Advice for an aspiring musician?

Question

Since I was a child of 7 and began playing guitar, my only aspiration and desire has been to be a musician. I am almost entirely self-taught; I have never taken lessons and the little bit I know about music theory, reading music, etc. I learned in the 2 years of Piano classes I took in high school. Prior to this, my main interest had been in rock music, but after my second year Piano teacher exposed me to a wide variety of jazz and classical music, I fell in love with both genres. Unfortunately, my general performance in school was rather poor, and I have not pursued any further education in the 4 years since I have graduated. Anyway, to the point, my passion for the guitar and jazz/classical music is so incredibly strong whereas my skill and knowledge are inredibly lacking. With no credentials, academic or otherwise, to back me up, is there anyway I can now pursue a musical education and profession? Any help or advice would be most appreciated.

Additional Info: After Butch's sarcastic response, I thought perhaps I should revise my question and include some more specific details. I am a very good ear player, and can improvise and play a lot of jazz by ear, and with some effort translate to guitar from sheet music. I know most of the rudiments of music, from the construction of scales, extracting chords from scales, modal improvisation, etc. And I graduated from playing pop punk at the age of 10. Understand that when I say my technique and knowledge are lacking, this does not mean that they are nonexistent. They are only unsatisfactory for my own personal goals.

Answer 1

Your great love for music is inspiring!

There are many different paths you might take. It will be difficult to find a college music department or conservatory that will accept you as a performance major, but there are other degree programs that mgiht interest you.:

BA in Music: This isn't a bachelor of Music Degree, but a Bachelor of Arts with a concetration in music. And many college offer a concentration in jazz studies.
Minor in Music: You wouldn't need the same theory and technical skills as music majors.
Major in Music Humanities: Here's a college that offers such a degree, just to give you an idea: http://music.ucsd.edu/ugrad/ugrad_humanities.html
Major in Music Technology
BS in Music Business
BM in Jazz Studies
You might also take some music courses at a local community college to further your knowledge.

You're at an advantage in that you are a guitar player and a jazz musician. Colleges are overrun with piano and violin majors. Your instrument will serve you well in this regard.

I would encourage you to get back into piano and guitar lessons. No matter if you plan to perform or to work behind the scenes in the music industry there's not substitue for being a fine musician yourself.

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

Many of your readers' first responses offered a pessimistic view of your question, focusing on how difficult it can be to be a music major, or try to accomplish simple goals of comprehension in music theory learning. Their pessimism makes sense -- music is hard. Having a good ear and loving music aren't enough; music requires a sustained effort, and many people will discourage you from it becuase they once tried to nurture a music passion, and couldn't stick with it.

Others responded more positively. But they still focused on the idea of you going the academic route. I'm a professor at a university, so I sympathize with that...I do believe in colleges as a good place to get comprehensive and useful education. But perhaps you can take it from me...you don't *need* to pursue a degree to have a lifetime of fulfilling music.

Why not start by visiting a local college and looking through the textbooks in their bookstore? You'll be able to locate yourself in the curriculum by considering which parts of the books interest you and challenge you, and which don't. Then try taking a course as a part-time student, and check to see whether it's making a difference to your abilities as a performer or composer. If so, then perhaps this is for you. If not, then you'll want to pursue alternatives.

Some of the best musicians and musical thinkers in the world -- including some who teach at major universities -- did not actually become great musicians through formal training or university discussion. Others (like me) were gratefully transformed by what the university offered them.

But one thing that I think *all* great musicians have in common is the experience of making music with and for other musicians. These days it's very difficult to get people to take hard work and hard learning seriously, especially if there's not a deadline to motivate them. So you'll need to find ways of making music every day, that are reliable, and not dependent on outside forces or circumstances lining up just right.

Answer 3

Pick what you want to do with your music and do whatever you have to do get there.
It all depends on what you want to do. The music business isnt like being a doctor or accountant, you dont need a "degree" to make it..AND theres no plan written out for you like normal proffessions.....for instance If you want to play jazz guitar, then take lessons from a good jazz guitarist in your area, hang out at live jazz clubs, jam with other jazz musicians, listen to jazz, write your own songs, etc...
If you want to be proffessional than you need to aim to be the best jazz guitar player in your area, then your state, than the country etc, you have to have that attitude, constant improving! If you dont have the skills, the ones that arent taught in school then you aint makin it. real jazz is learnt from jammin with other jazz musicians. So meet up with some this week and jam..I also have been guitar my whole life, i've been in proffessional bands, & worked in studios with platinum selling artists, and i'm still searching for what I really want to express with my music, Its an ongoing thing...good luck:)

Answer 4

i am sorry, but forget it. I have been trying for years. The best way to do it is be a chick that is skinny with big you know what! A friend of mine slept her way to fame and now she is a singer over in america. And little old me is still stuck here.

Answer 5

yes ahem

first of all yew gotta be good to play jazz guitar and you definitely need an education and more than that to be incredibly skilled..

since I figure you won't make the cut from that angle you should learn to play pop-punk and learn to suck dix

Answer 6

Dude sorry but no