music school?

[sdmfinada]

So I am about to go to Musicians Institute about the middle of September but I am wondering even though the school is mainly geared to get you into the music industry, is it still possible or a good idea just to go there just to get really good and move on to another career? or is there other schools that would be better suited for the sole purpose of increasing my abilities beyond belief? I hope i stated my question clearly so that you guys understand what i am sayin...anyways any advice is always appreciated.

:chug:

[Josiah]

You go there to get absurdly better at playing drums. Simple as that.

[Futuro]

Im going there september too :cool:

You go there to get absurdly better at playing drums. Simple as that.And that is why^

[MyShrimpDied]

I'm headed to Berklee in 2 years for that same reason. :)

[LiquidTensionTheatre]

Heh. Is there going to be an argument over which is better?

I plan on going to ACM in Guildford, can't be bothered going to America unless my circumstances change drastically.

~~

[sdmfinada]

Heh. Is there going to be an argument over which is better?

I plan on going to ACM in Guildford, can't be bothered going to America unless my circumstances change drastically.

~~
so where is that at? and why did u choose it? and i don't think an argument is needed, its mostly opinions anyways.

[sdmfinada]

I'm headed to Berklee in 2 years for that same reason. :)
i wanted to go there but two things detoured me!!! first off was the COST!!! $25,000 + just for one semester is just a little beyond my financial abilities to pay back, hell even Musician's Institute is going to cost me like $35,000 for just one freaking year that includes an apartment though! federal aid provided next to nothing for a Berklee education. The second reason was because i had so many people tell me that the curriculum is more orchestral and that it doesn't focus on drum set progression as much! but I would of liked to have had the prestige of being a Berklee alumn!

cheers :chug:

[sdmfinada]

Im going there september too :cool:


that rox man i guess ill be seeing you there then? what kind of music and stuff are u into? hey what kind of price did you find on a place to live?:confused:

:chug:

[sdmfinada]

You go there to get absurdly better at playing drums. Simple as that.
thanks josiah! thats a relief. i was thinking that it was more set up to get you famous or whatever but I want to know that its experience as a music school also rivals that of any other music schools at the same time, you know what i mean?

:chug:

[Josiah]

threads like these make me so happy

[Mr Pink]

MIT is great. Well rounded education. If you bring something to the party, they will rub it up and lay it down on the BBQ. And it is by the house of wax and Fredricks....bonus points.

[sdmfinada]

threads like these make me so happy
how so josiah?

:chug:

[Josiah]

You get to go to school for drums.. how cool is that?!


The more highly educated and skilled players out there, the more the instrument evolves. Considering how new DrumSet is to the world of instruments, it's pretty rad to watch it evolve so rapidly by people pushing the instrument.

Plus I know you guys will be stoked outta your minds. Good chances you will end up playing in the LA club's soon after..

[sdmfinada]

You get to go to school for drums.. how cool is that?!

The more highly educated and skilled players out there, the more the instrument evolves. Considering how new DrumSet is to the world of instruments, it's pretty rad to watch it evolve so rapidly by people pushing the instrument.

Plus I know you guys will be stoked outta your minds. Good chances you will end up playing in the LA club's soon after..
good chances we'll play the clubs? is that a good thing? did you play them? are they fun? friendly? etc.? :confused:

I would like to think that my skills would go beyond that? my dream is to start a dream theater/pink floyd/ progressive type experiment, could that happen as well? It looks like i could find any guitarists i wanted and create a awe inspiring band?

:chug: cheers

[pitchfork]

so where is that at? and why did u choose it? and i don't think an argument is needed, its mostly opinions anyways.
its at guildford (england incase you didn't know)

and I want to go to brighton institute of modern music to get a degree in bass playing and maybe one in drums.

