College, Music Major?

[theBruiser500]

I don't understand what the deal is with being a music major in college. It seems like a lot of the instruction you need to learn to play an instrument would need to be 1 on 1 type stuff that isn't fitted well for classrooms, cirriculums or college. How does being a music major work?

[smokingrobot]

music major doesnt necessarily imply an instrument or performance.

there are a lot of music majors who could be solely devoted to musicology, which is a study of music itself and not merely from a theoretical point of view.

there are ear training classes, compositional classes, theory classes etc etc.

as for a performance major, it allows you to study your instrument a LOT and make [censored] loads of cash playing around the world w/ kurt masar and stuff.

[augie00]

Music is much more broad than the performance of an instrument.

[smokingrobot]

i looked into going to music school instead of the place i ended up goin...

although im probably going to end up taking post undergrad studies... like individual classes but not for credit.

so at Uarts, they have a program in digital music in regard to film, video games, etc.

[Brainwalter]

My roommate is a music major. In addition to music theory classes and music history/appreciation classes that are well-suited for classrooms, he also has to take 1-on-1 lessons every semester for a significant percentage of his class hours.

[vulturesrow]

Its very important to learn the intricacies of being a high school band teacher.

[turnipmonster]

hey bruiser,
majoring in music is about a lot more than playing an instrument. there are different types of degrees you can get, performance, composition, etc. I went to school for jazz performance, and had to take ear training, music theory, arranging, counterpoint (composition), private lessons, several different ensembles, etc. there are lots of things that can be taught in a classroom just like any other subject.

[Al P]

So who makes better musicians in the end; previous students or those who just pick up a guitar and start playing?

[2+2 wannabe]

[ QUOTE ]
Its very important to learn the intricacies of being a high school band teacher.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol

[KDawgCometh]

I was a jazz performance major for two years. THere is a lot of stuff that we had to do. In fact, compared to many academic majors, music majors probably had much more work to do then most. I had to take jazz theory, which was extremely hard(but very cool and fun), learn piano(much harder then it sounds), various performance based classes like two small group combos a semester and big band once a week for 3 1/2 hours and sectional work for 2 hours a week. I also had to take a fundemantals course that was predominatly ear training and composition courses. To go on top of that I needed to make sure that I got in at least 6 hours of practicing a day along with two academic courses a semester. A music major is not an easy major at all, but it sure was fun, though I was a major in a form of music that is thankless as many people seem to think that crappy smooth jazz is the main form of jazz that is out there these days