FAQ

Before you read this. Please know that I DONT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS with regard to the school. If you want a complete picture of what its like, please VISIT AND NAVIGATE THE WEBSITE. Anyway here are some of the questions that people throw at me.

1. I suck at reading notes and notation. Should i still audition?

YES. Why?

First of all. Let me tell you that THAT IS EXACTLY WHY YOU WANNA COME TO THE SCHOOL. You wanna learn music and develop your craft. Berklee is NOT a school you go to only if youre already good. I mean TRUE there are a lot of talented people here who are so insane with their performance, singing and instruments and TRUE, you would save a whole lot of money testing out of core subjects (harmony, ear training and arranging) if youre good. But there are those people who are like you and me who has a heart to learn. Don’t sweat it too much. The audition panel will not shut you down. They’ll even help you out.

Secondly, please do not make that your excuse. So what if you dont know how to read notes yet? LEARN IT THEN. The audition part of the Berklee website has guidelines on how to go about your audition it will give you an idea what will happen on your audition day. You have tons of time to prepare for it. So do it now. If you want to have some changes in your life, you have to suck it up and work on it right now. Its hard but its not IMPOSSIBLE. It also builds your character.

2. Any tips on how to start reading notes?

I have to tell you. Honestly? I STILL SUCK AT IT. (keyword = still, in the future hindi na yan haha -  Feb 14 2009). But what my guitar lab teacher told me, and the millions of other people who went for it is. You only need around 15 minutes a day of reading to get better at it. Think about it this way, you cant lift a set of 100 pound barbells from the get go, you have to work at it each day in little increments.

Try it. Even if you suck always the key there is the 15 minutes everyday. Youll see the gradual change in your playing and reading.

3. How much do you have to spend to audition?

If im not mistaken, theres a 100-150$ application fee. You must check the Admissions department regarding this because thats where you will do all the paperwork in order to audition if youre really serious which means YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE DECIDED IF YOU WANNA AUDITION OR NOT CAUSE THATS A LOT OF MONEY.

I was just advised that YOU CAN WAIVE THE APPLICATION FEE. If you prove documentation that you are financially challenged and could not possibly afford to pay it. You have to give them documentation and proof from your current school (im not sure about this so just please ask the admissions office regarding this)

4. Is Berklee a Jazz school?

NOT JUST THAT. Its a school for contemporary music. There are a lot of Jazz Cats tho and a lot of jazz in the curriculum for those who love that style of music. But Berklee is not limited to just Jazz, there are a lot of students here with different musical backgrounds, From Traditional to Hiphop, breakbeats, Rock, Funk, Swing, Latin, Salsa, Samba, Merengue, Jazz, Spoken Word, DJ-ing, Techno, Trance, Industrial, Pop AND SO MUCH MORE. And you just dont study HOW TO PLAY THEM. You also learn how to apply all those ELEMENTS into your own style and see where you go from there if you end up being a Producer, Record Label guy, Songwriter, Artist, Engineer, OR WHAT HAVE YOU. Check number 5.

5. What can i study in Berklee?

A LOT. If you really wanna know go to their website and check out the programs and major grids.

6. What kinds of scholarships are available?

Check it out in the Berklee website!

7. If i pass the audition will i instantly get a scholarship?

No, the admission and scholarship awarding are 2 different things that are being judged in one audition. You may pass the audition and not get a scholarship.

8. How many times can i audition?

IF IM NOT MISTAKEN. You can audition once a year. (12 Months after your previous audition) as much as you want.  I myself had to audition twice. I passed the first time but i just auditioned again JUST TO TRY to get a scholarship.And the cool thing about it is, (AND I THINK IT STILL APPLIES NOW) is that you do not have to pay the application fee again since you already did it. (DONT QUOTE ME ON THIS, ASK THE ADMISSIONS DEPARTMENT)

9. Im really interested about this.

Well do something about it! Research on the audition guidelines and join the Berklee in Manila Yahoogroups to get updates. You may also get your updates in the WordPress Blog.

And if you go to the Berklee website they have a INFORMATION PAGE where you can request for info. (There so helpful im not kidding) What happens after you fill in a form is that they send you a Book on the school FOR FREE. Isnt that cool? Theyre so helpful.

10. How much is the cost estimate for one school year?

Just so you can digest it now. Its around 48,000USD (around 2.5M php) for a whole school year (2 semesters). The cost estimate includes personal expenses like food and all of that stuff.  if you dont get any kind of scholarship. I know this is a RIDICULOUS amount. And it took me a while to digest this. So i understand if you take your time to digest this extremely high amount.

DONT GET DISCOURAGED. Just keep at your audition. I will level with you right now and tell you that its not impossible to get a scholarship. And I think that IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH, youll do something about it. Go for fundraisers. Or whatever. NOW AT LEAST YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED. When you get around to digesting it, you can begin to work at it in small increments.

AND NOW THAT YOU KNOW THIS AMOUNT. Im sure you would want to look at those audition guidelines now to really HACK it in your audition and get a scholarship. Show them how ridiculously talented you are. GO GO GO! You can do it!

