I need some help on Universities

Hello everyone, not sure if this is the right place, but I really don't know where else to post.

I am confused on how to study deeply to become the greatest musical composer ever.

To be honest, I can play the Piano, but, the truth is, I only play simple music just because I have no motivation to go beyond at this moment, but I have a genius within me that just needs awakening.

But why I am really here, is to mention that I can compose the greatest music inside my head, like literally, I am good with almost all instruments, and all sound tones(even such as understanding the effect on the mind of hitting a metal spoon on a metal cup), but the thing is, I do NOT know how to transfer what I know onto paper. When I create music within my head, I am 100% sure that whatever is playing in my head, is not random, and can be transfered and then dissected to fit into Music Theory. I am not crazy, just ignorant on how to take what I know, and put it into paper. The thing is, the information is already out there, so I don't want to create my own theories with their own names that already exist.

And because I am still at home, its hard to find motivation to learn.

I want to journey far away, and spend time composing. I can create in my head, great music with various instruments. Specifically, I can create in my head, music that is more on the emotional or moving side. Like for example, if you tell me, "compose a music which can make me feel like I am in this location, feeling a certain way, perhaps with some opposition, and ending up a victor feeling joyous in the end", I would then be able to think of the correct music for that situation.

How and why? Because I have EXCELLENT MEMORY, and love listening to music, and have listened to all kinds of music, and from all parts of the world. With all that I have heard and registered in my mind, I can regurgitate bits and pieces to recreate another fantastical piece of music. However, how do I do this? I do not know yet.

This is why, I want to know(in a simple way), what to do?

I do want to attend a University, but the thing is, I am still in High School(senior), and due to a 4 year depression that I have been facing(coming out of it finally), I have been super lazy, have developed some ADD mentality, and in general, have bad grades.

I don't think I need to know Algebra 2 or Calculus to write Music. But my bad grades shouldn't destroy my time. All I want to do is write. I already have the skills within me, and I want to know which University I may attend here in California.

I would please like help from someone.

My GPA is approximately 2.50, I haven't taken the SAT yet, and have never participated in a Music class.

Whatever I have accumulated as knowledge about Music has been self taught. The more I learned, the easier it was and it is to learn more, and at a faster rate, similar to a meteoroid going faster and faster as it approaches closer to the earth.

But like I have said, I really really want to take the next step, and I will be so sad and defeated if I can't fulfil my dream because of my damned depression which has held me back.

I need all the help I can get. Please forum, help me.

I've got no knowledge of universities in the USA but good luck. However, seeing as you want to become the "greatest musical composer ever", I suggest you first address the issue of having no motivation to learn and ask yourself, why this is.

I also have no experience with universities in USA, but you could do good with basic ear training, so you know what notes/rhythms/etc you're hearing in your head.

I wouldn't rush into a university yet. If you claim to lack motivation as much as you do and don't do so great in school (yet) I would suggest spending time getting a crappy as hell job, until you have the motivation to do better in life in general. Not to be mean or anything, but if you lack motivation to learn, probably wont get very far in your goals.

Look up your favorite composers online and see where they went. Also, ask a music teacher or guidance counselor. (Idk how old u are, but it shouldn't really matter.)

I wouldn't rush into a university yet. If you claim to lack motivation as much as you do and don't do so great in school (yet) I would suggest spending time getting a crappy as hell job, until you have the motivation to do better in life in general. Not to be mean or anything, but if you lack motivation to learn, probably wont get very far in your goals.

I disagree. Studying can be the one thing to get motivated. Crappy jobs, by definition, not.

Maybe seek some counselling, especially if you have ADD?

I disagree. Studying can be the one thing to get motivated. Crappy jobs, by definition, not.

Maybe seek some counselling, especially if you have ADD?

Well, for me, when I got a crappy as hell job, it made me want to work 1000% harder in school. I suppose it's a personal thing. I do agree about counseling though.

