Rick's Rant Ep. 3 - Is It Worth It To Go To Music School? 

Everytime I watch a Rick Beato video, I feel like Im getting a music business education for free. Thanks Rick.

I remember my first day at the conservatory I attended the instructor announced to a room full of new students, "only one of you will get a job". And then at the graduation ceremony, "by this time next year most of you will be flippin' burgers!"

“If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.” - Frank Zappa

To anyone considering going to college, but has to take a 5-figure or a 6-figure loan: Realize that you're not just taking a loan; you're signing a perpectual servitude agreement. You can't default on your loan; you're stuck with it. Think really hard before you take the loan.

I’ve been working in studios and playing gigs for a living my entire life. And I never went to music school. But I grew up around great musicians. And they taught me. I think the best education in music is through private lessons with great teachers.

Little girl was a musical genius, impressed people her her life, got a music scholarship and got a degree in music. Couldn’t get a job in music industry, went into teaching public school music. She hated children and is the most miserable person ever.

I'm 4 years late but what Rick described is what I went through. I went to Mercy College for Music Tech and graduated in 2010. I learned Pro Tools, Reason, and Logic pretty decently (I knew a lot of shortcuts and understood how to mix pretty well) and learned how to mic up drums, guitar, bass, and other instruments (which Rick said Full Sail doesn't teach for some reason). Graduated with a 3.7 GPA. Interned at 2 studios (post and music studio) for 3 months each for free and all I did was make coffee and didn't help on any sessions, plus freelanced doing location and post audio for free on like 12 short films, and then did live sound at local bars below min wage or for $100 a night a couple times a month (basically as a sub). I couldn't get any steady freelance, part time, or full time work and I sent my resume to literally every studio, bar, and film studio I saw in NYC over 3 years. So after working for free or a very low rate which pays far below min wage when you look at my yearly income I got out of the field and went it IT. Best decision I've made! Believe it or not, A LOT of IT people that come from an audio engineering & music background go into IT. So skip Music school. Learn for free / low cost online courses on how to use the software (like Ableton, Pro Tools, and Logic) which I paid thousands and thousands of dollars for (which wasn't worth it) and do it as a side hobby in a home studio you can make for a small cost compared to a degree which does nothing for you or do youtube or make your own music.

30 years ago I came very close to chasing the dream of a life in music. Seeing the current state of the industry, I am glad I went in another direction.

If you can’t communicate with people, you can’t make a living. - Rick Beato Thank you Brother!

I ended up just going to a local community college and got a music & audio production certification that lasted 9 months (3 quarters). My professors had a master in audio engineering and has helped me lot, got some connections, and financial aid covered everything. We went through fundamentals of compression eq etc. Wish I got to work with protools because they used Cubase and I used logic, that’s my only gripe honestly. It may not be as extensive as a full blown degree, but it’s more affordable and for those who qualify, financial aid will cover everything.

This is a very eye opening important discussion for everyone to hear in every industry and the value of college. Great show

Everything he said, spot on. This is not just about college, he shares a lot of information about the music business.

I never realized that playing music only for personal enjoyment and expression because I’m technically lousy was a damn blessing. The music industry sounds akin to a human trafficking enterprise.

Wow Rick. Besides the fact that you understand music theory on such a high level and you know tons about production and the music biz in general; I really respect your intellectual honesty! (E.g. your comments on the Cash Me Ousside song).

I'm in college for engineering right now (graduating next winter) and I routinely think about how much of a waste of time my degree is and how I should quit so that I can practice more. It's good to hear a pro's insight on this and comforting to know that even people in the industry also have many of the same frustrations that I do. Thanks Rick.

Yes, yes, yes! When you go to music school you learn about discipline and respect for public. You learn how to practice, you learn how to think, you develope music taste, you learn how to understand music. There’s so much benifit one could never imagine. It’s not just the knowledge and the skill. I love that fact that my mother send me to a music school. ❤️

I always tell my kid, "never go to college where it costs more than you'll make when you get out".

