College Degree or Self-Taught-pros and cons


Sjonesmusic
Registered User
Joined: 04/21/01
Posts: 26
Sjonesmusic
Registered User
Joined: 04/21/01
Posts: 26
04/21/2001 12:03 pm
Hey all,

I wondered what the consensus was on the subject of Degree vs. Natural talent and personal study.

My name is Scott Jones, professional musician from St. Louis, MO

http://www.scottjonesmusic.com

I am self-taught, know my theory and have had quite an interesting and lucrative career as a guitarist/arranger/
transcriber/music director.

I know many with Degrees who lack the street smarts of the real gigging world. I know self-taught guys that have a musical depth not found in textbooks or classrooms.

I know professors who are revolutionary thinkers and players in all contexts.

Does it come down to "you either have 'it' or not" ?

I have a new web site, which has more info about me, my colleagues, and a ton of demo samples of my playing, arranging, composing...check it out, if you have time.

...it is still being updated daily, so check back often...new graphics, photos, links and my photography still to come...

http://www.scottjonesmusic.com

Thanks,

Scott



# 1
Bardsley
Moderator
Joined: 02/04/01
Posts: 731
Bardsley
Moderator
Joined: 02/04/01
Posts: 731
04/23/2001 6:17 am
I think it really does come down to who you are. I am really a mixture of both, I have lessons, but not very frequently and I go for long periods being self taught. For me, I find that having a teacher helps focus me. Unless I am getting ready for a particular gig, I find it hard to motivate myself to really get things polished. Similarly, a teacher often helps clean up my technique if it is getting sloppy, and introduces me to new theory that I would not have looked at otherwise. I have seen great self taught, and also great players who have always had music lessons. I think though, that although you can have great players from both areas, there are many more really bad guitarists who are self taught than being taught by others I think.
"Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year, it's just not that widely reported".
# 2

Please register with a free account to post on the forum.