Damn! Advice Please? (Page 1 of 2)

Rus, I can only speak for myself. One can never have too much higher education. Your musical education so far has, for the most part,  been self taught I think. You've done well IMO. I've learned to never second guess my decisions. Make them and hold fast. You imply that music is a lesser choice and serious study is tough. You have studied hard and been successful. Why take the easy road now? The music avenue will always be there.  Best of luck either way.
Rick

Education is always a good thing. If it wasn't for what I'm currently doing now, I would totally be in grad school. There's always the option to go back too.

For those of us outside the UK, there is a difference in secondary education. 6th form is the equivalent of our junior and senior years in high school. (Education is only compulsory in the UK until age 16.) The two years of extra study are for preparation to take advanced exams  for entry to university. Check Wiki for the precise explanation. College here and there have different meanings as to level of education required for admission. College there is more like a vocational school. The votes for college by US members assume it is equivalent to a 4 year university here.  (correct me if I have it wrong)
Rick

After further consideration, since you are still a minor, parents' choice takes precedence. If that is against your wishes, well, that is a source of blues too. 
Rick

Joe would say stay in school. I have heard him tell young players that. He loves what he does don't get me wrong but he is a one in 100 million exception to the rule of excelling at one the toughest business there is.

Don't pursue music if you aren't passionate and willing to take a vow of poverty to practice your craft and live the life of a musician. So few actually earn a living at it. You have to be 100% committed to it which is the recipe for success in all career choices. You can however have a career and still enjoy music as a hobby.

I would say study business in school and study music on your own. If you have a career in music having business knowledge will help you succeed financially. Joe didn't study music in school. He did pay attention to the music business as it unfolded around him.

Once more the devil's advocate...

Joe has also said to aspiring youth, "Be yourself.........".  IF being in a boring school room (or online class these days) learning accounting "isn't me", why waste time, effort, and chance for an immediately different approach???  Maybe that means saying to anyone / anything in your way to your achievement of any G-O-A-L (s), step aside, I am coming right on through.  No vow of poverty is needed, if frugality is more palatable try that always instead.  There is a difference.  As there is also ALWAYS a difference between wants and needs.  SO much of one's life can be determined by others.  There is never any escaping that.  Prisoners with long sentences know exactly how that works.  They also plot what it takes to either gain their freedom or maintain it (whether fully legal or fully illegal or blurred distinctions) once they are finally released.  Any doubts are best left to doubters...

By the way, I am not anywhere near in total disagreement with the stay in school parties Russ, as your poll only has differing choices of staying in school, with no quit school and rock out option.  That is why I offered all this other material up, and because sometimes looking for the light at the end of the tunnel involves knowing which way IS the light and which way is not (for you and each of us personally).

In closing, in the US of A , finishing high school is considered to be what everyone SHOULD do, and is pretty good advice.  Without tabbing a vote above, I would suggest the equivalent of that for you is 6th form, although I do not know how that effects one's post 6th form job or schooling "market". Peace! And much love.

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! "
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”

No need for accounting. Leave that for the bean counters. You only have to count it if you make it. To make it you got to market it. Marketing is what a musician needs. Before you can hire it out you have to do it yourself for awhile. Like Deezer said in today's music industry it is do it yourself. A record deal can be a curse instead of a blessing.

Joe has been writing the book on how to succeed in todays music business. He has talent but more than anything he had a vision. He has been social marketing and tribe building for the past 10 years and he never read any books by Seth Godin or Malcom Gadwell the new marketing guru's that preach marketing in a new way. Most successful business men have instincts but it helps to be exposed to ideas.

Life is about learning. If all you learn is scales and modes then all you can do is play from charts  playing from the heart is best but controlling your career might take a bit of planning and knowledge other than formal music lessons.

Joe missed out on a lot although most people would trade his early career experiences for their High School Prom. Stay in school at least till age 18. There is no need in growing up to fast.

So, the overwhelming advice looks like .... stay in school 
~ Brack ~