Is Music School Worth The Money? Musicians Institute

At eighteen, I took a leap of faith and flew to Hollywood, California, to attend the Musicians Institute. It was a monumental decision and a significant financial commitment. In this video, I share my personal experience and insights to help you decide if pursuing a formal music education is the right path for you.
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-Nicky V

[@CatDaddy-d7s]

I sent my kid to Music Institute in LA back in 2011 and in 2018 he bought me a car.

[@NickyV]

That’s what you get for being the best dad in the world.

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Is your son nickyV?

[@CatDaddy-d7s]

That’s my boy!

[@gregwhitmer2513]

Great insights. I am the father of a 17 year old high functioning autistic kid who apires to be a working musician. He puts in the time, literally spents 8 to 12 hours a day playing , we have recorded with friends and studio guys at a few different studios. Sweetwater was a nice one. We write songs and stuff , try to give as much experience as I can, anyway I digress. He is a senior in high school next year and we are discussing where he should go from here. Videos like this are great for people like us , we appreciate it.

[@NickyV]

Man I love hearing that! Hope I get to work with him some day. Appreciate you watching

[@phatbackbeat6553]

My wife is a Special Ed teacher. She has a few autistic students, at various levels of autism. It’s wonderful that your child has music in their life.., I wish you all the best in future endeavors…

[@TheLebourreau]

The brief period of time that I spent at MI (at the same time as you) was one of my favorite times of my life. It was amazing to be fully immersed in music theory and surrounded by like minded people. When I first signed up, I was worried that everyone would be self-involved and competitive, but it was the exact opposite - everyone was friendly and eager to help one another. In fact, it is one of the few bright spots to me in this current music nadir. I wish I could have done the whole program (I was older, married with a child and self-employed). I've never made greater progress or felt better about my playing than I did during that period. I got out of bed every day ready to go and took every opportunity I could to sit in with teachers and learn. Great video Nicky! It's been wonderful to follow your musical success / journey. Keep it up! :)

[@NickyV]

Man, this absolutely makes my day. I definitely feel the same. The community there was amazing and I still work with guys we went to school with, now here in Nashville. Thank you for the kind words and checking the video out.

[@ronwhited1224]

Well, I might as well throw this out there. At almost 70 years of age, I'm way past my prime learning years, and looking back I can clearly see that most of those were wasted years so far as my guitar playing. I had exactly one lesson. One. I was married with children and simply couldn't afford more, so I did the next best thing (for me) which was to pull a chair beside experienced players and learn from watching them. Honestly, I've never advanced beyond knowing a lot of chords in several positions, but I did develop into a pretty good rhythm player. I've used what little I know to write a few songs and entertain my family, which makes me happy. I really enjoy your videos and am happy for you that you are able to make a good living doing what you love! Never stop!

[@NickyV]

This is great. Sir, thank you for sharing that and I always tell my students “music is nothing but a good thing” it’s the one of the few things they can’t turn to outside of a regular job that’s a pure good. Appreciate you watching the video

[@CricketbugSessions]

Another Great Video Nicky! I couldn't agree more about playing different genres, the fundamentals you gain are priceless... Oh and I'm self taught 🎸🎸🎸🤘🤘🤘

[@NickyV]

Love that man. Appreciate you checking out the vid. Looking forward to digging into the tune you sent this coming week

[@CricketbugSessions]

@@NickyV Hey no rush Nicky. Keep the videos coming!

[@itsrob2321]

I have a BS in Music. I never would have been able to focus on music without a structured program with a plan. Now I have practiced my entire life, but a formal education is meeting others trying to improve their skills too. I loved my time in school. I still wish I had gotten my masters degree or higher, but life can get in the way pretty easily. Do what seems right, but work hard and smart if you choose music.

[@NickyV]

Spot on. If you are going to make it in this field you definitely have to have a plan, be organized and 3 steps ahead of the herd.

