music theory master's degree

Go thru the grades. 

Music, the only course where coming 5th in class is perfect

Guitarhacker
if it's a case of take the test or not..... and there's nothing to lose by doing so... sure.... take the test.  It will show you where you actually are. 
 ...

Compared to that scale only!
 
But your name might be Joe Schmoe, and you have a hot band, that makes good money and you are just about retired from so much money, and you really need to know that? And how many of those musicians are trying to climb that mountain barefoot only to find that all there is up there is a hot volcano that will eat you up, because you are not good enough!
 
I still think it's all relative, and that we're not machines that have to sound just like each other in the best socialist fashion there is!

UbiquitousBubba
It might help to think of music as a fundamental part of who you are as a person rather than as a career.  Your vocation does not define you.  It pays you.  There's a difference.  Your artistry lies much deeper under the surface.  It changes how you think, how you see the world, and how you express yourself.  Your music career is not limited to a few moments in the spotlight.  It is lived out over the course of your entire life.  Musicians create music because they are musicians, not only for the money.  If no one was listening, we'd still play.  We are compelled to do so.
 
...

Thank you ... just about what I said, except you were wayyyyyyy clearer than I was!
 
Very true and every word of it.

Thanks everyone and UbiquitousBubba good point. 
 
To clear things up I'm 24 I've been playing for 6 years this being my 6th. I do want to be composer and piano player.
I always told people I don't want to go college I'm having fun just playing and composing and that all I want do.
But people keep feeling my head with no you need to go college and as much I appreciate the art of music
when I'm writing I don't think of music theory rules. I use my ears and feelings and mind. 
 
But thanks for some insight it cleared things up for me. 

 

marcus3
Thanks everyone and UbiquitousBubba good point.
...
To clear things up I'm 24 I've been playing for 6 years this being my 6th. I do want to be composer and piano player.
...

Welcome ... you do know that we are all experts on all things "COFFEE HOUSE" but that beyond here, you are on your own, right?
 
Composer/PianoPlayer ... I'm not sure one needs the piano to compose these days. You can use the piano to play whatever you want, but it doesn't have to have anything to do with the composition ... maybe you just want to play Greensleeves to the kid watching you!
 
One part is internal, and sometimes demanding and not fun. The other, is more external in that you end up concerned with everyone's response more than you should.
 
I think, and I am not an expert in this area, though I have been a writer for 25 years, that you have to get to a point where the external does not interfere with your internal experience that is helping you compose. The day that happens, you might never play again for anyone except yourself.
 
And then there is ... the composing part. In 10 to 20 more years, having a piano will be a bad joke and the new surrealistic joke will be a broken piano on top of a burro! Only took 85 to 90 years to get what it meant! You will be in front of the computer and try out this ... let's see ... string with a bass ... and you play it here ... nahh ... let's try 5 strings and a bycicle ... that's better, but not Zappa enough ... let's try 3 strings, umbrella and a garden hose ... and it's perfect ... it works  ... and you keep it. Using the "piano" to find the right mix, or the right notes, will be crazy, and a waste of learning and effort, specially when you have so many hundreds of other options available to you!
 
Now comes the bad part. Learning an instrument, will not be the future of music or composition, when so many of the folks creating music, are not even playing the damn thing, and are sampling and what not! Music folks think that their history will live forever, like they will ... and you already know that answer ... so, it might be better to think ahead a bit and realize that one choice you make, does not necessarily help the other. In that sense, a lot of the folks here, in the Coffee House, we're all ... old fashioned ... and trying to learn something new!
 
If you want to be Billy Joel, fine! ... but "composing" becomes a side effect of your ability, and comes when it comes. Maybe later in life Billy can say ... I put together many songs, but using the word "composing" might not be the right term for what he did!

Don't knock Billy Joel now!  He didn't get to marry those babes based on his looks you know.

What test?
 
I have never heard of a recognized college university granting a masters degree on the basis of a test alone. Humanities departments stay in business by devouring their young. What possible job could there be for a PhD in music, except to drone on in lectures and sit on thesis committees for bachelor in music students trying to get their masters degree. It "they" will let you get a masters degree by taking a test, I doubt anyone else would recognized the degree anyway.

FWIW, there are reasons for the education, especially if you want to be a composer.
 
Theory will teach you a great deal about chords, and writing four part harmony (important for choral writing), and counterpoint could be of real use in terms of interweaving at least secondary melodies.
 
As for learning an instrument, the more instruments you at least know about, the better, especially if you are interested in writing music for live performance.  If you end up writing parts that are not playable, the net result will not be good.  OTOH, if you are writing strictly for samples, then live performance is not an issue.
 
Also, if you know at least one instrument well, it will help give you a better idea of what others - a possible key when writing orchestral music - are up against.

marcus3
Okay here my problem and I don't understand. I've been playing piano sense 10th grade started classical last year and already composing. 
I can sight read, play and slowly composing. 
I heard I can go ask for the test but when I look it up says I've got go for 6-12 years 6 for education 6 for performing.
But I've got lot the education "taught lot myself" and understand lot it I've also started performing some.
 
So could I ask for the test or what?
Also is Ear training require I have problem with my left ear with hearing. I have always struggle playing by ear.
 
Thanks
Marcus 

I don't understand either...if I cut through all the BS I think you have one question, which is;
"Can I challenge a course?".
To find out you simply go to the Dean of the college and ask.
 
 
Here is a great place for you to start your inquiry.