7 Struggles Music Students Can Relate To, Because You Can't Stop Overanalyzing Every Song On The Radio
I was one of the many people who decided to major in music in college. In fact, I went to a school that was exclusively dedicated to studying all aspects of the music industry, and I barely took any real liberal arts courses. Though I majored in music business, it didn't stop me from experiencing all of the ups and downs of being in music school, so I can totally relate to the benefits and struggles of being a music major.
From giving up weekends spent out with my friends so I could camp out in a practice room to finish a song, to literally staying silent so I could rest my voice (which is ridiculously difficult for my outgoing self), going to music school definitely wasn't always the easiest. But even though I look back and poke fun at some of the #struggles I faced when I was in school, I know that I wouldn't change it for the world.
Going to music school was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I think it's the reason why everything in my adult life has panned out the way it has. And if you're a music major yourself, you can likely relate to these seven things.
01You Cringe When People Clap On 1 And 3
Concerts, music festivals, and any other place where you go to hear music with a ton of other people who are not music majors leaves you susceptible to hearing the dreaded "1 and 3 clap." To be fair, if you didn't major in music, you'd probably do the same, but if you did, hearing other people do it makes you cringe a little inside.
02You Have More Staff Paper Than Lined Paper
I know that I can't be the only person who took notes for my non-music classes on staff paper. Because I needed so much staff paper for all of my music classes — which took up the majority of my schedule — it didn't make much sense for me to also purchase lined paper when I could use the staff paper for all of my notes.
03Your Relatives Ask About Your "Backup Plan"
Though you and I know about all of the opportunities available to music majors post-graduation, it doesn't stop extended family from asking questions like, "So what are you actually doing after college?" Even if they don't believe that a career in music is possible, you know that it is.
04Sometimes, You'd Rather Practice Than Go Out With Friends
Every music major knows the struggle of being in a practice room at 8 p.m. on a Friday night, in the middle of perfecting something you've been working on for a while, when you get the text from friends asking you to go out that night. Do you stay in the practice room, or do you just stop what you're doing to get ready?
Though balance is necessary in all aspects of life, sometimes, you'd rather pass on going out if it means that you can nail that riff that you've been practicing, or finish the song you've been working on all week.
05You Get Too Many Facebook Event Invites To Keep Track Of
Musicians love sending out Facebook event invitations for their next gig, and because you were a music major, your profile is inundated with invites on the daily. I can't speak for other people, but I know that most of my event invites go unanswered, so I always recommend that my friends just text me if they want me to show up at their gig.
06Your Weekends Are Filled With Going To Your Friends' Gigs
Speaking of gigs, instead of checking out a new restaurant on the weekend, you're more than likely going to a friend's show, regardless of what your friend group wants to do. Your college friends perform regularly, so it only makes sense that you want to see them if you can, even if it means missing out on hangs with your other friends.
Musicians are great about supporting other musicians, and if you can find any excuse to listen to live music, you do. (It's even better if you know someone who's in the band!)
07You Overanalyze Every Song You Hear On The Radio
Going to music school may or may not have ruined listening to the radio for you. Instead of just jamming out the way you used to in high school, you now listen to the chord progression, lyrics, and melodies intently, dissecting it to determine whether or not you think it's "written well."
Just remember to just sit back and enjoy the music every once in a while, because there's nothing like turning the radio up, rolling the windows down, and belting out the words to your favorite pop songs.
