Hello,
Im 17 years old and English isn’t my first language so forgive me for my terrible grammar. In a few months I’ll graduate from my high school, and I’m really confused at what major I should take.
I’ve been playing the piano since I was 6 years old, but I was never serious about it until only recently. Back then I would only practice once or twice every TWO weeks, so my progress was very, very slow. Truth be told, I wasn’t interested in piano when I was younger because I’ve always find it difficult. Last two years, I finally realized how enjoyable playing the piano is, but I thought that it’s too late for me. My sight-reading skill is below average, I’m not one of those people who have exceptional ears and solfeggio skill, I have bad hand-eye coordination - I don’t even know what made me even consider taking Music as my major.
I’ve heard how tough it is for someone to major in Music, and I’m petrified that :
- I am unqualified to major in Music
- If I’m accepted in a Music College / University - I would not be able to catch up with my peers
- Ultimately never graduating out of college
- Quit piano altogether (worst case scenario)
I passed ABRSM Grade 5 with a distinction a few months ago, now I’m trying to study ABRSM Grade 4 theory so I can take the Grade 6 exam this year. I practice only around an hour or two every day (or sometimes every two or three days, which I know isn’t enough).
What do you think? Is Music Major for me? What should I do to improve myself? Is what I have currently enough or should I study piano as hard as I can for a year or two for me to actually be accepted? Your help is very much appreciated
(Edit : It’d be great to hear your opinions even though you haven’t major in music. I’ll take any help and advice I can get right now…I’m really stressed out…the entrance test for a college I’m aiming for is only months away…Thank you!)
Hello, glad you found the music forum. You might want to read the Double Degree Dilemma essay posted above, since it details ways in which to study music as an undergrad. Which student do you identify with most?
You can do
-BM in music (piano performance, with auditions)
-BA in music (an academic major, sometimes with performance component, often no auditions for admission though auditions for extracurricular performance
-BA/BM double degree (or BA/MM), five years
-double major music and something else for BA
-double major piano and something else (sometimes) for BM
-major/minor
-Bachelor’s in something else and continued piano lessons, practice and performance on or off campus
There are freestanding conservatories, conservatories associated with colleges, and music schools within universities, that offer BM degrees. Most schools will have a music department that offers a general music major with theory, composition, aural skills, ethnomusicology, music analysis, technology etc. etc.
For a BA in music 1/4-1/3 of your classes would be music. For a BM, 2/3-3/4 would be in music.
Generally, at audition time, theory tests are for placement purposes, not admission.
There is no reason why you should have to give piano up entirely. But you also do not have to stress too much about achieving the level of the top conservatories in this short span of time. There are many options.
Do you have a teacher right now who can advise you?
Take heart, music can stay in your life no matter what you decide.
1 Like
If a school accepts you, they have looked at your skills and feel you are a good fit for their program. They will not accept you if you are not up to standards.
As for the question, is a Music Major for you, I have no idea as that is more a personality/interest question (once the school has determined that you are a “fit” from a technical/talent stand-point - which btw you have to accept their opinion and not twist it to your disadvantage).
I would suggest that you talk with your parents, teachers, mentors, guidance counselor (any trusted adults in your life) about your concerns. If you are anxious about your future, you should share that with the adults in your life that will have a better perspective on your personality. Maybe you worry a lot - and right now is a really stressful time for kids AND parents - and you just need an adult to remind you to be calm and faithful in the process for now. Riding out storms is part of a music/performance degree.
Adults in your life may be able to help you trouble-shoot your fears/concerns too. For example, maybe you can choose a school that allows you to switch majors if you really are questioning a music degree in a year. But be sure that these are real, long-term concerns and not simply the stress of the season. I would suspect there are MANY kids and parents questioning their choices right now. Be faithful to the process and finish what you started. Ask a trusted adult for support with your concerns.
Good luck.
1 Like
Wait, I just noticed you are a senior. Have you applied to a conservatory or music school BM program, or are you referring to a music major in a BA program at a college or university?
1 Like
@compmom @bridgenail Thank you so much for both of your replies!
@compmom : I have not applied to any kind of conservatory or music school. One of my teachers is actually from a conservatory that I almost applied to, and she’s trying to prepare me for the entrance test that will be held on this October. I’m not sure if it’s lack of self-confidence, or lack of talent that made me so unsure of myself and my abilities. Is there a way to check whether or not someone’s musical background would be adequate enough to take Music as their major? What skills should we have beforehand? Given the circumstances,should I apply this October or next year?
@bridgenail : Thank you for your advice! I have been talking to different adults about my choices (including this great opportunity to seek help from people in this forum), but I’m still not sure. My parents, especially my mom, are very eager to see me take Music as my major. They seem very sure that I’m able to attend my classes, pass all of them and graduate. Meanwhile, I still don’t consider myself as “Music Major Material”. I think about the people that will take the same major as I do - I know they’re so much better at it and so much more passionate at it, and here I am struggling. Then I get real down and drop out of college. That’s my fear. What should I do?
