Living in my van while attending Berklee (Boston, Cambridge: sales, houses)

[miu]

You won't be able to register and insure your van in MA without a valid address. And auto insurance isn't cheap. You'd do better to rent couch space in a multi-bedroom apartment.

[bostontopueblo]

You don't have to register your van in MA if you're a college student.

[miu]

Originally Posted by bostontopueblo

You don't have to register your van in MA if you're a college student.

True. But he'll have to have his van registered with current valid plates from somewhere...

[mmyk72]

What are you going to do when it's freezing cold or during parking ban on snow days?

[Victor14]

I'm seriously not so sure I want to go to Berklee anymore after reading some of these online forums. Overall, most people seem to agree that it is a huge waste of time and money and will not get you a job within the music industry when finished. It also seems that its not the place to do if you want to pursue something original outside of jazz. (Although I really do enjoy playing jazz-like styles).

I guess my new question is this: what are the best cities to move to for a musician? I want to start a band up, build a steady following and go on tour eventually. Really want to make something happen, bottom line. Here is a link to some of my music if anyone is interested:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LzPV-u4La0

Not putting Berklee out of the list of options completely, but the more I read, the more enlightened I become...

[K-Luv]

Victor:

You are nuts if you believe you require a college education in order to pursue a career in music. Outside of music theory and/or voice training, it is a complete waste of money (unless you want to become a member of an orchestra) and absolutely pointless.

You can learn music theory on your own and train your own voice.

I have been in many bands, toured the US a few times, and have many more friends that have done the same-with the inclusion of touring Europe and/or Asia. I cannot recall one person who received a formal teaching with their instruments. They all, like me, just picked one up one day and started messing around. We did it by just doing it. We made it happen.

Best cities for music? It really depends on what particular style you really want to go after. But, for the most part Austin, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Seattle, Portland, Or., Chicago, Detroit (yes, even after MoTown moved to LA), and San Francisco are going to be at the top. Boston is not bad itself, but Boston has some very strange social constraints that tend to hinder things (this topic is explored in other threads).

Despite being the industry hub, I would avoid LA. New York City, too.

If I had to choose one best city for music, it would be Minneapolis hands down.

[Victor14]

K-Luv:

I have been considering San Fransisco. Chicago seems promising too because of its widespread diversity for all styles of music and kinds of people. Don't think I could live in LA or New York anyways. Only to visit, its just way too crowded and the market is saturated. I'm still going to audition for Berklee, only because I've already invested into the $150 application fee. Like I said, unless they give me something substantial, I'm not going. Would go for the experience above everything else. Then again, real experience playing gigs somewhere like San fransisco and further developing my own style sounds better to me than some "jazz purist" telling me how to do everything properly, just like everyone else, and going into a long time debt in result of it.

No thanks! Ha.

It's just hard trying to figure out how to make a living and make some travel opportunities out of playing music. That is what I truly want to do. How to get there is what I'm trying to figure out.

[miu]

I would save up and check out the annual SXSW festival in Austin and network. Every city has a different music style, so depending on what indie bands you like, move to their town. However... it's really long shot to be a successful professional musician that can make a decent living on just playing your own original music.

I do think that music schools like Berklee can help make any musician more hireable as a musician in many industries. A place like that can teach you how to become a sessions musician or compose music for projects like film scores And also, as with any top school of any sort, while going there, you will be among other top musically inclined students which will only give you more career connections. Having more structured musical training will also help give you the option of becoming a music teacher should you not become some famous musical performer. Going to class with other musicians, getting along with them and working on different projects will help with future networking. And going there and keeping an open mind to different styles of music can only help broaden what you can offer future band mates and employers. Don't just stick to the style of music you like to play now.

It seems to me that basic talent and skills aren't enough to make it in most fields. Knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time are also important factors.

Otherwise, I do recommend that you have a Plan B in place should you not succeed in the music industry.

[EastCoastWoman]

So have you decided on Berklee or not? I'm hanging on the edge of my seat. Either way I wish you the best! Never let go of your dreams.

[teachertype]

Originally Posted by Victor14

K-Luv:
I'm still going to audition for Berklee, only because I've already invested into the $150 application fee.

It's just hard trying to figure out how to make a living and make some travel opportunities out of playing music.

If after auditioning you decide not to go to Berklee don't just blow it off, formally withdraw by letter, follow up by phone, and definitely request a refund of your $150 application fee. If you ask, you might get it.

K-Luv is giving you good advice. Have you thought about busking? I know people who make $200 cash in a few hours playing on the street in Boston at a good location. That's how Tracy Chapman started and got disovered; we use to listen to her play for small change on the sidewalk in front of Elsie's in Cambridge.