Donations/Double bass

HunterBrodt · #1 08-22-2010, 09:15 PM

I am going into my senior year at a private performing arts school in Boise, Idaho. The school is ten thousand a year and my parents are stretching to make the payments even with my scholarships. Normally I play the electric but an amazing jazz bassist amed Clark Sommers is coming from Chicago to teach. He is grammy award winning.
Is there any way you guys know of a way to get an instrument donated to me.
I think im just going to rent tell I save up the money again to buy a bass. Thanks.

Bass Barrister · #2 08-23-2010, 12:17 AM

So, a PRIVATE PERFORMING ARTS school does not own a double bass you can use ?????

yellofury · #3 08-23-2010, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Barrister

So, a PRIVATE PERFORMING ARTS school does not own a double bass you can use ?????

+1
A lot kids your age would kill for an opportunity to go to such a school..If your parents cant make ends meet perhaps the faculty can lend a hand
but asking for a donation here is strictly a no no
All I can say is that I had a job when I was 16 and saved for my first gear

Evil Undead · #4 08-23-2010, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellofury

+1
A lot kids your age would kill for an opportunity to go to such a school..If your parents cant make ends meet perhaps the faculty can lend a hand
but asking for a donation here is strictly a no no
All I can say is that I had a job when I was 16 and saved for my first gear

+2

uprightben · #5 08-23-2010, 05:14 AM

I played a school upright thru college and saved for my own after I graduated.

Bruce Lindfield · #6 08-23-2010, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellofury

but asking for a donation here is strictly a no no
All I can say is that I had a job when I was 16 and saved for my first gear

I don't see it that the OP is asking for us to donate him a bass - he is asking how he goes about this..?

I know that in the Classical world, students are often loaned high value instruments that they couldn't possibly afford - I have heard about this - but the players have been true virtuosi....

etoncrow · #7 08-23-2010, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterBrodt

Is there any way you guys know of a way to get an instrument donated to me. It would be a great cause. I am going to be a professional.

Is there any way you guys know to get money donated to me? It would be a great cause. I am going to be a philantropist.

bejoyous · #8 08-23-2010, 06:48 AM

Try making a case to the administration of the school. They would probably drop $3000 on a computer system that'll be obsolete in 3 years, why not invest $3-5000 on a bass that'll last at least 30 years?

drurb · #9 08-23-2010, 07:22 AM

So many unknowns...

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterBrodt

I am going into my senior year at a private performing arts school in Boise, Idaho....Normally I play the electric but an amazing jazz bassist amed Clark Sommers is coming from Chicago to teach.

Is the school interested in having you play the double bass in their ensembles? Does anyone in the school play the DB now? Are you interested in the DB mostly because this teacher is coming? Do you have a plan for private DB instruction? Does the school have an orchestra? I'm trying to understand the situation better. You're going into your senior year and haven't been playing DB. So, it's hard to tell whether this is anything more than, "Hey this DB teacher is coming here-- sure would be cool to play DB-- can anyone help me get one donated?"

It seems more probable that, if anything, a bass would be donated to the school than to you personally. I'm not sure under what circumstances that would happen in the case of a private school. I think bejoyous gave good advice. Make your case to the folks collecting those tuition checks. If you want your own bass, it's likely you'll have to go the route that many of us did. That is, have your parents buy/rent something decent for you and/or save up some bucks yourself.

jgroh · #10 08-23-2010, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etoncrow

Is there any way you guys know to get money donated to me? It would be a great cause. I am going to be a philantropist.

Yeah? Well Im going to a strip club and I need donations. The girls are getting tired of the Monopoly money.

HunterBrodt · #11 08-23-2010, 08:22 AM

Yes the school is interested in having me play. Its something I did a bit last year but I decided to focus much more of my time and effort on it this year. Probably about 2 hours and electric 3 a day.

I am very serious about becoming a pro. Im not really trying to ask for money or handouts from the tb more if you know companies or donors that do this sort of thing.

Most likely I will take a gap year to study with him since I will be working with him daily and I wont get that in college.

The school is semi-new so they havnt been able to purchase a new instrument. And yes I have saved for my own gear before (Warwick Corvette, Fender Jaguar, Ampeg ba15hp) the problem is that I just gave my parents $1500 for tuition and I dont have the money to buy a double bass for probaly a year. I might rent, but I just wanted to see if at all this is a path to go through. Im just keeping my options open.

