If you spent all your savings on your son's music theory degree and when he graduated he joined a metal band..

Question

what would you think?

And would that change if he got famous?

This is a completely hypothetical question. I'm not that son and I don't have any kids myself

Just in case you were wondering, I'm a metalhead myself

Answer 1

Well, what else are you going to do with a music theory degree? Write a musical?

Answer 2

So what? Just because you paid for the degree does not mean you get to control what he does. If he enjoys metal, so be it. There's nothing wrong at all with heavy metal and anyone who thinks so is a narrow-minded nimwit.
If he got famous, wonderful. But if you raise a big stink over what he does with the metal band, and he does get famous, don't expect to reap the benefits of it. Unless of course he's really forgiving.

Answer 3

Eh... College isn't really for determining your career. It is part of the process.

Many Many people including myself, study one thing, find it interesting but get out there and find that the work sucks.

Two things are most important for my kids.
1. Be able to put food on the table
2. Do what you like.

Hopefully one job could accomplish both, but it could mean, for example, being a plumber during the day and a sculptor at night untill the sculpture starts paying the bills.

Just let him do what he likes, but make sure he's responsible at the same time.

Answer 4

well hypothetically(i am too young to have kids) if i had a son that wanted to go pursue being in a metal band. well i would totally do as much as i could to help him out with achieveing his goal. i my self luv music and hope to be in some type of band one day therefore im trying to teach myself to play bass. but anyways i would help my hypothetical son whether it was giving him some money to get started or what not. and if he happened to get famous i don't think it would change anything i would still support him and help him if he wanted my help or needed it.

Answer 5

Music styles as well as what we like change with age. If he is playing music doing what he wants to do then fine. Famous or not is just a right time, right place kind of thing. There are many talented musicians who are not famous just because of fate. Talent is wonderful but does not guarantee success. I like Ozzy, Mozart, The Beatles, Greenday, Coltrane, Goodman, Billy Joel and too many others to name. Depends what kind of mood I am in. I think there are many very talented musicians to go with all the styles of music.

Answer 6

It depends what kind of "Metal". He SHOULD be doing ballz out heavy intense interesting chops filled stuff, but if he's gonna waste the education playing in some tired old lame "Cookie Monster" vocal death or Grind lazy crap with a 7-string guitar and only using the first 4 strings and a cheesy crap distorto tone like pretty much every new popular band out there - i'd have to disown him! . Did i leave anything out?

Answer 7

Maybe he could do something to improve the quality of metal. Most educated musicians also know not to put all their eggs in one basket, they'll have three or four different projects going on at any one time until one takes off. I'd be proud of a son who so diligently chased a dream.

Answer 8

Didn't all of the members of Queen have advanced music degrees?

Anyone bright enough to get educated in real music will make an impact on what ever branch of music they tackle.

Ray Charles brought his gift of the blues into Country/Western market and taught them a few things with his success.

Answer 9

I would be happy for my child... Everyone needs a little time to find themselves. If it came to be the band was not heading for stardom, I would hope he would at least hold a part time job that put his degree to use. Maybe teach music to children or give music lessons to people who want to learn. As long as he was responsible about his choices... I would have no problem helping my child go for their dreams.

Answer 10

I suppose if I had made some "deal" with my son that he was supposed to do something else with his degree, then I would be upset.

But when my kids are college age, if I can afford tuition for them, it will be a gift. A true gift, with no strings attached. It is something for them to do for themselves, and to do with as they please in life.

These days parents are lucky if a kid shows enough interest to go to college, whoever is paying. I'd count my lucky stars, famous or not, metal band or local symphony orchestra.