I'm currently studying Music at school, but as several of my class mates have already done, I'm considering dropping the course. The problem is that the marking system is quite strict and is geared almost exclusively towards "complex" atonal and experimental music; think of hitting piano keys with your elbows, shaking a stick full of cactus pines and using a guitar pick to strum the inside strings of a grand piano filled with ping pong balls. The main two reasons I'm studying Music at school are to gain invaluable experience and knowledge and to have some musical qualifications. However, as the first seems to be lacking (the lessons themselves are unfortunately hardly informative), the only motivation that's left is whether the course will perhaps aid in the path to a career in music. Is it really worth it? After all, it's just a high school music course; I'm not even sure if I'll be pursuing a musical career at this stage. Do such things even count? I would think that a university degree would be much more relevant, but I won't dismiss any options. On the other hand, I could always just keep the Music course "just for fun", since I already know that it will be Maths, English, Chemistry, etc. that will be considered mark-wise (it's a complicated system, but the marks I obtain from Music essentially won't matter as they won't be counted in my highest-ranked subjects). However, it's always pleasant to be a high achiever in a course. Now, as a general question, what qualifications are useful, recommended or required for entering the music industry, be it video game music composition, film scoring or other aspects you may know of? Australia unfortunately lacks video game and film music courses, so those aren't such open options. Thanks in advance!

The problem you'll face regarding a career in music is that there are a lot of musicians and not many careers. That is the case in the UK and the US and I doubt it is significantly different in Australia. Statistically you probably have more chance of becoming an actor on a film than its composer, for example. Even in games there are probably 10x as many artists or designers as musicians on a project's credits, and that musician might work on several projects in that time.

With that in mind, you really have two routes; either the excessively well-qualified route, or the excessively good portfolio route. Half-measures either way probably won't help you, as there are probably going to be thousands who studied some music at school, and who would like a job doing it.

But "the music industry" is a very vague term. It could range from someone writing module files for Playstation Portable games, to headlining arenas with a rock band, or someone who never plays a single note but who works in a studio with musicians. Each requires a different skill set, though obviously there is overlap.

My advice therefore is necessarily vague - try and get educated in the fields you are most interested in, but use that knowledge to work on your portfolio of sample works, as that is what you'll ultimately be judged upon.

You'd be amazed at how much avant-garde crap you'll study at most schools with a theory and composition program--I sure have. That said, if you find the right teacher, oftentimes they can teach you what IS good about that music without insisting that you write it. I never appreciated it when I had a teacher that wanted me to write it--however, I started studying under a guy who told me to compose tonal music as much as I wanted, and then taught me how to listen for elements in that music that I could use.

Definitely the most useful part of being here (I go to St. Olaf College) is the number resources available to me--where else can I go find a couple of friends that also happen to be crack string players to test out my new string quartet? You learn how to orchestrate, how to get performances together, and how to write music that is idiomatic to the instruments you're scorig for. In addition, we've got a HUGE music library (most music schools do) where I can go and study the music of anything from Bach to Black-Eyed-Peas.

So I'd say that yes, it has benefitted me a lot to be here, but you have to take it with a grain of salt--academia is full of itself, and you have to hold firm to your ideas about how music fits into your life and what kind you like.

I know what you mean about having to study atonal music. I don't much care for it either.... but it still has merit. I've actually used techniques from avande garde music in several pieces (just for sections) to create a certain mood or atmosphere and it works well. If I hadn't studied it, then it would have been more of a struggle.

It is good to know the history of music and in the 1900-1920 "serious" music was very much in serialism, 12 tone row and atonal or multi-tonal music. It is good to know why that happened (as a direct result of the neoclassicism where everything has strict rules).

I studied music in undergraduate and graduate school and took many theory courses. I enjoyed it and had great teachers. I think every type of music you study brings something good to the table. In my current job, I'm asked to create music in all kinds of strange fusions. For example one trailer I worked on wanted a mix between "western" and "industrial". Since I had studied both and knew the basic "rules" and style of each it wasn't a problem. I've had to write music that was orchestral, rock, opera and literally everything in between.

