Music Major Pitfalls

Wagner: Hold my beer.

Debussy: Hold my beer.

ugh Music education is a career, not a back up. Especially if you don't even want to teach. If you go through you education and find that teaching music could be the right path for you then that’s a different story. but don't take that major if it’s not what you want to do, that just doesnt make sense. You do you, boo boo. I can’t stand the belittling of music education as a fallback for performers. Not saying you can’t be both if you want to, but for goodness sake, Music education is not a graveyard for musicians who can’t make it in performance.... And even if you struggle to get on your feet after majoring in performance, I GUARANTEE you’ll prefer that over being stuck in a profession you never even wanted. 

TL;DR

Do what you want to do and don't change your major just because it might be “safer”. 

Aural skills is tough!!! But the best thing you can do is practice. Sit at a piano and practice intervals. Sing them, then check yourself. The best way for it to become second nature is to just drill it. Practicing with friends can help (if a tutor isn't doing it for you).  If matching pitch is an issue, talking to a voice professor may help (if it’s a voice issue like accessing your range, or crossing your voice break?).

Soon enough you’ll be like me, solfege-ing harmonies with hand signs while intoxicated at a nightclub. 

Find help with whatever you're struggling with (study groups, prof office hours etc). You’ll like it more when it makes sense, boo boo. 

All the time. They’re the best, honestly. They happen in ensemble settings when the chord comes together perfectly and is balanced well. They happen after a really good opening night of a production (like the one I just had) when everybody is sitting around on the stage afterwards before they leave. They happen in lessons when a concept finally works and you’re so happy.

They’re the best. Cherish those moments and hold onto them!

Music Theory is the bane of a lot of musicians’ existences, honestly. It’s really hard if you don’t have somebody there to explain it to you in person. There’s a reason why most places don’t teach Music Theory online. There are entire courses dedicated to teaching people how to teach Music Theory. So don’t feel bad at all!

If you want to major in music, you shouldn’t let Music Theory stop you. Everybody has that one required class that scares them when they start majoring in music. But if you work hard and get help when you need it (no, seriously, get help from your teacher if you don’t get music theory. It’s life-changing.), you should be okay!