Hello there,

I study music since I am 6 (used to play the harpsichord), started playing the bass for five years now, and I'm starting college to become an engineer. The thing is, I really feel bored at college, and I'm starting feeling I should study bass for real.

Though my parents can afford any school I ask them to attend to, I really don't know much about studying bass.

Therefore, I wanted some advice from you, because I really don't know any decent bass schools - Only heard of one in Amsterdam, so far.

Can you help me?

Thanks.

- Sophie

I think perhaps the better question to ask would be, which is the best music school? It's being surrounded by other musicians, not just bass players, that's going to inspire you and drive you to be a better player.

Well, you've got a point there. But the fact is, I've been studying in a music school since ever, so it's not like I've never been among musicians, you know? But still, yes, I would like to be surrounded by decent musicians for a change. Study abroad, definitely.

Music college or bass college, that would be fine for me - as long as I could really dig into playing the bass.

My problem is just being clueless about this, I mean it.

Thanks anyway, Sorax :)

- Sophie

It would really depend on what you are looking to study and your previous experience. If you like jazz and can already some, then U of North Texas. If you like rock/pop/etc, then Berklee. If you wanna be a solo bassist and make a lot of money (ha!), then The Player's School with Jeff Berlin or BIT. Those are the first ones off of my head. There are some other great school I haven't mentioned. Just be aware that it is no picnic. You'd be choosing an extremely difficult and competitive field.

I've heard good things about Manhattan school of music.

Music school isn't so much about learning as it is about connections. Sure you learn things, but the most valuable knowledge comes from interacting with your peers and playing with people while you're at school. Classes aren't that important.

Music school isn't so much about learning as it is about connections. Sure you learn things, but the most valuable knowledge comes from interacting with your peers and playing with people while you're at school. Classes aren't that important.

While I agree that the best and most valuable part of music school is playing with and learning from other musicians, I disagree that the learning/classes process is not that important.

It's all a matter of what you are intending to do with your life and where you want to go following your degree. I know a lot of dudes who just roll up to Uni, sit and chat all day, bludge through classes and scrape in passes (or just fail), and go to rehearsals and performances. These are the sort of guys that believe they're going to live their lives performing, and make all of their income through that.

In reality, about 5-10% (I'm guessing) of these dudes will be able to do this, the rest will have just wasted 3,4,5 years and a big wad of cash. If you are paying money to attend any decent school (or any school in general), I think it's quite lame and immature to focus only on playing (although you should shed your ass off), and not take in all the valuable information you can learn from 'sit down and read' classes. A heck a lot of that info can help you to not only become a better musician, but a more knowledgeable person in general. This helps A LOT if your 'One day I'll be a pro musician' dream happens to fall on it's ass.

While I agree that the best and most valuable part of music school is playing with and learning from other musicians, I disagree that the learning/classes process is not that important.

It's all a matter of what you are intending to do with your life and where you want to go following your degree. I know a lot of dudes who just roll up to Uni, sit and chat all day, bludge through classes and scrape in passes (or just fail), and go to rehearsals and performances. These are the sort of guys that believe they're going to live their lives performing, and make all of their income through that.

In reality, about 5-10% (I'm guessing) of these dudes will be able to do this, the rest will have just wasted 3,4,5 years and a big wad of cash. If you are paying money to attend any decent school (or any school in general), I think it's quite lame and immature to focus only on playing (although you should shed your ass off), and not take in all the valuable information you can learn from 'sit down and read' classes. A heck a lot of that info can help you to not only become a better musician, but a more knowledgeable person in general. This helps A LOT if your 'One day I'll be a pro musician' dream happens to fall on it's ass.

Word. For me being a musician means wanting to learn anything and everything I can about music. Even the history of music from centuries ago that has little relevance, or the social and historical conditions that spawned a certain style... whatever... It's all part of being one with what you love.

Word. For me being a musician means wanting to learn anything and everything I can about music. Even the history of music from centuries ago that has little relevance, or the social and historical conditions that spawned a certain style... whatever... It's all part of being one with what you love.

My point exactly. Why limit yourself? :)

wow, this thread is kind of taking off...

sorry for the late reply, been pulling 20 hr days in the studio producing three albums and then playing abotu 3 nights of the week too. It's been nuts.

School...

manhattan school of music sucks. period. go to berklee. I disliked it as a school for many aspects, but there's not a network of young musicians like it in the world.

Take as many business, syth, tax, engineering, computer classes as you can. Shed all day and all night. and play with as many people as you possibly can.

You'll work with these people for the rest of your life. This is coming from me remember who is a player. I asked my self what I wanted from a life in music, answered the question, and then found something that works for me. It's not for everyone, but that would be my advice for a "player" so to speak. No matter what style of music you play.

Easy,

Janek

manhattan school of music sucks. period.

Hey Janek, could you explain why you feel this way about the Manhattan school?

when I first moved to NYC my roommate was finishing his masters there. I used to go over and play session almost every day when we both had time to play.

They have no facilities, it's mainly a classical school so the jazz program is the last thing that really gets any attention, and the teachers seem to be fairly uninspired from what I remember. I sat in on a few classes and really wasn't into it. Maybe it changed in the past few years, but I don't get that impression from some of the cats I hear that have been attending school there. It's also a very drab and unappealing building way uptown too which doesn't really do anything for the vibe.

