MI's Summer Shot | Berklee's Summer Programs

wld3 · #1 07-10-2008, 04:34 PM

Musician's Institute has a Summer Program (2008 version just ended) called 'Summer Shot' that they describe as "a six-day crash course in technique, musicianship, music technology, style and performance." Here is a link to more info

Berklee offers some short-term programs in the Summer as well, such as their 'Bass Lines' program and song writing workshop, along with others.

Has anyone here participated in any of these programs from either institution? If so, what did/do you think of it/them?

Even if you haven't been yourself but know of the program(s) or perhaps you've attended MI or Berklee otherwise, you may be able to offer some valuable insight as well. Please do.

Lastly, does anyone know of any other notable programs like these?

TIA

DocBop · #2 07-10-2008, 05:14 PM

All schools are only as good as the student makes them. They have all the resources available for someone to learn and play a lot. Great musicians both instructor and students to hang and live music 24/7. If you go and just do the curriculum you won't learn a lot, you go and ask questions, hang out, jam, play ensembles, go to open office hours for instructors, then practice you will learn a lot and have even more to work on afterwards.

Last don't waste they money if you aren't ready. Don't spend a lot to learn the basics, the better you are going in the higher the level you can come out. Go in a great player and come out with the polish and contacts to go pro.

robwren · #3 07-10-2008, 05:23 PM

Check out this thread on Todd Johnson's forums about the New Hampshire Bass Fest:

TJ @ Jim Stinnett's NEW HAMPSHIRE BASS FEST JUNE 25-28

jayarroz · #4 07-10-2008, 05:26 PM

I do a clinic at Berklee for the Five week program, and worked there last summer. I also attended Berklee as a student. It's a lot of money for 5 weeks. You may find yourself amongst a lot of high school kids that are checking out if this is going to be the college for them. And there is a smaller group that are very good at what they do, and you may be placed with them also. I don't know what level of playing your at. MI from what I hear is great for the rock musician. I would say investing in a great teacher is really a great starting point, and I have had many of friends just study under a college professor and save a lot of money! If you have the funds then the Berklee programs will get you around a lot of players, it's almost like a greenhouse for musicians.

wld3 · #5 07-10-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

All schools are only as good as the student makes them. They have all the resources available for someone to learn and play a lot. Great musicians both instructor and students to hang and live music 24/7. If you go and just do the curriculum you won't learn a lot, you go and ask questions, hang out, jam, play ensembles, go to open office hours for instructors, then practice you will learn a lot and have even more to work on afterwards.

I can appreciate this, however, my query is not about the schools per se but about the six day/three day programs that they offer in the summer.

wld3 · #6 07-10-2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayarroz

I do a clinic at Berklee for the Five week program, and worked there last summer. I also attended Berklee as a student. It's a lot of money for 5 weeks. You may find yourself amongst a lot of high school kids that are checking out if this is going to be the college for them. And there is a smaller group that are very good at what they do, and you may be placed with them also. I don't know what level of playing your at. MI from what I hear is great for the rock musician. I would say investing in a great teacher is really a great starting point, and I have had many of friends just study under a college professor and save a lot of money! If you have the funds then the Berklee programs will get you around a lot of players, it's almost like a greenhouse for musicians.

Thanks for the reply and the insight into the school.

As for the five week program - I'm neither a kid, a pro, nor retired so I couldn't swing taking five weeks to do anything like that. I should have been more specific in my original post when I said, "short term." MI's Summer Shot is six days (plus travel time) and Berklee's Bass Lines program is three days; those are the programs I am asking about.

wld3 · #7 07-10-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robwren

Check out this thread on Todd Johnson's forums about the New Hampshire Bass Fest:

TJ @ Jim Stinnett's NEW HAMPSHIRE BASS FEST JUNE 25-28

Thanks for pointing out that thread. I'd not seen it before. Very interesting.

bassandbeyond · #8 07-10-2008, 05:59 PM

We have a pretty popular Summer Program at L.A. Music Academy (just finished for this year). I teach at this program every year, and the response has been very positive:

http://www.lamusicacademy.com/depart...merprogram.asp

NicJimBass · #9 07-10-2008, 06:18 PM

Have you considered the One Week Intensive at the Player's School of Music in Clearwater, FL? I'm attending a 10-week program, and it's been a really good 3 days so far...lol. Seriously, since you live in NC, it may be less travel time, and it'd be worth your while.

wld3 · #10 07-10-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicJimBass

Have you considered the One Week Intensive at the Player's School of Music in Clearwater, FL? I'm attending a 10-week program, and it's been a really good 3 days so far...lol. Seriously, since you live in NC, it may be less travel time, and it'd be worth your while.

Thanks for this suggestion. Obviously, the Player's School or Berklee would be much closer than MI.

I'm only scratching the surface of this idea. I've only been at it a short time and think anything like these programs would be a waste any time in the near future. However, in another year...

Since attending any of these would require planning in terms of time, travel, and lodging as well as saving up the money for the whole thing, I thought I'd start turning the idea over earlier rather than later.

jayarroz · #11 07-10-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wld3

Thanks for the reply and the insight into the school.

As for the five week program - I'm neither a kid, a pro, nor retired so I couldn't swing taking five weeks to do anything like that. I should have been more specific in my original post when I said, "short term." MI's Summer Shot is six days (plus travel time) and Berklee's Bass Lines program is three days; those are the programs I am asking about.

Yah I would say no on the bass lines class...ooops.. But my honest opinion, by time you travel here, stay some where, food etc. You could of got some really good lessons from someone. I still go to private lessons, and you can pay 60 to 150 for them.

wld3 · #12 07-10-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayarroz

Yah I would say no on the bass lines class...ooops.. But my honest opinion, by time you travel here, stay some where, food etc. You could of got some really good lessons from someone. I still go to private lessons, and you can pay 60 to 150 for them.

I think I am just enticed by the idea of something like a "bass camp." Perhaps, as much for fun and the experience itself as for the instruction received.

Though, I must admit, once I compare travel, lodging, and the cost of these programs, and then imagine that going towards the purchase price of a Sadowsky, Lakland, Mesa, or Genz at some future point, then it is less appealing. KWIM?

DocBop · #13 07-11-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wld3

I can appreciate this, however, my query is not about the schools per se but about the six day/three day programs that they offer in the summer.

the answer is the same its about you. I have worked at and attended a couple of the big music schools including one your asking about. They have had different length summer programs over the years. I would say six or three days is awful short. IMO that is too short versus what they probably charge these days, plus the cost of travel and etc.

Many players skip the schools and take the money and go to one of the big music cities, get a great teacher, practice-practice-practice, go out and find other good players to jam with or hang out and hear/talk music with, make contacts, and take any and every gig they can get. Eat, sleep, and breathe music. You could make your own small version of that program, find a great teacher and commit the time and work. The main thing about the schools they have the all the resources so you can submerge yourself in music 24/7 for a year or more. Going for a few days you will barely find out where everything is and who's who and it will be over. Because in many cases the best teachers aren't the big names you hear or see in the catalogs.