I love it that Rick just tells it the way it is. The honesty and openness are so refreshing- even if it's sometimes hard to hear the truth, because he's fundamentally a warm and caring guy.

Rick - an American living in Kazakhstan (+ 10 hours) i watch your stuff all the time. you've helped me to really appreciate a number of songs I've known for years. thanks for what you do

In a way this is kind of your best video, Rick. Lots of truths here that young people need to hear.

As a music professional in NYC who has a degree in music, we have a saying here which probably dates me. With a degree in music and a token you can get on the subway. Love your content. New fan

This is perfect and I wish I would have had this information in the 90s when I went to school. I did my Bachrlor’s degree in Classical Guitar at Indiana University. I was good enough to get into the school but not on scholarship. When I graduated I was utterly unprepared for the hard reality that faced me. I kicked around for a few years before going to Musician’s Institute in LA; an experienced which changed and defined my musical path. Wish I would have done that out of high school. Thank you for putting it out there!

Thanks for a great "RANT" video Rick on the pitfalls of going to school for a music degree and what you must do once you have that knowledge in order to succeed.I found it all very educational.I'm a 45 year old singer/songwriter and former heroin addict almost 5 years sober(on 9/16/19 it's been 5 years) coming to the end of my treatment and trying to do what I want with the second half of my life instead of working a job I can't stand to pay the bills.I've been in bands most of my life as a rhythm guitar player,lead vocalist and the main songwriter writing 95 to 99.9% of the material performed.During my whole life I have been recording myself on small analog and digital Tascam 4 and 8 tracks and have a great base knowledge of recording and mixing myself and have recently been considering going to school to get a degree in the music production and recording engineer fields for both my own music and to attempt to build a career in recording and engineering.However,after watching this video rant I am thinking since I already have some recording and mixing knowledge am I better off going to school for a business degree and just trying to teach myself what I don't know about production and engineering in a studio?The science of mastering is one of the things I also don't know alot about.Basically I need to learn the bigger equipment and spend some time with pro tools as well as the old analog machines.I know I don't want to be some studio head's errand boy and slave for nothing and not get to use any of the things I will learn in a music production and engineering course.Thanks for any feedback and your time as well as for this awesomely educational video,peace

Thanks for another great rant, Rick! The amount of work required to survive in this business is always colossal. At 52, I don't know how to do anything aside from making records. Outside of actual sessions, promotion is often an uphill battle for me, but I found your rant oddly encouraging. The one thing about the endless line of free labor standing behind us is that more often than not, a client gets what they pay for ;-) There is no substitute for our experience. Thanks for sharing so much of yours. Cheers!

This is invaluable information! This applies to many professions, not just the music business. Awesome ‘rant’!

People in positions of authority using interns and not paying them is endemic to our society and human nature. Nobody wants to pay anyone for honest work these days. I graduated from law school in 2003 and on a couple of interviews (when I was fresh out of school) it was made clear to me that I would not be getting paid. Big-bye, I said. I can’t afford to work for free, nor should I or anyone else. Working in a studio or anywhere for free simply isn’t an option when you have a family, bills etc.

Music industry = EXPLOITATION. pure & simple. No wonder so many gifted artists become addicted to drugs. Trying to mend their broken heart & spirit.

It can be so incredibly hard to gain any sort of steam on social media. I am not a musician, I am a visual artist, but we deal with a lot of the things musicians deal with in trying to get our stuff noticed and shared. I've been hustling since 2011 and all I have seen with my social media presence is a steady, slow decline since 2013. Social media is rigged. You won't be seen if the people with money don't feel that you can make them money. Meaning, the social media entities. There is very little organic reach any more. If your "thing" starts to gain steam, it is because the fat wallets want to ride on what you have. If what you have spooks them a bit, it gets shoved to the bottom of the pile. The process makes sense, however most of us no longer have a chance to even be seen. And while this is happening, the money that fuels the free social media process is drying up. 2018 is a very bad time for someone new to make it on the internet. I am hoping the changes that are coming, will fuel a resurgence.