[@jaredsmusicproject]

I love these videos Nicky, keep them coming! Before I moved to Nashville, I had been playing music “by ear “ for 17 years. Right before making the plunge I thought I better learn some music theory. With the guidance of my Aunt (a College Music Professor) I studied and was tested on two semesters worth of music theory in the span of three months 😅. It completely opened my mind to “The language of music” and broke the barrier to completely understanding the Fretboard!!! Regardless of the path you choose, formal training is a must if you want to quickly become a professional musician!

[@NickyV]

It definitely worked out for you. Your playing is top shelf man. Really appreciate you commenting and checking the video out!

[@michaelponder1024]

Great advise! Thank you for your insight!

[@NickyV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Sus_blues]

Ive been playing and have been self taught for 7 years now but I've recently started a band with a couple of friends of mine and its been fun seeing them learn as they go and one friend of mine already knows more music theory than me, lol. But I do feel you in school giving that structure, I lost mine after i started working full time but Im deciding on going to school here in my community college. Dont have any expectations, just really happy to be able to be part o the musical ride!

[@NickyV]

That’s great man. Really appreciate you sharing and checking the video out!

[@MyselfePedro56709]

I moved to this country three years ago and I hope to be able to enter the guitar craft academy in a few years, great video was very helpful

[@NickyV]

Nice! Appreciate you checking the video out!

[@azrchrd]

Luv the vids Nicky, right on point!! Keep em comin!! 🎸

[@NickyV]

You got it man! Appreciate you

[@KelisonHines]

Great way to break it down.

[@NickyV]

Thanks for checking the video out!

[@beavisbrowne3497]

Awesome! Love these

[@NickyV]

Glad you like them!

[@zachleary108]

Great breakdown. Very good info for how you translated that experience into actual work. For what its worth I'd add community to the list of why it's worthwhile to go. I went to MI in the 90s when it was cheaper and the program was a 12 month course. 90% of students took that and few did the 2 or 4 year thing. I came into it a barely competent bass player and I left pretty damn good. Sure the curriculum was helpful but being around all the other musicians for a year, all the labs and playing with instructors that were far better than me is what made me good. It was performance based, not book based and that spoke to me. So if you want to get good quickly then......yeah its worth it.

[@NickyV]

Spot on man. Really appreciate you sharing that and thank you for checking out the video!

[@tonybmusic1166]

Long before MI there was Dick Grove School of Music in the Valley (San Fernando Valley just north of LA). When I went there in the mid 70’s, I was already close to having my bachelors in music and took class guitar and composing. Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Howard Roberts were among the guitarists teaching the guitar class. A few years later Pat Hicks and Howard Roberts put together GIT, Guitar Institute of Technology which eventually morphed into MIT. The studio guys in LA always wanted something to rival Berklee in Boston on the west coast and achieved it with MIT. In the 70’s I attended a few of the initial meetings/clinics which were the impetus for MIT put on by Howard Roberts and Pat Hicks. Tommy Tedesco, Howard Roberts, Ron Eschete were among the local studio guys speaking at these events but by the time MIT came into being, I had already received my masters and was in the process of applying to get my doctorate….combined with my age this eliminated any hope of my attending GIT. I’ve been a working pro since 1964 and have been knocking around doing some videos explaining a variety of ways of generating an income through music…..ways that have worked for me. I guess I’m somewhat successful and believe that some of the younger folks could benefit from financial advice I could give.

[@NickyV]

I’ve never heard of this. Thank you so much for sharing that and I love that you want to share some advice with people on here. The financial aspect of the industry is definitely missing when it comes to content.

[@tonybmusic1166]

I’m familiar with that old bromide, do what you love and the money will follow. IMO, that’s not always the case….but KZbin may be the exception. There’s some really gifted players (like yourself) here generating an income with their talent. There’s even a few with a moderate degree of talent still making some money. Even though I’m 78 I still get hired to sit in the orchestra pit for Broadway musicals only because I can sight read fly dung at 90 paces plus I double/triple on several string instruments. I was also knocking around doing a video on some of my experiences, especially working in Vegas, Ohio and Miami for the mob…..and working for despotic, tyrannical, self absorbed prima donnas. That last one was fun.

[@NickyV]

@@tonybmusic1166 People love stories...most viewers want to feel like they are sitting on the couch hanging out. Post those stories...never know who may love hearing them.

