Question - “I am looking at possibly going to Full Sail for music business course and was just wondering if you think that would be a good way to get started. Also being someone that is in the business do you ever hear anything about how Full Sail is as a school/ preparing students for the music industry?”
Answer -
To be completely honest I’ve never really heard of the courses at Full Sail and to be even more frank I’m not the greatest fan of these online music business schools.
I’m sure that these music business degrees and courses have a lot to offer however my experience and observations tells me that more can be achieved, discovered and understood by venturing down the scary and unpredictable “do it yourself” path.
I don’t really believe for a second that these courses will teach you anything you couldn’t figure out after reading a few books, following a couple experts online, getting some proper advice, mapping out a vision path for yourself and diving in head first into the exciting world of the music business.
Granted you will learn a great deal and if the course is worth it’s weight the teachers will have some sound experience to hand over, however my gut feeling is that you can always learn and prosper more in the field by getting your hands dirty than by learning what Mr X wrote about in the text book and spoke about in the classroom.
Going through the ups and downs of real life experiences can never be beaten.
If the truth be told, I actually attended one of these music business schools many moons ago. I decided to drop out half way through because I thought the whole thing was a joke.
Maybe I have been scared by these organizations but my general vibe is that these music business schools usually oversell you on the marketing side with great slogans and images but under-deliver you on real value in terms of real industry insights.
I can tell you now that no record company, booking agent, manager, publicist, tour promoter or publisher will ever employ you because you went to Full Sail.
The general rule of thumb is that you either know someone who knows someone, you bust your balls and offer your services for free to get that lucky break or you break all the rules and go out on your own accord and make something happen yourself.
I have more faith in guys like Bob Baker and Ariel Hyatt in their ability to teach and educate through their sites than the amount of money you’ll end up spending attending these courses.
Imagine for a moment you took the money you are potentially going to invest into the tuition of this music business school and invest it in yourself?
Start your own label?
Start your own booking agency?
Go and offer your services for free somewhere for a period of time to get a better shot at getting your foot in the door – supplement your income with the money you would of spent on that course for that period of time.
You’ll be sure to learn ten times more than what you’ll hear through these online courses. You’ll not only learn but you’ll also meet people and grow your network which is something none of these music business schools can help you achieve.
The road less traveled is never an easy path however the truth in my opinion is that you can learn more by taking the initiative, reading the books yourself and getting out there and making it happen on your own accord!
Tertiary education is great if you want to learn economics or law or accounting but to discover how to become a band manger does not require you to enroll in a music business course
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