Well, for me, when I got a crappy as hell job, it made me want to work 1000% harder in school. I suppose it's a personal thing. I do agree about counseling though.

Ok, it's something personal then.

I can imagine it worked for you. I should have said that it would not work for me, on the contrary, I think it would have really depressed me, in such way, that I would have done nothing at all.

I wouldn't rush into a university yet. If you claim to lack motivation as much as you do and don't do so great in school (yet) I would suggest spending time getting a crappy as hell job, until you have the motivation to do better in life in general. Not to be mean or anything, but if you lack motivation to learn, probably wont get very far in your goals.

Guys?? I guess I forgot to mention that I am coming out of this 'depression'. I am becoming an 'adult'. I've been changing without any attempts.

Of course I have motivation. Its there, and its strong. I said I didnt have motivation before, but now, I do.

I also have no experience with universities in USA, but you could do good with basic ear training, so you know what notes/rhythms/etc you're hearing in your head.

Come on. Ear training? Your telling me this now? I thought everyone does this in the beginning?

Anyway, so there are no schools to go to huh? So what do you guys here do? Self study?

If you can afford it, and have the energy and drive and self-motivation - go to school.

It offers the best opportunity to focus yourself and develop as an artist. I'm not necessarily talking about classes - those (and the value in them) will vary greatly from school to school. What I mean is the time availed to you, and the people you'd be surrounded by: the environment itself is what makes it an invaluable experience.

You have pianos to play.

You're surrounded by friends, colleagues and student musicians to form groups and performance opportunities.

You have free and equipped rehearsal space.

You have free and equipped performance space.

You have the opportunity to focus your energy on making music without the drawback of needing to be paid for it...

...assuming you're passionate and talented enough; you get out what you put in.

Most universities have some sort of music program, it might be a major or a minor. However, that being said, most univiersites have you audition to get in. Most programs will start you out at music theory I and so forth and so on, and this depends if you can pass a simple music theory entrance exam. You'll also be expected to learn music history and basic conducting. If you choose a route of composition, you will most likely have to get a B in all Music Theory and Ear Training, however, you'll be expected to get an A and be good at it. You'll have to take, most likely, 8 semesters of playing an isntrument (say playing piano) and if you don't play piano, you'll have to take a piano profeciency course.

If you think you can handle all that, then I would say apply for a university and, when you start taking composition, be open minded and try hard to get better at what you do.

Come on. Ear training? Your telling me this now? I thought everyone does this in the beginning?

Anyway, so there are no schools to go to huh? So what do you guys here do? Self study?

I was adressing the fact that you don't know how to notate what you hear. You can ALWAYS improve in ear training

I study at the conservatory in Denmark - that's why I won't comment on US universities, or universities in general since they might (and probably do) differ from European ones.

Also I spend most of my study time self studying.

You need some ear training and theory for sure....where are you from in the US? there are plenty of good music schools...whether or not you have the skills yet to be accepted are another thing. PM with some info about wehre youre from if you are interested. I am a music education graduate and current teacher and I think I can help you with some ideas and perhaps some guidance. I think some education in music may be the motivation/help that you need.

Here are some of the best Music Schools in America.

San Francisco Conservatory

University of Southern California - Thornton School of Music

Oberlin Conservatory

Julliard

University of Indian- Jacobs School of Music

Rice University- The Shepherd School of Music

The Peabody Institute

The New England Conservatory

The Boston Conservatory

Berklee college of music

Musicians Institute LA

The Colburn School

And I am sure there are many others that are just as good.

You have to be very good and work extremely hard to get into these institutions.

Come on. Ear training? Your telling me this now? I thought everyone does this in the beginning?

Anyway, so there are no schools to go to huh? So what do you guys here do? Self study?

