Advice for starting a career in music?

Atavachron wrote: Other than just being damn good, seems to me it's important to know your niche.  Steve Vai got an audition (and later a job) with Zappa after simply sending him a tape of his playing.

Because i'm 17 people don't think you can really play.

or wear Rush T-shirts to auditions... we tossed a guy out of an audition for that cardinal sin 

^ let's me honest... luck has a lot to do with it.  I know we all have met a lot of skilled players who are selling copiers.. or spamming on music sites.

I'm 17 drummer and multi-instrumentalist and play with a progressive rock band and a symphonic neoclassical progressive metal band and I would like some advice from professional musicians that mainly get their income from playing and making music.

I just want to make music and play instruments in a band or solo for a living, and if i can make money to support myself that would be great.

So here are some of my questions and I'll try and read and take in any wisdom as well.

What schools are great music schools?
What are some great extra skills to have besides marketing techniques, talking abilities, and music ability?
What are some things that are just priceless to know before starting a career in music?
What are some things that you've learned along the way in your music career, that you have really benefited from?
Do I need to waste my time in high school or should I just try and get my GED and apply for music college school?

Thanks a lot.

Also currently my progressive metal band will be making a demo cd in April, which our lead singer will be taking to a playboy mansion party to sell and get people to check us out and try and get us a record deal through friends and connections.

I can also send the demo cd to music colleges i apply to so i could try and get a scholarship.

Much appreciated,
Chase


Edited by hawkcwg - March 02 2009 at 18:51