hey guys and gals,

i'm a 22 year old professional musician. i started on guitar when i was 9, began studying piano when i was 18, and have been able to live off of gigs one way or another for the past 3 months.  

about 2 months ago i was fortunate enough to fall in with a live hip-hop group fronted by a pretty heavy hitter in the industry and i now have the opportunity to start a nationwide tour with the band. for the record, i don't completely dig the music that we're making - i love hip-hop, but most of the musicians (including the band director) aren't the best of players, and i find it frustrating to have to play rock covers as instrumental band showcase tunes and have tunes that i bring to the table shot down because the guys can't handle them (and not giant steps or anything - latin/funk/r&b type stuff.)

anyways, my question is this - i dropped out of school 2 semesters ago, and i really want to go back - my reading still sucks, and i know i could really benefit from a performance degree, but of course, a national tour could be a once in a lifetime deal, right? i'm pretty torn...

i know i could go back to school after i get back, but i also know it'll be increasingly difficult to do so. jazz is my passion, and i really want to become a better player. whattya think?

mike
There are 2 comments, leave a comment.
i don't see how you would benefit from a performance degree unless you envision a college teaching career. although it would not hurt to get one, you can certainly become  a great player without it. i don't think i'd pass up a lucrative gig for that.  just make sure you continue to nurture your own personal musical interests.

(i didn't finish my degree or nurture my own personal interests)

oh well...just my thoughts:)
i agree with dr whack's view. perhaps you could get 'performance counselling' later for areas that you consider necessary. imho that would be just as useful to you and maybe you could affored to hire the best then.  you have plenty of time.
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