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it comes to figuring out your path in the music industry , it can be a rocky road that ’ s constantly curving unexpectedly . That ’ s why we ’ re here to highlight some of the many options for music education – either for formative instruction or ongoing learning – that can accelerate and ameliorate your journey to whichever destinations you ’ ve set on your career course .
Growing up in rural Quebec with dial-up internet and only my parents ’ record collection and Beatles books to dive into , my education was based on whatever I could consume . I found solace in online music message boards , where I learned all about local music , promoters , and where to discover new music . Whenever I ’ d go to the big city , I ’ d come back with an armload of rock bios and punk zines that I ’ d pour over .
Being a female in the music scene , I was determined to belong , but also avoid terms like “ poser ” or “ groupie ,” so I decided I ’ d study anything music-related , in whatever fashion I could . ( Mostly reading .) When I couldn ’ t afford to buy tickets to shows , I ’ d interview bands for my blog and learn from them directly . This was how I first learned about veganism , anarchy , and racial oppression . So much of my knowledge was based on the hundreds of artists I ’ d interview and book .
I often tell my college students how I would have killed for an opportunity to have met anyone in the music industry , much less be able to study the subject in any capacity , when I was starting out . I had no mentors ; just blind confidence and no fear of failure leading me to my ultimate career path .
The gist of this little story is that you don ’ t have to be limited to what you discover on your own . The world is your music oyster , and through a little networking , Googling , and sheer bravado , you can reach your goals .
Private Music Lessons Music lessons can vary from group to individual solo sessions and vary dramatically based on teacher and institution . The sky ’ s the limit when it comes to which instrument you can learn , from bassoon to vocal , though guitar and piano lessons are the most popular . The Royal Conservatory is one of the more esteemed schools that focuses on both performance and theory , though you may find an amazing guitar teacher from a flyer at your local music store . There ’ s really no age limit when it comes to lessons ; children , adults , and seniors can participate equally with widely different motivations for learning .
Colleges & Institutions Studying music industry arts or learning entertainment management through a structured college or business program has been around since the 1970s ; however , programs are popping up all over Canada to support this field of study . These vary from intensive one-semester programs to three or four years of courses . Many programs include an internship meant to get the student real-world industry experience . Some offer certificates or diplomas , though may not be recognized by future employers . In some cases , these highly-specialized career programs can be very costly , though student financial assistance information is often available .
University Programs Most music degrees are two- to four-year programs that focus on theory and performance in mostly classical or jazz performance styles and instruments in a structured class semester by accomplished professors and at a high academic level . Most courses are intended to enable students to become professional performers over running their own business or becoming an artist manager . Many students attend on scholarship and academic excellence from previous institutions is part of the competitive application process . Pay attention to class size ( academic compared to performance classes ) and the reputation of the institute when deciding . Expect standard university tuition fees .
PIT STOPS ON YOUR PATH
Here are some of the many education options available to musicians and industry types .
Arts-Focused Secondary Schools Performing arts high schools are institutions with a specialized focus on learning music , theatre , visual arts , writing , or production . There are many across Canada ; however , they ’ re mostly concentrated in urban centres . Students do a regular grade 9-12 course load but will have a portion of the day ( usually 1-2 hours ) dedicated to their specific creative discipline . Many are inter-disciplinary so that students become trained in related fields . Students must typically pass an audition process and competition is fierce , as many teens have outside training . Tuition is usually covered by provincial taxes though there are often associated expenses ( like dues and extra training ) that are difficult to measure .
The major advantage to selflearning is also its downfall : it ’ s self-directed , so if you ’ re not committed to finishing a book or mastering a new song , no one else will make you .
Video & Other Online Resources Many find it easier to hit YouTube to learn their favourite song rather than scouring the net for accurate tabs . Now , you can even “ attend ” university courses at your own leisure . A major advantage to many of these videos is that they can be accessed for free ( though be skeptical of the quality and accuracy of the information ).
50 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN