Degree in composing?

Question

The majority who studied music in college are just like any other musician. They studied for the love of music and it is playing and composition ability by which we are all measured. There is a group of pompous elitists however who feel a degree somehow makes them better. The measure of any performer is how well liked their performances are. Sure you can slop anything out there and if you look hard enough somebody will like it. The real test is having many like your music. There are classically trained musicians out there who were also good composers. Randy Rhodes, all of Rush are the only two that come to mind. In Rock, Metal, Blues, Country, Jazz, Rap, Folk, Pop how many stars have degrees? Maybe %1 if that many. So except for Classical which is more of a preservation of music with a notable addition coming out maybe once every 20 years, what music form are musicians with degree's are even common?

Using the test of popularity, both sustained and fad. Music degrees are not a viable route to learning composition. If they were the majority of hits would be written by degreed composers. Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zep, Hank Williams, Muddy Waters any of these guys have degrees?

Please name one way that a music degree makes somebody so superior that they can ridicule other musicians? Again, most music majors are not this way. I am talking only about the ones who are. There is nothing wrong with getting a music degree. For most music majors it is to play in symphonies, compose classical music, to be able to
teach music while pursuing a music career. As for composing in most music forms it seems to be a hindrance. Thousands graduate with music degrees each year. Obviously they wish to pursue music as a career. Statistically if a degree was a good means of learning composing,
then the majority of songs in most music genres would be written by

artists with degrees and record companies would scout colleges rather than bars. People with music degrees have to master at least one instrument. So it's not a lack of playing skill. Compared to the average undegreed musician they have a strong edge in playing skill and technique. This however seems to underscore the fact that a music degree for most people blocks rather than unlocks composing potential. So my theory is that the pomposity comes from an insecurity about the choice to spend all those years learning music theory. While I've never met Geddy Lee, Niel Pert or Alex Lifeson, I
would be highly surprised if they ever put other musicians down for a lack of a music degree. I would be VERY shocked if Randy Rhodes ever

did such a thing. Music theory is a way to describe something that is already there not create it. It's already there. When you compose a song you do not pluck the notes out of thin air. You build it. For some this comes naturally. Others have to work at it. A few can learn how to do it from instruction. Obviously very few. Having a degree in music is like having a degree in baseball. Sure it can help. Practice helps more. Whether you grasp the fundamentals from experience or a book, the end result is the same. So how can one way of achieving this be better than others?

Every answer was a good one. Almost picked yours Pffie for the poetic way you said so much. I'm going with the fellow musician. While we play different styles he's seen the same kind of arrogance I was venting about.

Answer 1

I feel what you are saying, I know cause I have been there. The pompousness of such creatures with above average jobs as staff accompanist or house composer, or .... etc what did a music degree do for me? So far ... nothing. I have $32,000 more debt and am making less than I was before I started going to college. However, I am very confident now in all my abilities as a performer and as a composer. I feel I do have at least the authority to teach and to train other in the ways of the musician. But I agree what is up with the stuck up : im better than you blach" attitude with a lot of these people. Especailly Oboeists's, have you noticed that oboe playes as well as trombonists are the hardest to approach? Guitarists have their own little secret society, trumpeters are well they dont interest me and I hate their loud obnoxious instrument, clarinetists are kick back no problem with them usually, Sax players are something else can;t describe them very well get along with some but not with others. Bass and string players are well it all depends on what instrument you play. Violinists forget it they are the most pompous asses I know, they always are having their chins up in the air at you, Once I asked a violinist what time it was and she scoffed me off as if I was nobody, so I agree with you on a lot of points but I was just wondering what are you asking really?

Answer 2

it's true! most successful artist's ie painters sculptors poet's even con artist's all have a natural talent.

Answer 3

Those who want to sing, will find a song.