[Mr Pink]

The experience is what you make of it. Don't f*ck it up.:thumb:

[HeLLmO]

man, i can't wait till i start applyin' to music schools, i'm totally torn between Berklee and MI, berklee's more local to me, but i just can't decide, fortunatly, i have 2 years to explore my options further

[HEEEL]

Heh. Is there going to be an argument over which is better?

I plan on going to ACM in Guildford, can't be bothered going to America unless my circumstances change drastically.

~~

Good choice mate, ACM's a great place.

[MatthewMeredith]

I'm at my first day at Malaspina (local university) and I'm about to head off to my first music class in my Bachelors Degree in Jazz Education. I'm uber stoked because one of my classes is simply lessons. Oh and my tuition is only $6,000 CND for the whole year! I'm living at home (lame, I know) so that will also save me a hell of a lot of money. Anyways, congrats to all those people who are going to do music in school, and I wish everyone the best!

Jos, I'm glad I made you happy :)

[MyShrimpDied]

That comment on Berklee being more orchestral worries me. Does anybody have any in depth info on Berklee? Experiences going there and what not? I visited there last year and it blew me away, i've wanted to go there ever since, but at 37,000 bones a year I wanna get what i'm paying for.

[Josiah]

That comment on Berklee being more orchestral worries me. Does anybody have any in depth info on Berklee? Experiences going there and what not? I visited there last year and it blew me away, i've wanted to go there ever since, but at 37,000 bones a year I wanna get what i'm paying for.

Depends on your goals. Berklee is a degree program, so you'll be taking a lot of other classes that have nothing to do with drumset. And it's 4 years.

Honestly, if you want to play for a living. A degree from any school won't matter, it's all in your playing.


If you just want to get a heck of alot better at playing drums, then a drum specific school would be most likely a better bet (and far cheaper).


That said, renting out a practice space for a few hours a day and getting 2 teachers to work with you would be even cheaper then that - but would require MUCH more self discipline.

[MyShrimpDied]

The main reason why I want to go to Berklee is because of the relationships that can be made there, there seems to be a lot of people there who have serious connections in the music buisness. Also, since it's not just a drum school, I would like to find people to play with over there. Boston is just a great city in my eyes, it has so much energy and the architecture is breathtaking.

But if it is not worth the money then I don't wanna go, I would feel extremely guilty putting my family in debt for a school that isn't even worth it.

And could you elaborate on the comment about taking courses which don't involve the drumset?

[sdmfinada]

Depends on your goals. Berklee is a degree program, so you'll be taking a lot of other classes that have nothing to do with drumset. And it's 4 years.

Honestly, if you want to play for a living. A degree from any school won't matter, it's all in your playing.


If you just want to get a heck of alot better at playing drums, then a drum specific school would be most likely a better bet (and far cheaper).


That said, renting out a practice space for a few hours a day and getting 2 teachers to work with you would be even cheaper then that - but would require MUCH more self discipline.
whoa whoa whoa!! josiah, your statement leads me to believe that in order to play for a living i need more of a degree oriented education....but i want to play for a living and i thought that the 1 and a half year program at Musicians Institute would prepare me and give me the qualifications to acheive that goal, would it not??? should i lean more towards getting a degree??? Im really confused here...and i also have heard that degree's were more geared to prepare u to like teach in the music world instead of playing??? well i hope you understand what im asking...im very worried now!

:chug:

[billdrum]

NO, he said a degree WON'T matter. Either way, some music theory classes and such will only help your overall musicianship. No matter where you go, and what you do, you will only get out of it what you put into it. So, work your butt off, study & practice hard (and wisely), and make good contacts.

[HeLLmO]

so, what school would be most oriented towards getting a degree or what not to teach for drum set(all genres) and maybe a bit of orchestral stuff?

[Josiah]

so, what school would be most oriented towards getting a degree or what not to teach for drum set(all genres) and maybe a bit of orchestral stuff?
A Degree, Berklee or UNT. There are others. And honestly let me give you an idea if you want to go that route.


Berklee is friggin expensive, UNT is too. You can get a music degree and major in percussion at ANY university.