[@jimmycrabtree-tb6jc]

Great insight! Thanks!

[@NickyV]

Absolutely! So glad you enjoyed it

[@gianni.chiarello]

"you go to college to study musicians that never went to college" haha! My experience with big american colleges was a couple of years in the late 90's. Amazing experience, I was already gigging and playing tough. It did help me out in a few situations through life, expecially with teaching as you say. Now I think the same big name college is manily a pop singer school. with the wealth of knowledge available online, I'd spend time looking for work now, if playing is all you want to do and not teaching (or anything where you need a piece of paper).

[@NickyV]

It’s crazy how much info is out there now if you have the self discipline to find it and stick to working on it. Appreciate you checking the video out!

[@stevenponte6655]

Great video! I was at MI in 08 and agree with everything you said. I felt the live playing workshops (LPW) are what helped me the most. I used to try and do at least 3-4/week. It gave me the confidence to play shows/gigs in the real world with little or no rehearsals and really set me apart from other musicians.

[@NickyV]

Love it! I really think the whole program moves players trajectory up a few years

[@grenonstar]

Agreed . Great rounded point of view. I was a tutor at music College for 15 years. We always told our family that it's not the paper. It's passion grit and relationships. The environment we had at that school provided that. Most of our people got work in the industry degree or no degree. Some used it to go into education but, they all played. It's not for everyone, but don't bag it if it's not for you.

[@NickyV]

Spot on. Thank you for checking the video out!

[@jessewraymusic]

Interesting that I just ran across my receipt about a week ago for my year at MI back in 87' it was $4500. It was a great experience for me but I think all the students that came from out of town had an advantage since they were not distracted by everyday life like some of us locals that went. Great content

[@NickyV]

That’s wild. Thanks for sharing and checking out the video!

[@jerrypeters811]

Graduate of P.I.T. '89 Great time of my life, met great people from around the world, learned so much in one year. $6K. Agree with everything you said. Graduated, bought a boat, and been commercial fishing since! Still doing some session work and still have my mint Pearl drum kit I played then. Hello to all you grads! Best wishes!

[@NickyV]

Love that man, thank you for sharing!

[@MikeSix-ji6yh]

I attended MI GIT Hollywood in 1994, back then certificate program was one year. Best time of my life, I would do it again at now age 50 if I could. 100% correct when saying you only get out of it what you put into it. Worth every penny.

[@NickyV]

Spot on man. Thanks for checking the video out!

[@jwal1992]

For what it’s worth, another way to approach music school is getting good enough for scholarships. When I went to school, there were people on full rides to fill principal positions. They were paying rent and feeding themselves on earned scholarships outside of the program. Some people fresh out of HS, some in their mid 20’s. If you have the discipline to develop your own curriculum you might as well benefit from the networking/instruction from music school (not to mention living off scholarship money. Easier than holding a day job while you’re growing).

[@NickyV]

Very true. When I attended MI I was in the full ride scholarship competition. First place got a full ride and 10k, second got a full ride, third got half tuition covered. I came in 4th out of over a thousand haha. It all worked out though…I worked crazy hard compared to a few of the winners with a chip on my shoulder and feel I got more out of the program along the way. Strange how things work out.

[@martydibergi5228]

in toronto most hired musicians for shows and recording that i know are university jazz grads, can read and play anything.

[@liontone]

100%. School can be a tactical advantage for some, because it *can* allow someone to make a living asymmetrically teaching, while they’re building a career touring/sessions. School helps players compartmentalize concepts to share with others, which equals $. And well, $ is good….lol. I had a student move to Nashville who now tours consistently. After moving, he look lessons with an *A-list* Nashville cat who we all know and love. The one critique he had was the players inability to teach concepts. So, there is value in having a certain amount of academia, but it has to be viewed in prospective. It’s not a substitute for hard work, and feel, etc.

[@NickyV]

This is dead on. I’ve seen lesson videos from some of the best players in town and some of what they are saying is simply not correct and might actually be detrimental to helping a students progress. Good playing doesn’t always equal good teaching and schooled doesn’t always equal good playing…but schooled usually leads to a better teacher. Thanks for watching!

