Music Schools Part 1 - GIT
(19 Apr 04)
After school
Campus life? What are your peers like? How intimidating is it?
It depends on you how intimidating it is. There are some SCARY players at the MI, both among the students and in the faculty. But my attitude was always: If I see some amazing player, I let that motivate and inspire me.
Also, you might be able to pick up something new from such a player… some tricks, licks, learning-strategies etc.
Some of the guys I hung out with pushed me quite a bit to work hard, and that was an important part of the whole experience. There were also a few that dropped out after a while... they just didn't know what they wanted and kinda gave up.
THAT was kinda frustrating, but other than that, I appreciated the fact I was surrounded by so many talented and hard-working guys from all over the world.
Where to go with life now that your done with it?
That's a tough one. Because when you get closer to graduation after being there for a year or two, you might get scared... you have to go back to "real life" and actually use those skills you achieved. And that does not only require hard work and being smart, it requires some luck as well, unfortunately.
A good idea would be to try to find some "foundation"... like i.e. teaching or playing in cover bands. Many of the skills you learn at the GIT will come in handy there... you'll most likely be quite versatile, able to work in all kinds of different musical environments etc. Make sure you can pay your bills, even though you might not get that rich. Use the time to look for options, look for better jobs, try to figure out where you wanna go.
The step from the "school environment" back into the normal life can be intimidating, but if you're prepared for it, and if you're willing to deal with low-payment jobs for a while, it'll be ok.
How do you explain to family members that you want to study music and make it your profession?
I didn't have to, cuz my parents were gone already by then. I financed it myself. However, my grandparents were kinda worried. But they knew how much music meant to me, and when I explained to them that that education would help me to become a better player, and would probably enable me to get better, maybe even more solid jobs such as teaching, they understood.
Sometimes it might be tough, cuz most parents think of being a musician as one of the most insecure jobs. (They may be right)
However, it sure is good idea to get some solid education, they'll have to admit that. And I think that most parents will understand if they already know that music is your life.
Will I definitely come out a better player by going to either of these schools?
See above... if you are willing to work hard and if you have an idea about what you wanna do, where you wanna go, then yes, you'll be a better player afterwards. The school offers a lot of resources, and there are some amazing teachers. If you LET THEM, they can help you to develop quite a bit.
As mentioned before, no one HAS to go to a school like that... you don't even HAVE to take lessons to be a good player. (Check out Eddie Van Halen and Jeff Beck).
However, if you wanna be able to play for a living, to work in different musical environments, where skills like reading, playing all kinds of styles and applying theory often is required, it will be really helpful to educate yourself about theory, sight-reading etc. And the GIT really does focus on giving you the tools to be a professional.
Is it possible to get a scholarship if you are a foreigner? If possible, how hard it is?
Your best bet would be to get in touch with one of the GIT representatives and ask him. He'll be able to tell you exactly what your chances and options are, and what you need to do.
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