I finish my recording arts program this coming August (I start the final semester tomorrow). I'm starting to get the hang of things, finding my way around the studio (analog or digital), standards, electronics and whatnot. I've even managed to impress some people with my improved mixing abilities, helped by my better understanding of certain effects and classes in mastering.

However I still have one thing that bugs me: my chops are crap. And it's not because I don't play enough. I play for at least an hour or two every day. I'm just not progressing, though.

So I was thinking about maybe heading back to college and taking a diploma in musical studies. It's a three year program. One of my buddies is finishing his second year now (he's in for singing) and he has improved dramatically during his time at the college. And to think he could impress everybody before.

Anyone ever done any studies (other than private lessons) in music? What are your experiences?

First, what's up with the thread title?

Secondly, what types of intruments have you played?

You name it, I've played it.

I've been playing piano since the age of 7.

I was musical director and teacher for a cadet corps fanfare for two years. I can play most woodwind and brass instruments, although I am more agile with a sax (alto) or a trumpet.

Right now my main instruments are bass and guitar. I just don't where to go to learn anymore, I don't seem to have enough self-discipline to seek out and learn new theory, new styles, new techniques. I don't even know where to start.

Back when I played regularly, I could bend a note on the alto by a whole step. Haven't really played in 4 years though

That's pretty neat. Did you ever had a chance to conduct a group or band class (does this go under "musical director")?

Musical director = conductor

Sorry, I was thinking in French. :p

Who cares about technical ability? You don't need to wank to make good music.

CAN U PLAY BAGPIPES?????///////

[QUOTE=Mr. Stafford]CAN U PLAY BAGPIPES?????///////[/QUOTE]

.

jazz chords. good for chops.

alternate picking everywhere. good for chops and comfort.

musical studies are good when you've got a decent grasp of theory but have trouble jamming. technique will come by playing and metronoming. that's what they'll have you do as well.

if you want a good education, consider Alma, a much more rock oriented college. and who says you need to finish the course? music is a wierd field for that.

like i've been saying so many times lately. stop thinking and just play.

Are you playing challenging enough music?

Are you listening to different kinds of music? Have you tried learning a sax solo on the bass? What about some Chopin on the bass? Start learning stuff that "shouldn't go together". That helps me sometimes.

A buddy of mine was a sound engineer at a studio in Ft. Lauderdale. He got to meet some pretty cool people doing that (and he's the best sound engineer I've ever worked with too).

Transcribe. Every damn day.

Works for famous people, and is helping me. I mean, Steve Vai played with Frank Zappa because he sent him transcriptions of his music and Frank was like 'Who the **** has time to do this? What a loser. He must be good'.

Playing with a band has helped me a lot. Guitar and keys.

But I have a feeling I am nowhere near as skilled as you. Yet.

Of to practice.

I don't understand how your chops are bad, you play the wind bag so often.

improvisation also helps alot. use your damn scales in wierd ways. add chromatic notes, mix the minor/melodic/harmonic scales to get exotic tones. go crazy over chord progressions. no one can hear you. keep it melodic, but try to add a lick or two when you feel like it.

also. a healthy practice of most diminished seventh arpeggios will help with left/right hand coordination.

i listen to alot of piano music to get ideas on single guitar melodic lines.

practice what you don't know. my practice sessions are never the same. i always try to invent some new voicing/arpeggio/scalar pattern and i play it for maybe 10-15 minutes to traumatize my fingers into learning it. then i look at the theory behind the pattern and try to fit a chord progression over it.