[@liontone]

@@NickyV 💯Keep up the good work!

[@keithdf2001]

I liked what you said about being required to learn different genres. I think that if you teach yourself you will shy away from styles you don't like. At a school you will be exposed (by curriculum) to those styles. You may learn a lot from those and incorporate them into your daily playing. .

[@NickyV]

Very true. Today at my house I had to record an acoustic fingerpicking Christmas song, ripping rock track, and a weird industrial song for sync. Pays the bills

[@teashea1]

another excellent video ----

[@NickyV]

Thank you! Appreciate you watching

[@shannonpeevey9116]

Shout out to the University of North Texas. I went there in the '90s and just was surrounded by amazing musicians. Some who are making it big right now and just being around that energy and watching people who are so much better than I was was just a great experience. Plus the accountability that you mentioned is very important. At least it was for me. Great video

[@NickyV]

Fantastic! Love hearing that man. I loved my time on the west coast. Appreciate you checking the video out!

[@yishihara55527]

But this is essentially meaningless unless you are making a good living from what you majored in. There is a difference between the beta orbiter who says, "Oh, the chicks at the party were nice to me," and the alpha who says, "Yeah, I banged that 10 after the party."

[@alanhope8971]

I went to MI (BIT) in 1989 and 1990, when it was still a one year program. Coming from Nowhereville, Missouri, it was definitely a shock to my system in all the right ways. I don’t know that I would ever recommend a four-year program to someone who wanted to be a working musician, unless there was some specific reason to do it. I’ve been in Nashville since ‘98, and I would say that 90% of the players I hired in my role as music director were players that never set foot in a music school. With all of the online resources available today, and with having access to great instructors from all over the world, it seems that going to a music school is almost superfluous.

[@NickyV]

Appreciate you checking the video out and sharing your thoughts. I’m with you on the four year thing. Two seemed about right for me

[@shainhaggadone9943]

Second half sounds like my friend from Michigan. Jeff Blando. Plays for Slaughter and Vince Neil. Worked his way in.

[@NickyV]

Right on! Appreciate you checking out the video!

[@racegts]

Great info!!! 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶 Now, back to da woodshed!!

[@NickyV]

Appreciate you checking the video out!

[@f1shm0n74]

What is the difference between the nashville vs la guitar workflow? I almost understood that but would appreciate a more detailed breakdown of this.

[@NickyV]

This is a gross generalization but the LA thing is to start with the choruses and build those out as big as they need to be, then from they let the choruses determine the dynamic arc of the song and how much layering needs to go into the verses, intro, outro, turnarounds. It’s a litter more pieced together. Nashville is all about efficiency and has a slightly more flowy organic approach where we will track a left part top to bottom as the band goes down, then the drummer will grab percussion, acoustic will stack, bass will fix or punch, and electric will grab a “right pass”. Then there’s a nice wide stereo image that flows through the arrangement. Then they decorate down the middle and the rest of the band is done or grabbing fixes.

[@ldhorricks]

I have a different experience in a different "art" discipline. I went to Brooks Institute of Photography (1980-81) and quit after 4 semesters because I was paying a crapload of money to be taught by people who had no "real world" experience to speak of...I didn't feel I was absorbing the things I way paying to go there for. So I went out and spent 1/10th the money to take workshops from photographers I had great respect for and who's work I admired...AND who were internationally acclaimed. I learned more in those week to two weeklong workshops about how the real photography world works than spending all that money on something that wouldn't translate to navigating the world I wanted to work in. In fact only a small percentage of my classmates actually made a career out of photography. I also assisted some of those photographers and took no-pay internships with magazines, add agencies, commercial studios...you name it...and the connections I made along the way paved my way to getting those firsts breaks. I appreciate your honest take on this subject...I wish this kind of discussion was out there when I was making these decisions. Not sure how I landed on your channel...well I've played guitar for years.....I played in dozens of bar bands from the time I was 14...but never had any formal training...very little theory to speak of. I was too lazy to put in the discipline to learn the underpinnings of what I learned and played by ear. I could learn and play most anything...I had a natural sense of timing and feel (I come from family of musicians), but I had a very limited understanding of what I was playing because I wasn't interested. Now at 63 I'm trying to put in the time to build the theory chops I never had the interest or patience for...It's both daunting and liberating. I have such admiration for "real Musicians" and the work it takes to get there...and frankly to simply survive. It takes busloads of work and dedication and nothing builds chops in any realm like being thrown into the deep end...whether it's your first session gig or live performance or in my case photographing a marketing campaign for a film with an entire AD/Marketing team looking on. Virtuosity doesn't exist without dedication few are willing to commit to.

