i need advice on my plans for a career (please)

[craiz730]

Ok, I'm in the air force now with 100% tuition paid, and I plan to go to Full Sail once I get out on my G.I. Bill. I was just wandering (I want to be a producer) Should I get a degree in Music Theory or another Music degree? Any suggestions on what would help me the most? I've been producing (teaching myself) for the last 6.5 years. Thx.

[storm-01]

Music theory will always come in handy whether your a producer, engineer, composer or a musician. My experience with music theory is that it will greatly help you understand and relate to the person/s that you are working with. I don't think that you neccessarily need a music theory degree unless you plan to compose for a living. If you do get a degree, I think you will find that it was a waste of time to get that pretty piece of paper with you name as music theory major.
It would also be a great idea to learn the business side of music, such as copyright laws (take a copyright class), and generally how the system works.
One thing that might be overlooked by many, is the ability to COMMUNICATE. Take some communication classes on small group comm., or one on one, etc. There is a tremendous amount of communication between you, the engieers, songwriters/musicians as well as the people working in your everyday environment. Especially if you want to be a producer. You might have to tell someone that the last vocal line they laid down sucked, but you have to say it in a diplomatic fashion that is both constructive and progressive. Doing this will make the musician feel more comfortable in the given situation and therefore have more confidence.
I have heard nothing but great things about Full Sail. If you can afford to go, the GO!! I wish it wasn't so outragously expensive (compared to other schools like SAE) or else I would go. I'm not really sure if they cover aspects such as copyright or communication. The communication though is something that you will have to develop over time.
Also, think about doing an intern at your local recording studio. You can only learn so much by teaching yourself and or reading books. You need real life experiences to comprehend each aspect of the recording industry.

Stormy

[silence_of_stone]

I would recommend a college that offers a degree in commercial music. This way you learn all the ins and outs of the business... now while the degree may not get you anywhere in itself, the connections you will make when you are studying will definatly prove useful.
I highly recommend it...
Music school is cool too and completely useful even in the "biz", but make sure whichever you decide to do, get some music business courses in as well.
Good luck and thanks for serving your country
Kev

[Bastiaan]

First of all, i am not an american so i dont reeally know how it all goes around there. Second, i am a video-editor by profession, and not an audio-engineer. But the general idea is the same i think.

I went to school to become a video-editor, and i learned a LOT there (media-academie in Hilversum, the Netherlands). But the way i rolled in the video-business was a completely different story. I took an apprenticeship at a small facility, and did all kinds of things there. Editing, copying, playing the courier etc. I also had my name put in a database of people looking for a job in the tv-branche. Then i got a call from a company in Hilversum (the TV-capital of the Netherlands) because they needed someone temporary in a hurry. I got that 2 month-job, and one thing lead to another. I learned a lot there, and in the end they offered me a true steady job. I took that ofcourse. When i was accepted there they where not interested in any diploma's or certificates. They wanted to know if i could do the job, and they also said that they would know very very quickly if i wouldnt be up to it. After 5 years this company took a bad turn, and i decided to look elsewhere. So i had to go though that all again. They had a test-session for me, and i had to do that. And i "passed" it, and still work at that place till today. I never showed my diploma because i actually "misplaced" it. I lost it...

The basic thing i want to say that if you have what it takes, people woint care for diploma's. They want capabilities. And the way they do it over here, is to hire you for a short time (2 months or so) to see what you can do. If they like it, they will offer you a better contract.

With video-editing almost half of the work is comunication with the client. Maybe even more. You have to create a nice and comfortable enviramont for them. They must have the feeling you are capable of the job, and that THEY are capable of the job. I am the very first objective viewer of their material, and they know it. So a lot depends on how i react on that. And you need to be able to use all the equipment without to much hassle ofcourse. Clients dont really like it when you have to whip ou the manual on some piece of equipment if they ask for it....you need to master it...(or look that way... )

[minmax]

Consider Indiana University Bloomington. They have: Musicology, Music Theory, Music Theater Scenic Techniques, Music Teaching Area, Music Literature and Pedagogy, Music Education, Music-AUDIO(which you're interested),Ballet,Bands,Cello,Center for Electronic and Computer Music,Center for the History of Music Theory and Literature,Choral,Clarinet,Composition,Costume Construction Technology,Early Music Institute,Guitar,Horn,Jazz,Latin American Music Center (LAMC),Music Education,Music in General Studies,Music Information Technology,Music Theory,Musicology,Opera,Organ,Percussion,Piano, Secondary Piano Studies,Saxophone Studio,Trombone,Violin Shop: String Instrument Technology,Voice.....
Once you start there you could major in Audio and have 1 or 2, maybe 3 minors on top that. And if your music career doesn't lift off, you'll always have a 4 year degree under your belt. Can't get any better than that! Here is a link for their music department: web page
Hope this helps.
Tuvan

[craiz730]

wow lot of good advice there. thanx. Any other takes on the subject?

[rpowell]

Most of my formal music education was in high school. I also went to college where I received bachelors' and masters' degrees in engineering (not audio engineering). My music theory background has been helpful countless times in picking up quickly on what the client is trying to achieve. My engineering background gives me the thought process to solve problems.

If I were to recommend a school where both music theory and engineering theory are integrated and taken to a high level, it would be University of Miami (FL). Berklee (Boston, MA) or Middle Tennessee State (Murfreesboro, TN) would also be excellent choices. I'm not sure the Full Sail experience would round you out as a *musical* engineer as much as these places, from what I've heard from their grads.

Most people here would tell you that school might give you a good background, but your real education begins when you are doing it for real.

RP

[Chris Cavell]

I'll just say that it is extremely difficult to beat the career services offered by Full Sail post graduation. On the other hand, in the world of music, the degree from FS may get your foot in the door but it takes skill, an ear, and to far more minor degree, talent. I would definitely study theory and composition, but I would also look into ear training, entertainment law, public relations, management, business admin, etc... The idea is to have other people taking care of these tasks for you one day, but when you start out, you have to wear every hat. Also, go to every live show you can, find a joint with music every night, bring a pen and paper, analyze the bands' tunes, jot down suggestions that you might have if they were looking for a producer. Practicing like this will help to develop your skill, speed, ear, and memory. By the time you finish up at FS, you'll already have more "pseudo" experience producing than most of your classmates will get in their entire careers.

[kmshroom]

i considered going to Full Sail @ one point, but then thought better of it. One thing you should keep in mind about Full Sail is that, yes, while every music college is gonna keep you busy as all hell, Full Sail seems to be the most extreme about it, as they try to cram '3 years into 1.' you'll literally have classes all day, and ending at like 3am, and then have to get up for a 7am class the next day. i've heard from many ppl who've gone there or known ppl who have that it's an effort just to stay awake during all those classes. and think, just how much of that info are you gonna retain when you're just fighting to be awake?

also, i got the sense that Full Sail wasn't as well-rounded an education, that it was really geared to audio engineering only.

one thing no one can dispute thou, is that the facilities of that school are just simply beyond amazing.

[Chris Cavell]

I should also add that when you go into a place to "practice producing", pick a theme for the night. Jingles, car commercials, film music, rock hit, remix for a rap hit, acoustic versions, etc. Start off by taking a rock bands music and looking to make a few tunes into hits, but eventually get more adventurous, like taking a singer songwriter and turning the tune into a hemmoroid cream jingle or a hard as nails goth tune into a Sara Lee apple pie. You'll hate 90 percent of your stuff and laugh out loud at the other 10, just remember it's practice, but it will create a versatility and flexibility in you that is difficult for many producers to master.