<p>Hi everyone, I am looking for a music program in the U.S. that would accept me even though I read badly and barely write.
Not to brag but solely to explain my situation, I am a really good guitar player (I play multiple gigs every week) and a decent piano player. I am a good improviser, understand theory very well, and have an excellent ear which has allowed me to learn with little to no reading ability. However other than the ridiculously expensive Berklee, every college I have looked at requires reading. Right now I am considering studying general education for a year and taking some music classes to try to improve. So I ask the good people of the forum, what do I do? </p>
<p>Don’t they have opportunities to audition for specifically music schools in America? Because where I’m from, the academic requirements for music or arts schools are essentially nonexistent.</p>
<p>Also, you exaggerate – people that “barely write” have difficulty stringing sentences together. Unless you got someone to write this out for you…</p>
<p>Do you mean reading music or just reading in general?</p>
<p>I think they mean they barely read and write music, not English.</p>
<p>Two thoughts - One, reading and writing music is not absolutely essential to be a musician, but it helps. And two, why do you feel the need to go to college at all? That’s a lot of time and money that may be better spent learning your craft through actually doing it by playing gigs, recording sessions, etc. You can actually make money while doing it rather than shelling it out. I don’t have any numbers in front of me, but I would think the vast majority of professional musicians never went to school for it. Rough life, but that’s how it’s done.</p>
<p>Have you looked at The Hartt School at University of Hartford? I know a young woman who claimed that she was not good at reading music who was accepted there. I’m not sure whether she was exaggerating, but check it out.</p>
<p>Reading and writing music is not essential to be a musician, but it’s pretty indispensable to the academic study of music.</p>
<p>I don’t know what the audition requirements are for University of the Arts in Philly are, but it might be a good place for you. Columbia College Chicago does not require an audition for admission, although it will for certain majors or classes. Both are private colleges, and not cheap, but less expensive than many private arts-related colleges. If money is a concern, and you are unlikely to win any talent scholarships if you can’t read music, then look at Music BA majors at some state colleges. They often have respectable programs.</p>