Easy,

Janek

As a teacher at Berklee, I just wanted to chime in and agree with Janek's view. Whether Berklee is a great school or not, for many reasons I won't get near that one.
However, it's important to know why you are there. I have seen students who have gone there not knowing what they wanted to do. I have seen many of them fall in love with MP+E. If you are a player, you will make connections that will help you with your career in ways unimaginable. I think it's really the students that make it a woth while place for most real players................db

Has anybody had any experience with New School? Any info would be appreciated....
Cheers.

is that dave B.......? I believe we've never met, but I thank you very much for posting in here. Hope to meet you one of these days when I'm up in Boston.

I am one of the people who really got into MP+E, it just took me a year after I left Berklee to realize it. Once I found out there were no gigs in NYC anymore I had to do something and buying a laptop with Logic and Pro tools was the best thing I could have done.

To the post about the New School:

I have taught there a little bit and given masterclasses also. It has some nice facilities, and is in the heart of NYC. But it is a very JAZZ orientated school. Kind of narrow minded for my liking, but a good school on the whole. Not sure about the cost and everything, but I know it's not cheap.

Easy,

Janek

Yes it is Dave Buda. Thanks for welcoming me. I am now very eager to learn MP+E for professional and personal reasons. When you are up here let me know. I know you were here with Tim Miller a month or two back.(He has an amazing voice and vocabulary. Unique guitar player) I coulden't make your gig, I have two little girls four and one. Please let me know anyways.....Thanks......db

Yes it is Dave Buda. Thanks for welcoming me. I am now very eager to learn MP+E for professional and personal reasons. When you are up here let me know. I know you were here with Tim Miller a month or two back.(He has an amazing voice and vocabulary. Unique guitar player) I coulden't make your gig, I have two little girls four and one. Please let me know anyways.....Thanks......db

Dave Buda...Pm your way...we need to chat. Thanks man.

Good to see this discussion and thanks for your comments Janek and Dave. I've just applied to go back to school (Berklee) and much for the reasons you've mentioned.

I especially appreciate your bringing up Janek the business/engineering/computer class comment. I really only think about the playing aspect of music and fail to look at the other sides. I know you've really branched out your career into a lot of different directions. I've gotta be honest man, I don't have the kind of energy that you do. Your energy was quite apparent when I met you (at a Tim Miller gig when you used my rig). That struck me immediately....like a firecracker. I guess what I'm trying to say is that with the reality of the music business these days it's important to look at every aspect of it to survive and make some sort of living within it all. It's good of you to bring up.

Hey guys

First of all- Janek, much respect. I'm lifting the solo off P.K. from your first album this week. Kicking my *ss, my man!

I must contend with the idea that Berklee is the only option. Everyone is different- I wanted more classical chops on the URB so Indiana was great for me. I have friends studying with Clayton at USC who love it. If you really want to know if a school is right for you, go visit, and talk to the students. Berklee wasn't the right place for me, just like IU may be terrible for you.

YMMV.

ps Janek- our mutual friend Kimberly Thompson seemed to get alot out of Manhattan...

I swear this is true: I knew a sax player who had his masters degree in JAZZ from MSM and had to read All The Things You Are out of the real book on a gig.
Janek, you've played with him once or twice.

I used to play sessions at Manhattan School of Music all the time when she was over there. Been working with her with Stern more recently. Not sure what she got out of MSM, she could play before she got there. I think she got a lot out of NYC. I have a gig with her in a couple of weeks with Stern, maybe I'll ask her if I think about.

Who was the sax player with a masters that I was playing with that was reading all the things you are out of a real book? do tell.

Easy,

Janek

Oh sh*t man, when I played Ravinia with Kim she was all over the place at 19! And yes, I agree she got alot out of NYC; just look at her resume! The poster may not be where Kim was at her age, though. Some people need more than networking... My point was purely that in the Buddhist sense of things, we are all where we were meant to be. I just hope the kids who read this try before they buy. Too many miserable cats in the wrong music school.

Anyhow, all the best, my man. Keep challenging us!

what do you guys know of Jeff Berlin's Players schol of music?
and while we're at it, LA music academy Vs. MI...?
also anyone know decent music schools in Europe( non classical)?

I don't know much about Jeff's school, but it's not hard to be able to form your own opinion of his teaching technique. He's well published in bass and music publications the world over, so if you're thinking about going there check out what he has to say about music and make up your mind.

I've done clinics and lessons in both MI and LAMA. I think the main difference, aside from the fact that one is in Pasadena and the other in Hollywood, is the size. LAMA is a much smaller facility. I had a lot of fun a both schools and I wold suggest you chose the school by what you want out of it. i.e. who teaches there, school equipment, ease of getting practice rooms, classes that relate to what you want to do etc...

As for schools in europe....

I'm on the visiting faculty at the Institute for Contemporary Music Performance in London which is a great school. Some really great teachers and a good facility.

I studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London for a year for I moved to the states and it really didn't work for me. It may well have changed a lot since I was there 10 years ago, but I haven't been back since.

There are schools for non classical music in most major cities in Europe. A quick google search will probably give you a ton of information.

Easy,

Janek

where can I find some info on jeff's methods?
still confused about the LAMA vs MI stuff, besides the size... please tell more
thanks

Check out this thread for infos on Jeff Berlin's school: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374716

Check out this thread for infos on Jeff Berlin's school: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374716

thanks, but I already read this review, even left a comment on the thread there..
but if you've seen other reviews, I'd love to read 'em!

Get a lesson! Your private instructor is going to have a vast impact on your playing. If he's not the right one for you, and there isn't a good alternative there, you're screwed!!! Reviews, schme-views! Find someone you want to spend an hour a week with...

chicagodoubler, I live in Israel, so I cant really afford to "jump for a lesson" at any of the schools in the US...