bass collective NY

chantezlebas · #1 08-30-2006, 08:19 AM

hi ,

im thinking about going to study at the bass collective in NY im from europe and im kinda curious about the vibe of the school and the city can anyone tell me what were your experiences in this school and music scene ......?...any kind of tips/info is apreciated.

Thanks
Sérgio

Ed Fuqua · #2 08-30-2006, 09:20 AM

Well, it's kind of like an air conditioner repair school. There's the ensemble rooms and that's about it, it's not like NYU where there's a bunch of different buildings and dorms and **** like that. And you don't really get a diploma, it's more like a certificate.

So, what are you hoping to get out of that experience that you wouldn't want to go to a more "school" school for? Or just move here and start studying privately with somebody? When you're at an audition, nobody will want to see a diploma or certificate. A diploma will be more useful than a certificate if you wanted to get a teaching job at a school; if you wanted to teach through a local music store or something either a certificate or a diploam would look nice in the ad.

New York is great, I love being here. It can **** with you, if you're not careful. One of the greatest music scenes in the world. But it's a big pond and it's pretty easy to get lost here. Where are you now in your career? What work have you done, what gigs, etc. Because, basically, if you are the absolute Mostest Bad bassist in Wherever You are From, in NYC you're going to run into all of the OTHER MBMs from wherever THEY are from. Don't get me wrong, there are lame players here, too. They don't hold auditions at the Holland Tunnel, deciding who gets in. But the good ones are REAL good.

I dunno, depending on where you are now, but I kind of had some stuff together before I got here - music major at a small college, coupla years at Berklee, cruise ship gig, buncha clubdate, pit band, regional touring kinda thing. Played in the rhythm section for big jazz artists coming through my podunk town. And then I moved here.

chantezlebas · #3 08-30-2006, 09:32 AM

well i´ve done some touring and im working as a sideman for a couple of recording artists here in my country i´ve spend six months in a local school here ...my initial plan was to go to berklee but i cant afford it ......the problem is in my country there are no good bass teachers (elecrtic bass) that is ..but i´ve been to umbria jazz berklee clinics and had lessons with oscar stagnaro and it was like going to mars ......thats why i decided to go to the U.S. and try to study with someone for a year or two a decent solid player/teacher like Mr.Stagnaro...im not thinking about making it there althought i study hard and want to be more agressive on my studies and i like going to jam sessions but im not going there to compete for jobs just takin a sabatical to really study the bass...

steveb98 · #4 08-30-2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chantezlebas

hi ,

im thinking about going to study at the bass collective in NY im from europe and im kinda curious about the vibe of the school and the city can anyone tell me what were your experiences in this school and music scene ......?...any kind of tips/info is apreciated.

Thanks
Sérgio

After attending MI and working at Grove School of Music for those that remember Dick Grove. IMO the thing about music schools isn't so much the classroom education. It's being submerged in music twenty-four hours a day for a year or more. Playing and jamming everyday and hanging out with other musicians. The classroom material mainly feed you new idea to try out. Also at MI they had a lot of big name players and great locals that just sat in rooms to jam with and ask questions of. Everything you could want is available at these school, IF you go looking for it. Many students think that by just showing up and doing the required material and "Shredding" the same songs they did at home it will make them a great player. I think the schools are valuable, but for the environment they provide more than anything.

Ed Fuqua · #5 08-30-2006, 12:07 PM

In a lot of ways, NYC IS the school. I can't really speak to any music besides jazz (cause that's all I play), but if you start making the public jam sessions you quickly start getting numbers of cats to call to play with. You have the whole city to network, so you can get with the old ****s and the young kids. Not just the folks at your school.

But CHINTZ, there's a wealth of opportunity other than Berklee. Maybe hang a little while at someplace like the Player's School (cause Florida is CHEAP comparatively), get some stuff under your belt and then look at someplace like Manhattan School of Music or New School.

Or just bring a lot of money to New York and call Lincoln Goines (or somebody like that) and study with them and hang...

chantezlebas · #6 08-31-2006, 07:10 AM

thanks for the advice ....i´ve checked the Players school and it seems way more affordable ...........ill try that .....if anyone as been studying there lately and can drop me a line about this school with would be apreciated.....

Thankx

steveb98 · #7 09-01-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chantezlebas

thanks for the advice ....i´ve checked the Players school and it seems way more affordable ...........ill try that .....if anyone as been studying there lately and can drop me a line about this school with would be apreciated.....

Thankx

I went to The Players School and checked on their tuition. DAM! If they are cheaper I hate to think what Berklee costs.

chantezlebas · #8 09-04-2006, 07:23 AM

yeah you´re right steveb98 but do you know any decent alernative to this school?
i really believe that you still have to teach yourself but i believe in a good education too.....it can make a diference...

brooklynbassguy · #9 09-04-2006, 08:55 AM

I'm a former collective teacher, but I'll be candid. The collective offers a unique possibility of studying with different teachers, both upright and electric, in any combination you wish. Also you can study with drummers! I spent a semester with Bob Moses when I was in New England Conservatory, and it was one of my best educational experiences ever.
Finally, the teachers at the Collective aren't there for the money(which isn't great on the teacher's end). Theses guys are truly passionate about teaching, and you can really benefit from their collective experiences-you have Irio O'Farrell with extensive broadway experience, Hill Green with a deep jazz background, Leo Traversa is a just a badass, especially in feel and sound, Matt Garrison is a unique talent, and the opportunity to get together with him one on one won't last forever, Nilson Matta the brasil king. I could go on, but I think you get the idea. It doesn't hurt to be in nyc as well, and see other bad boys
playing. You can Anthony Jackson two nights a week at the 55 bar! Will Lee is often at the Metropolitan Cafe(no cover!) Friday is African night at Zincbar, where you'll often find Mamadou Ba(one of Richard Bona's best friends) who's makes bass notes dance...

steveb98 · #10 09-04-2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chantezlebas

yeah you´re right steveb98 but do you know any decent alernative to this school?
i really believe that you still have to teach yourself but i believe in a good education too.....it can make a diference...

Just a shock for me since I went to MI back in the 80's and again later in the 90's. Today they charge more for a one quarter more than I paid for a year. So sticker shock for me. It was a great experience being totally emersed in music for a year and my playing improved drasticly.

Actually any decend school will do the job. The key is you not the school. What you will be taught isn't that different from school to school, how its presented will vary. The key is you and just doing the required materials isn't enough. What I see making these places worthwhile is rehearsal for performance classes, the performaces themselves, and doing as many as possible in all styles including ones that may not be your main interest. Learning improv not by just getting a lesson on some new idea, but trying it out with the guys in your improv group as you practice for class, then going to class and playing and being critic'd. Hands on learning. Not only trying your ideas out, but hearing others ideas good and bad. Playing in real time not stopping and starting a CD. You have to go for it and make it work.

The one-one's with great players and sometimes they aren't the big names in the advertisements. Getting to just sit and ask questions and jam and be critic'd. Then hanging out all the time with people that want to play and talk music all the time. But a lot of people go to these school thing my just showing up and doing most the material and then socializing will make them a player. No ain't going to happen you have to play and play and play and that is what these school give you the environment to do.

bassdblr · #11 11-12-2006, 05:08 PM

Good information here! This is exactly what I am looking for with school, the total immersion into music, and it looks like a jazz program can really offer this. I am ready to give at least 200% to this. I am really trying to figure out where to go to school for jazz studies. Have sent for info for The Collective, but NYC is far away from CA, kind of expensive and does not appear to be accredited for teaching purposes. MI, might consider, also looking into the state schools in CA. A lot of them have jazz programs.