Question:

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Ok so I heard an opera singer speak in my english class last week. I was planning on being a buisness major and selling my sould to become an investment banker/CEO... but she made me realize that money really doesn't matter. Especially when you have THAT much more than you need. She inspired me to pursue the thing that makes me the happiest...</p>

<p>That thing is playing jazz bass.</p>

<p>So I am totally revaming my college admissions plans. I'm a much more qualified student than I am a musician, but I am by no means a slack at bass. I hold all the bass playing positions in the enesembles at school, and I have gotten very good over the past few years. Both my jazz band and show band directors seem to think I'm not just some average joe playin' bass because it's cool. </p>

<p>Mind you, I have mainly played electric bass to this point. I have a double bass, but I haven't really played it that much. But I'm gonna make up for that. I'm doing hour lessons now, 30 minutes on each bass. </p>

<p>ANYWAY (I get off on tangents... sorry :) )</p>

<p>I am torn on what to do. I am only considering a jazz major, and schools that will let me focus on electric bass. I will learn double bass, but it isn't my main thing, and it never will be. I have no interest in orchestra.</p>

<p>That being said, I am applying to University of Miami, University of North Florida, and Rollins College. All three have amazing bass faculty. UNF and Rollins would have a lot more personal attention but the degree isn't as strong as Miami. Rollins would get me an MBA also so I would have an intersting music/business hybrid, but it is only 15 minutes from home... UNF's academics are much weaker than the rest.</p>

<p>I think my academics would get me full rides at all the institutions, so unlike the other 10 schools I applied to, cost won't be an issue.</p>

<p>What do you reccomend for someone that wants to be a recording studio bassist? I have no idea... I also have a personal tour and meeting with the director of admission at Miami tomorrow... so any advice would be much appreciated :).</p>

2

<p>Ask the schools what the recent grads from their jazz programs are doing. Then ask what percentage are still in the music business five or ten years later. The studio world operates on personal connections - look for teachers who already have those connections. Be prepared to pay your dues while working a day job and doing a lot of self-promotion on the music side.</p>

<p>Look for a school that will give you a decent general education in addition to training you for a career in a field that already has a glut of overqualified professionals chasing a much smaller number of highly desirable jobs.</p>