Your advice is 100% correct - I agonized not going to Berklee as a youngster, and becoming a CPA and computer programmer instead, at the insistence of my WWII and Great depression surviving Dad. Looking back. I never got to honk my horn or bang my drum all day, but I have a more than comfortable lifestyle, my kids grew up privileged, and as part time but reasonably good amateur, I got to play the music I wanted to, and not the music I had to.

For what it's worth, film school is exactly the same way. You get your degree and you are on your own. Rather than going to film school, get a job at 18, use the money to buy a camera, and a computer to edit on. Start making the kind of films you want to make. Get your friends involved, find ways to make good looking films on a low low budget. Basically, you need to do 3 things: 1. Become amazing at what you want to do. 2. Let the world know about it. 3. Don't give up. It can be done. The people who make it are the ones who don't give up.

Thank you. Unfortunately this scenario can be applied to way too many degrees of all types. As a signed and fired former artist getting fired was the biggest break I had in the music business. People need to know this is why concert tickets are so high. Pounding the road is the only money most artists get to keep. For now. I am hearing from people I still have contact with the labels are taking live performance money also. Despicable. Thank you!!!

I was at Berklee but life had other plans. got sick and had to pull out. After seeing what my graduate friends are going through... and what my recovery journey lead me through, I would never go back. Not for that price. Bottom line is that you have to sit and do the work and practice, no one else is gonna do that and you might as well invest the time energy and money on finding a private tutor.

Rick I found your channel due to the katy perry lawsuit but honestly, the way you're so forthright and down to earth brings a much needed perspective I feel more people should be listening to. Thank you for what you do.

Personally, I dropped out of music school in 1983, as I felt oppressed, belittled, and humiliated by the department heads, professors, and peers. The environment killed the capacity to be free and creative. I subsequently changed my major to business and had a successful career in sales. 30 years later, I returned to a State college, determined to finish my studies and earn my Bachelor's degree in music. My 2nd attempt was worse than the 1st attempt, in that I was subject to the God-syndrome of stodgy professors who weren't really very good musicians, and didn't truly want to make me a better musician. For get the money--I know I wasn't going to make money. I just wanted to be a better piano player. And the college couldn't help me. So I quit again.

Hey Rick! Been subscribed since you had around 60k subs. Finally got the chance to buy your book. Rick Rants are my new favorite pastime. They're better than almost every lecture I've had in 7 years of music school. Thanks for always delivering great content.

real talk man. im a graphic designer and i think people would be surprised just how much our industry functions in the same way. I think over half the people out there doing professional design work are not getting paid, theyre interns, and design studios will just let them sit there and do work for them for as long as it takes for the intern to just give up and go get a job in another industry.

Man, I wish I had someone tell me this 25 years ago when I went to Full Sail. I would have had a more realistic idea of what I was getting into.

I grew up addicted to music, lead singing, back up, lead guitar, writing, recording, gigging, so naturally i figured an audio engineering degree would be best. As it turned, NOT getting a degree in studio engineering was the best decision ive ever made.

Two options folks could consider: Taking a course(s) or certificate in Entertainment Technology at a local community college (that's the name for the program at my local community college). They are usually cheaper than any "Pro" school like Full Sail and often cheaper than courses in a state university system. Often you can take a course or two at a time instead of having to be a full-time student. Other option: if your local public library has a subscription to LinkedIn Learning database, with a public library card, you can register within the database and have access to over 1000 courses on music production, DAW software, and more. Some of these are just long videos but a lot of them have testing or learning exercises included.

