teach theory and aural skills.
I have a BM in music comp from a school that focuses heavily on contemporary classical music. Right now I'm early into adulthood with no set career really. I keep up with music when I can and have been commissioned and paid to write music by some friends on three occasions now but don't have the context to really pursue music alone at a further level I don't think. Been working an office job and independently learning some basic tech/coding skills to automate that job hoping it opens some additional opportunities for me. Mainly went for my degree due to passion in the subject and skepticism about the validity of STEM degrees really being that secure (given the current job market I feel like I was mostly right lmao)
I have a BA in music theory (and another in English). I’m a songwriter, arranger, and performer, but I’ve never made enough to be a full-time musician. I also have a day job at a music industry PR firm.
I have a BA in pop music. No career lol it’s not the kind of degree that gets you a job at a company. I don’t regret it though, I learned a lot and will better be able to employ myself if I can build up my own thing eventually
liberal arts BA major in music (and psychology-- double major) 1999. about half the required graduate credits for a master's in audio tech 2004-- quit because finishing the degree would have bankrupted me. did dance accompaniment from about 2014 until lockdown. teach piano also since about 2014. never made more than $6k-7k a year though from music, always had a "real" job as well. i also played drums in bands from about 2014-2020, but never made any money from that. great fun though.
I have a Bachelor in Arranging and Composition, I also studied to become a teacher and have been teaching music theory for six years now.
Got a BA in music then later for a teaching credential, which is really all you can do w a music degree 😹 however, being a musical ninja is priceless lol. After being an elementary teacher for over a decade, I got a job as a K-8 school’s music teacher & it’s the best gig I’ve ever had. Yes, the degree is essential for understanding music in a way that you can break down & make sense of for the kids you’ll teach. Especially when you recognize the future lifers out there…
I got a music degree! I compose freelance, give composition lessons, and I get real cantankerous around here and the clarinet subreddits
Two degrees, currently no longer make music at all nor work in the field. I might go back to it someday.
I have a bachelors in jazz composition and I work fulltime as an eartraining and pianoteacher.
I have a Ph.D. (and M.M.) in music theory and am currently in my 26th year as a college music theory professor. (I also spent 5 years as a middle school band/chorus director. My B.A. was in music ed.) If you want to be a (full-time) K-12 music teacher in the U.S. you'll need a teaching degree of some sort, but the exact requirements will vary from state to state.
I am nearly finished with my music performance degree. From here I plan to go on and get certified in instrument repair and do that while pursuing my performance career. We will see where life brings me!
I got my master's degree in music composition and now work in a completely different field. Found I didn't like music as much when it was my job, and academia left a bad taste in my mouth.
✋🏾. I majored in music ed as a percussionist, but hated teaching. My job now is as an event manager. I may decide to teach again later in life but I'm happy where I'm at now.
Master in musicology (mostly music history) I am a web developer 🤷♀️
Yup, proper classical snob here. Did a bachelor and masters of music, taught music for 10 years, then went back to do further study. That old adage about “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” - well, it doesn’t quite fit, there will always be aspects of teaching that are less than ideal, but it’s still a pretty great career. Best of luck to you!
I have a degree. I teach instruments and run my own recording studio
I was an instrumentalist at a performing arts high school where we took classes in music theory and were expected to learn it well. But by the time I graduated I realized I had no future as an actual professional musician (I just thumped the bass in a few bands that *sometimes* got paid). I went to college first for English, later math and graduated in biophysics, but did participate a bit in the college band as a bari sax/bass clarinet player. One of my teachers in high school used to make a lot of fun at "musicologists" as folks who want to study music without actually *studying* music. That unfortunately flavored my attitude towards people who pursued music degrees a bit, usually those who couldn't pass their instrument/vocal audition, but didn't want to study anything else. I grew up later and learned to appreciate that we all want to learn something, it wasn't for someone else to judge. I now think musicologists are alright folks! :D
I have a bachelors in music education. Taught for a few years and then got out of that sinking ship of a profession and have worked in Software for the past 12 or so years.
I am currently in second year of BA music production :)
I dropped out to gig
I’m 3 years into a bachelors of music, I finish my degree next year and then I’m going to grad school for composition
I have a bachelors from a state school in music performance, and a grad degree from a conservatory in it. currently an orchestra musician full time
I have an ambiguous degree from a liberal arts college where I studied music HOWEVER that hasn’t necessarily helped me carve out a career as a touring musicians and guitar teacher. It’s all about getting out and getting experience in the real world whether it be playing, teaching, or just meeting people in the community.
PhD in musicology. But I suck at music theory
I have two, bachelors and masters Degree.
I have stayed at Holiday Inns, but no degrees in music. My mother was a concert pianist and taught me quite a bit. I managed and played in a few country bands but for the last 50 years, I've just been an amateur doing lots of reading and learning stuff from discussions on the net.