If I were you, I'd stick with it. Besides taking classes, consider being a part of as many different types of ensembles as you can. Each ensemble will give you new insight into what makes that group work, how to better write music for that ensemble and expose you to the "musical literature" of that ensemble. For example, I've been in choirs (both all male and mixed voices), male quartets, saxophone quartets, jazz combos and big bands, rock groups, orchestras, marching bands and wind symphonies. Each group taught me something new and gave me another resource to draw from. (Keep in mind all of those groups were over a long span of about 10 years!)

I'd also try and learn as many instruments as possible. If you understand how the instrument works and what it takes to play music then you can write music that is native to the instrument instead of "how the crap do I do THAT!?" I've actually hard many musicians say things like that or "whoever wrote this clearly has never played guitar...or cello...or whatever."

Also, about it just being a high school course: if you choose to go on to college you could possibly test out of freshman theory if you know enough. Or at least test out into the advance course. In case you don't know every music major is required to take a test at the start of college to see what they know and where they should be placed.

I know I'm rambling, sorry but I've used all of the skills, techniques and knowledge I've learned from all of my musicial experiences and it has made me a better, well rounded musician.

Quote: Original post by nsmadsen
"whoever wrote this clearly has never played guitar...or cello...or whatever."

When I played guitar for West Side Story in high school I remember my guitar teacher disliking Leonard Bernstein because he supposedly had some 7-string chords for the guitar originally. The music was fantastic though.

Thanks for the extremely helpful replies, everyone!

Kylotan, I apologise about the lack of details regarding which aspect of the music industry I was referring to, but the truth is that I'm somewhat unsure myself. For specifically a career in media composition (i.e., games, film, etc.), what qualifications are useful or necessary? I'm in the process of weighing up my options at this stage, so disregard the actual statistics, which indicate that composition is a difficult area to enter.

Blaise Douros and nsmadsen: thanks immensely for your advice. I'll keep the course; even if it's geared towards avant-garde music, I suppose the experience will be useful. I'm a part of the stage and concert bands (I'm the first choice for guitarist, since it's my last year of school - woo hoo!), which is a fun experience. Coincidentally, I just picked up my new bass guitar today; I agree with the belief that playing multiple instruments is a plus.

It's a shame the amp is faulty. Gah. I'll have to take it back to the store next week.

Taking classes about music, theory, composition and such lays down a great technical foundation for the execution of music. There are many other requirements to get into this business, here are some of the other skills that are needed:

A good ear
Creativity
Imagination
Professionalism
Business Sense
Thick Skin
Talent

Something that is often over looked is learning how to record and produce music. One of the greatest ways to expand and learn is to record and emulate existing songs. Practice, learn, record, and try and take what you have done to the same quality level or better than the person's music you are dissecting. Eventually you will get there. I am sure you have heard this before...Practice Practice Practice.

Like everyone says it is probally helpfull if you take a class so u can ask questions to a teacher.

I myself though have never followed a music class or anything similar. I learned everything myself by just practising what i like to do.
Currently i am under contract with a Major record label here in the Netherlands, and i don't have a degree or anything.
This means it is definetly possible to do something in the music business without an degree. You just got to look around more.

Quote: Original post by Lily
Kylotan, I apologise about the lack of details regarding which aspect of the music industry I was referring to, but the truth is that I'm somewhat unsure myself. For specifically a career in media composition (i.e., games, film, etc.), what qualifications are useful or necessary? I'm in the process of weighing up my options at this stage, so disregard the actual statistics, which indicate that composition is a difficult area to enter.

In this industry, I don't think the actual qualification is anywhere near as important as what you learn from it, because you'll be judged on the quality of your portfolio above all else. Look around for courses that have a heavy composition element. Also consider that your time might better spent on studying a career that absolutely requires a qualification, while you study and write music in your spare time.

Quote: Also consider that your time might better spent on studying a career that absolutely requires a qualification, while you study and write music in your spare time.

Indeed; that's what I'm leaning towards at the moment. I realize that it's an extremely difficult industry to break into, and sometimes I feel as though only being able to compose/perform for a living would bring fulfilment, while at other times I'm more realistic and don't consider myself to have enough talent and skill to succeed. In short, I'm indecisive over the matter, which therefore almost definitely points towards the "spare time" option.

Is it common for musicians to have a second job? Alternatively, how about having a primary job, with music sitting on the sidelines? Is the actual percentage of composers who earn a living from music alone quite low?

Perhaps this isn't the best place to ask, but what are the prospects like for musicology?

Thanks again for the reply, Kylotan.