Making the Leap

[bobgrahammusic]

Hi there, I am a young composer who has had some mild success doing freelance commercials, television and video games. Problem is, its mild in that its only part time. This is a passion for me and I want to make it happen and do not want to fail as a result of lack of drive or not taking a neccessary risk. I was wondering what the full time guys out there recommend... Do you recommend moving to LA for one of these internships? Going to music school? Working full time and living in the small town I do and continue writing at night hoping someday things will pick up and build over many years? I was just wondering what everyone things... Also is there any good orchestration books to read etc... PM me to at BobAGraham@gmail.com if you would rather. Thanks alot, Bob

[cfblakeman]

Bob,

Go to music school.  And if you can, go to one of the best with great composition instructors (Julliard, New England Conservatory, Eastman, Cleveland Institute, Curtis Institute; or some of the 2nd tier - Indiana, Oberlin, Peabody, Michigan).  If you don't have the instrumental acumen to gain acces to one of these, some might take you just based on past composition success.  If you can't get into any of these, get into the best state school you can with a local reputation for composition.  The biggest weakness in young composers is that they are doing all from natural talent without the discipline of actually learning and mastering the craft.  Michelango said the reason he was successful was not his natural talent, but because he practiced his craft so diligently - no one had any idea how hard he worked to learn how to be a painter.    There are likely a lot of people out there with talent like Tiger Woods, but no one who is willing to master the craft of golf like he is.  Go to LA for an internship after you spend four years mastering the craft of composing - you'll differentiate yourself from everyone else who went out their on talent alone.