Studying Music/Music Theory in College Leaving Me Disappointed
My goal as a guitarist is to improve at jazz and musicianship in general, but in my 2nd semester as a Music Major at a Community College, I am having doubts about continuing next semester. The 1st semester was golden as the Fundamentals of Music Theory class truly was helpful in so many ways to solidify foundations! Playing in the jazz band was also very helpful getting me to comp and solo in an actual band, really helped me a lot! Applied Music, the lessons with the teacher was basic, but very important basic stuff I needed to nail down.
Now in the 2nd semester, I hate singing solfege, we do these ridiculous Curwen hand signs, and the majority of the semester is writing 4-part harmonies in the style of the Common Practice Period. Piano class is a requirement too. I don't know how much of this will help me as a jazz guitarist, and although it is helpful in the lessons and the jazz combo, I feel starting this summer, I may be better off studying jazz theory on my own for here on out and forming my own band. So much, but not all, of cool stuff I do on guitar during soloing, I learned outside of school anyway. I seem to be the only person that knew the 7-3, 7-3 voice movements in 2-5-1s. A lot of the students are unenthusiastic and rarely analyze or discuss the songs. I want to break down ideas of soloing over the changes and barely anyone really cares. I complain to the teacher/director and he pretty much shrugs it off as something like, "Eh, it's just community college, can't do much about it."
I originally wanted to transfer to a 4 year university Music Major with a jazz emphasis, but then I was wondering if I'll have professors telling me stuff like this is the ONLY and CORREC T way to play jazz and dampen my creativity.
Anyway, any advice would be helpful!
Thanks!