What it takes to be a music major?

Question

i have been practicing like crazy. every night for at least half an hour plus my band class. i expressed that i wanted to major in music and my teacher said i needed private lessons. im working on that. what else can i do??

Answer 1

Well, if you're still in high school, take any and ALL music classes your schedule will allow. That means before school, after school, and things like jazz band and marching band that are different styles of music than what you play in band class. Do some things outside of school too, like pit orchestra for the school musical, or any kind of community orchestras/bands. Also, do look into private lessons as those can advance you far beyond what a regular school class is going to, especially as far as technique, theory, and playing solo goes. The one-on-one instruction gives you a chance to learn way more than a public school class will.

Basically you want to immerse yourself in music. If you have access to more instruments than just the one you play now, try them out. Pick up some beginners books for whatever you can get your hands on and start to learn them. Also, practice a LOT on your primary instrument and try to be as good as you can, especially if you want to declare your music major as a performance emphasis.

Yeah, all I can say is practice any spare chance you get, do as much as you can outside of your school class, do get private lessons, and immerse yourself in music. Oh, and most importantly, always have fun! You will HATE college if you go through it with a major you don't like, especially once you have to officially declare and can't change. Remember that music is supposed to be fun, and have fun playing and performing.

Good luck!

Answer 2

High school or college?

Answer 3

At the community college level you will need Piano levels 1-3, keyboard harmony 1 and 2, and keyboard workshop. You will need to be in an ensemble group (instrumental or choir) for four semesters (including those for applied music). You will take musicianship, harmony and music history for two semesters each.

Applied music consists of three things. The actual applied music class, where each person gets up and performs whatever instrument or voice, the ensemble class, plus private lessons. For your final in this class you have to do a performance, as well as perform before a panel of teachers. Again, you need two semesters of this. Good luck.