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As someone who plans on majoring in music performance in college, what should I minor or double major in?
I am well aware of the fact that its going to be a struggle once I get into the world as a musician, so I am exploring other options to do in addition to music performance. Ideally, I would like to do something that is somehow connected to music, like audio engineering etc, but I wanted to see if anyone had any advice.
#music #music-performance #college-major #majors #college-majors #choosing-a-major #college-minor #majors-and-minors #music-education #audio-engineering
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4 answers
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Andy’s Answer
Hi Gus,
I double majored in music and actuarial science when I was in college and ended up going the actuarial route for a career, with music being a serious hobby. But your idea of audio engineering sounds better! I think it’s totally feasible to major in music and some engineering major related to audio engineering job. You will take on a bigger course load as a result, but if you can get out of taking a lot of gen ed courses, that will help with that. Good luck!
I double majored in music and actuarial science when I was in college and ended up going the actuarial route for a career, with music being a serious hobby. But your idea of audio engineering sounds better! I think it’s totally feasible to major in music and some engineering major related to audio engineering job. You will take on a bigger course load as a result, but if you can get out of taking a lot of gen ed courses, that will help with that. Good luck!
Updated
Kela’s Answer
Hey Gus!
You're right that music isn't any easy profession, but if it is your passion, you should follow it with a laser focus. Music requires long-term commitment and willingness to stick with it even when you're not getting much reward for it. Audio engineering is a good minor because it will compliment your experience in music and perspective on how you want to sound as a performer, and how you think about music in a broader sense. However, other minors that could potentially compliment it would be communications, business, or engineering (depending on how technical/scientifically oriented you are. Sometimes audio engineers have actual engineering degrees, and that adds a whole other dimension to their perspective in the studio).
I know many, many musicians who are performers and who also have a primary career as an audio engineer. There is a ton of overlap between them and it is a great choice!
Best of luck!
You're right that music isn't any easy profession, but if it is your passion, you should follow it with a laser focus. Music requires long-term commitment and willingness to stick with it even when you're not getting much reward for it. Audio engineering is a good minor because it will compliment your experience in music and perspective on how you want to sound as a performer, and how you think about music in a broader sense. However, other minors that could potentially compliment it would be communications, business, or engineering (depending on how technical/scientifically oriented you are. Sometimes audio engineers have actual engineering degrees, and that adds a whole other dimension to their perspective in the studio).
I know many, many musicians who are performers and who also have a primary career as an audio engineer. There is a ton of overlap between them and it is a great choice!
Best of luck!
I love this awesome answer! I was going to answer your excellent question, but I have nothing more to add except a big +1.
Charlie Post
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Dave’s Answer
Hi Gus, in addition to the other excellent answers, I'd suggest finding something you can do on your own - so that you can manage your "day job" around your music gigs, which as you know are going to be sporadic a lot of the time, and possibly have odd hours (I have a recording session Friday morning at 11, for example - you couldn't take that gig if you had an office job that was 9-5 weekedays).
What else interests you or what other skills would provide the lifestyle that supports you (music is often not so high paying)? For example, You'll have to be able to navigate your taxes as a musician, with write offs and expenses balanced against your income - why not get an accounting degree? Think outside the box!
Good luck!
What else interests you or what other skills would provide the lifestyle that supports you (music is often not so high paying)? For example, You'll have to be able to navigate your taxes as a musician, with write offs and expenses balanced against your income - why not get an accounting degree? Think outside the box!
Good luck!
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Melvin’s Answer
Hi Gus , I always encourage young folks to follow there dreams . Music is a great , I would do business as a double . Just because it will help you with the business aspect of music as well . Business management can tie into so many things . Plus it’s not a bad back cause you could end up going to musics executive side of music or A&R rep. Explore your options and go after it ..