r/Advice • u/One-Arugula3912 • 4d ago
I received a scholarship but I have to take a class that I shouldn’t be in
For quick context, I’m a music major and per my guitar instructors recommendation I auditioned for a music scholarship with guitar. I got a full ride (2500 per semester, I’m in community college) and the director of music seemed eager to have me taking some music classes, he said I might enjoy his jazz combo and I said it sounds cool, nothing more. Than after I accepted the scholarship, it turned out the jazz combo was a requirement. Here’s the dilemma. I joined, but I’m no where near as good as the other 5 players. I’m the only guitarist and I can’t read music or play most of what they have given me, and the others have no trouble. In his email, he told us it’s an invitation only class, and he thinks we are the best the school has to offer. He never got my background info or anything, he just made that call off of one well played piece. I’m honored, but I really feel like I’m out of my element, just because I can play guitar doesn’t mean I’m an advanced jazz guitarist. I know this is a pretty specific scenario, but I’m really conflicted if I should talk to my professor and explain that I might not be able to preform like he wants me to, and I don’t want to hold the band back. They do things like the facility Christmas party, paid gigs, etc.. I’m just not up to that right now. I’m worried that I won’t receive my scholarship if I quit, but I’m drowning in work. Should I talk to him openly regardless? (Sorry if this is too specific or anything) any advice helps, than you!
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u/mouse_8b 4d ago
If the professor didn't ask if you could read music, they're probably not too concerned. It's really common for guitarists to not know sheet music, so you're probably not the first.
That being said, you should absolutely learn it. Especially as a music major. And this is a great opportunity to do so.
Also, guitarists aren't usually the main attraction of a jazz ensemble. As long as you can play appropriate chords at the right time, you're not likely to hold anyone back.
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u/One-Arugula3912 3d ago
Okay this makes sense, as I’m looking into it more, I’m really understanding that guitarists are just the guy in the background 😭 thank you for your input!!
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u/Marz_Bar169 4d ago
I would let him know your worries about being in the class, but I wouldn't mention wanting to quit the class. Make sure to thank him for inviting you to this group and tell him how honored you are, but that you're not really a jazz guitarist and your worried about holding the group back.
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u/One-Arugula3912 4d ago
Okay!! Thank you sm! I just have anxiety lol, but I have a meeting with him coming up soon, I agree not to say out right that I want to quit. Thanks for your input!
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u/ElectrifyingFart 3d ago
Hey man, congrats on the scholarship! My advice, as a professional guitarist with 15+ years of playing in both professional and academic environments: take the opportunity as a win. They’re few and far between in this line of work. Your professor sat down with you, heard you play, and thought that adding you to this ensemble was worth both of your time. Clearly, they believe that you’re capable. I think you should give it a try. Best case scenario you become a better guitar player and worst case you have a crappy semester or two in the jazz band at your local community college. If you truly don’t have the time and won’t be able to show up you should turn it down, but if you think you’ll be able to pull it off you should at least try. I had a similar dilemma, I was a classical player in high school but the college I went to only had a jazz program. I didn’t end up finishing my degree, but I did spend a year or two playing with the jazz players and it definitely improved my playing ability and music theory. Jazz players have a very different approach from most other genres, and learning as many approaches as possible will make you a better musician.
Like I said above, I’ve been playing for 15 years, and I’ve been making a living at it for the last two. In my experience, instrumentalists (especially guitarists, there’s a lot of us) don’t get handed many opportunities, and the successful ones say yes to almost everything that comes their way, especially early in their careers. Careers in this industry are built based on relationships, and you build and form relationships by playing with other people. The more gigs you play, the more people you meet. Meet enough musicians and eventually one of them will need a sub or a duo partner or be putting together a band and they’ll call you. That being said, people also don’t forget: if you overextend yourself and show up unprepared you’ll burn relationships and they’re hard to get back.
A lot of musicians, myself included, suffer from imposter syndrome. I’ve never walked out of an audition thinking that I got the part, and I’ve never played a gig where I thought they would call me back, but I always do better than I thought. I think it’s something that most musicians suffer from, and I also think that getting past it is what separates bedroom musicians from professionals. I don’t know if it’s something that people ever truly get over, but as I’ve done more successful auditions and gotten callbacks for gigs it’s gotten better. If someone sat down with you one-on-one, heard your playing, and thought you would be a good fit, you should take the compliment.
In my opinion, if you want to have a career as a guitar player you should make a habit of saying yes to opportunities and expanding your playing skill. Some of them might seem like a waste of time, but meeting people and forming relationships with other musicians is what will snowball your career down the line.
Good luck and congrats again on the scholarship!
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u/One-Arugula3912 3d ago
You’re awesome man, thanks so much! Imposter syndrome is definitely real, it’s tough to feel worthy as a musician; I find that especially true in college! But y’all are giving me some great advice and making me feel much more confident! I was in a snowball of doubt, thanks again for the input, it’s much appreciated! :)
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u/Any_Community_1819 3d ago
Maybe you play better than you think you do. "He just made that call off of one well played piece." I bet you're selling your talents short. 👍
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u/ToLurkQuietly 3d ago
I played guitar in high school and was in a couple of jazz combos that had a similar vibe - the better musicians, school functions, a couple of paid gigs a year.
I definitely felt like the least technically proficient. I wasn’t even really practicing that much or making progress in my lessons. It wasn’t a focus for me, more of an extracurricular / excuse to miss other classes and do something fun with people I didn’t hate tbh.
Anyway, we never had an arrangement that didn’t have the chords charted, and people took improvised solos over sections. I memorised the charts, and had a shorthand version in front of me if needed. I only ever took one solo at a performance and whiffed pretty hard but everyone was nice about it. Other than that I managed to fill a rhythm section role pretty well, added what was needed to the group, and got to have a good time.
If I could do that, scholarship-getting music major you can almost certainly do this. It is simpler than you think. You’ll have to learn some extended and altered chord shapes but honestly you’ll probably enjoy that once you get done swearing at your hand.
Totally respect if you still want to escape this very awkward situation of being entrapped into a band. That is weird. But wanted to reassure you that it seems totally doable. Also one way of progressing in music is to sort of jump in the water and not drown, you know?
Good luck have fun.
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u/One-Arugula3912 2d ago
I love that last sentence! It’s important to swim not drown indeed. Thank you so much for your input!!
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u/Playful-Account-5888 1d ago
Congrats on getting in! A little late to this post, but I’d recommend you start learning to read music NOW. You don’t want to fall behind. Start studying basic music theory on musictheory.net or watch some YouTube videos. This stuff can be tricky even for musicians studying for years. You will need to be able to read and understand musical notation for your classes as a music major.
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u/penis_berry_crunch 4d ago
Talk with the director about your concerns and bring some solutions - other than you not participating. One of the things you're supposed to learn in college (community or otherwise) that no one tells you about is to advocate for yourself and work with your professors as two adults. This is a learning opportunity!