Demonstrating Bass to Elementary Students

[bassface747]

Hi all,

I'm going to a local elementary school on Friday to play bass for some music classes. That was the sort of thing that got me interested in string playing, so I'd like to do a good job and hopefully inspire a few kids to see that music can be more than Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers....

I've been thinking of some things I could do but I could use a bit of help! The music teacher will certainly be there, and I've heard great things about her teaching (I haven't met her but the person who helped arrange this is a colleague of hers). Classes are about 35 minutes long, so I do have a decent-sized chunk of time to fill. I play jazz, classical and celtic, so I was thinking of showing the versatility of the instrument as much as I can. Any ideas as to how I could do this while still making it entertaining and relevant to younger minds?

Thanks!

[LouisF]

There's a great Gary Karr video called Karrtunes (I think) where he gets the kids shouting out the names of the parts of the bass, what kind of wood they're made of etc; he shows off the range of the inst; does the Elephant (and the Swan, too, I think) and then plays a lot of stuff really fast (like the last movement of the Eccles); and real schmaltzy (Chanson Triste)

Louis

PS and he does it with the Koussevitsky bass

[lhoward]

Although I think this will not work for this Friday due to the short time involved, for future opportunities, I'd consider learning some of the solo pieces by Edgar Meyer. Since he plays a variety of music, many of his pieces present a different aspect of music with somewhat unique flavors. His album, "Uncommon Ritual" has some great pieces that broaden the horizon of the instrument.

Now playing his music would be a challenge, but I think maybe some short 'excerpts' would be something that would demonstrate a broader versatility of the double bass to young students. Just some food for thought.

Lloyd Howard

[bassface747]

Hey, the Elephant. I haven't played that for a while but I can pull it out for Friday, I'm sure they'd like that.

Maybe I can borrow the Koussevitsky bass for Friday... in my dreams.

[Heifetzbass]

They will ask for Jaws... make it as mellodramatic as possible!

It would also be good to show the versatility of the instrument, and possibly to play a lick from a rock, or hip-hop tune that is on the radio right now and see if they can identify it.

Also, there is a good Jason Heath (I believe) video on youtube with him demonstrating to a group of youngsters... just a good one to model.

You will not believe how good this is for you and them. I do this several times a year. I am a public school orchestra teacher and my job depends on how well I motivate these kids to join "strings" in the 6th grade.

Just remember- it isn't so much what you play, but how you play it. Speak with enthusiasm and it will be infectious.

Best of luck,

[bejoyous]

I have literally done 100's of school shows as part of being a supply teacher. Often a music teacher who is sick just leaves a video for the kids and I couldn't stand it anymore. I decided to bring my bass. This way I also get to be paid to practice in front of people.

I tell them to hold any questions until a question period. If I don't there is a constant stream of interruptions.

Since most kids don't consciously listen to classical music, I relate it to what they do know..TV, movies, video games.

Here's the basic plan of my show:

I. Construction of the bass: the different woods and parts of the bass and bow/rosin. I talk about why different woods are used.

Question period

II. Role of the bass in an orchestra: I sing a melody and play the bass part - ex a few bars of Oh Canada or In the Jungle, etc. Explain how each instrument contributes to the whole.

III. Where you hear a bass: in the background of TV shows and movies; usually when there is something ominous going to happen (tremolo low notes; I sometimes play the first half of the first page of Mahler #2 to represent waves crashing against a lifeboat. Also, In the Hall of the Mountain King or passages from Beethoven #5 Mvt 3 works well here, too.) Or, the bad guy shows up (Wolf theme from Peter and the Wolf, Darth Vader theme and JAWS (have the kids close their eyes and imagine they are swimming in the ocean)- start low and go up octaves until gulp! You'll get requests to do this again!

Question Period

IV Actual pieces: Here's your chance to actually play a whole piece of music. I play Bach Bourree #3, O Danny Boy, Bottesini A minor Concert Mvt 1 with out cadenza, Monti's Czardas (just the fast part, no repeats) I have a few Music Minus One recordings on CD that I play with these.

V Actual Piece part 2: I put down the bow and explain the bass was used in Jazz and early rock n' roll. I play The Pink Panther and sing Hound Dog while accompanying myself.

Question period

VI Student try bass: Explain they are not allowed to touch the hair. Pick a keener who isn't a goof (very important). Ask him/her their name then quickly show them how to hold the bow. It doesn't matter how "correct" it is, as long as they don't drop the bow!

