Choosing the right music school is an important decision. A music course is a serious commitment in terms of your time and potentially your finances and it can have lasting consequences on your career prospects, creativity and personal development. So it’s important to make sure that you have considered all the factors before making your choice. Here’s few things to bear in mind when considering your options:
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Every music school will tell you that they are the best. Is this just their opinion or can they back it up with independent awards or accreditations from industry manufacturers? Point Blank has been voted “Best Music Production School” for the last six consecutive years.
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It’s all very well studying and learning the skills that you need, but what opportunities are available once you have completed your course? What have other students gone on to do? How can your music school help you to achieve your aspirations? Point Blank offers its students publishing opportunities with Universal Music and many go on to work in the music industry. Click here to learn more.
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You should definitely visit the music school and check out the facilities for yourself. It might look great on the website, but the reality can be very different. How many studios are available to you? Are they well equipped? Are they light and spacious or darkened rooms in a basement? Remember - you’ll be spending a lot of time here so make sure that you are comfortable with your learning environment. Point Blank offers studio tours every week. Contact us to make an appointment.
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How many people are in each class? Does everyone have their own workstation to use in class or are you expected to share with others? You are going to get much more one-to-one coaching from your tutor in a smaller class so be prepared to be flexible on which days you study if you prefer to learn in a smaller group. Point Blank teaches in small groups and every student has their own audio workstation.
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How knowledgeable are the tutors? Have they worked with artists that you have heard of,
or are they just ex-students from the college? Ask to see their biogs and check their credentials for yourself. Every tutor at Point Blank is a an experienced professional. Click here to learn more about their experience and the artists they have worked with.
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How helpful are the admissions staff? Are they interested in what you want to achieve and are they able to offer advice on the right course for you? Everyone has different interests, experience and aspirations so a single “one size fits all” approach doesn’t always work. Make sure that the music school can offer a course that is right for you. Click here to contact a course advisor at Point Blank.
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Do you receive a certificate or diploma at the end of your course? If so, is this certificate recognised by employers? It’s also worth checking whether the course is validated or accredited by an external exam board. Many music industry employers value skills and experience as much as qualifications so check that your music course can deliver what you need. What is most important to you – a recognised qualification or skills and experience? Click here to learn more.
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Like any other skill – when it comes to music production, practice makes perfect. Does the music school have enough studios to ensure that everyone has adequate time to practice what they have learned? Are there trained staff on hand to help you when you are practising in the studio? The studios at Point Blank are open to students 7 days a week for the duration of their course.
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How much time is actually spent making music? You would be surprised how many music courses focus upon weeks of theory before you even set foot inside a studio . If creating music is what you are interested in then make sure that your course is based around hands-on practical skills.
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Does the music school teach on the kind of equipment that you actually have access to? Or are they grabbing you attention with a huge mixing desk and 5:1 surround suites that you are not actually going to be able to use during your course. How relevant is this equipment to the kind of music that you are actually making? Remember these days it’s the skill and creativity of the producer that makes great tunes - not necessarily vastly expensive studio gear.
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Can your music school get discounts for you on essential equipment and software or help with your travel expenses? Costs can add up whilst you are studying so every saving you make can help. Point Blank students receive educational discounts from Apple, Steinberg & Native Instruments. Students can also apply for discounted Oyster cards for travel in London.
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Don’t be taken in by “free” offers of ipods, laptops and the like. Some schools grab your attention with the offer of “free” gifts but if you look a little further you’ll see that they are grossly overcharging you on course fees in order to be able to do this. Check out what is actually included in your course fee and how it compares with courses of a similar length elsewhere. Likewise – if a course is much cheaper than all the others then you should ask your self “why?”. It’s probably because the tuition or facilities are not up to scratch. When it comes to music courses, you get what you pay for.
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