Hi all! If you or your child is going to be applying to Berklee, here are some things to consider.
- They tell you to have at least two years of private instruction on your voice or instrument for a reason. The audition process is not exactly grueling, however you definitely should know your stuff.
I wont go into details about what exactly you should and shouldn’t do. Berklee is very accommodating and takes in musicians of all backgrounds. I for example am a classical guitarist! Anyway, let’s just be real. If you are applying to a 4-year bachelors program in an extremely competitive school for about $120,000 dollars… you shouldn’t just be learning your scales and chords.
DON’T BE A SLACKER!
They say Berklee is so hard to get accepted to, because of the percentage of applicants that get rejected/accepted. Personally from what I’ve seen about those applicants, I have my own theory about why those percentages are the way they are. Berklee attracts hippies. Most of the musicians here are guitarists (though its EXTREMELY diverse), and it seems that guitarists who don’t want to go to a “real” college see Berklee as a haven where they can just play guitar all day and have fun.
WRONG. WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!
Berklee is COMPETITIVE. The core material that EVERYONE must take is ALL ENCOMPASSING and extensive.
Just do this. Learn:
- Major/minor/diminished scales
- Major/minor/ Diminished arpeggios
- 7, Major 7, Minor 7, diminshed chords
Learn those things and a good performance piece that you can play well. There you go. Welcome to Berklee. Not so hard! Also, the big one is learn how to read sheet music. Tough I know. Deal with it 
hope that helps!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice advice Spencer. I think you will help loads of students who want to get to Berklee plus help people with their expectations.
Ah, this is it? I was learning so much about Berklee!
Thank you so much! I hope you update soon, Spencer!
Maybe we’ll meet someday. Take care!
Charles
Thanks Share, tell my dad I said hey-o!