Thank you for both of your help! Im sorry for bothering both of you…
What would you like to do with your time as a music major, and what would you like to do once the degree is completed?
You can major in music without touching an instrument. My daughter did. At one end of the spectrum. In fact you can have no background at all for a BA in music. And piano could be extracurricular.
At the other end of the spectrum, you can audition at a conservatory, and your teacher seems to think you would be up to that.
Auditioning makes everyone nervous!! 
Are you taking a gap year? If you are a senior, but applying in the fall, I assume so. What will you be doing?
Think about the financial end of things with your choices.
Do you have other interests or goals that are making you doubt your idea?
Have you read the double degree dilemma essay posted above? Which student example do you identify with?
Look up the term “catastrophizing.” Your first post is a good example If you don’t like music or don’t do well in it, you can change your major no problem, at least if you are on a campus with BA programs in liberal arts etc. (Many music schools are.) You generally don’t have to declare a major until end of sophomore year. Since you are unsure, you might want to avoid freestanding conservatories with only one path possible.
I do think that a BA in music without an audition would be fine for you too. Many talented musicians go that route.If your nerves continue, you can either get help via counseling or through a teacher, or you can think about a BA.
1 Like
Do you need to be the best or the most passionate to get a degree in music? I know my D is far from the best and most passionate ; and she’s getting a music degree. Not sure I’m following your rationale. I got a degree and by no means was the best or most passionate either. Some times I’m down right lazy.
So you drop music, and pick another area of study. Will you be the best and most passionate in that? Or will it be the same problem? You’re not “good enough”. The plague of many a young person.
You have choices about your life:
Compare and despair. You’ll always come up short taking this path. It’s the path of misery. You’ll never be good enough.
Personal discovery. Dig deep and decide what you want for your future. Have faith in what your teacher tells you. Accept you won’t always be the best and that’s OK. Feel free to consider other options as a true interest as opposed to a reaction.
Most people end up facilitating bx the two. But I hope you can spend some time in personal discovery. Dig deep and just thinking about how you want to spend the next 4 years of your life. @compmom offers some good advice on different approaches. A 4 year bachelor degree will allow for many jobs after school.
The point of college level study is not to be the best. Its to challenge and prepare you to enter the job market - in music or another area. Many music majors work in other areas that only require a bachelors degree. What do you want to do after college? If you don’t know a BA or BM would be fine paths of study.
Students with BA’s also go on to grad school in music. Nothing is written in stone! Conservatory students go to medical school or work on Wall Street too : ) Sometimes you just have to let life happen.
1 Like
Dear @GoForth @compmom @bridgenail
Hello, I’m sorry for the late replies.
@GoForth : I’m expecting to improve and learn as much as I can that would make me a better piano player. I’m also sorta interested in being a piano teacher? I don’t know if I’m up for it or not, though.
@compmom : I am planning on taking a gap year, though my mother is trying to persuade me not to. I have read the Double Degree Dilemma essay, and it’s very eye-opening! I would say I relate a lot to Jennifer - I’m also eager to learn literature, however my parents would prefer me take Music as my major instead. But really what makes me doubt the idea of me majoring in music is solely that I’m scared I’m not good enough for it. What if I’m way behind my peers? What if no matter how hard I study, I still fail my classes and just won’t get it?
Both of my parents don’t play any sort of musical instrument, so I reckon that they don’t know how difficult mastering an instrument can be. That’s why they think it’ll be easy for me to ace the classes. :-<
@bridgenail : Thank you so so much for your reply, it helps me a lot to see that other people have experienced what I’m feeling right now. I’m going to try my hardest to dig deep and be okay with not being the best. Hopefully by the time I graduate I’ll be able to figure everything out. Do you have any advice, perhaps based on your own experience, how to overcome that fear of being “not good enough”? How was your time at college, not being the most passionate among others?
Thank you for taking your time writing these, I appreciate them deeply.
It is really hard to tell, on a forum like this, whether you play at a level for a conservatory or performance major, or not. I think your teacher is the best person to judge, and it seems your teacher is preparing you. Hard work may be the best antidote to doubt. You may suffer from “imposter’s syndrome” and hard work helps with that too, so that you feel you deserve success.
I wonder if your parents think music is an easy way to get a degree. It is not. Your perceptions are correct that it is an intense and difficult path and I think you are wise to think about it this way- though with more confidence in your ability and work ethic
It sounds to me like you should keep all options open- like Jennifer. You might, as I said before, really like a liberal arts college or university that offers a BA in music with lessons and performance on the side. Or one that offers a double degree, though I think opportunities for musicians doing a BA are better on campuses without a BM program, just as a caution.
You seem to hint at a lack of passion or motivation. If that is true, listen to it. Don’t get ready for auditions because that is what your parents want: you have to want it too. Think about applying to schools that offer many options so you can find out what does motivate you. If, on the other hand, you do feel passionate and motivated about piano and music, then try to address your doubts through hard work, conversations with a teacher, and music experiences with peers, such as a summer program.
Sorry to repeat myself here. Good luck!
1 Like