[@NickyV]

Thank you so much for sharing that. Glad you figured out what was the best path forward for you and acted upon it…and executed. Appreciate the kind words and thank you for checking the video out!

[@stephanorlik78]

I went to MI in '88/'89, back when no degree programs were offered. Just one year with a certificate of completion. I wouldn't trade that year for the world. It's impossible to explain the experience or just how much knowledge I gained from that year. From jamming with and talking to the famous big boys/girls in the biz to the insane teachers, I have nothing bad to say about it. Ok, maybe one thing. MI definitely prepared you to be a beast in studio sessions. The drawback for me is that it gave me musical ADHD. I've been playing for 40 years and still haven't completed an album of my own music because one day I'm into blues, and the next , I'm shredding a hair metal riff. Or funk, or jazz, latin, or maybe a finger picking thing. I don't know if Chas Grasamke was still teaching when you were there, but that guy blew my mind on a daily basis with his finger picking stuff. I have nothing but great memories and the knowledge that came with it. Worth every penny!

[@NickyV]

Thank you for sharing this. Don’t think I got to meet Chas. The instructors there are still friends of mine and it’s fun digging back into old papers and videos from those days

[@jerrypeters811]

@@stephanorlik78 Hey fellow '88-'89 grad! PIT grad March '89 here. Wasn't that a great time! All the best!

[@stephanorlik78]

@jerrypeters811 Was a great time, for sure. You and I were different phases, though. I graduated October '89

[@jerrypeters811]

@stephanorlik78 did you lnow a bass player named jerry Kennedy? Or a drummer, Kevin Soffera? They were in your phase. Jerry and I went to HS together. Great guy. Great bass player. Definitely great times. Thanks for reaching out.

[@CurtissJohnson-k5z]

Check out Tommy Emmanuel . My understanding is that he's self-taught and doesn't know theory. Another good source of approach to guitar is Steve Vai's "Little Black Dots" if it can still be found. It changed my approach to the fretboard. Also, check out Woodie Guthrie's do ra mi song. It's the key to the kingdom

[@NickyV]

Love that! Tommy did a clinic at MI while I was there. Amazing guy and musician

[@CurtissJohnson-k5z]

@NickyV he came to our little town in Northern California and appeared at our "State Theater for the Performing Arts" highly improbable for such a small venue and a world-class act. I was lucky to see him show how he covers all the parts, bass, rhythm, and lead . Fantastic performance.

[@NickyV]

@@CurtissJohnson-k5z Amazing, his command of the instrument is not from this earth. So glad your town got to experience that.

[@SethWorsham]

I graduated MI's Associates Guitar program in 2011, was the best time of my life. I became 10x and more of a player than I could've ever hoped to be. Agreed on the education part far as the degree doing anything for you work/income wise - almost everyone hiring for music teachers want you to have a degree (which I understand but it has so little to do with your ability to do that job regardless of what your playing level or musical knowledge is). There's no way I could have learned as much as I did in that short time if I hadn't gone. It also allowed me to earn a living with my instrument which was my only goal, and I'm still doing it. I haven't been super fortunate on the performance or gigging side of things but most of the gigs are insulting and also tough to forfeit a shift of students to take on (I'm still in L.A.). Absolutely agree with you on all this though, wanted to add my .02. 🤘🤘🍻

[@NickyV]

We must have passed eachother as you were walking out and I was walking in back in 2011. Thank you for sharing man and checking the video out. I left LA right after graduation…wanted to be in Nashville all along since it was closer to home back in Missouri. It seems a little tougher out there from what I’ve seen my friends post and talk about. A few guys from my class are in Nashville now and we kind of toss each other’s names around so it’s good to still be using the MI network even outside of LA.

