My dilemma as a high school senior

Hi everyone, I found this place yesterday, and I realized it might be more beneficial to many of my current worries in life than anything else! Big statement, I know... but you'll see why. Or maybe not, this whole subject is very hazy to me. Excuse my repetitiveness!

I've played piano for 6 years and clarinet for 7 years. I'm an average piano player, but posture, arm movement, and physical barriers have been holding me back technically (I can't play scales fast, or anything near virtuosic). Some day it maybe it will click. But it hasn't yet. On clarinet, practice seems much more proportional to improvement. I can say that I'm prouder of my clarinet skills, and advancing decently seems like a greater reality than for piano.

Since I'm going into my senior year (school starts tomorrow...), it's about to be college applications crunch time. That said, I have no idea where I want to go or what I want to study. I'm exaggerating: I would like to study composition, but I have no hint of any other possible majors.

My life these days, more during the school year, pretty much revolves around music, and the past few years I would assume show a clear dedication to music. So to me, it seems foolish if I were to go into something besides music, because I've put so much time and effort into it. But then I think of the big conflict: is a degree and intense study in music going to support me later on? Will I be able to get a decent career?

Composition is an area that I'm really interested in because I would love to write music, and I think it would be enjoyable/rewarding. I'm deterred from music performance in college because, well, there are some really good pianists, and I'm not really interested in playing clarinet professionally. But then more conflicts hit me: I have never composed, besides two short pieces. I have some confidence that I can compose, because I can sit down at the piano and improvise around a tiny bit. I could expand on something like that... but I'm getting sidetracked.

For the past week I've been thinking about music schools. Say I make it into a good school (not likely, right now), and I graduate having learned an amazing amount. My fear is that I wouldn't be able to get a steady job. So my dilemma is this: I would like to go into music as a profession, but I have this image of music careers that is of the starving musician, barely making money to get by (and I don't just mean performers). I don't think I have a broad enough scope of possible careers in music out there.

I feel like I should evaluate whether making a living off composing music is probable, alongside beginning to compose more, instead of finding schools currently.

I think I got aross most of what I had in mind, but there's a lot that I've forgotten. Nothing is quite clear in my mind... maybe some of you will know what I mean. If anyone could enlighten me, correct me, reassure me, tell me the truth, or just anything about music school, or careers, or life, I would very much appreciate it.

Same deal, same story. I'm going to be a junior, so I haven't started panicking about the future just yet. I probably should be. I'm play many instruments, some better than others. I'm very good at piano. Out of all of the instruments, I don't think there is one that I would like to major in in college. My composition is getting better and better, but I'm still not confident. I've thought the same things, you are not alone. What jobs are there for a composer? Will it be a steady life? I'm thinking of maybe working in a music shop making or repairing instruments on the side. Apprenticeship under a luthier would be ideal. Learn to make stringed instruments, sell them. No matter what I major in, I want to make sure I have something to fall back on, because I'm never sure what could happen. I'm learning some foreign languages as an extra precaution too.

Well, it's good that I'm not alone. I have other ideas of what to "fall back in", or maybe minor in, but they would be pretty unuseful... what can anyone do with a film degree? ;-)

Maybe some older members of the forum have a word to put in on this subject!

It's really difficult to determine anything from just hearing you talk about experience, but reality in this situation makes everything a bit problematic. Music is one of the few things that you can't just show up and decide to major in it without intense prior experience. Most people who end up going to school for music have been involved with music since at least middle school, and have made it their whole life. From reading what you said, I think that it wouldn't be necessarily wise to go into music, but anything is possible if you work hard enough at it. The teacher that I study with currently didn't start oboe until senior year in high school. She started on clarinet, and the two are very different. My advice to you would be to get your bachelor's degree in music education. That will give you a solid foundation when you go to graduate school, and you can decide what you want to do from there. Something else that you might want to consider is becoming a music librarian. Music librarians for orchestras do some arranging, and you'll be around music all the time. Alice Parker was a well known music librarian.

Here is a link for some careers in music and what they entail: Careers In Music

The Music industry is a cold world. You have to absolutely love it if you are going to go into it. Whatever you go into, you are going to do some teaching. Whether it be in a classroom, or in a conservatory, you are going to have to teach. Becoming a music teacher for Elementary, Middle, or High School is also a good career choice because you get benefits from the school district, and you don't have to be an amazing performer or composer to get the job. The salary is ok, too. My dad was a public school teacher and earned 60,000 a year at his peak. You can also work part time as music director for a church on Sundays or Saturdays and get up to 50,000 a year. That's 110,000 a year right there, without teaching private lessons! Those are just a few things to consider. I'll be dropping by this thread a lot, because it's a topic that really interests me and I'm sure I will have more to say as time goes on.

dude im in the same position as you but even worse lol. all i play is piano and guitar, and i suck at piano all i can do is slowly compose melodies and on guitar im nothing special.i have only played piano for liek a year and guitar 2 years haha. i dislike performing but i really like composing music, do you have to be an amazing performer to be a successful composer? ive only got a couple months left of high school and music is what interests me most and id love to compose music as a career but the reality is there are thousands of people better than me so i dont think it would be wise to go to a colelge and study music...but theres nothing else i really want to do!

