music school, self taught or a slob?

[Tone Deft]

inspired by the "what's a good music program" thread.

if you went to music school, do you think it mattered in the long run? where did you go?

if you're a good producer/musician/studio monkey/whatever and you didn't go to music school what are your thoughts? any advice to get where you are?

[aisling]

I went to music school during the transformation and revolution of the desktop/laptop computer to be able to rival the fancy highbrow recording studio's (aside from having treated rooms)......

I was more into self empowerment through technology, and felt a little put-off by the hefty $$$ for the studio gear, when it seemed like my motu 1224 and g4 with a tc-powercore dsp card (at the time 7 years ago) was giving me impressive results....

Just my experience.

[glitchrock-buddha]

I went to school. I voted worthless, but that's not entirely true. It was good perspective and I had to do it, or I would have always wondered. But great is a stretch. It was sort of in between great and worthless.

[mikemc]

It was sort of in between great and worthless

+1. I said "great", but it is maybe glass half empty vs. half full.

You will always have "style differences" with your teachers, and what they emphasize may not what you ultimately end up using the most. I was taking performance classes and also recording technology classes, so I 'produced' as well as played on other people's projects.

I'd say the main thing is getting the practice time hands on: regardless of what equipment is in the studio get all the time you can in it and work on all the other student projects that they will let you play on.

Do not expect to get anything that sounds amazing, but if it sounds pretty much like you heard it in the studio when you play it back on various other equipment, then that is something.

[edit] fwiw, the way the question is phrased sounds like the "solid producer" and
"been to school" are mutually exclusive

[edit edit] At this point, if you have 5 friends in physical proximity that aren't too stupid, have computers and are using Live, and that all play instruments and/or sing, you can buy some books and create your own 'music project school' atmosphere. What the school framework does is kind of 'force focus' your time.

[Emissary]

I have a BA in music tech, the lectures and stuff were moderately useful but the life experiences were well...life changing.

[ChiDJ]

Self Taught.

However, my greatest learning has occurred when sitting with top producers in the studio and learning their tricks.

Tod

[evernaut]

I have a masters degree in Mus Tech from York. It's a very academically-slanted course, heavy on theory and engineering, so was great for that side of things. I counter-balance it with being an entirely self-taught singer/songwriter/guitarist/sound-dauber.

[Grappadura]

The thread title suggests that you either went to a music school, or you are a solid producer. I didn´t go to music school so I guess that makes me a solid producer.

[Tone Deft]

yeah yeah yeah, start your own poll.

I should have added an option so people can cast a non-vote to make it easier to see the poll results.


interesting to read peoples' paths in life, good to hear positive stories.

[Grappadura]

just kidding man.

[Tone Deft]

'sall good, you make a great point, I love word play.

my poll option would be "no school and no clue"

[evernaut]

Is a 'solid producer' someone who is able to make 'good shit'?

[aqua_tek]

why not be able to be both? Why not be an already "solid producer" who decided to check out the academic side?

[Grappadura]

btw, where can I listen to your stuff?

[Tone Deft]

the whole point came from the "Best degree program?" thread.

for all the people that are solid producers (you can polish tunes and teach others how to do the same) how did you get where you are?

some went to school, some didn't. of the ones that went to school, how was it?