[@SethWorsham]

No problem man, I haven't been back to the school except for one alumni event and to hang with Steiger once haha. L.A. is tribute band land now or at least that's what I've seen the most of last few years, but networking and doing jams hasn't gotten me any work far as live gigs honestly or not with any degree of regularity. I am playing for an up and coming original artist and it's paid so very happy about that, teaching pays the bills and allows me to focus more on that and work on my chops and music skills in addition to being able to be more choosy about which gigs I do take if and when they present themselves. Great content, now thinking about Nashville myself... I'm from IN so it's a lot closer to home for me too. Rock on man, glad to see you're doing well there! 🤘🤘

[@NickyV]

@@SethWorsham Thats great info to know! I was wondering how the scene was out there. Nashville is great man, I just uploaded a few videos talking about it and what to expect. Holler if you ever come to visit.

[@SethWorsham]

​@@NickyVwill do man! If you come to L.A. please do the same. 🤘🤘

[@campbellmarty36]

99% of the music industry success… of course skill… but lotta Who ya know… and being in the right place at the right time!!!!! PERIOD!!!

[@NickyV]

Absolutely. Income directly relates to the size and quality of your network

[@yishihara55527]

Skill is sometimes a VERY small part of the equation.

[@globalonemusic2381]

I am familiar with the curriculum at M.I. Would you not agree that a more cost effective approach would for someone to a Jazz Studies major OR Applied Music ' Classical Guitar major and complete an Associates Degree at a State University or Community College ? Such would provide the credibility of completing a program at an Accredited University, not simply and "Accredited Institute ? Further at a Community College or University, it won't matter if someone is a Violin Performance Major, Jazz Guitar or Classical Guitar Major, simply because ALL music majors are required to take the same history, counterpoint, form and analysis, band scoring, orchestral scoring, choral arranging, etc. classes. We visited Nashville last summer. You are correct. :). We were very "discouraged" by the number of guitar players and "hopeful players" who simply can not read a score. Not even a note, key signature or tempo marking. I remember in the '70's Atkins once stated, "If you put a score in front of people they tend to stiffen up". Both the Jazz guitar and Classical guitar professors at school responded, "Only if you are not trained and don't know what you're doing". :). It is good that you have the valid statistical advantage of being able to read scores. NEVER apologize for it. You took time out of your life to become trained and subsequently - better and....more qualified than those who did not. :). It is good that you are "gently and firmly encouraging" people to be better trained and of more value to live performance and recording efforts. :) Antoine

[@NickyV]

Thank you so much for sharing. I agree that if somebody was wanting to take the jazz, classical or educational route then they might be better off at one of the places you mentioned. MI is definitely geared more towards contemporary music and the performance side of the spectrum. My degree is in “guitar performance”. Putting the score infront of a guitarist is definitely the best way to make them turn their amp down haha. Thanks again for checking the video out!

[@michellehenry6278]

Did you ever play with Jimmy Capps. He was really good guitar player. So sad he passed away.

[@NickyV]

I unfortunately never got the opportunity to work with Jimmy

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Do you have a cheat system for reading notation on a session? Thats the one thing that held me back from going to school

[@NickyV]

I learned it all in school. Now that I’m in Nashville we just read the Nashville number system though which is kind of a cheat code in itself

[@yishihara55527]

@@NickyV That essentially conventional classical chord notation but using numbers rather than Roman numerals. So I have to laugh when people said that that someone in Nashville "invented" it. LOL

[@NickyV]

@@yishihara55527backup singers that were untrained came up with the system for sessions. Classical system was obviously there first but they stumbled upon it independently and brought it to practical use.

[@yishihara55527]

@@NickyV Dude, it's essentially the same exact thing except that they use numbers instead of Roman numerals. Do some people have a hard time computing Roman numerals on the fly? It's hard for me to know because over the years both classical and jazz notation has become so internalized.