I've recently done two part-time courses at a local music college, in music recording and song writing, for what they cost they were value for money, the tutors were good and pretty helpful and the courses although they were short, both a few hours one day a week for eight weeks were as comprehensive as they could be, they've helped me develop my skills as a musician and I enjoyed working with the other students in the process. I've been writing my own music tracks for about twenty years as a independent musician. I've been in a few bands and produced demo's and even released a dance record back when dance music or EDM as it's known now was a freelance paradise. We sold quite a few records off our own back, actually distributing the records on our own in our own local area to record shops on a sale or return basis and got a third party independent distributor for the rest of the UK. I've got a few songs that I think could be commercial pop/dance tunes. I understand in this day and age it's become more and more difficult to get your foot in the door in the music business. Although you can release your own music through online distributors onto the online music vendors and streaming services it's hard to get potential listeners to discover your music. What do you think is the best way to promote your music? With social media platforms and places like BRvid for instance, any suggestions would be helpful.

The problem with Jazz is, that you have to practise a very very long time, just to have the same size of audience at the end of your carrer, as you had at its beginning.

Hey Rick! Thank you for honestly talking about music recording schools. That's why I made the site Don't Go to Recording School because the truth needs to be put out there. Thank you for saving people time and money.

"Someone needs to die"....so true. Thank you for telling the truth, Rick. People need to hear this information.

In the late 2000s, I interned at a recording studio in San Francisco called Broken Radio--formerly Coast Recorders--on 10th and Mission for about three months. It was understood that I would not be paid, I was never offered studio time or the opportunity to work on projects, and worked my ass off sometimes 12 hours a day because I wanted to show my enthusiasm and work ethic. The studio owner made it clear that I would never be hired as an assistant engineer because he didn't want to take money away from his engineer friends. He also said he always kicks interns to the curb after three months because (in his words) "you can't be an intern forever." I went into that internship expecting that I'd learn by assisting in sessions, but instead, I basically helped them by pulling out fiberglass insulation and coming home every day covered in sweat and pink fluff. Why did I keep going if I knew I wouldn't get paid and wouldn't be promoted? Because like a lot of naive kids, I thought I could change his mind.

Great video, Rick. This really is EXACTLY the sort of thing that young people in all industries need to hear - the world is changing all the time, and when you get a chance like this to hear HOW part of that's important to you is changing, you better listen.

Sad truth is that If college professors knew anything about how to make a living from music, entrepreneurship, ect. they wouldn't be college professors.

5 Years later those jobs available is likely even less. I started frequenting an analog 24t track facility after being hired for a studio session on drums. My interest in writing & producing songs was my driving force and eventually I began engineering sessions and getting paid in Iowa. Before computers. Then after Apple, Microsoft, pro tools and adat we started seeing more adds for recording schools. I had friends that went into heavy debt and never ended up in the field when all was said and done. I had a 16 track adat studio in my basement and was working out of it north of Saint Paul, MN. It didn't pay the bills but it helped. I even had people calling "me" about interning! I felt so bad for them. How many did they call before they called me, I have no idea. I realized quickly as ADAT & Cool Edit Pro software became available the studio industry was in trouble. I have a home studio and have produced things out it. The budget for a large studio is a very small market. It exists only now likely in major cities. The studio I started off in is a shadow of it's former self sadly. I found it an amazing place. I'm working with Studio 1 software now. Which for an old guy like myself is an education in itself. Best of luck out there.

In 1987 I was offered by Jack Richardson to go work with his son, Garth, in LA as an assistant engineer. Jack had been one of my teachers, and was a Great guy. I had already started in live sound, but I thought about the offer. It meant sleeping on Garth's couch for a month or so till I managed to get my own place, and I was going to be paid something like 150 bucks a week to get lunches, clean the place, set up mics and stands, you know, the "gopher" jobs, for like 14 hours or more a day. Jack said, it wasn't going to be glamorous, but it was an opportunity. As a young live soundman, I was making some money, and more things were coming my way. In the end, I turned it down. I never looked back. Nowadays, I don't know, but back then, you could almost immediately start making money in live sound whereas in the studio... no way.

