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Double Bass University of Toronto Jazz Program - Looking for some info

T

transcendent

Jan 15, 2003
28
17
Toronto, Canada
#1
Hi

Not sure if this is in the right place ... please move if I've got it wrong.

I'm in my mid-thirties, playing jazz for a while now and have moments when I think that I'm borderline okay. I play both double bass and electric bass, much more comfortable with the electric but I'm working on that. I can hold down a line, mostly hit the right notes, play some heads and try to do my best on solos.

I've been thinking long and hard about what I'd to do outside of work and family, and the idea of going back to school to do some study keeps coming back to me (I finished college about twelve years ago - nothing even vaguely music related). UFT is just down the road from me, and has a great jazz program. I already take lessons with a great local teacher, but I kind of think that I'd like to get more serious, even if its not going to be a career for me.

Just looking for some info from anyone who's been through the jazz program at UFT, couple of things:

- Do older students do the jazz program at UFT ? Are they successful at it ?

- Is it possible to do it part time ? I'd have to balance anything that I did with my job and family, happy to put the work in but if just isn't done then I'd understand that as well.

- Is this a good plan or am I completely off track ...

Appreciate any thoughts !

Thanks
 
#2
The U of T program is small (about 55 students) and focused. I'm not sure if they have a part time option. The Humber College jazz program is a bit more flexible. Also, Mike Occhipinti runs some great jazz programs out of the Royal Conservatory. Good luck, and I hope this helps!
 
#3
Hi - the people i know who have gone to U of T were young. and it was full time. I doubt they have a part time option. nor would humber, but maybe.

i too was looking into part time study. I ended finding a good theory teacher, and I did the Howard Rees workshops - he is a student of Barry Harris, and they work only on bebop. a good starting spot.

and going to jam sessions and/or finding people to play with; this allows you to control what and when - which is perhaps easier as an adult learner with other responsibilities.

have fun!

Craig
 
#4
Often schools have options for "Independent Students" or something similar. You'd be amazed at what doors will open if you're serious, can play, and there is a void that you can fill. For example, if this fall, a particular school has 10 drummers and only 3 bassists, two of which are electric bassists, then you're chances of getting in are very good. However, if this year that school has 6 double bassists, 9 electric bassists, and only 4 drummers, then your chances are tiny.

Regarding, part-time, try and talk to the actual teachers in the school who you'd study with. Often the story from the actual teachers differs from the story from the administrators. Administrators go "by the book", but professors can over ride those kinds of rules if they choose to.

Still, learn what the school's "book" says.

good luck!
 
#5
I went to humber, know many U of Ters and Yorkites. U of T does seem more full time, and can be quite competitive in terms of auditions, though this can very year to year as the last poster mentioned. Humber would be good for part time. Just take the classes you want once you've got past the audition. York can also be quite casual, though Humber has the nice big studio and a bigger student body of potential jam friends. York is probably the easiest in terms of auditioning. The faculty doesn't vary too much from place to place, so you get out whatever you put in regardless. Feel free to PM for with any question you have, as a recent grad of Humber I'm pretty familiar with the workings of each program.
 
#6
It is possible to do part-time at York. I did a year there & carried a 2-course load; Jazz theory/ensemble (it's a 2-for-1, you can't have one without the other) & a musicology elective that I could have totally dropped (but really enjoyed). You can likely take the theory & ensemble alone & dedicate yourself to that for a few years & then worry about filling in your electives after that if you really want a degree.

The classes are in the middle of the day, though, so you might need a flexible gig if you're going to work through this.

One caveat you should be aware of - the audition to get into the music department is not the audition to get accepted into the jazz program. You'll need to do a basic audition for one prof to get into the music program in the spring & then enroll in a bunch of courses you have no intention of taking. Then there'll be a panel audition in September where you'll play in an ensemble (F blues & rhythm changes when I auditioned). If you pass that you're into theory/ensemble & you can drop all the other courses & deal with the registrar about tuition refunds. If you don't get in, quit & get a full refund.

Also, I didn't see a single electric bass the whole time I was there. It's a strictly upright affair.

Also, get a keyboard if you don't already have one. It's essential for the theory class.
 
#7
hey there, I'm going into my 3rd year in U of T's jazz program. It's an incredible program! To answer your questions:

- Do older students do the jazz program at UFT ? Are they successful at it? - Most of us are young, but when I was in first year, one of the graduating bassists was at least in his mid-30s. He wasn't around for most of the second term though (he was touring) but he still graduated.

- Is it possible to do it part time? I don't really think so, your jazz courses are basically laid out for you every year. But I suppose there could be a way to do it?

I think the best thing to do would be to check out the website: http://www.uoftjazz.ca and send a few emails/make a few calls. Terry Promane, the head of the program, is on sabbatical this year but I'm sure he'd be willing to talk to you about it.

Hope this helps!
 
#14
We are very lucky to have as many great bassist in the Toronto area as we do, why don't you just take lessons with more of them and go to the jams more to meet other players, hell study with some of the great musicians who aren't bass players, a degree won't make you play better or get any more gigs it is how you play and the people you meet playing.

I play for a living and only work with maybe 10 people I went to school with everybody else I play with I have met elsewhere.

Just keep playing and get as much one on one time with all the city has to offer.

I know Don used to do sessions at his place with some students and younger musicians in the city I'm not sure if he still does this but I sure learned a lot doing this with him and other people like Alex Dean.
 
#15
What Neal said. What are you hoping to get out of school? If your teacher is good, you'll not only be covering the same material as you would in a classroom, you'll be getting personalized attention. Not be "one of the crowd".

If what you're looking to do is get a piece of paper so you can teach academically, sure. But if you want to play, get a good private teacher (who works not just on physical approach) and dive into the scene.
 
#16
You could contact Paul Novotny he's a really good bassist in Toronto. I also agree with Neal about studying with other musicians who are not bassists. I study (record and play gigs) now and again with a great sax player. I have learned so much music from this cat. And while he doesn't know bass technic he sure knows what the bass line should be doing. He has such a good ear, I never get away with an out of tune note!! I'm learning old tunes that you never hear anymore that are really great. And the history that this guy knows is amazing. University or College is fine but the old way is still a really good way to go.
 

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