[@NickyV]

@@yishihara55527the whole point of the Nashville chart writing system is to prevent mistakes while tracking, keep everything in one sheet, and make it easy for engineers to navigate (no repeats, codas, or DS)…I think the numbers rather than Roman numerals are a little more instant for most people and they are faster to write and we chart the song down on first listen usually with the artist in the room playing it, then press record. Deliberately leaving off details so the musicians can make their own judgment calls in the moment.

[@chris200873]

Nicky, i have a question? I have been playing for over 20 years myself self taught. i live in the bowling green ky area. I am at a stump in my playing i would like to know if you know someone close to work with to get help opening me up in my playing. Thanks CB

[@NickyV]

Hey Chris, I do a ton of teaching online. Not sure if you are open to video chat lessons let me know!

[@simonlusby6683]

Hi Nicky, another great video, just out of interest, are all you session guys worried about ai taking your work with the leaps and bounds it is going in?

[@NickyV]

Shot a video on this, just haven’t edited it yet. I think commercial music or music that’s in the background is under treat. Most people hiring is to make music are paying for the experience of making music so I’m not too worried.

[@simonlusby6683]

@@NickyV hey! I just realized I was on ships at the same time as you, I thought you looked familiar, I saw your face crop up when you took over the band leader on the ship with singer Jordan Frazier and bassist martin motnik, I was in rehearsals in a band at the same time as that band so I was following them on Facebook! I remember them being really nice people! It would have been around 2015

[@NickyV]

@@simonlusby6683 Thats Wild! I love that. I still keep in touch with them. Martin was a groomsman at my wedding last year. Really good-hearted bunch for sure.

[@cabilgibbs]

Do you teach Keyboard also? Thanks for the Vids!!

[@NickyV]

I actually have taught a couple of keyboardist but I was on guitar and they were on keys. More so lessons on improvising and music theory…general music things that weren’t keyboard specific/related

[@phatbackbeat6553]

The short answer is NO ! The long answer is NO ! It’s not worth it. Ask around and find a really good teacher.., who is “playing out.., OFTEN !” He’ll get you started and expose you to better musicians and musicianship as you develop. Make sure he’s STILL out there playing, weekly, and playing different genre’s of music..!

[@yishihara55527]

True. Most music schools are absolute scams.

[@Kenfenit]

This is true, other than the fact that they have to be out there playing weekly. Lots of musicians, producers especially, are hands on in the studio every day, but aren't gigging much. Point should be that they are actively pursuing/creating music themselves to some capacity.

[@yishihara55527]

@@Kenfenit There are some teachers out there who haven't touched an instrument for decades.

[@bobbydee1187]

I’m worried that if I come to play (Lead singer) in Nashville, I couldn’t get work because I’m old school Country singer. I do some Southern rock as well but, Mostly Real traditional Country music.

[@NickyV]

There’s a little of everything here in town. Certain bars are only old school country. Some are only new country. Most mix the two together it seems. The good thing about singing older country is you are going to generally have a better tipping older crowd vs a bachelorette party if you are talking about Broadway.

[@bootstrapstylerich]

Back in the day = classical-trained piano players (like Elton John) were all the rage!

[@ZRossi513]

Would you suggest MI to someone in their late 30’s?

[@NickyV]

I would suggest it to anybody wanting to get better at their instrument

[@Chudley716]

Lots of great musicians dropped out of Berklee.

[@NickyV]

Definitely is expensive

[@jazzhead335]

study something lucrative like computer science, study music on the side. Don't end up broke, depressed with no practical job skills at age 45. (speaking from experience)

[@NickyV]

I know it’s a hard road on the music side of the coin. Me and a few of my colleagues have been very fortunate to do this full time and have a house, family…the normal stuff. Very thankful. Appreciate you checking the video out

[@RickMcCargar]

When my son was in a band in high school and considering college, he asked me what I thought of music school. I told him to research available jobs for music school graduates and compare it to the available jobs for his next choice...graphic arts. He's now a part-time band member earning a ton of cash in a high tech company with a B.S. degree in computer technology...and loves his life. I had the same problem as a young musician....I ended designing integrated circuits for everything from toys to spacecraft. Our company helped make anti-lock brakes ubiquitous.