For the price of going to Berklee for 4 years. You could go to a drumset only school, like MI, Collective, etc and get really good at drums (severe understatement) and then go to a regular U. and get a music degree.

This is what I did, except I'm getting degree's in Business Law and Psychology

[HeLLmO]

cool. i've heard about the PIT, and i've often heard that spoken about along with MI, are they at all related?

[sdmfinada]

cool. i've heard about the PIT, and i've often heard that spoken about along with MI, are they at all related?
lol this questions like this get asked all the time huh josiah? but yeah PIT is the percussion intitute of technology, and git would be guitar institute of technology, etc. and they are the divisions of Musicians Institute.

oh and josiah how old are u now? and how long have u been out of Musicians Institute? did you finish one of their programs all the way? how much longer do you have to finish your current degree?

:chug:

[Reverend Brant]

Well, I live within 10 minutes of UNT and as my life is developing I'm debating going there to study the Drumset. I'm left questioning how good you need to be prior to attending an establishment such as UNT. Can anyone provide some information?

[meandhimcallitus]

Hey guys am kinda new to Mx, (well actually ive been going here for the past 7 years) but never registered. Anyways: Josiah, what program did you choose to graduate with? Cause Bachelor of Music in Performance seems more towards composing music and orchestral which am not interested in. And more interested into bettering my skills at the drums all-around. So do you think Associate Of Arts in Performance would be a better choice for me between all the programs? what electives did you take btw?
I know am throwing a lot at you, just answer when you can...
Chris

[HeLLmO]

lol this questions like this get asked all the time huh josiah? but yeah PIT is the percussion intitute of technology, and git would be guitar institute of technology, etc. and they are the divisions of Musicians Institute.

oh and josiah how old are u now? and how long have u been out of Musicians Institute? did you finish one of their programs all the way? how much longer do you have to finish your current degree?

:chug:

thanks man, that's been confusing me for a while

[Win A Rabbit]

I've always wanted to go to a music school for a year +, but I could never ask my parents for that kind of money for something that, while it would most likely be the time of my life, wouldn't be spent as wisely as putting my brother through college or university for something more "job" related.

I'd definately split it up between composing theory and percussion, though. Oh well. My brother will put that money to good use. *cries a little inside*.

[Futuro]

I've always wanted to go to a music school for a year +, but I could never ask my parents for that kind of money for something that, while it would most likely be the time of my life, wouldn't be spent as wisely as putting my brother through college or university for something more "job" related.

I'd definately split it up between composing theory and percussion, though. Oh well. My brother will put that money to good use. *cries a little inside*.
Get a loan. :-/

[Inkstar]

Hey so over here in Australia I'm not all too fimiliar with the music schools. We have the conservatoriums and that, but I think you really need to know a ****load of real music theory to get into that, and I'm no expert at it.

So like... what places take you in not really based on current skill, but they take you in to get you better? Like you don't have to be advanced to get in so they can to you to... ultra pro. :P

Not sure if that makes sense, but yeah...

[Josiah]

All of them are designed to make you better. The point of having minmum skill requirenments is it's a waste of the school's time to teach you what you could learn from a regular private instructor + time.

If I'm in a class, I don't want to have to waste my time because the guy next to me can't read music, or just can't play. Now that's my time and money being wasted.

Make sense?

There are no short cuts. You have to put the time in. It's really that simple, drums take a long time to get good at even with dedicated practice. Everyone who plays well today, got there from putting the work in. Get a good private instructor, set aside an hour or 2 a day to work practice and things will come.


oh and josiah how old are u now? and how long have u been out of Musicians Institute? did you finish one of their programs all the way? how much longer do you have to finish your current degree?


23, I finished when i was just turned 21. I did the PIT certificate (before they were handing out aa's). I have about a year left on my Bus. Law and 2 years on my Pysch. degree.


