Attn: Music guys who do it for a living

[-m-]

Okay, so I'm thinking that I'm going to do the degree thing next summer. I have a lot of basics to cover before I'm focusing on my actual degree, but I don't want to do anything else. Music's the only thing that makes me happy and I want to give the remainder of my life to something music related after I'm out of school. Only problem is, I know the insurmountable odds that are up against me ever making any sort of serious money, at least as an artist. I'm okay with that. What I want to know is what else I can do with a music degree and what is the most lucrative and stable field that's music related. I know that there's a music business sort of degree that's available but I'm clueless to all of that.

Anyone have any input on this?

[Longhorn Jones]

UTA has a Music Business program.

It combines your love of music with a degree with actual substance.

And also, Cedar Valley College also offers an Audio Engineering Program.

So does Collin County College.

UNT's obviously your best best...if you wanna study jazz. Anything Computer Music related is lumped in a Composition Degree.

Learn Music Theory.

Sign up with a Publishing Company

Thank me in your Award Speech!

And I completely hear you Miles. Music's the only thing that's ever made me truly happy over the past decade. Sad thing is, I've thought about giving up rhyming. However, whenever I do, I hear a beat and rhymes keep popping back into my head. I'm always grateful and thankful when it does.

[Longhorn Jones]

And to answer your question, You can always produce and license your music. But in the meantime, there's the wonderful world of Audio Engineering/Sound Recording.

[Grey]

I work in the MI industry but dont have any formal audio engineering experience. Allot of times you can work for companies that make music instrument products and really be connected to the music world through that. I am in sales and it is by no means creativly superior that actually working on music, but I get to sit around and talk about gear all day long and help people get the tools to make the music they want to or to take it to the next level. Its always cool when you sell somone a peice a gear and they use it to totally take off!

[-m-]

Thanks for the input guys.

[NoKegger4U]

Originally Posted by -m-

Okay, so I'm thinking that I'm going to do the degree thing next summer. I have a lot of basics to cover before I'm focusing on my actual degree, but I don't want to do anything else. Music's the only thing that makes me happy and I want to give the remainder of my life to something music related after I'm out of school. Only problem is, I know the insurmountable odds that are up against me ever making any sort of serious money, at least as an artist. I'm okay with that. What I want to know is what else I can do with a music degree and what is the most lucrative and stable field that's music related. I know that there's a music business sort of degree that's available but I'm clueless to all of that.

Anyone have any input on this?

when I was 21 I used to hire cats w/ music degrees when I had no degree at all. They all made around 35k a year.
As did I....
Bad ass musicians.

You don't need a degree to do what you love, but having a degree in something like bizz or finance can help you make a lot more money to fund your passion.

you can always minor in music.


But I don't make my living off music so I guess I really shouldn't be answering your question.
Though I was in music retail (similar to Grey) for 6 years.
And I've also been making music for releases and shows for about 8-9 years.

[Longhorn Jones]

Originally Posted by MicahB

when I was 21 I used to hire cats w/ music degrees when I had no degree at all. They all made around 35k a year.
As did I....
Bad ass musicians.

You don't need a degree to do what you love, but having a degree in something like bizz or finance can help you make a lot more money to fund your passion.

you can always minor in music.


But I don't make my living off music so I guess I really shouldn't be answering your question.
Though I was in music retail (similar to Grey) for 6 years.
And I've also been making music for releases and shows for about 8-9 years.

Truth in Bold Print.

Miles, join a Publishing company...Now!

[NoKegger4U]

I really enjoy playing w/ my balls all day and eating vanilla ice cream w/ strawberries and chocolate syrup.

I need to get a degree in that.

[C.A. jones]

There's always radio....I make a living voicing/producing/writing commercials.

Its not bad...I have my own studio with a door, a deadbolt, and the internet - plus it has put me in position to do a lot of freelance.

[NoKegger4U]

Originally Posted by C.A. jones

There's always radio....I make a living voicing/producing/writing commercials.

Its not bad...I have my own studio with a door, a deadbolt, and the internet - plus it has put me in position to do a lot of freelance.

i r jealous.

I'm working on a deal on something like that, but who knows how likely that is... :nervous&hopefulface:

[J. Fees]

i say if you realy wanna do something, figure out a way to do it. it makes your life more fun, although the lean times will come. Oh and Dallas Baptist has a Music Biz prog too, and it looks like you can get lots of finacial aid.

[Left]

i have a bachelor's in music composition from UNT,
a minor in music theory,
AND an audio engineering certificate from CCCC.

i work at a cd manufacturing company doing digital tech work.
lol. in case you don't get the joke...it's not really music related.

best and most stable job you can get with a music degree is......
teaching. if you're a pro performer you can do ok also..but that takes talent and practice usually from an early age.

other than that, any musically creative jobs INCLUDING production and engineering is very saturated and incredibly hard to find job offers, let alone aquiring them/ competing with the other 100 "musicians" that are all fighting for the position. even music business jobs are a pain in the ass because then you're competing with 100s more people that aren't talented but want to work in the biz.

i'm still building my portfolio and have been really broadening my experience in many different fields and gaining momentum. i'm confident it'll happen, it just takes YEARS of dedication.

i could go on...

[Left]

ps. good luck brother.

[Longhorn Jones]

Originally Posted by Left

i have a bachelor's in music composition from UNT,
a minor in music theory,
AND an audio engineering certificate from CCCC.

i work at a cd manufacturing company doing digital tech work.
lol. in case you don't get the joke...it's not really music related.

best and most stable job you can get with a music degree is......
teaching. if you're a pro performer you can do ok also..but that takes talent and practice usually from an early age.

other than that, any musically creative jobs INCLUDING production and engineering is very saturated and incredibly hard to find job offers, let alone aquiring them/ competing with the other 100 "musicians" that are all fighting for the position. even music business jobs are a pain in the ass because then you're competing with 100s more people that aren't talented but want to work in the biz.

i'm still building my portfolio and have been really broadening my experience in many different fields and gaining momentum. i'm confident it'll happen, it just takes YEARS of dedication.

i could go on...

please do.

and i'm not being a smartass either. please enlighten us with your knowledge good sir.

[transplant]

If you are a good writer or poet, there is a market to write lyrics. I knew a guy in Detroit and he penned some lyrics that were sold for some alterna-teen mega band's album and he got around $250,00.