Also its not something I am going to take lightly. I am a very motivated player, at a high level, and want to get a great education. Its just at this moment I cant afford to buy an upright and and just seeing if theres companies outthere that have scratch and dent that they cant sell. That type of thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

So many unknowns...

Is the school interested in having you play the double bass in their ensembles? Does anyone in the school play the DB now? Are you interested in the DB mostly because this teacher is coming? Do you have a plan for private DB instruction? Does the school have an orchestra? I'm trying to understand the situation better. You're going into your senior year and haven't been playing DB. So, it's hard to tell whether this is anything more than, "Hey this DB teacher is coming here-- sure would be cool to play DB-- can anyone help me get one donated?"

It seems more probable that, if anything, a bass would be donated to the school than to you personally. I'm not sure under what circumstances that would happen in the case of a private school. I think bejoyous gave good advice. Make your case to the folks collecting those tuition checks. If you want your own bass, it's likely you'll have to go the route that many of us did. That is, have your parents buy/rent something decent for you and/or save up some bucks yourself.

HunterBrodt · #12 08-23-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejoyous

Try making a case to the administration of the school. They would probably drop $3000 on a computer system that'll be obsolete in 3 years, why not invest $3-5000 on a bass that'll last at least 30 years?

Haha yeah screwed up huh. Thats basically how it is. Ive tried to get them to have a school owned one. Also I do like the idea of getting it donated to the school. Really im just looking for something to play on until I can buy a new one.

I figured I should post something. I dont want to sound like I am unwilling to work for a dollar, or save up for an instument. Im just in a bad situation right now. I do think im going to rent though then save up 3 grand and buy a decent one.

**colcifer** · #13 08-23-2010, 08:39 AM

Ballsy move posting again here after getting knocked around in the BG section.

Your school would be the best place to start.

j.kernodle · #14 08-23-2010, 08:47 AM

hunter, you're pm'ing people in the bass guitar classifieds offering sizable sums of money for some nice gear. Why not use that money to buy a bass?

good luck with your schooling!

HunterBrodt · #15 08-23-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.kernodle

hunter, you're pm'ing people in the bass guitar classifieds offering sizable sums of money for some nice gear. Why not use that money to buy yourself a bass?

good luck!

Yeah I gave my parents that money two days ago. We had a talk about the situation.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #16 08-23-2010, 09:24 AM

2008 American Standard J Bass IV Black, Maple, ATA $795

That's only one of the many posts over on the BG side showing your willingness to buy more BG gear, effects pedals etc, etc, etc.
If you truly want to play DB, do what we've all had to do. Set priorities and do whatever you have to do to make your dream happen.
If you want to play the DB, you will need a decent instrument. In my opinion, ONE four string slab is adequate. Put the money you would spend on more slab gear into a suitable DB. Asking for freebies is bad form.
I recently saw a quote: "The value of something is measured in what you had to give up to get it".
Just my $.02

drurb · #17 08-23-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterBrodt

Yes the school is interested in having me play. Its something I did a bit last year...

What DB did you use last year?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterBrodt

...Im not really trying to ask for money or handouts from the tb more if you know companies or donors that do this sort of thing.

I'm not aware of any companies that would be inclined to give a bass to a private school or to someone attending a private school with that type of tuition. Understandably, most of those types of donations of which I'm aware go to those who are substantially disadvantaged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterBrodt

Its just at this moment I cant afford to buy an upright and and just seeing if theres companies outthere that have scratch and dent that they cant sell. That type of thing.

Well, a deal on "scratch and dent" or the like is a long way from a donation. I suggest you check out luthiers in your area and beyond for that. You didn't answer if your school has an orchestra.

clink's words bear repeating:
If you truly want to play DB, do what we've all had to do. Set priorities and do whatever you have to do to make your dream happen.

HunterBrodt · #18 08-23-2010, 09:32 AM

I pretty sure that is my only post.

etoncrow · #19 08-23-2010, 11:07 AM

You really do sound like the poster boy for the "entitled generation"

Eric Swanson · #20 08-23-2010, 11:36 AM

Man, tough room!

Hunter, welcome to DB. Its great that you dig it.

I had a full scholarship to music school, but still had to sell some stuff to make it all work (a bicycle, a 'cello, and a pre-CBS Jazz bass).

As far as I can tell, it is tough to be a student, at any demographic/economic level.

Looks to me, from your edits on your first post, that you have figured out a starting point. Good luck putting it all together.