Hey guys am kinda new to Mx, (well actually ive been going here for the past 7 years) but never registered. Anyways: Josiah, what program did you choose to graduate with? Cause Bachelor of Music in Performance seems more towards composing music and orchestral which am not interested in. And more interested into bettering my skills at the drums all-around. So do you think Associate Of Arts in Performance would be a better choice for me between all the programs? what electives did you take btw?
I know am throwing a lot at you, just answer when you can...
Chris

See above, I did the certificate program (18 months or somethin?). Very few people take the degree program, it's very very expensive and doesn't really get you much. (like there's 180 people in PIT and 2 in the degree when i was there).

The PIT program is most likely one of the best in the world for sheer drumset enhancement. It's just all drumset, all the time. Aside from some theory and ear training.

At the time I believe I took all of the availible elective courses because I had challenged the theory classes and had the room.

[sdmfinada]

23, I finished when i was just turned 21. I did the PIT certificate (before they were handing out aa's). I have about a year left on my Bus. Law and 2 years on my Pysch. degree.
well im 23 but ill be 24 in a few months im getting a real late start and it kind of worries me! i wish i had gone sooner like when i was aabout 20 or something. was there many other people there that were in their mid 20's age going there when u went? i have only about 3 or 4 semesters left to finish up a environmental health degree so after i get out of MI i might come back home to finish it...i guess it just depends on how everything pans out from now till i get my AA certificate. but paying back about $50,000 dollars worth of loans is going to be a bitch :mad:

:chug:

[Inkstar]

Thanks for that Josiah. I dig what you're saying. But also - can you get into Cons and Music without knowing proper music theory? (remember I know a little, but I'm not good with all the deep stuff).

[Josiah]

"can you get into Cons and Music without knowing proper music theory?"

I don't know what Cons and Music means. *shrug*


I can tell you this. You will never be able to make it to an advanced level of playing drums without knowing music theory.*
Reading music is the fastest way to learn, in order to be able to read, you have to know the language aka music theory.
Not to mention being able to communicate ideas about the instrument and/or music with other musicians.
It's only rhythmic theory anyway, wich is very easy and there's not much of it. Melodic theory takes up like 98% of all music theory. We only need be concerned with the rhythmic parts, and just a basic understanding of the melodic stuff.



*While there are the very rare case of musicians becoming great at what they did on their instruments without being able to read music or know much about it. You gotta better odd's of hitting the lottery for a few million then trying to make it as a musician without knowing theory.

[Win A Rabbit]

Get a loan. :-/
I've had too many friends/friends of parents get into deep trouble from taking out a loan for something they couldn't afford. A loan is something I hope I never have to take out (apart from a mortgage, which I doubt I'll be able to get around, but by then I'll have enough money that it's not a big concern)

[sdmfinada]

I've had too many friends/friends of parents get into deep trouble from taking out a loan for something they couldn't afford. A loan is something I hope I never have to take out (apart from a mortgage, which I doubt I'll be able to get around, but by then I'll have enough money that it's not a big concern)
sorry buddy too late!!! i already got my parent plus loan on the way about $30,000 for just one year

[Smike313]

i hit up berklee 5 week over this last summer,

easy to network at berklee, there are a bunch of classes that have nothing to do with the drums but improve your musicianship (ear training, music theory), its a degree school, i like the faculty, but sometimes its discouraging when you want to work on something specific on the drums but you have other crap that you dont necessarily need taking up time.

[MyShrimpDied]

So if you want to get a major in Performance at Berklee you have to take ear training and music theory?

I wouldn't really mind that because I would be so thrilled to even attend Berklee. Anything else you can tell Smike? How were the teachers? Did you learn a lot while you were there? Seriously anything ese you can tell would be much appreciated.

I am trying to decide between going to Berklee or PIT. My friend and teacher Kyle told me that the courses at PIT aren't what they used to be, he didn't say much but there was something about one of his students being there learning Punk rock/Travis Barker stuff, which was alarming.

