Put me on the right path!

Ok, I really don't know jack about music, really.

I know my theory. Basics. Take high school band for an example of my knowledge, even though I tought myself prior to my band experience. I played percussion which consisted of being well rounded on snare, timpani, and keyboard mallets. (Marching drums as well.)

So, there is my music history. Not much to set me apart there. I wish their was a better venue, or some great teacher that I could take in as my mentor, but I'm afraid that's not possible.

I've made it my mission to pursue music. I don't want this to be mistaken as a lustful dreaming, but a longing. A need to be centered around music. I only wish I could have started earlier.

Music is driving me so crazy, I can't even been a child. I'm merely 17 years old! It's a constant driving force in a lot of my life.

Now that we got the bs out of the way, I want to know where to go next. College is a big deal on my list, and that's where I s'pose I must turn for the most fulfilling education I can receive. (I plan on studying and researching psychology as well.) Another one of my favorite pastimes.

I will have to admit, that my main interest is in composition. I'm not too big into theory, and really only take so much of it to heart. As see it as a logical, methodical way to approach music, but I don't want it to skew true creativity. So I want to stay on the artsy-creative side and compose what I want. I haven't heard of anything past Theory IV and I don't plan on being any type of theologist on the subject.

I really want to get some big ear training. That's big for me. I have quite a horrible ear, and that gets me down.

But my main goal is composition. And obviously the foundations for composition lies in theory. I know that, and I know I have to fight the urge to want to put theory aside. It's inevitable.

But will college teach me everything I need to know? Will I be able to put take beautiful, harmonizing, melodies and movements straight from my head and down to the paper? I notice I compensate by writing music off the paper, instead of off my head since I have no idea what notes are going through my mind.

I am kind of composing music now just by picking a scale and letting it flow. Look at shapes and numbers, anything besides actually getting into formal theory training. I want to preserve all of that learning for formal training.

So my questions are really..

-How far will college take me?

-Do I need to worry about which school teaches me theory, or is it all basically black and white text no matter what.

-Can composition be taught? (I know, never fully, but there are composition classes and whatnot.)

-What do you think the most attainable, or the best degree for a composer?

-Should I do anything before college? Do I need to work on anything , like theory for instance, or should I let them do their job and teach me. (Honestly, I have more faith in them than trying to learn it myself. Rhythms and scales are no problem, but attaining much high knowledge gets complicated without some sort of methodical approach.)

It's just about that time to start going into college. I have the grades to go many places, but I'm afraid not the pre-requisites to get in any big university. (i.e. FOREIGN LANGUAGE. )

So what should I do now? I don't know if YCF is the right place to go, but it's the only place I know of to get different opinions from one venue.

Thanks in advance. (Meh, if anything isn't clear, like my intentions, ask me questions, and I shall provide an answer!:toothygrin:)

The best degree for a composer?

Go into business.

:P

taking theory doesnt mean you cant be creative in music....youll always have the creative side, but i advise you to take the theory, especially if you want a better ear. if you want to be as good as you can, you need to put yourself on the right path, your heart will determine that. if you want knowledge, go to school and learn it (or read theory books) i personally want to know as much about music as i can while at the same time applying techniques that help me to become better. you cant teach creativity, but you can teach ways to harness it. good luck on the college hunt :)

If you wish to study composition, I highly recommend working with Dr. Young at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. He is one of the three greatest teachers I've ever worked with. (The other two are his teachers.) In addition to composition and theory, you could study ear training with him. He is one of few teachers in the country who teaches the Ploger method. This is the best method I have come across for training ones ears.

-How far will college take me?

As far as you want it to. You get out of it what you put in...so use the resource wisely and get as much as possible out of it. Get as many performances as possible - on and off campus; get recorded, use the library; listen to professors; ignore professors...if you put in the effort, one can build a pretty serious career and experience level by the time 4 years roll by.

-Do I need to worry about which school teaches me theory, or is it all basically black and white text no matter what.

Yes...worry, a lot. No school is the same, and not all are created equal. Some professors put an emphasis on studying the masters, while other work to develop an individual voice, and still others focus on performance aspects... What do you want to do and where will that happen? Talk to the profs, find ones whose work you admire, and who will teach what you want/need to learn, and with whom you will be compatible. Also be aware of where the school is. Big cities and famous schools may offer prestige and more performance opportunities, but the profs aren't often around and competition is high; smaller schools might be more intimate and personal, smaller classes - but also, fewer musicians, and venues.

-Can composition be taught? (I know, never fully, but there are composition classes and whatnot.)

Composition can be taught...rather, fostered or developed. There needs to be some inherent desire or passion for it. Additionally, it's just a lot of study and hard work...and plenty of failures. The right teacher will be able to see potential, and recognize what you need to work on, and how. Again, the most crucial element is the right prof, in the right environment.

-What do you think the most attainable, or the best degree for a composer?

This doesn't make any sense.

-Should I do anything before college? Do I need to work on anything , like theory for instance, or should I let them do their job and teach me.

Work your donkey off...you won't even get in in for them to teach you if you don't have some working knowledge of how to compose. Write, write, write...listen, listen, listen...

:sleeping:

Wow, that was really helpful. All of the replies were just..marvelous.

That really helped me.

I guess I'll study music and maybe perform in the band at the community college I'm going to attend, but save the dire classes for the university I'm going to transfer to after I get my credits. (I plan on going to Middle TN State Uni...which has a very well distinguished music program, and is going to be hard to get into.)

But after listening to this, I fell much more encouraged. That's great.

Thanks for the replies.

You and I are very similar Trickshot. I am also 17, going into college next year. I will be minoring in music, and taking composition and theory courses. Although I'm young and not very experienced, I feel I can still give some advice: The best thing that I can think of to tell you is that most of what you learn, you will learn yourself. The more you compose and play music, the more you will learn, whether you try to or not. Just make sure it remains fun, and not stressful. Good luck to you. :thumbsup:

Do what Robin said....write, write, write, and listen, listen, listen. After that, take a breath, and do it again! Going to college will help you learn the tools to help you write, but the best way to learn is to write and listen. Criticism of your works makes your ability and skill to compose increase faster, so a private teacher helps a lot there (or should, at least :P).

To be accepted as a composition student you will have to send some samples of your work, and then perhaps may have an audition (about your works, music in general, whatever :P) so get working and start doing all the application stuff. Find out which schools are best (research the composers there, mainly, and the music departments in general) and find out when and what you need to send. How old are you, anyway? A senior in high school means you're cutting it incredibly close...

I'm in kinda the same boat as you man... haha. I'm fresh out of my high school's basic music theory class. Just in the past few weeks, I've really started to seriously consider composition as a vocation and area of higher education, if not a career. There's nothing that says you can't get a head start teaching yourself in the finer concepts of composition. Borrow and buy books, listen to lots of music, and try to absorb as much as you can.