11. Whats so different about this school anyway?

Berklee is not like any other school. It teaches music to what is relevant to the times. The curriculum is always updated and it does not end with learning notes. You get so much information and get helped with how to apply what you learn in real life. Its not uptight. Its not snobbish. Theyre very helpful actually. You can ask questions as much as you can and not get shut down by the teachers. The teachers really know how to teach and dont just say all the information and leave you wondering whats up you know what im saying?

Like today in Ear Training, we were doing some dictation using Coldplays “The Scientist” its very fresh and very diverse. You come here with an open mind and let them teach you. I say navigate the school’s website more and find out what youre missing on.

12. Im really intimidated with the school. Should i just go to a local school of music? Should i just settle for what i have now?

Its really up to you and what you want. If you want to stay in your school now, then stay, If you really like it there then dont ruin your pace already. BUT IF YOU KNOW SOMETHINGS TUGGING AT YOU. IF YOU KNOW YOU REALLY WANNA COME. Then why prevent yourself? Whats the worst that could happen if you audition anyway? You pay a couple of thousand pesos for the application fee and dont get accepted? So what? You can just auditon again and get more value for it 12 months after. The panel wont ridicule you, theyll even give helpful insight on your playing. I say its a mix of Randy and Paula if translated to American Idol setting. HAHA. And thats professional advice youre getting. These people know what theyre doing. You come home enriched whether or not you pass.

13. Whats the audition process like? What was it like FOR YOU?

You may view that in the website. But its basically an Audition and Interview that will last you around 20-30 minutes. Its pretty fun. Dont get intimidated. Loosen up and do your thing.

In my audition, i did my prepared piece (Red Hot Chili Peppers “Funky Monks” and Jim Hall’s “Simple Samba”) and then did some scales, some rhythm call and answer thing, A hearing thing where i had to play back the melody they sang to me on my guitar (for singers i think you need to sing it back, goes for drummers as well) and then a call and answer rhythm thing where i had to clap back the rhythm they did. A jam session with one of the panelists for them to assess my improvisation and taste and finally (!!!) a LITTLE bit of sight reading (WHICH I TOTALLY SUCKED AT, i totally fumbled at this) and then went on to my interview.

In my interview i basically met with the Admissions Officer and asked me 2 questions. He said “You seem to be enjoying a career already, most people in Berklee would give up studying to be sort of in your shoes (meaning to have a band, albums, tours, etc.) Why are you doing the opposite?” I basically said i wanted to learn more and know for myself that i know what im doing. I decided to be a musician and world class is what i should aim for.  And for me, theres no other school but Berklee because i believe in it being a contemporary school of music. If it were a conservatory of some sort, i wouldnt even be interested. I dont feel comfortable in a rigid uptight academic environment that my mind is not stimulated in. It may work for others but not me. And while its true that people may think that what i have is great, i KNOW for myself that it only seems that way because i know i can still improve and this is exactly why im doing something about it.Berklee has been my dream school since High School and i have to AT LEAST try. If i dont pass, so what? at least i tried. I have no regrets.

The other question was “There are currently 1,200 guitar players in the school, how will you differentiate yourself?” I said “I dont know, but what i know is, i am just gonna keep on working at what i need to work on and if i pass then thats cool, if not, then thats cool too at least i tried” And for some reason the Admission Officer said “Thats exactly the answer i was looking for” HAHA.

So just a tip, just be humble and honest. Theyre not looking for someone who SEEMS great but someone who would shut up and work instead of just talking about how great he is all the time. You get my drift? Esse Quam Videri “TO BE RATHER THAN TO SEEM” is the school’s motto.

14. I was reading on the audition piece and they said “CONTRASTING” pieces.

This is a good question. I just looked at it like “strength” and “weakness” piece. (THIS ADVICE MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST) but it would definitely help if you showed them YOUR STYLE, what youre most comfortable playing so they will know WHERE YOU ARE AT in terms of your playing or singing. So they can assess you properly. If you play something thats UNCOMFORTABLE for you then it will really show. Dont play a Jazz piece if youre not comfortable with Jazz. Play something you like and at the same time shows your skills.

15. Can i do an original song for my audition piece?

I think so. But they prefer covers BECAUSE at least they have a reference point. If you do an original, they wont know where to base it from. Sure they can assess it but it would be easier in terms of assessing if you do a cover. (ASK THEM DIRECT, IM NOT SURE ABOUT THIS, THIS IS WHAT THE PANEL TOLD ME WHEN I ASKED THEM BEFORE)

16. Im not good. I suck, my friends, teachers, girlfriend, boyfriend, mommy and daddy says that its a waste of time.

Its okay. No one is perfect. You can always work on it. That just means that you being “NOT GOOD” is your starting point. Imagine if you worked on it. And people saw improvement kahit small increment lang. Isnt that something?

17. What the interview for?

Its for them to see you as a person and your goals as a musician. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE AUDITION PROCESS BECAUSE HERE IS WHERE THEY SEE YOUR HEART. THEY SEE IF YOU HAVE GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS FOR YOURSELF. I believe (UNTIL NOW) that the reason i passed was because of my interview AND NOT my audition itself. HAHA. I sucked in my audition and totally messed up the reading part.

18. Are there cute girls / guys in Berklee?

Depends if you’re cute or not. HAHAHAHAH KIDDING.

MORE QUESTIONS SOON! KEEP EM COMING!