[Josiah]

So if you want to get a major in Performance at Berklee you have to take ear training and music theory?

I wouldn't really mind that because I would be so thrilled to even attend Berklee. Anything else you can tell Smike? How were the teachers? Did you learn a lot while you were there? Seriously anything ese you can tell would be much appreciated.

I am trying to decide between going to Berklee or PIT. My friend and teacher Kyle told me that the courses at PIT aren't what they used to be, he didn't say much but there was something about one of his students being there learning Punk rock/Travis Barker stuff, which was alarming.

You'll have to take a lot more then theory and ear training at berklee, that's a 4 year school.

There is an elective class on punk drumming I believe, it's a valid and very large genere of music, that also uses numerous session players. Looka t Josh Freese, Wackerman, etc

[stevensonmat2]

Does anyone know of any drum only institutes in NC or in states surrounding? Im not sure I really want to go to a 4 year school, but I like the idea of a drumming only school.

[Smike313]

like Josiah said its a 4 year school, but as far as what i can tell you from the 5 weeks i was there.

Faculty was easy to talk to (for the most part), no one of the drummer teachers i dealt with were complete morons, maybe a bit of narcisism but nothing thats impeding. The ensembles are a lot of fun, great student body lots of variety even among musicians, you a forced to encounter things/people/culture you will have never have come across otherwise.

The website has a lot of good information that gives you a better perspective, and if you have any specific questions about the 4 year experience you can email someone from the faculty, they're pretty cool about stuff like that.

http://www.berklee.edu/departments/percussion.html

that says a lot

[Godzilla]

Hey Josiah, I know you've been to PIT so I have a few questions... First, I plan on going next year (oct, '07). I am getting a teacher within the next month or two to teach me how to read sheet music and teach me proper technique if anything is wrong with mine now, but how good do you really need to be to get into a school such as PIT? What's some stuff I would need to be able to play to be ready for the curriculumn at this school? Any advice on what skills are needed to get into this school would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Inkstar]

"can you get into Cons and Music without knowing proper music theory?"

I don't know what Cons and Music means. *shrug*


I can tell you this. You will never be able to make it to an advanced level of playing drums without knowing music theory.*
Reading music is the fastest way to learn, in order to be able to read, you have to know the language aka music theory.
Not to mention being able to communicate ideas about the instrument and/or music with other musicians.
It's only rhythmic theory anyway, wich is very easy and there's not much of it. Melodic theory takes up like 98% of all music theory. We only need be concerned with the rhythmic parts, and just a basic understanding of the melodic stuff.



*While there are the very rare case of musicians becoming great at what they did on their instruments without being able to read music or know much about it. You gotta better odd's of hitting the lottery for a few million then trying to make it as a musician without knowing theory.

Sorry I mean Conservatoriums and Music Colleges.

But about the theory: that's great! I read music frequentely - I'm in stage bands, concert bands, and an orchestra at my school, so yeah, I've got all that down pat. And I know the basic melodic music theory too. Does that mean I'm pretty much right to audition for a spot in Conservatorium/Music College for drumming? Also, what exactly do you do there - like a Bachelor in Music (Percussion)? Or something? I really don't have too much idea, sorry.

[sdmfinada]

Hey Josiah, I know you've been to PIT so I have a few questions... First, I plan on going next year (oct, '07). I am getting a teacher within the next month or two to teach me how to read sheet music and teach me proper technique if anything is wrong with mine now, but how good do you really need to be to get into a school such as PIT? What's some stuff I would need to be able to play to be ready for the curriculumn at this school? Any advice on what skills are needed to get into this school would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
hey im not josiah but i did get into the MI (PIT) over this summer...i spent some time getting my reading skills a little better but they need a lot of work still and im sure when classes start i will be busting my *** to catch up to other people's reading abilities, im not too sure though. Anyways what i was going to say is that you have to fill out an application and also you have to do a recording which consists of four main parts, which are:

1) at least two songs of you playing along with a band or a track of some sort that shows your general abilities....