[@NickyV]

Nice! Glad it all worked out for you two! Thanks for watching

[@RickMcCargar]

@@NickyV thanks. I think a lot of young people forget to ask themselves if they can live off the money they can earn from their education...and for many, the answer is no. That shouldn't stop the most dedicated, but may be a useful reminder for those not so driven to be in the arts.

[@NickyV]

@@RickMcCargar 100% if you don't have the fire and some hustle...or family money haha...you are going to starve.

[@RickMcCargar]

@@NickyV to say nothing of the fact that 100s graduate every year....and there aren't 100s of good paying job openings every year, then multiply it by a decade or so and the problem becomes clear. There aren't enough jobs for everyone who graduates from a music school. edit: that goes for a bunch of various degrees for which there is no decent paying job market. Soon, a bunch of youtube musicians are going to learn that you make around $2K per Million views...really hard to make a living on youtube unless people buy your separate lessons, etc.

[@NickyV]

@@RickMcCargar Very true, I never got into KZbin expecting to make money at it but to funnel students to my studio/website and as I build the following use it to promote the site I'm building for remote recording and production work. Its definitely a process and if you are going to work in a passion industry I think one has to be creative and go against the grain a bit. Thanks again for sharing.

[@NorthGeorgiaMountains]

If you’re smart, resourceful and self disciplined you will be much better off spending that money on personal training and online courses

[@NickyV]

Yes…most musicians are not though haha. Wrong side of the brain

[@ChristianScott-hx1ut]

My hope is that because everyone is moving to Nashville, that id be one of the A guys left in LA😂

[@NickyV]

Hahaha love the approach

[@jaredcook3757]

The debt can be so crippling. It could end a career all by itself because you could have to end up working low paid jobs (because you don't have the skills to get a high paying "real job") to just feed yourself and pay off the debt before you can establish yourself as a player.

[@NickyV]

It’s tricky. I went to work as a music director on cruise ships right after graduation to pay it all off and have a nest egg before moving to Nashville

[@jaredcook3757]

@@NickyV that's smart, and a great way to utilize that degree!

[@Herhinesness]

❤

[@NickyV]

[@timwhite7127]

Makes me think is a small way thank goodness I don't have a stitch of talent...

[@xsydor26]

Just find a teacher who went to MI and ask him to teach you everything.

[@noserialkiller3596]

I think you need talent to attend such an institute. To be successful in the music industry appears to be very difficult. No Serial Killer.

[@NickyV]

It no easy road. That’s for sure. Thanks for watching

[@yishihara55527]

it really depends. There are some brain-dead people that do quite well.

[@s.e.n3264]

The jack of all trades, is the master of nothing. Dipping your toes in different genres is good. But you still need to pick a specialty.

[@NickyV]

I think it depends on what you are wanting to do. If you are a solo artist…absolutely, dial in on one thing and be the best at it. If you are a hired gun and especially on the studio side of things, the more the better. Nashville for example use to be the land of the specialist and everybody stayed in their lane. In the last 10 years it has drastically shifted to those getting the work having multiple skill sets because the streaming dilemma has cut down on recording budgets.

[@jerrypeters811]

@@s.e.n3264 some knowledge and skill of jazz, brazilian, afro/cuban and even indian rhythm will make you one heck of a rocker!

[@larryjackson6075]

Guitar gods don't teach, because they know we could be just as good as them, if they sincerely taught us.

[@yishihara55527]

This goes beyond guitar. Many teachers don't really teach. This is similar to how a shrink doesn't want their patient's mental issues to be cured.

[@larryjackson6075]

@@yishihara55527 If one was an art student at an university, and one later became a very successful artist, his art teachers would act like they're happy for him, but in their heart, they would be jealous. Additionally, his success as an artist may be really because of politics, and not merit.

[@yishihara55527]

@@larryjackson6075 There are all sorts of possibilities.

[@yishihara55527]

@@larryjackson6075 I just know one thing. Very few "musicians" love music. "Me, me, me" types (AKA flawed people) are attracted to the business because they use music as a means to get noticed.