Formal Music Training Vs. Autodidacticism

chanpyn · 02-18-2011, 05:28 AM

Which do you think has brought forth more valued pieces of music?
The musician that comes out of berklee college/Juliard?
Or the musician that works the day job and just loves to do it even though he may not be as technically savvy as the formally educated musician?

This is not Genre Specific and I'm just wondering what everyone's thoughts on this were. Give the Pros and Cons of each or certain acts that walk the tight rope between the two.

Thank you

- J.B. -

Blarobbarg · 02-18-2011, 05:55 AM

The obvious pros to being formally trained is that you (might) understand music theory better than the self trained musician. But then again, it takes a longer time, and obviously, money to go to school for that.

Being self made costs less, but you would not be as technically proficient.

I guess it all depends if you want to go to college or not, really.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 02-18-2011, 06:31 AM

I've seen great musicians formed both ways. I think both styles of learning have their merit.

ThePhanastasio · 02-18-2011, 09:36 AM

Obviously, for any musician, very strong formal training at a school like Berklee or Juilliard would be beneficial. In that sort of environment, the musicians are nourished and taught by other talented musicians in such a way that would contribute to their own musical growth. They're consistently put in with other musicians of significant skill, and able to bounce ideas off of one another, gain performance experience, and gain a very deep understanding of music theory and techniques at their given musical instrument.

With that said, I don't think that a formal education is at all necessary for a true musical prodigy. There have been people all through the history of music who have really made it both ways. Although I'm not inclined to truly pick one method of learning over the other necessarily, I will say that those with a natural affinity for music are able to listen to other artists, pick up what they're playing, and have an innate understanding of the composition of given pieces over a period of time, which go into their own compositions. I mean, hell, Jimi Hendrix never took guitar lessons.

02-18-2011, 05:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
chanpyn Groupie Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 19	Formal Music Training Vs. Autodidacticism Which do you think has brought forth more valued pieces of music? The musician that comes out of berklee college/Juliard? Or the musician that works the day job and just loves to do it even though he may not be as technically savvy as the formally educated musician? This is not Genre Specific and I'm just wondering what everyone's thoughts on this were. Give the Pros and Cons of each or certain acts that walk the tight rope between the two. Thank you - J.B. -

02-18-2011, 09:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
ThePhanastasio Killed Laura Palmer Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 1,679	Obviously, for any musician, very strong formal training at a school like Berklee or Juilliard would be beneficial. In that sort of environment, the musicians are nourished and taught by other talented musicians in such a way that would contribute to their own musical growth. They're consistently put in with other musicians of significant skill, and able to bounce ideas off of one another, gain performance experience, and gain a very deep understanding of music theory and techniques at their given musical instrument. With that said, I don't think that a formal education is at all necessary for a true musical prodigy. There have been people all through the history of music who have really made it both ways. Although I'm not inclined to truly pick one method of learning over the other necessarily, I will say that those with a natural affinity for music are able to listen to other artists, pick up what they're playing, and have an innate understanding of the composition of given pieces over a period of time, which go into their own compositions. I mean, hell, Jimi Hendrix never took guitar lessons. __________________ Phish: Studio Discography Reviewed 100 Albums I Heartily Recommend My last.fm It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken Perhaps they're better left unsung

02-18-2011, 05:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Blarobbarg Do good. Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 2,065	The obvious pros to being formally trained is that you (might) understand music theory better than the self trained musician. But then again, it takes a longer time, and obviously, money to go to school for that. Being self made costs less, but you would not be as technically proficient. I guess it all depends if you want to go to college or not, really.