Laselle Audition(guitar)

[Cheez]

OK, no need to be too harsh at this stage! We all have dreams. And there's nothing wrong with dreams. In one sense, we need to be realistic. But on the other hand, it's these passions and dreams (be it of youth or not) that makes living more than just making sure our food is on the tables. So, we should be careful not to snuff out the "youthful" dreams too quickly. It's crazy people who lives "unrealistic lives" that invented things like the light bulb!

Ok, having said that, I'm not saying don't be realistic. Let's keep it a balance. So......... my advice would be:

Go for the audition. Do you best and have fun. Try your best to get in. If you don't, you would have gained an experience. You may never have that experience again in the future. If you do get it... then I would suggest slowing down and consider other options available to you. That's when reality check is important. But that doesn't mean you give up your dreams. And that doesn't mean you should not pursue music as your career. Having explored all options, and after much considerations (and talking to your parents), and if you should still decide that, then go for it and don't look back.

 

[Heyn]

Thx cheez, well if i get in, theres someone in there to guide me. My bro! lol...

 

[teraslasch]

choose your path, stick with it, and don't regret, thats all i gotta say. these kinda things very personal, you should not let other ppl's opinions get all over you, think carefully over what you REALLY WANNA DO in LIFE. Once you made the choice theres no turning back.

 

[Cheez]

If you do get in, please tell us. It's not about pursuing music or not. With any career choice, one must go slow and look at options. Sometimes, one decision and turning back will be difficult.

Of course, the main concern is that you are young and choosing career is still early. That's why it's good to have choices. Nobody wants to waste years of their lives pursuing something that may not work out for them, although sometimes these seemingly "wasted" time may proof helpful in life.

I've wanted to do a few things when I was younger. At the last moment before taking the plunge, I changed my mind after talking to a number of people. My decision was made literally at the eleventh hour. So, talking to people helps process your thoughts.

But it's still early. Finish your O's first.

 

[Murdoch]

Honestly dudes, I don't really think anyone's really answering his question.
First of all, just because you get a music tech or music diploma doesnt mean you HAVE to be a sound engineer.
You can be a freelance techcrew for events/lightings...etc.
You can even be a sales executive or smth.

I understand very well what some brothers are saying about reality and how passion is nothing and such.
I agree to a certain extent.
The local 'scene' has too many sound engineers yet too little bands who are recording at the moment(IMO).

My advice is to keep your options open.
If possible, try to get 2 diplomas.
Music technology is really something very specific.
You might wanna try taking up..perhaps Film Sound Video @ NYP.
Alternatively you can get smth else that you're less interested in but believe you can make it your career.
Being a sound engineer/producer full-time is not very possible in my opinion.

Ok now, back to your question.
I've been for the music tech audition.
Basically I would advice bringing an acoustic.
I brought an electric and there was no amp. :O
So yea, my 2 interviewers had to go source for an electric guitar amp .......not too good for a first impression was it?
Played 2 songs(covers) followed by a home recording.
Honestly, I believe you should bring down a couple of home recordings and/or remixes you did.
Because afterall, this music technology, this is what you're gonna do.
If you already have some knowledge, it will boost your credibility.
Lastly, they'll ask you to read music notations or smth.
Well, back then I couldn't read lar...so yeaaaaaaaaa.
Blank paper.

The interview ended with them saying, "We'll let you know in a few weeks, however, have you considered taking contemperary pop?"
So yeaaaa, I never got in, a year later, I got into NS.

I think it's essential that you know how to read music notations.
Also, don't be nervous and screw up, lol.
Make sure you attempt to bring down some remixes!
If you have a band and have some recording, bring it down also.
I honestly believe, if you don't have any remixes or home recordings.
Bring your band recordings down and stuff.
If you can't do home recording but wanna be more credible.
The next time your band records, or you can get a friend's band recording.
Get the raw seperated tracks and mix it at home.

It's good to have passion in something.
However, always plan for the future.
Having an ABRSM grade is cool too, maybe you can end up as a music theory teacher also.
LOL.
Okay man, bro.
All the best, lemme know about the outcome.

 

[biopromax]

Life is short peeps

I prefer to have a carreer in the passion I love.

Killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

 

[Murdoch]

Then we'd have alot of full-time musicians, lol !

 

[MichaelAngelo]

haha i so agree with DoubleBlade! In the heat of my passion for playing guitar in a band during sec school days I could never ever see myself putting the guitar down and i practiced guitar like 4 hours a day on average.

Fast forward a mere 3-4 years later, I don't even touch my electric guitar at all! Got sick of the whole "rocker" thing, now i strum and sing to an acoustic guitar every other day..haha..

Don't say anything about passion, if you've got no money at the end of the day, what passion is there to speak of? I used to be driven by some vague ideals, having stupid assumptions that though I'll never make a living from a band in Singapore, i could easily do so in Australia or something, bullcrap i'd say! This is also why I don't give much of a shit about genres, or whatever rockers tell me about "staying true to your roots" or how they'd reject every song on radio as bad. I used to be like that, now i think thats mighty foolish! One reason I came to poly(against the advice of parents and friends) was because I assumed that poly life was "easier"(so that i'd have time to work on the music career i envisioned) when my course turned out to be more heavy than JC, especially in the first year, I did badly and now I'm stuck with a rotten GPA, despite improving loads recently, its a case of too little, too late.

Okay, after saying so much, I know that the "passionate" will not comprehend this, I didn't agree with such advice when I was "hot about rock" either, and I understand that, just dont want anyone to make decisions they'd regret!

 

[cold_static544]

i think what he means is that idealistic is one thing.

got balls, got hardwork to go follow it through is another.

 

[redname]

to the threadstarter:

i jus wanna ask, watever gave u the idea tht slow songs cant get u in & fast songs can?

fact is tht its actually harder to play a slow song well. if u choose a slow one & play it well, displaying dynamics, feel etc..., it'll be better then jus shredding away.

plus, if u can display ur understanding on how come u chose a slow song, it'll show ur understanding of music & the interviewers might be impressed

 

[Heyn]

Well thx guys, sure i will let u all know.
And ya i'm grade 3 in theory

 

[suckasucks]

how about 1 fast, 1 slow and 1 which is more of an improv or home recording? IMO that would show more skills.

 

[Murdoch]

He chose one fast and one slow song because La Salle audition states for 2 songs to be of different style or smth.

 

[Dime]

its been months and no update whether he got in?whats a ABXXX ?is it like a guitar cert?