Jazz Guy looking at grad schools for classical bass

emilio g · #1 02-07-2009, 12:49 AM

I've got a year and a half left to finish up my bachelors in Jazz Performance. That's all humming along.

But, my "jazz" teacher got me really into playing classically and I'm totally hooked. I'm into it enough that I want to do a Master's Degree in classical bass.

Can anyone recommend some good schools to check out?

I'm looking for a school where I could study with a symphony player and keep my jazz chops up . NYC is a great place, especially if I could study with someone like David Grossman, but I'm open to studying in other regions of the world too.

MDEbass · #2 02-07-2009, 11:50 AM

How good are your classical chops? I know that Eastman has both good classical and jazz programs and I'm pretty sure its in New York. You can study with Ed Barker, principal bass with Boston Symphony at Boston University...thats a tough one to get in to and they have dont have a jazz program though...

davidzgeorge · #3 02-07-2009, 04:43 PM

I would agree about Eastman, although it's not in New York City, it's in Rochester. The jazz teacher there is phenomenal, and he also plays in the Rochester Philharmonic. I think most of the jazz guys there also study classical bass with James VanDemark, so you'd probably fit right in.

dkziemann · #4 02-09-2009, 12:48 PM

I'm a jazz/classical major at eastman, and it definitely covers almost every aspect of the bass. Check it out and email VanDemark or Campbell if you're interested, they're VERY approachable and great guys.

thedbassist · #5 02-09-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emilio g

I've got a year and a half left to finish up my bachelors in Jazz Performance. That's all humming along.

But, my "jazz" teacher got me really into playing classically and I'm totally hooked. I'm into it enough that I want to do a Master's Degree in classical bass.

Can anyone recommend some good schools to check out?

I'm looking for a school where I could study with a symphony player and keep my jazz chops up . NYC is a great place, especially if I could study with someone like David Grossman, but I'm open to studying in other regions of the world too.

If you want to go to NYC, the Manhattan School of Music has a top jazz program and some of the best classical bass teachers out there including Grossman, Tim Cobb and Jeremy McCoy. Also, if you want to study with Grossman and you live in New Jersey, why not go up to the city like once a month and have a lesson with him or more if you're able to?

Cory Palmer · #6 02-09-2009, 10:49 PM

Michigan State has great classical and jazz bass teachers. Jack Budrow and Rodney Whitaker, respectively. When I was there there were a few guys studying both classical and jazz.

Peabody is another good place. Mike Formanek is the jazz teacher and for classical you have Paul Johnson, John Hood, and Jeff Weisner. Hal Robinson is starting an artist-residency there next year.

Peabody is going to be a tougher program to get into.

emilio g · #7 02-14-2009, 06:35 PM

I don't know how I forgot about Eastman! Good call.

My classical chops are decent. I play in the orchestra at Rutgers with the classical guys (both grad and undergrad) and I'm keeping up.

But, I'm definitely not ready to start taking auditions for grad school. My last year at RU will be a very light schedule, so starting in May, I want to study outside of school with a classical player to help prepare me. Depending on my playing and financial situation, I might have to take a year off to work and take lessons.

As far as who to study with, I live in New Jersey, under an hour from NYC. There are plenty of awesome players in the area.

I just need to find one with room in his or her schedule to teach me!

Carlos2bass · #8 02-14-2009, 06:50 PM

I would look into NEC in Boston, Don Palma is great classical player as far as teaching you technique and is one of the best contemporary clasical music bass players anywhwere. He also sympathise very much with jazz players. NEC also has Cecil Mcbee and a bunch of other top jazz players on faculty.

Eli_Upright12 · #9 02-14-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory Palmer

Michigan State has great classical and jazz bass teachers. Jack Budrow and Rodney Whitaker, respectively. When I was there there were a few guys studying both classical and jazz.

Peabody is another good place. Mike Formanek is the jazz teacher and for classical you have Paul Johnson, John Hood, and Jeff Weisner. Hal Robinson is starting an artist-residency there next year.

Peabody is going to be a tougher program to get into.

University of Michigan isn't bad either, with Diana Gannett and Bob Hurst, Bob and Rodney are good friends. They play in the same kind of hard hitting, swing your tail off style and share a lot of influences. That said there teaching styles are a bit different, but I don't think you could go wrong with either of them.

thedbassist · #10 02-15-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emilio g

I don't know how I forgot about Eastman! Good call.

My classical chops are decent. I play in the orchestra at Rutgers with the classical guys (both grad and undergrad) and I'm keeping up.

But, I'm definitely not ready to start taking auditions for grad school. My last year at RU will be a very light schedule, so starting in May, I want to study outside of school with a classical player to help prepare me. Depending on my playing and financial situation, I might have to take a year off to work and take lessons.

As far as who to study with, I live in New Jersey, under an hour from NYC. There are plenty of awesome players in the area.

I just need to find one with room in his or her schedule to teach me!

Doesn't Tim Cobb teach at Rutgers?
If I were you I would try to contact him and see if you're able to get lessons and participate in any(if there are any) studio classes he teaches at Rutgers.

emilio g · #11 02-15-2009, 09:58 PM

Tim Cobb is at Rutgers, but he's tough to get lessons with because his schedule is so full. But I'm going to try taking a couple lessons with him whenever he can fit me as a supplement. Some of his students have had their heads spinning after a single lesson with him.

One of my friends also recommended Paul Harris. Has anyone studied here with him?

Dr_Atomic · #12 02-15-2009, 10:59 PM

Yeah, he's on faculty there although I don't know how many students he has. Definitely get as many lessons with him as you get. He's fantastic.

x2bassplayer · #13 03-11-2009, 11:18 PM

Consider the University of North Texas. It has facilities to allow you to keep playing jazz, plus Jeff Bradetich is an excellent classical teacher.

emilio g · #14 03-12-2009, 01:48 AM

I've heard lots of good stuff about UNT from my teachers as well as a couple people I've worked with who did grad degrees there. Its definitely going on my list of schools to audition for.

As for a teacher, I might be able to study with dave grossman starting in April or May. My current teacher knows him so he's going to put in a good word for me. Needless to say, I'm crossing my fingers that he can fit me in and going nuts to find a job so I can afford it!!

frichter · #15 03-12-2009, 09:09 AM

You thought about chicago?

Northwestern has Peter Lloyd, and DePaul has Rob Kassinger.

And plenty of opportunities to keep your jazz chops up.