2) you have to pick like at least three rudiments out of a list im not sure how many because i did them all which were: four stroke ruffs, paradiddles, double stroke roll, flams, and six stroke roll, i believe that was about it and you have to record it along with a metronome at a steady pulse.....

3) you have to record your speaking voice telling why you want to go to MI and why it would be best suited for you or something like that, u get the idea......

4) you have to record your self playing in a specific style I can't remember the exact requirements for this but all i know is that you have to play at least 60 seconds and along with a metronome loud enough for them to hear, i chose to play a basic jazz samba for this part but im not sure if you can play just like regular rock or any basic type styles if you know what i mean.....

well im not sure the order of those four, i already forgot, but you will find all this stuff out on the application. The songs that i played that got me in were:
Overture 1928 by none other then Dream Theater (greatest band of all time) and I also played Tom Sawyer by Rush...
So that gives you a basic idea of what might you play to get in. I didnt really have a quality band around my town that i could play with so i just turned these songs up real loud and played along with them for the recording!

well i hope that helps...if not ask some more questions
:chug: cheers

[Godzilla]

hey im not josiah but i did get into the MI (PIT) over this summer...i spent some time getting my reading skills a little better but they need a lot of work still and im sure when classes start i will be busting my *** to catch up to other people's reading abilities, im not too sure though. Anyways what i was going to say is that you have to fill out an application and also you have to do a recording which consists of four main parts, which are:

1) at least two songs of you playing along with a band or a track of some sort that shows your general abilities....

2) you have to pick like at least three rudiments out of a list im not sure how many because i did them all which were: four stroke ruffs, paradiddles, double stroke roll, flams, and six stroke roll, i believe that was about it and you have to record it along with a metronome at a steady pulse.....

3) you have to record your speaking voice telling why you want to go to MI and why it would be best suited for you or something like that, u get the idea......

4) you have to record your self playing in a specific style I can't remember the exact requirements for this but all i know is that you have to play at least 60 seconds and along with a metronome loud enough for them to hear, i chose to play a basic jazz samba for this part but im not sure if you can play just like regular rock or any basic type styles if you know what i mean.....

well im not sure the order of those four, i already forgot, but you will find all this stuff out on the application. The songs that i played that got me in were:
Overture 1928 by none other then Dream Theater (greatest band of all time) and I also played Tom Sawyer by Rush...
So that gives you a basic idea of what might you play to get in. I didnt really have a quality band around my town that i could play with so i just turned these songs up real loud and played along with them for the recording!

well i hope that helps...if not ask some more questions
:chug: cheers

Sounds really good man, I did check out the application so I did know about those but one thing, I also don't have a band to play with or anything. It was alright to play over songs with drums already in it? That would make it soooo much easier for me, as that was the one big problem area for me when I saw the application. Thanks again for the response man...

[sdmfinada]

Sounds really good man, I did check out the application so I did know about those but one thing, I also don't have a band to play with or anything. It was alright to play over songs with drums already in it? That would make it soooo much easier for me, as that was the one big problem area for me when I saw the application. Thanks again for the response man...
yeah i mean if thats all u got then thats all u got. thats the way i went with it, my admissions counselor told me on the phone that it would be fine as long as you can hear the music fairly well and can tell that its you playing along with it then you should be allright....if you really want to go ther then u should call up there and get an admissions counselor set up and he or she will guide you better...mine was michael coleman he was really cool and helpful, he helped get my recording all set up and answered any questions and more, so just call them and they will help u get one or maybe you can ask to have micheal as yours if you want him, but its up to you.
:chug: cheers

[Inkstar]

Ahh music colleges in Australia suck. Offer nothing like Berklee does. :(

[Josiah]

As to the PIT related questions - It's easy to get in, hard to stay.


Here's the other thing. The more advanced you are going in, the more you will get out. It's a very linear function really.