Um, I don't think anybody said that there are no schools to go to... It's impossible to simply suggest a school. Although I see that your grades aren't that great, I don't know what your financial situation is, if you want to stay close to home, exactly how much experience you have, etc. Muzic gave you some of the best places in the US (except for Berklee, personally, I really don't agree with their philosophy, sorry to any Berklee people out there), but all of those are very competitive. Given what you've told us so far, I'd look for a university or college that fits your basic needs, that seems like it has an environment you would feel comfortable with, perhaps research the music department a bit more, and go from there. And if you're a senior, if you haven't already, you should get started very, very soon, many schools' application deadlines are Dec. 1 or Jan. 1.

You need some ear training and theory for sure....where are you from in the US? there are plenty of good music schools...whether or not you have the skills yet to be accepted are another thing. PM with some info about wehre youre from if you are interested. I am a music education graduate and current teacher and I think I can help you with some ideas and perhaps some guidance. I think some education in music may be the motivation/help that you need.

Look, I want to disabuse all these people suggesting things you "need" for a music degree.

I knew nothing about music when I started college, just passing interests in playing and never in an analytical sense. I never had a music theory course in high school or earlier.

I graduated from a top-50 (in general, not in music specifically) school with a BFA in Music Composition.

All you need is the willingness to listen and learn. Unlearn everything you think is correct, and you'll do great. Be what you have to be in any other field -- be a sponge.

In addition, your BA's subject is all but meaningless. All that matters is that you've completed it.

Plus a 2.5 isn't great, but it's what, a C+ average? With decent standardized test scores and a solid essay, you can get into most schools pretty decently. A 1250 on the old SAT used to be a pretty blank check, so whatever that equivalent is now should get you through.

Hello everyone, not sure if this is the right place, but I really don't know where else to post.

I am confused on how to study deeply to become the greatest musical composer ever.

To be honest, I can play the Piano, but, the truth is, I only play simple music just because I have no motivation to go beyond at this moment, but I have a genius within me that just needs awakening.

But why I am really here, is to mention that I can compose the greatest music inside my head, like literally, I am good with almost all instruments, and all sound tones(even such as understanding the effect on the mind of hitting a metal spoon on a metal cup), but the thing is, I do NOT know how to transfer what I know onto paper. When I create music within my head, I am 100% sure that whatever is playing in my head, is not random, and can be transfered and then dissected to fit into Music Theory. I am not crazy, just ignorant on how to take what I know, and put it into paper. The thing is, the information is already out there, so I don't want to create my own theories with their own names that already exist.

And because I am still at home, its hard to find motivation to learn.

I want to journey far away, and spend time composing. I can create in my head, great music with various instruments. Specifically, I can create in my head, music that is more on the emotional or moving side. Like for example, if you tell me, "compose a music which can make me feel like I am in this location, feeling a certain way, perhaps with some opposition, and ending up a victor feeling joyous in the end", I would then be able to think of the correct music for that situation.

How and why? Because I have EXCELLENT MEMORY, and love listening to music, and have listened to all kinds of music, and from all parts of the world. With all that I have heard and registered in my mind, I can regurgitate bits and pieces to recreate another fantastical piece of music. However, how do I do this? I do not know yet.

This is why, I want to know(in a simple way), what to do?

I do want to attend a University, but the thing is, I am still in High School(senior), and due to a 4 year depression that I have been facing(coming out of it finally), I have been super lazy, have developed some ADD mentality, and in general, have bad grades.

I don't think I need to know Algebra 2 or Calculus to write Music. But my bad grades shouldn't destroy my time. All I want to do is write. I already have the skills within me, and I want to know which University I may attend here in California.

I would please like help from someone.

My GPA is approximately 2.50, I haven't taken the SAT yet, and have never participated in a Music class.

Whatever I have accumulated as knowledge about Music has been self taught. The more I learned, the easier it was and it is to learn more, and at a faster rate, similar to a meteoroid going faster and faster as it approaches closer to the earth.

But like I have said, I really really want to take the next step, and I will be so sad and defeated if I can't fulfil my dream because of my damned depression which has held me back.

I need all the help I can get. Please forum, help me.

jesus. you poor, misunderstood insane romantic genius, you. it's a wonder you don't know what you're doing.