What I Wish I Knew in Music School - Tips for Music Majors in Conservatory - Emily Davidson

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Music school presents a lot of new challenges for young musicians, but here are some tips to make the most of it.
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Emily Davidson, baroque cello

[@LionmightOfficial]

Very good tips! It took me NINE years to finish my degree, because there are so many paying musical opportunities I took priority over school and I kept at that and I slowly realized that the "real world" musical opportunities are so different from music school. I still finished my studies if only because I didn't want my time and money spent go to waste, and to make my parents happy. You are so on point about tunnel vision, especially with the professors themselves who can sometimes make it sound that what they teach is the center of all the music world, but you barely have any practical use for what they taught you once you start working in music. I finished BM Composition at the University of the Philippines and its curriculum is very much based on Harvard, so still very American in its handling of classical music.

[@Team_Recorder]

Ahh great tips! I wish there had been someone to tell me all this stuff when I was starting out...

[@lewisblakley8288]

Omg I love your channel.

[@CommDao]

Not just for music-- great life advice in here! Taking note of personal chemistry and connections earlier on is definitely something I'd want to tell my younger self.

[@Gman44044]

thank u for the insightful video. Is it possible to have a full time job (remote) and be in undergraduate college for music?

[@eoghdes18]

Haha, my course hardly ever gave us specific instruction, which was *excellent* training for real life.

[@emilyplayscello]

+eoghand14 That's good! I'm sure it was frustrating while in school but prepared you well. :)

[@LaurenPierceBass]

This is SO great. These are awesome tips for current music students as well as musicians who are just getting into the professional world.

[@emilyplayscello]

+Lauren Pierce Thanks Lauren!!

[@HBSuccess]

School was 35 yrs ago for me but I just had 2 kids graduate undergrad. Everything you say is spot-on but I'd roll it back even farther. If they are talented enough (BIG IF) to perform professionally - Kids in High school and even Jr. High and middle school need to start doing everything on your list. They need to be focused, know the opportunities, and start being known in performance circles and competitions long before they get to conservatory, or they will feel buried alive by the kids who are on-track, making it that much more difficult for them to focus in those uber-critical early semesters. Most kids waste their high school years, barely get in to their school of choice, and then have to claw their way to the front of the pack. I'd add one more crucial thing - be brutally realistic. Only the top 5% (or less) of performance majors will make a living performing. There are 1000 music-related jobs for everyone playing in a major symphony or getting steady studio or touring work.

[@emilyplayscello]

+Tioga Fretworks Good points as well, though you make it sound a little dismal! It can be a hard journey to make a living as a performer, but if you're passionate and creative about how you use your skills, you can make it work. I was by no means the "strongest" player in my conservatory in undergrad, but I knew what I wanted and I thought out-of-the-box when it came to putting myself out there. I don't think it's necessarily being the best, but instead focusing on the right things.

[@laurids2007]

if you are learning Cello or any other musical instrument, please read "The Advancing Cellist's handbook" by Benjamin Whitcomb. I wish I had read that book 30 years ago! this is a must-read for all musicians' sake!

[@valentinag.7633]

why is it a must-read?

[@laurids2007]

take a look at the comments from those who read it. www.amazon.de/Advancing-Cellists-Handbook-Practicing-Playing/dp/1449096549/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468182777&sr=8-1&keywords=%22The+Advancing+Cellist%27s+handbook%22

[@alexka9245]

William Pleeth Cello is a must read for any cellist too 👨‍🎓

[@anajusteen]

very good tips! I am also a music major and I feel the struggle everyday.

[@gebremedhntekle9839]

How can i contact you to share your experience?

[@amichiganblackman3200]

This is very informative. THANK YOU!

[@njvalueinvestor]

Did she get something from the school, she aeems angr_

[@chloesodonis8313]

Thank you! I really found this video helpful. I am about to go into college to study french horn performance.

[@michaeldemoines7658]

Oh by the way don't lose yourself in the music you are more important than the music always

[@erikaelizabeth3823]

This was really helpful! Thank you for making videos! Classical music-lovers gotta stick together 😊

[@francoisbessing]

Great tips. Graduated with my undergrad degree and looking for grad school. Will need to keep this in mind. Subscribed.

[@HumanGMO]

Very good, you're doing some good stuff here Emily! :)

[@bassinblue]

I totally respect you and appreciate this advice, but it seems too calculated and analytical...what happened to art man.

[@francoisbessing]

Bills, bills, bills....

[@javier.canseco]

Real life happened, man.

[@diragusa]

love the tips thanks!

[@michaeldemoines7658]

Why don't you be an orchestra leaded or start tour own orchestra and also compos your own music you sure are a wonderful lady love Michael PEACE

[@BackyrdBully]

Awesome advise. Thanks Emily!

[@RONNIEHAMER]

thank you Emily Davidson

[@Marirrwq]

*i cant wait to finally do what i love for the rest of my life!!*

[@rajvar007]

wow..you're beautiful..i am hypnotised..

[@04822212839]

Hai, Emily, video is informative and simple. Have some taste in music, specially, in singing songs and playing piano. How can get admission in universities in Europe?

[@cazziebb1707]

That's why you're in school. You don't know what you're doing. You take advice from people who know better.

[@javier.canseco]

That is true to some extent. Many teachers have no experience in the real world. Many of them were unable to find performance jobs and started teaching. Thus, they are bitter their advice is irrelevant and harmful.