Music schools are all so expensive yet the payoff is so little. It’s frustrating if you think about it.

I think that selling loops, selling beat licenses and working on sync licensing are the best ways to make a living doing music these days.

I had the same experience in Huntsville, Alabama. I ended up having to go to California to play sessions to get paid, and it worked out well!

Internships were, at lest originally, intended to be for students to get hands on experience while in school. They were not intended to be the job you get after graduation. The idea is that because it doesn't cost the employer anything to have you there, they are then able to take you in and let you help and teach you along the way. They wouldn't hire you to be a student or apprentice at that level of your experience. You would just be in their way or to expensive for what you can contribute. If they don't have to pay you though, then they might be able to justify letting you join them. Schools actually try to get businesses to agree to take on interns by offering them as a sort of free labor. It can be a win-win but if you can get a paid gig instead by all means do it. There will be more pressure on you but you will probably get more out of it.

Instead of paying a quarter million for an education that probably won't get you a studio gig, take 20 grand, find a basement apt in Brooklyn, go book 4 hours time in every studio in Manhattan, get the engineer to teach you ProTools, plug ins, signal flow, etc. (he'd rather do that than record your "shitty track"...believe me, that's what he's thinking,) be very charming and order sushi for the staff (they won't forget you,) introduce yourself to the owner or manager (after you buy the sushi) and leave your business card, telling him how badly you always wanted to work and learn in his amazing studio. Do this 6-10 times all over W.30 St., and you will get a studio job and you'll be working the console in 6-12 months. You are very welcome.

As I watched the end of this video, something occurred to me; the topic of music school and if it's worth it. I think one thing you have to consider is what you are paying for when you go to college. What you are really paying for is time; time to learn the concepts the instructor is talking about, time with like-minded individuals to bounce these ideas/concepts off of, and time to integrate these ideas/concepts into your own gestalt. I think this is a very important consideration when talking about if music school is worth it.

Rick Thanks for telling the truth about making a living in the music business. Ive been earning most of my living from music since i was 17 and im 39 now. I grew up in the 90's and many of my High school classmates went on to be pro musicians, touring, gigging, recording ... I have two friends who toured with beyonce and another two that are touring band members with 2 different major popular christian artist. Not to mention all the gigging musicians ive known that play jazz and all other styles. The other day i mentioned to my girlfriend that I was sitting and thinking about all the musicians that ive known in my life that are still playing and I couldnt think of a single one that is still surviving in this business as a full time player. Everyone here in Houston still has to teach, gig, work at a church, have a wife with a good job or be a computer programmer or have real estate rentals to survive comfortably living their dream. Most Houston musicians are employed at churches. I remember my friend posting a picture on his FB of himself playing a show in NY central park with thousands of people. That same month he told me he couldnt make the rent for the garage apt he was renting from me. Lol To all young musicians ... Good Luck!

Someone asked Frank Zappa how he was so educated in music. His answer, the library.

Why did it take so long for BRvid to recommend this video to me? (not as an ad, I am a Rick Beato follower for a long time). I have been searching for an honest and true opinion about music schools since the moment I decided that I want to study music production. Thank you! After watching this video I have decided to choose a more affordable school and focus more on putting my music out there. I really appreciate your willingness to share your experience to help young musicians ❤️

Awesome dissertation/rant, Rick. Unfortunately, rackets (and I mean that in the literal sense) like college solely exist to take your $$$. For the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars you pay for a degree, you'd think you'd get *at least* an actual, viable job lead at the end. Instead, you ultimately invest your $50K (or whatever) in a fancy sheet of paper in a wood frame; one of the biggest sucker games around.

Rick!! I bought your book (between sales) it's awesome information. However, -- I really feel that a re-publishing, with the paid assistance of somebody who's good at aesthetic layout, could make the product a hundred times cooler and more accessible to people with different brains and learning styles than you : ) I hope you consider such an investment and its universal payoff. Thanks for your SUPER info and good vibes.