Out of cost, time and pure justification in what you can/can't learn on your own. I would say it would be a waste (unless you are rich) to attend PIT unless you have been playing for at least 5-8 years in a dedicated fashion.

Because otherwise you are just paying a LOT of money to be taught the same things you could have learned through a decent private instructor and being dedicated in your practice.

[Godzilla]

As to the PIT related questions - It's easy to get in, hard to stay.


Here's the other thing. The more advanced you are going in, the more you will get out. It's a very linear function really.



Out of cost, time and pure justification in what you can/can't learn on your own. I would say it would be a waste (unless you are rich) to attend PIT unless you have been playing for at least 5-8 years in a dedicated fashion.

Because otherwise you are just paying a LOT of money to be taught the same things you could have learned through a decent private instructor and being dedicated in your practice.

Hmm... I have been playing much less than 5 years, how much does it cost about to finish the 18 month associates course?

[sdmfinada]

Hmm... I have been playing much less than 5 years, how much does it cost about to finish the 18 month associates course?
i believe im qualified to answer this question as well....first off the only financial aid i got was a parent plus loan and its like 34,000 dollars for one year then i turn 24 and i have to claim independent on my fafsa and i will probably be looking at another private loan for about 18,000 to finish the last 6 months of the 18 month program. on the parent plus loan i am expecting to pay about 15,000 dollars in interest alone and i will be making somewhere in the neighborhood of about 500-600 dollar payments a month for 8-10 years...so there you have my situation!!! ****ing sucks

hey JOSIAH how did you finance yours? are you rich or something? and on your statement about wasting money if your not already good when you get there: can you give me an example this? that scares me...im not sure how good i am but i like to think that im better then most drummers around my town...just tell me some things that i should know arlready that would really help me get better beyond belief...welll i hope i stated my question clearly for you to understand what im trying to ask!!

:chug: cheers

[Godzilla]

Hmm, a little more than I originally thought. I would be going the student loan route also. Josiah, you believe it would be a waste of money for me to go to PIT? I gotta go to college somewhere, and all I want to do is get really good at the drums and hopefully make a career out of it. Do you think if I really apply myself once there, I can get alot more out of it then just having a teacher back home?

[HeLLmO]

As to the PIT related questions - It's easy to get in, hard to stay.


Here's the other thing. The more advanced you are going in, the more you will get out. It's a very linear function really.



Out of cost, time and pure justification in what you can/can't learn on your own. I would say it would be a waste (unless you are rich) to attend PIT unless you have been playing for at least 5-8 years in a dedicated fashion.

Because otherwise you are just paying a LOT of money to be taught the same things you could have learned through a decent private instructor and being dedicated in your practice.

then i defiantly think i've give PIT serious thought, because by the time i head off to college i will have been playin' for about 8 or 9 years, and i will have atleast touched on most types of drumming

[sdmfinada]

Joshiah
hey, how did you finance your stay at MI ? are you rich? and on your statement about wasting money if your not already good when you get there: can you give me an example of what you mean, just elaborate if you would please? that scares me...im not sure how good i am but i like to think that im better then most drummers around my town...also tell me some things that i should know arlready that would really help me get better beyond belief...welll i hope i stated my questions clearly for you to understand what im trying to ask!!

[Josiah]

Everyones $$$ issues, are their own. I will tell you I was playing drums, that is getting paid to play, for a few years before I weant to MI. My situation is unique, I left highschool after my freshmen year to surf and climb around the world. I was playing a lot of drums as the time weant on, and I wantted to get sickly good at the instrument. At the time, the school wasn't as much or as popular. It still ran me about 24k. Some I paid for with very very low interest student loans (because I still am a student and knew I would be). The rest I just wrote a check for.

Hindsight is always unique - in retrospec there was a great deal I could have learned on my own had I had the self discipline. Though that's true for everything, what's really great about PIT was they taught you how to teach yourself. Opening up worlds at agrand scale.