also,

Composition is an area that I'm really interested in because I would love to write music, and I think it would be enjoyable/rewarding. I'm deterred from music performance in college because, well, there are some really good pianists, and I'm not really interested in playing clarinet professionally. But then more conflicts hit me: I have never composed, besides two short pieces. I have some confidence that I can compose, because I can sit down at the piano and improvise around a tiny bit.

i know exactly what you mean about composing, ive only composed a few pieces and im also convinced i can compose lol

I have exactly the same problem plus another one, my parents don't want me to study music :happy::(

**EDIT**

They don't want me to progress in music since they don't like the idea of my going to a uni to study music.

well my name is lucas, and im a sophomore at a Community College.

and i just recently started taking music classes and Genereal Ed to transfer to Cal State Northridge, but one thing i would recommend is the music theacher career,

but the one that im planning on doing because it seems really interesting is the Music Therapy,

Composition is my main goal and Therapy is my second goal.

i just started to play piano like one year ago, and i think i get it pretty good just need some practice :happy:

I have exactly the same problem plus another one, my parents don't want me to study music :(:(

**EDIT**

They don't want me to progress in music since they don't like the idea of my going to a uni to study music.

do they see that as a waste of money and time?

Saiming: :( A pity... But then again it all depends, with one sentence we can't really know... Maybe the have their reasons? Dunno...

mikey555: http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/can-one-make-living-composer-11001.html

This is a thread about "making a living" as a composer/musician. There's a lot of info there, that I won't get into repeating here...

Also:

Now I'm Worried! - Soundsonline-Forums

Different forum, many more professionals, pitching in.

The fact that you have never composed, is under debate (in my head that is) if it's good or not, or something wrong, or whatever. In truth, I think that in most conservatories, they do ask for proof that you can compose. At least in the UK they do. No idea about other countries. But in short, usually people who study music, they've had some ideas before hand. Then again you do have some idea of music with 6-7 years of playing 2 instruments.

A difficult question, and I'd say that your best bet, is not a forum, of internet people, but maybe going there in a career day, or open day, or talking to the potential professors, etc.

do they see that as a waste of money and time?

Well they don't think I'll have a living, which is totally untrue! but well I just can't be bothered to argue, specially with a stubborn twat dad that I have - really.

Saiming: :laugh: A pity... But then again it all depends, with one sentence we can't really know... Maybe the have their reasons? Dunno...

Why should they? It is me, not them. My future, they just can't understand that. So my plan has been, started from last week, to write the best music I have ever done. And I will try to ask someone to convert it with GPO and MP3 and let them listen. I will make it so emotional, I'll really work these last months before college show them the pieces, find a good college and send it to them.

Or, well I don't know. I don't know what else I could ever do without being able to have my dream so close, to study music full time, but it is yet so far :w00t: :(

Wow, Matthew, your story is worthy of a film! Throw in your dad being a dick on your birthday and you've got yourself a blockbuster!

All my friends say so too, yes my family is really fucked up, all because of a stubborn introvert asshole father...

Mom has even noticed how odd he is, I like mom better :(

Although that won't really help me convince mom and definatly not dad to let me study what I want.

The fact that you have never composed, is under debate (in my head that is) if it's good or not, or something wrong, or whatever. In truth, I think that in most conservatories, they do ask for proof that you can compose. At least in the UK they do. No idea about other countries. But in short, usually people who study music, they've had some ideas before hand. Then again you do have some idea of music with 6-7 years of playing 2 instruments.

I bet a lot of people (alright, everyone!) say this, but I know that if I had time to sit down every day and work with writing a piece, I could compose something decent. I say this because I always have ideas running through my head, whether it's getting ready for bed, or spacing out in school.

I'm definitely going to be doing some writing soon.

Not to be a wet blanket... music is a darned competitive field, and of 100 students going into music as a freshman in college, I'd wager 30 are left after the first year. By the time 4th year comes around... well, it's not encouraging.

My advice - don't get incredibly stressed about what you're going to do in college, because most college students don't have a clue, either! Nearly every person I knew in college changed majors at least once. You are still young and changing... who you are now is not who you'll be in 3-4 years.

At this point in your life, just do your best, don't be a jerk, and work hard to get into a college. Once you're there... do whatever motivates you and keeps you interested! Another bit of advice - once in college, do get your general education classes out of the way. That way, you have some flexibility in your schedule, and you might find something interesting you never thought you might like.

(Saiming) - If the 'rents are paying for it and object, you can either endure it, capitulate, or take the real adult step and get and job and pay for it yourself. (trust me, not as easy as it sounds, nor nearly as fun as you'd imagine...)

Good luck! :happy:

Actually, since it's been brought up...