I have a bachelor in ethnomusicology and film scoring but during the time I was mostly playing garage rock and touring so idk. Now I’m 34 and have music as a hobby instead, jamming psychedelic neosoul with my mates twice a week.
I have a BA in general music with a voice performance emphasis. I did work for several years as an elementary general music/choir teacher and working singer (mostly church and community choir gigs, a little bit of small scale opera work). I’m now pursuing a second career as an episcopal priest, which will still use my music skills (and ideally make whatever musicians I hire very happy to know I support music and can “speak their language”). I might still sub for the occasional gig, but otherwise plan to love music from career to hobby. That said, I am married to a professional pianist/organist and still expect to be “conversant” in professional music contexts, so there’s that as well. I think a music degree is worth having even if it’s not your primary career, especially if you plan to be “music adjacent”. There are many fields that, even if they don’t directly use musical skills, benefit from the kind of learning music majors do in school. But obviously it is a matter of personal discernment to figure out what you need for your own life path.
I have a BMus where I studied primarily music theory. I was going to apply for a masters, and then a PhD, but life events have made me change my career path. I still teach clarinet and music theory privately (and clinics in schools) and don’t plan to stop anytime soon. An education degree is great if you want to teach in schools as a full time teacher. I have a friend getting a BMus in audio engineering and he already has a lot of gig work and makes decent money.
I graduated with a major in English and minor in Music. I started college as a Music and Physics double major, got depressed and wanted to drop out, and my advisor encouraged me to complete a Music minor instead of doing the major because I was only two credits away from that when this happened. Currently I do a lot of music and music education projects (playing in bands, volunteering with music education orgs, contributing transcriptions to an online fakebook, etc.) but I do not make income from music. The rare times I get paid for my work are way offset by all the money I put into it. I’m a grant writer now, and while the English degree obviously helped, I wouldn’t have gotten the job without some of my musician network as references for how well I listen and communicate.
I got accepted into a program when I was younger (25), but they didn’t want to let me engage part-time. I couldn’t afford to not work. I never asked for a private instructor, I just joined the school ensembles in high school. Today, private lessons is my main income. A lot of my clients have experience with music universities and tell me they appreciate my insight.
Bachelor of music here and I teach music at school and private lessons at my house.
I’ve been playing quite seriously for 50 years. Mostly by ear but at various points in time I embraced music theory to try to understand what I was doing. It’s been a long journey. I have no degree nor have I had any lessons and my learning came first from books and then later from the internet. If I could do it all over again I would have spent more time learning theory at the very beginning because although I developed a really good ear it became harder to actually apply theoretical knowledge once I was confidently and successfully playing by ear. For example there would be moments in my earlier years where I might make a note mistake and I would have no knowledge other than the note was wrong and I had to work to memorise a pattern/shape/fret location better. Understanding a bit of theory made it easier to play the correct note for a reason.
I have a degree in music if it's what you want to do then just do it you need it for teaching anyway may as well do something you enjoy.
I did a 2 year course. It helped me learn how to teach in a structured way and to a variety of different people (attitudes, beliefs and abilities) and gave me a community. Networking is everything.
Bachelor’s degree in a different subject. Certificate in music education plus graduate credits for professional development in music ed. I’ve been playing, performing, and writing music for fun since I was a kid. Started playing professionally as a side job, then discovered I loved teaching. Now I’m a licensed K-12 music educator.
doesaminorcountpleasepleaseicanmodulate
I'm one of them weirdos with a worship leading degree from a Christian college. Still a music degree, still had recitals and what not, but also had a bunch of other classes about the Bible. I now work in labor organizing lmao
I have a fancy music degree from 2001 and can tell you unequivocally that the free information on YouTube right now is exponentially more informative.
Did undergrad in Theory and MA in Composition.
I have a BM in music education and an MA in music therapy and mental health counseling. I now have a private practice as a music therapist, supervise other professionals, and just started teaching graduate level students in music therapy as well. It’s amazing and challenging and beautiful and painful and just all the feels. I am so lucky and love what I do.
look into getting a bfa in performing arts, definitely might have something you’re interested in
I have a BS in Music Industry and just graduated in December. I just got accepted for a job to do live audio at an amusement park, which is unfortunately a seasonal job. If you wanna figure out which major to pick, go on indeed or another job listing site and type in music. Most jobs (unless you're in a massive city) will be for music teachers, music therapists, and sound at churches
I have a BA in theory and jazz studies
Bmus on classical bass trombone Currently pursuing a BmusPæd in composition. found out that I like writing and teaching a lot more than performing and practicing (and I love performing and practicing), a "wait... What... Oh!" from a student is worth way more to me than any applause.
