everyone always says...

[grimble crumble]

when you're picking your major you should pick something your passionate about, or pick something you like, or something your interested in.

well if thats true then I kinda feel like im a little bit on the short side of the stick. let me explain.

through out my whole life the one thing that has always been who I am is music. Its the one thing that has always come effortlessly to me. Ive always been the best guitarist in my town and its not even like I try hard, its just THAT way. its not like im working all day to be that way its just something I love doing and so it naturally happens. even besides just playing music. im even very fascinated by the more considered "boring" parts of music. you know, patterns and music theory theory and all that. (which is all more recent because previously i did everything by naturally by ear.)

so anyway I want to be a music major, but when I think about it I often find the question coming to my mind of "what can you really do with a music major?"

I feel like im going to put in all this work at college and come out with not a lot of opportunity
I mean I dont need a job thats going to make me a millionare but i would like to be in a place where I wont have money worries u know.

 

[vortex30]

You could become a music teacher/professor, you could become a ROCK STAR, haha, or just a very talented, well rounded musician. If music is your love, pursue it. Life is too short and fragile to take seriously and worry about what you're going to do after university/anything. Take the music program, maybe one of your other courses will open your eyes to other possibilities, but for the time being it seems music is your passion and you should pursue it.

 

[helium-4]

Depends on what your concentration is.

 

[AfterGlow]

Studio musicians can make good money. Producers too.

What you do with your education is more important than your major.

Not all MBAs are successful, you know.

 

[cubbie]

there are several things you can do with a music degree but if youre worried about it you could always double major with something like business. Also, 85% of people dont actually end up in a career field where they use their degree. think about all the psych majors you cant even become a therapist unless you have a masters, its just an easy degree program

 

[xena]

you could become a music teacher on the elementary or secondary level. you HAVE to pursue what you believe in. i can't imagine going to work everyday HATING my job or having second thoughts.

 

[ebola?]

There is another ultimate criterion you could choose:
which major will open the door to the most fulfilling job?
I'm sure that a music major does so to an extent, but I am relatively ignorant about the details.
...
I just picked up what I liked, and it led solely to more school.

ebola

 

[Junction]

hey grimble crumble,
I'm a music major and when I started the program I was wondering whether I should choose a different career route. Something more "dependable". However, after my first year I knew there was no changing it. I was too deep in, damn it, and loving it.

You realize that you can be a performance music major or and education music major? Performance majors can go on to graduate school, after which they can teach at the college level in addition to whatever performance career niche they develop for themselves. Education majors usually go to teach directly in the school system right after their bachelors degree.

There are a many other options in music too, like sound engineering, music therapy, etc...

you should go with it.

 

[spaceyourbass]

You could end up working in a studio, working on one of those huge machines to master tracks. That would be pretty tight.

 

[Gerbee]

There are so many possibilities for music majors, esp in the Recording Arts. My school is known for having one of the best music programs in the south. I guess where you live or plan on working has a lot to do with what kind of opportunities you will have as well. My school is located near Music City, TN, so needless to say there are plenty of opportunities to get your foot in the door here. I was excited to learn that my school even offers programs in electronic music production. WIN

 

[Roger&Me]

...You should do what you love and have faith that things will work out -- and even if things don't work out, who really cares? You'll get by in some way, and when you stop getting by you'll die, and then all that will matter is that you did what you loved, or at least just attempted to do it when you had the chance (people underestimate the pressing importance of taking a chance while you can, even when success isn't guaranteed or even likely). The world needs music, possibly more than it needs anything. Think on that.

 

[grimble crumble]

...You should do what you love and have faith that things will work out -- and even if things don't work out, who really cares? You'll get by in some way, and when you stop getting by you'll die, and then all that will matter is that you did what you loved, or at least just attempted to do it when you had the chance (people underestimate the pressing importance of taking a chance while you can, even when success isn't guaranteed or even likely). The world needs music, possibly more than it needs anything. Think on that.

seriously man thanks for that post. really put things in perspective.
and everyone thanks to, I think im gunna go for it. Now I just gotta schedule an appt with a counselor and find out a little more information on all this.

while on topic, anyone in here know of good music schools in California, I already live in norcal and ive made the choice to transfer to any college in CA just dont want to leave the state (I love it here)