I stand to the left of the bass and hold on to the block so it doesn't fall. Have the kid saw the E-string while you take their left hand and show them how to play the JAWS theme.

Then say, "A big round of applause for ______ playing JAWS!" (kids go crazy!)

Have person A pick person B (if girl, have her pick a boy and vice versa)

Person B also plays JAWS

Person C just pizz's the D and A strings them lead crowd into singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat or Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Person D pizz's DDDD, GGGG, DDDD, AAAA repeat endlessly, have crowd sing In The Jungle

VII End with a flashy piece: I play and sing Old MacDonald Had a farm and make animal noises with my bass (mouse - short string on extension; Cat - a high note on G string with a short slide downward; Cow - start around B on the E string, slide up a bit then down; Horse - finger taps on the body to imitate the hooves, get louder then softer and turn head from left to right to imitate the Doppler effect of a horse running by; Seagulls - start way up on the G string and place hand gently on the string, run hand down the string playing a long bow so just the harmonics go EE EEE EEE EEE; Wolf - artificial harmonic way up the D string (ex. thumb on D, note closed, third finger on the A harmonic above) and make a small slide down; Shark - JAWS)

Hope this helps .

[bassface747]

That's great! Thanks for taking the time to write down all those wonderful suggestions. I'll definitely be using some of them (although I don't think I'll be learning the Czardas bfore tomorrow)

I actually play violin as well, so if my day goes as planned I'll be heading to my school on the other end of town to pick it up, and then I can really show the difference between the extremes of the string family.

[Pentabass]

Thanks for the great ideas.

Is it legal to have that much fun??

[funkybass4ever]

I have brought my bass into class for youngsters and older students and my one piece of advice is to be prepared for interruptions, they can come from anywhere- people entering the class-announcements on the PA. If you have a tendency to get flustered when interupted just take some big deep breaths.
Interaction with the students is key but keep it exciting for them but not too loud- they will be holding their ears and complaining if you have it too loud.
I talked about the types of music and about how the music makes sound.
I had the students strum/pluck the strings and they were fascinated and had such big smiles!

[bassface747]

Hey! Thought I'd let you all know that it went really well, I found it to be a very rewarding experience. Bejoyous, your suggestions saved my life, especially regarding saving questions for a question period. I more or less used your whole outline. The Jason Heath videos on Youtube were a big help as well.

Everyone was very well-behaved, and I was surprised at the quality of the questions. I was glad to see the kids so interested in the instrument, and I hope to do it again sometime!

[Pentabass]

Isn't it great to see the support of this forum? Put yourself 20 years ago and try to get your musical instrument demonstration lesson influenced and enhanced from somebody a few thousand kilometers away... all within one week!

If you do this more often, please share your routine, and suggestions for what works, with us here, ok?

[bassface747]

One week... try one day!

[Jason Sypher]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdez-nHEkWw


This may give you some ideas....

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdez-nHEkWw



This may give you some ideas....

As the new guy on the block this was a great clip to let me see and hear what can be done with the bass. Much appreciate the post.

[Barron]

Don't forget the Super Mario Bros. and other video game themes. Gets 'em every time.

[Bassist4Life]

Wow, there are some really great responses in this thread.

My tiny contribution it to play things they will recognize and relate to. Play a walking bass line so they can snap their fingers and be "cool cats", something that grooves so they can get up and dance to it, and simple melodies that they can sing to. Also play some harmonics at the end of the fingerboard so they know that the bass isn't only about low notes. I've also experienced that kids like to see/hear a little slap playing. Who doesn't?

Peace & Music,
Joe

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdez-nHEkWw


This may give you some ideas....

Good ole' Bert....the widest vibrato in bassdom.

[Barron]

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdez-nHEkWw


This may give you some ideas....

Forget the kids. That class was for me!



I wish more teachers had that kind of energy when teaching us.

[Jason Sypher]

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Good ole' Bert....the widest vibrato in bassdom.

You get three notes for the price of one!

[wineaux]

What a great thread. I need to get out and do this.

One thing I've noticed when playing when kids are around is that a few always gravitate to the bass. I've gotten into the habit showing them how to play the right hand (pizz) while I play the lefthand part to "Twinkle, Twinkle."

It always causes smiles to break out -- on their faces, their parents faces and mine.

Next time, I'll add "Jaws."