As to the best shape you can be in going there, well being able to read very well is the biggest plus. The better you can read, the faster you can learn. Simple as that. Reading... reading.. reading!

You have to read a ton of charts, band figures, grooves, etc.. beign able to sit down and go "ok no problem" allows the instructors to instruct you on your playing, and not your inabbility to read.

There are 2 sides or levels to instrument playing. You really only see 1 side on this forum - mechanics. Everything is "how do I play X" or X faster, etc..

The other side is the "why". The idea is to break past the "how" and get to the "why". Because the "why" is where the real fun starts. It's no longer about how to play, but why play that? why that phrase? Why not phrase it this way, create tension against this phrase overhere, etc..

Now you can go to PIT, and still be lacking in mechanics, and they will teach you all that stuff, and more. Then you will get to learn about the higher levels of playing. But the less mechanics they have to teach you the more playing they can teach you.

[sdmfinada]

yeah ok i see what you mean now. well i do need to learn some better techniques because i often have pain in my hands or elbow and shoulder after i play, i really need more discipline warming up and stretching and i don't know all of my rudiments and im wondering how that will affect my level of learning etc. but for the most part my mechanics aren't that bad and i feel pretty confident about those of course i question this though, as i don't know exactly what great mechanics are so i have nothing to gauge my abilities against. I think i learn quick to so i think that will help...to give you an idea of my reading abilities i played the bass drum on the drumline at the college i go to and i read about as good as the other bass drum guys so i don't know if that tells me or you anything but i thought that might give you an idea how good i can read, i can read a lot of basic beats and stuff without having to look over it many times...fills and stuff defenitely take me some time depending on how hard they are, so thats about it, what do u think now

:chug:

[Josiah]

Well, personally this would be my take.


Not only should you have at least the 40 rudiments memorized, but not memorized, you should know them. having worked through them all, moving the accents around, base note values, orchstrations around the kit, etc etc

Cause that's the basic stuff.



i'll comment more later

[sdmfinada]

Well, personally this would be my take.


Not only should you have at least the 40 rudiments memorized, but not memorized, you should know them. having worked through them all, moving the accents around, base note values, orchstrations around the kit, etc etc

Cause that's the basic stuff.



i'll comment more later
yeah i need to work on them then, damnit they are kind of boring sometimes but i could probably find a way to make them interesting. i would defenitely like you to comment more later though thanks

[Damo]

I would like to think that my skills would go beyond that?
sdmfinada, unfortunately your skills dont directly determine where youll end up. One thing you should pay very close attention to at MI are their courses on the music industry and learn how to get yourself networked. THATS how you get beyond clubs and pubs.

[Aaron]

A smile always goes further than a double-stroke roll.

[Futuro]

A smile always goes further than a double-stroke roll.
Ha, I agree. But theres exceptions. I mean look at virgil, he just looks like he is really mad at something 24/7.

:To threadstarter: Looks like your gonna start a few months before me ;) I decided to wait until april. Just to get more money.

One thing you might consider is staying at a hostel. I found a bunch that are close to the school and are SUPER cheap. But there is a 2 week max stay at most of them.

[sdmfinada]

Ha, I agree. But theres exceptions. I mean look at virgil, he just looks like he is really mad at something 24/7.

:To threadstarter: Looks like your gonna start a few months before me ;) I decided to wait until april. Just to get more money.

One thing you might consider is staying at a hostel. I found a bunch that are close to the school and are SUPER cheap. But there is a 2 week max stay at most of them.
never stayed at one before, it seems like it might be sort of strange sleeping in a room full of strangers...no telling what could go down...lol

[Futuro]

never stayed at one before, it seems like it might be sort of strange sleeping in a room full of strangers...no telling what could go down...lol
Haha, yeah espescially in LA.

Hit me up on AIM/MSN sometime.
Norsiedals
Norsiedals@yahoo.com