Is Studing Popular Music Performance The Same Risky As Studing Photography?

[Chloe133]

Studing photography will i have more carrier options than studing popular music performance?

[Old_Geezer]

Make no snap decisions, neither are worth making a song & dance about. Do what interests you most.

[Buenchico]

I struggle to think of any career path where a formal qualification in music performance would be an asset, particularly as (as I understand it) you don't play an instrument and you'd be relying on vocal performances.

Irrespective of whether you were seeking to join a pop group, a professional choir, a group of session singers or whatever (or to become a solo performer), I can't see how having a piece of paper saying that you'd studied the subject could help you in any way. Your ability to make progress along your chosen career path would be determined by your actual performance skills (together, possibly, with associated talents, such as song-writing).

If I recall your previous posts correctly, you might also not have any/much relevant experience in areas such as transposing music into different keys. Without such experience you might struggle on a course dedicated to music performance.

To some extent, succeeding in the field of professional photography might also be more reliant on what you can actually do, rather than on any formal academic achievement. However if, say, you were seeking a job with an advertising agency, being able to say that you'd got a formal qualification in photography might well enhance your job application.

To be honest, I find it hard to understand the academic rigour of a course in music performance. (i.e. I can't see what it is that you'd actually be studying). I suspect that many employers would also wonder what a qualification in music performance was actually about. However, as someone with an interest in photography myself (and a former member of the Royal Photographic Society), I can see that there's a great deal that can be studied on a photography course.

If it was me, I'd definitely be opting for photography but, as I wrote on one of your previous threads, you really need to be thinking about what you'll ENJOY most. If you're bored rigid during every moment of your course you'll probably end up dropping out of it anyway.

[Zacs-Master]

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Jobs-and-Education/Question1674646.html

[DarceyK123]

You may want to brush up on the basics like spelling first.

[Buenchico]

^^^ While I generally disapprove of people criticising other people's spelling on here, if I was inviting students to join a course (or an employer considering job applications) I would be reluctant to offer a place to someone who (for example) spells 'studying' wrongly four times in a single post (suggesting that it's more than just a typo) and who repeatedly spells 'career' incorrectly. I'd also be hesitant to offer a place to someone who writes "the same risky" instead of "equally risky".

Perhaps DarceyK123 has a point?

[Chloe133]

Studying music popular performance degree I would take as a step to do Ma in music, and not just only to get one paper and go looking for jobs. Do you think if I will keep gaining more qualifications in music would that increase my career options? I know that just a paper won't make me an amazing performer, but with a lot of hard work do you think it's worth it? I am not originaly from England so sorry for spelling.

[Zacs-Master]

Chloe, you can only do an MA once you have a degree. It’s impossible for anyone outside the music industry to say whether more qualifications would give you better career opportunities. Have you thought about the debt you’ll be in if you stay in education for so long?

[Chloe133]

Thank you for answers, yes I was thinking about money and in my opinion it is worth it to undertake postgraduate course. My problem is that I think photography is safer, but the music is really what i want to do. On other hand I could study photography and meanwhile attend auditions for music, but when i finish degree in photography i won't have job opportunities straight away so my time i will spend as assistant or apprentice gaining more expirence in photography and really not doing what i really love. Maybe if i could do music and then trying on my own to break into photography industry throught competitions, my own sites.. so i could have a always something else if it doesn't work out in music.

[Zacs-Master]

We seem to be going round in circles. If you have a belief and a passion for something you’ll find any way to do it regardless of the cost.
You really do need to go and talk to the course tutor.

[Prudie]

I'm not sure I follow the logic here. If your dream is to be a music performer then having an academic qualification in music would have nigh on zero influence to your success or career.

[woofgang]

Chloe I have got a friend who did a music degree and got an hons..... He is GOOD and its not just me who thinks so and it pays him nothing....in fact it costs him to perform in terms of expenses, clothes, kit, travel and so on. From what he tells me, that's pretty much what the business is like...just about everybody he knows has a "real life" job to fund his hoped for career in the music industry. He has done digital radio, writes for a music magazine....all for free to get his name known, to get a foot through the door. I think unless you are well off in your own right, you should be considering what you will do in the world to pay your rent, feed yourself and so on and then how you can pursue the music or the photography...btw who will fund you while you are studying?

[woofgang]

I am also slightly surprised that you have been offered a place on the basis of your videos? He had to have Grade 8 in his chosen instrument and demonstrate competence in two other instruments at interview to get considered for a place...but that's 9 years ago.