Where to Study Music

NorioDS · 2010-01-23T17:56:06+00:00

One day, when I'm big, and no longer working for my money, I'd like to study music. Currently I'm thinking of going to TUT because it's not too far, I've heard good things about it, and their music stuff is jazz, which I prefer to classical. I'm wanting to do the full haul. Diploma, Degree, etc. I'm not just wanting to learn how to play better. What do you guys recommend?

DonovanB

Norio I'm glad you asked this question... the answers are cool

Keira WitherKay wrote and a university degree is only ever required if you want to teach in a formal institution.... not for being a session muso ...or being a live muso .... there it's all about your 'voice" and if thats what the clients are seeking........

I've been hunting around for session work in Durban and been avoiding certain studio's who are associated with people who I find intimidating. When in reality, I know I shouldn't be. I need to keep reminding myself of what you just said and I'll be ok...

Keira-WitherKay

DonovanB wrote Norio I'm glad you asked this question... the answers are cool

Keira WitherKay wrote and a university degree is only ever required if you want to teach in a formal institution.... not for being a session muso ...or being a live muso .... there it's all about your 'voice" and if thats what the clients are seeking........
I've been hunting around for session work in Durban and been avoiding certain studio's who are associated with people who I find intimidating. When in reality, I know I shouldn't be. I need to keep reminding myself of what you just said and I'll be ok...

well when i said you don't need a degree.... thats just saying you don't have the piece of paper...

but to be a session musician you will need to know how to read music...

cos some sessions are quite structured especially for jingles or movie scores....,

so you might not need it every session but one would need to be able to read .....

and most importantly have good gear that gets great sound in studio.... instantly.... and most importantly introduce no noise from any of your gear ....

and then obviously the ability to play accurately ...

and even create a piece and record it within a very short period of time ussually under an hour

and give the producer the the tone and feel he wants...

and the great session players and the most used ones are the ones who don't try change the producers view... but just make em happen.........

and the quicker you work the better they like you and more they will hire you ....... cos studio time is money .... and in some studios quite big money ........

so you might not need a degree but you need to be sharp musically , neat and clean with no red light stress....(meaning you don't get nervous when you record with people watching you and the clock too ...... and definitely have no ego if they don't like your parts......... take the guidance given and just redo the differently within minutes.....

arjunmenon

Keira WitherKay wrote well when i said you don't need a degree.... thats just saying you don't have the piece of paper...
but to be a session musician you will need to know how to read music...
cos some sessions are quite structured especially for jingles or movie scores....,
so you might not need it every session but one would need to be able to read .....
and most importantly have good gear that gets great sound in studio.... instantly.... and most importantly introduce no noise from any of your gear ....
and then obviously the ability to play accurately ...
and even create a piece and record it within a very short period of time ussually under an hour
and give the producer the the tone and feel he wants...
and the great session players and the most used ones are the ones who don't try change the producers view... but just make em happen.........
and the quicker you work the better they like you and more they will hire you ....... cos studio time is money .... and in some studios quite big money ........
so you might not need a degree but you need to be sharp musically , neat and clean with no red light stress....(meaning you don't get nervous when you record with people watching you and the clock too ...... and definitely have no ego if they don't like your parts......... take the guidance given and just redo the differently within minutes.....

+1 Keira. You've hit the nail spot on.
Now, i have no experience as a session musician, but by virtue of being realetd to one, i know for damn sure that:
1. You have to be able to read, practically, any piece of music given to you and the charts.
2. You have to be able to cover a lot of musical ground and in the least amount of time possible.
3. You need to have a good grasp of a variety of genres and styles
4. You need gear that is top notch, super clean and will not introduce unwanted noise in the mix.
5. Most importantly, you have to be able to work under a lot of pressure.

DonovanB

I was called in to do some work recently and all I had to work with was the tune recorded shoddily by a drummer who wrote the song. I had to work it out, write it down then record it and I was done in an hour and a half.

mind you, for a drummer he had used some very nice chords and I would never have got them if I didn't read up on jazz chords recently either.

A piece that is written down is so much easier (not so much playing but for creative purposes) than trying to suck it out of your thumb. However, I've always maintained that if you can sing it, I can play it. If I get it written I'll be very happy to play it but in most cases I've seen here in Durban, unless it's for a film/tv score, you're not getting sheet music.

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