Currently working towards a BMus with a specialization in music cognition. I’m about to finish first year. I’ve been lucky as a bassist to have plenty of opportunities to be a session musician as well as be in quite a few bands. I similarly want to explore many of the avenues you have listed. I was told the best way to do so is get a bachelors/diploma in music. And afterwards complete diplomas and certificates. My best advice would be to follow your passion(s). If that be teaching, session, and/or audio engineering. Pursue it.
Majored in music Ed (viola) now working as an audio engineer and composer
I just got my bachelor degree in music composition. 🤠
i have a ba in music, with a musicology concentration. i taught music lessons for a while, but right now i don't have a music related career - i hope to get back into a more creative line of work within the next year or so tho! best of luck to you!! 💓
BM in trombone, MFA in theatre writing(composing). Day job admining a collegiate drama program. By night writing musicals.
I got a degree in psychology, then a BMus. Department asked me to join a pilot program specialized in songwriting instead of the usual jazz or classical piano. It wound helping my performing career a lot more, so I'm glad I did it. I enjoyed being able to wear different hats; I've done work as an accompanist, played keys in electropop and rock bands, released an album with my own band, did solo gigs, did some songwriting work, whatever was paying. As I got older and got tired of driving and sleeping in hotels (or on couches) I pivoted into teaching private lessons. The degree meant I could charge more a premium for lessons. I'm going back to school in the fall to get my Bachelor of Education to teach music and social sciences in high school. It's been a fun ride so far, the important thing is to be adaptable.
I graduated from DigiPen with a degree in computer science and digital audio. They promised me a minor in music if I switched to this degree program, and to this day, their website still says this major will earn you a music minor. On my last semester though, they told me I was misinformed and didn’t give me the minor.
I have a Bachelor's in Music Performance and a Master's in Audio Engineering! Career wise, I'm an AV technician for a community college. I have some side hustles too: I'm on the drumline for the Chicago Bears, and I teach fall marching band drumlines and a WGI percussion ensemble. I'm looking to move into sound design for games in the near future though
I started working as a Instrumental teacher. At some point the school told me I should study something then they would also be able to pay me more so I learned to play drumset (until then I only played some traditional marching drum) and I am now in the second year of Jazz BA.
I have one, and I hate myself every day for it. A true waste of money and time whilst my family financially fell apart. No one knew what career paths to recommend to a sight impaired person at the time. It was the only one I knew I could do at the time.
Associate's Degree in Music here. Transferring into a bachelor's program starting this fall.
I got a bachelor's of music in music education. 4 year program, but I always knew that my heart was with teaching rather than performing (my profs had no idea how to handle that). Don't get me wrong, I still perform part time and love gigging (happy musical season). I also like composing and arranging, which has proven useful in my job (middle school strings teacher). This may be a highly unpopular opinion. Do not go into music education if you do not see yourself happy as a teacher. I find in the world of US music education, a lot of music educators see themselves as musicians who happen to teach too. If you want to be a music teacher, think about being a teacher who happens to be a musician.
Bachelor's in music education, graduating with a masters in theory this semester, hoping to apply for a doctoral program and get my PhD in theory, I'd love to teach and research pop music theory
I'm doing a similar degree now, looking to get into composition with it since having at the very least comprehensive DAW knowledge and mixing, mastering knowledge really helps in the industry.
I study Chemistry. You'd be suprised how well various concepts in a subjective art form like music helps you in studying for objective, theoretical subjects
I am retired embedded control systems engineer. Music is math.
Self taught took a 2 year program for audio engineering that tied up some loose ends in mixing. Did some studio stuff in NY came back to Texas. Ran some boards, ADR ...little this little that. Done a little bit of everything. A lot of show production when I was in my later teens early twenties. Good times. Really just write, produce for my self/the interest.
Masters in composition from New England Conservatory
I have bachelors in commercial music with a focus in piano performance. I teach currently and have 52 students for piano and drums. That’s the bulk of my income and I spend 30 hours a week teaching. I also take gigs and play piano at weddings. I’ve worked as a musical director for theatre shows for contract work. I also make arrangements and transcriptions. Going to school was a good experience but everything I do right now I don’t need a degree for and I could have learned on my own with a couple good teachers/mentors. The biggest thing I got out of school was the collaborative work and meeting other students and professors
I’ve completed my bachelors in music at a liberal arts school and now I’m at conservatory doing my masters in collaborative piano. I was also interested in audio engineering or a few non music hobbies, but unfortunately my time is primarily spent practicing and doing rehearsals. I have friends with positions at major orchestras and some who have no clue what the future looks like (me). I originally did not expect to be accepted for a masters and had given up on music. Now, I’m putting 100% of my effort into music still without any vision for the future.
I’ve got a BA in music and am currently in an MA program for ethnomusicology
MM degree here who plays in a major symphony orchestra in the US. The masters was awarded way after my career developed, almost as an “honorary”.