For the record, I went to the uni to study physics! Yup! Spent a couple of years there, couldn't stand it, left and never looked back. Luckily for me. Not that music is not competitive, but there are things to do. Plus if from 100 students in the 1st year, only 40 remain in the 4th (for example), it's a good thing, no? Less competition :happy::D

nikolas, thanks for the links before - I read through the first three (long) pages of the post on the EW forums, and I think that really helped answer a lot of questions that I had.

Sure, everyone ignore what I have to say. :)

JK. Just kidding....:w00t:

But honestly, if you are going to go into music and you don't think that performance is for you, I really think you should consider music education. In my opinion, it's a no brainer.

Thank you Flint-wwrr and Nikolas and not to forget Tyler (oboehazzard) :whistling: for the suggestions :o

Thank you Flint-wwrr and Nikolas for the suggestions :o

:whistling:

Sure, everyone ignore what I have to say. :D

JK. Just kidding....;)

But honestly, if you are going to go into music and you don't think that performance is for you, I really think you should consider music education. In my opinion, it's a no brainer.

I'm a bit confused on what music education really is... if you're not learning how to perform or how to write music, what are you doing?

I'd have to say I'm in the same predicament too. My Dad doesn't want me to study music, but my mom does. Either way, I don't know of many music colleges- I'm not even sure if I should attend a music college (Berklee, Juliard, etc.) or a 'normal' college and just get a music related major?

On that subject, I don't know if I want to do composition or performance-- I like them both, but each has it's 'flaws'....And, since I'm graduating spring of '08, I'm kind of in a time crunch when it comes to college applications....

~Kal

I'm a bit confused on what music education really is... if you're not learning how to perform or how to write music, what are you doing?

Those who can, do. Those who can't teach.

Naw just kidding. But I used to say that to my dad all the time.

For the past week I've been thinking about music schools. Say I make it into a good school (not likely, right now), and I graduate having learned an amazing amount. My fear is that I wouldn't be able to get a steady job. So my dilemma is this: I would like to go into music as a profession, but I have this image of music careers that is of the starving musician, barely making money to get by (and I don't just mean performers). I don't think I have a broad enough scope of possible careers in music out there. I feel like I should evaluate whether making a living off composing music is probable, alongside beginning to compose more, instead of finding schools currently.

Hey,

I know exactly how you feel and I think I can assure you of several things. First off, I played piano and saxophone in high school and went on to study music education. I got a bachelors and then went into my masters for saxophone performance.

I started teaching for a while and didn't like it at all, so I began to really chase my dream of being a full time composer and sound designer, and I made it! I say this, not to brag, but to hopefully inspire you that it is possible to make a decent living and have a blast at your job.

So here are some points:

You mention that you'd love to write music, which is great, but are you already writing music? If not, you really should try your hand at it first before deciding to chase composition as a career choice. There are many talented musicians that can play circles around me on their instruments but cannot make it as a professional composer. So the first thing to figure it out is if you have a natural ability at composing. (For example, I was writing music (and just making up music) since 5th grade. I didn't really know what I was doing, but it shows that I already had some natural ability and the ear to do some level of composition from a young age. All through high school I was writing all kinds of piano pieces, some good and some not. Are you doing this right now?

Now lets assume that you're good at composition, the next thing you need to do is learn the tools. I'm talking about hardware and software. Many (if not all) companies want to be able to hire one person to create the music for their product. This means one guy to create all of the individual tracks and you either have to be an amazing musician and be able to play everything or you have to rely on music software and hardware. These programs can be tough to learn, but once you learn one of them, you'll be able to pick up others easier.

For example, at home I use Sonar 6 Producer, Reason 3 and Sound Forge 8. At work I use Logic 6 Pro and Protools 6 HD. I can also work with Finale 2006 (infact in college I would be hired by musicians and professors to transcribe and create manuscript in Finale).

Once you learn the software and hardware, then you can start to test yourself and see how well you can rescore parts of games, movies and trailers. See how many different styles you can do.

Let me take a break and say: I realize that I'm throwing a TON of info at you right now and it might seem overwhelming! Relax! If you go to college, you have four years to learn all of this stuff! Plus, I started out just making funny songs like "I have to use the bathroom" (I swear, that was one of my songs) where I learned many tricks of the trade. See, this all started as a hobby for me. I'd write stupid songs to make my roommates laugh. The more time I spent on it, because I was having so much fun, the better I got at this.

Now I'm able to make a living doing what I love: create music and sound design for various forms of media.

It does take hard work and constant PR, but I find it more than rewarding!! I hope you do too!

Thanks,

Nathan Madsen

Composer-Sound Designer

www.madsenstudios.com

Yay! Someone with good advice. But I bet you didn't make an awesome song about Zoloft. :(

Listen to this guy. He knows what he is talking about. Especially about learning the software. I rake in about 4,000 a year by engraving other people's music.

Also, to the person who was considering Berklee.... no. lol. All I'm going to say is no. No no. No Berklee. I know a few teachers at Berklee and even they tell me not to go there. It's a school for people who want to major in pop, rock, rap, and jazz mostly. Even if it doesn't look like that. You aren't going to be happy with the atmosphere if you are a classically trained musician.