I've always played by ear, self taught. However, I REALLY wish I could read Music. I think it's such an added bonus to one's Music abilities. Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

At a Berklee I learned more from other students than teachers. With BRvid, a real teacher, a couple bands playing different types of music people want to hear, you can be an excellent musician and put the college money into living quarters, mobile or stationary connected to your business,

I went to college thinking i was going to be a recording engineer, then discovered how hard it would be (the same for my major- Mass Media Communications) that's how I got to retire from the New York Stock Exchange. I basically did a temp job in their computer room, got hired, worked there long enough to get a small pension after I was elegible, Their 401k program was the difference. I got lucky in finding the right instruments in which to invest.

Thanks for exposing the reality of music schools and the post school job market.

Yes, I hold 3 music degrees, not any regrets. School shaped who I am today.

I relate to what you just said so much. I had a class in a music school in Paris on how to make a living as a musician. He was really honest and said if you wanna make a living in music, you've got to be a really good business man and not a good musician. After finishing my school I did about two years of unemployment and then went back to university. I'm currently finishing my bachelor in management and then going for a master degree in entrepreneurship. Listening to your rant makes me think I've done the right decision and you're right, the information needs to get out of there. Paying $350k sounds ridiculous but then again it's more of a north american system issue and it's a topic where I'd prefer to keep my opinion ;) This channel is awesome ! .

Very difficult; I’ve been playing and teaching for many years but all my students have been face to face and gigs were all through face to face connections but not through Social Media. I’ve seen some on You Tube very good talented musicians but hardly any views at all. Good video and yes it’s a load of hard work which music colleges should teach

some of the best pieces of advice I have ever heard. I wish somebody had told me these things 12 years ago, I would have made very different choices, even though luckily in Italy education isn't so expensive

Dear Rick. First of all I would personally like to thank you for all the good stuff..and i mean all the good stuff you put out.I do not have a music education but i get alot of gigs playing in restaurants ny just a simple business card and a two video of one of my successful gigs. I persist and persist and finally I get a shot ..i HAVE NO BRvid VIDS BUT I GET BERY MODERATELY PAYED GIGS.....Anyway long story short and I am not boasting but just trying to prove to you that what you said about being entrepreneur works. May i very strongly suggest that you kindly put out a few videos about singing because most musicians sing and play an instrument mostly guitar or piano. There are many vocal coaches out there however if you had to put out a series of videos about singing..,,,especially breathy, commercial type singing which is a vocal tone that sells commercially as you know, I am sure that we as musicians will be interested in learning or honing our craft. Maybe you can get someone else to do it or whatever works....This is an important component of the music industry and I guess you should not miss out on it. BYW I am not telling you how to do what you do which you do well imho......however it is definitely in demand, Yours sincerely Simon and many likes from me........Singing commercially in the breathy or textured tone is left out completely or vaguely addressed on BRvid and i am sure that this will attract more singers to view all your other vids. Thank you and hope you respond to my and our request. P.S. my apologies for the spelling mistakes.

right on Rick! even though one networks, it is a me biz now, back in the day someone would recommend someone, now it is about putting a face on a hit, by the publishing Co. and whoever is in the club. So happy you did this Rant & telling it like it is! Thanks for sharing and letting the up and coming, young artist that get sucked in the smoke & mirrors.

This is an interesting topic to me, as I did my BME at a private university, then I did my MM at a large public university that is considered a "jazz school". I'm an older guy, so I did this in the dial up days of AOL. I was able to make money playing gigs, still do, but I was naive about taxes. Needless to say, the situation got really messed up and took a long time to get un-messed up. Nowadays, the jazz school I went to now teaches business of music classes. I also counsel younger players about the perils of self-employment taxes, a small part of being an entrepreneur. Great channel!

Good stuff Rick! Remember the guy named Threatin who was so unhappy with the way it took so long to get seen and picked up by a label that he created a completely fake PR firm with fake "fans" so that his Facebook page looked like he was hugely popular? Look him up if you haven't. His stuff isn't that bad - he plays all of the instruments and the vocals. Look him up if you haven't heard of him before.

I'll b honest, learning the real facts about the music industry/ being an audio engineer from u has been insightful yet incredibly depressing. I've always wanted to do something with music, whether it was my band or audio engineering etc. Now learning the straight facts about the industry, it really makes me feel there's no hope for me and I want to give up.

I believe it depends what you want out of a career in music. I have one friend that went to Berkeley which lead to Jeff Gitlemen making great connections and is now a studio musician, song writer /composer and produce for HER and other artists. My other friend Tim Palmieri never went to music school and is one of the best guitarist I know has jammed with some great artists (members of Phish and Steely dan) and is currently the new guitarist for Lotus. If you have the drive and love to make it in this incredibly channeling world of music business they both have proved there is away.

Hi Rick I really like your commentaries and stories, they're very informative and eye opening!

Man Rick, I love your videos. I figured this out early on. I bought gear and learned how to use it. $400k I would setup a sweet studio with nice gear, produce others and manage bands. They are just giving all this money to a school for nothing.

Rick Beato....... Your words touched my soul in this VIDEO because i went through same situation in music education after having two master degrees one from Indiana University/Purdue University and undergraduate degree in music and i was used by people in music world in USA. So, i decided to study IT computer programming degree. when i make money as programmer, then i can make my own studio...I love to come to your place if you can give opportunity....

I worked in NYC studios in the late ‘60s, early ‘70s - very different back then. For session players, it was all about networking, punctuality, reliability, and a little serendipity.and providence. Having talent and serious chops was just assumed. Everything was on tape in a recording studio with most, if not all, of the players in attendance. A big cost factor. Being a sight reader was key. Local 802 was also factor for session players. Education was on-going, but rarely in the traditional sense. If someone was a graduate of a major music conservatory, they were likely an arranger, or someone unique like multi-talented Phil Ramone.

If you get an education degree, yes. I was talented enough to start teaching at a college without a degree at 19, but got lucky. Had no degree. Now, I do wish I had the degree. At 19, however, I knew more than my 3 bandmates who were in college for music. Now, tho, I'm the one without financial security.

Listening to your rant on the music industry brings to mind the video for Korn's 'Y'all want a single'. Video is important, song is okay but the video takes it up a lot and really echoes everything and more about your words on the state of the music industry. Great stuff, glad I found your channel.

Same with Journalism, most of the people in the Industry have well-to-do parents that can support the kids through all the "non-paying" internships, and ridiculously low-paying jobs that are available. Rick, I'm 55 too, and had to become a CPA because the "RnR" dream didn't pay well enough. Ironically, I'm now supporting $ my Daughter with the Journalism farce...

The girl promoting her dance routines is not much different to how those early hip-hop and house kids became their own producers, their own musicians, their own managers because they were shut out of the mainstream. The club scene and youth music tastes offline, like the internet today, were what made record companies start salivating. Call it 'entrepreneurs' if you will, but I get the feeling that those kids of the past were doing it for the love of it as much as wanting to get paid. Today's people are all aching to be mega-stars. I suppose a lot of the hip-hop kids were royally ripped-off too though. Almost every band that I listened to growing up were self-taught on the job - usually after hundreds of actual gigs - and a great deal of their recording knowledge was worked-out in a shed or garage on borrowed and second-hand equipment. This was still going on in the 1990s. What kind of fool would pay almost half a million dollars for a 'recording course'?! It's a bloody joke.

You make some compelling and eye opening points. BTW, I started learning piano at 4, and don't have absolute pitch, I mustn't have the gene. I like the conclusion though that it's all about having a good ear for relative pitch. My friend actually had some difficulties when learning music - he had absolute pitch. It's very helpful when transcribing music, but hated it, when I pressed the transpose button for a gig, when the singer wanted a pitch change at last minute. (I know, I should be better and not use the transpose button, but I know my limits)

Love your work ,I learn something every time I tune in!

I visited full sail 15 some odd years ago and after the tour & presentation it felt like what Ken went through was all I was going to get out of it, so I didn't go. BUT.. They did make a big deal about the networking opportunities, and Ken eventually met you, so it kinda worked out.

I love modern music ranging from electro/gothic/industrial, to pop, to heavy metal. I also like some classical. I love listening to some jazz however. It creates an ambience that makes me feel calm, whereas the other genres raise my heart beat.

Great educational video Rick. I do want you to know, that luckily for me, I did see an add for your channel on FB. Never heard of you. Had no idea what you were about, or what your agenda was. Now I have been following your channels for a couple of months, and so glad that add popped up. Keep up the great work, and I push your work every chance I get, because musicians need someone who knows and can explain the business, the music, the work that needs to be done. God Bless my friend .

Finishing up watching this right now. Your philosophy about not working for free also applies to film composer internships which don't pay? Loving the content!

I dropped out! I owe roughly $20,000 for one year! I figure if I can find a studio to take me in and teach me the old school way I would learn more! Still no luck! Now I am still broke with 5 kids and now in debt! lol

I always heard about Berkeley in the music field and never took the time to look up tuition costs, when you said $375k I almost threw up😳 I don’t care if Bach and Prince are my professors, $375k is a no for me😂 looks like I’m going to my local in state school😂😂

I've been watching a heap of your videos lately, Rick, and your subscribers have jumped approximately 4000 in just a few days! Spreading the good word ;) Love your work!

Just found this stream Rick. Your talk of needing to have a following to get signed makes sense. I believe without going on you tube with her covers, then doing her originals, we wouldn't have Dua Lipa to both ogle over or enjoy her voice and music, which I have since she was 1st singing and trying to get known over in England.

Working anywhere for 2 years and gaining no experience is a disgrace, no matter what profession. It's utterly criminal that "employers" can get away with it. There needs to be strict legislation surrounding unpaid employees where employers must prove they are giving the employee real experience. Total piss take.

When I was college age, 4 years of private music school would cost 40k. That debt could be paid back. 400k will never be paid back, that's as much as a nice house, which will benefit your entire life long term. You can pick every single topic and get a tutor for it. $2600 will buy 26 lessons from a skilled professional, and you may be able to find cheaper from younger teachers. You can teach yourself mixing, and spend the money on gear, not education. BRvid is FREE education. Pay a tutor for the parts you can't put together.

When I was a studio intern back in the 90s, I didn't get paid but I learned everything about the studio, the effects, the hardware, I recorded sessions, edited stuff on Studio Vision and Sound Tools II ( ProTools didn't even exist back then :), mixed, played with effects, wrote down sheet music on Finale, etc. I learned everything possible, for free, but at least I've learned a lot. I didn"t hoover the carpet or make coffee... WTF dude?

My idealist self was horrified that business owners are allowed to offer internships which pay zero for in essence slave labor. It sounds like they don't even try to mentor these young people, but just use them. Disgusting.

Rick, I have a question. What kind of degree or trade that is related to music in some roundabout way would you recommend to someone who already has a music degree and is in the business and why?

An older video to be sure, but there are still some hard truths here around the realities of making a living in the music industry, and the entertainment industry as a whole. Fame and notoriety carry far more currency in the modern world than skill or expertise.

Great info Rick!. Hope ur ok!, hope you can continue to be such a helpful light. All the best Rick.

Check out the Tom Petty two disc documentary. Excellent. And he fought a couple huge battles with the music industry and won. Amazing!

This is great advice for any career and not just music. Thanks.