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Yes! Electric Bass Degree

PNeher

PNeher

Mar 31, 2005
308
12
Bellingham, WA
www.patrickneher.com
#1
Yup, it's possible now at the University of Arizona, School of Music to get a BA or BM on electric bass. MM too! I have opened up my studio to include all basses and all genres of music. Woo Hoo! Check it out at:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Download the entire syllabus on this page (pdf). Feel free to IM any questions.
Ciao!
Patrick
 
#3
I have to disagree w/ kesslari- I think you will be very well qualified to do a number of performance related activities to give yourself alternate streams of income, like teaching and also writing instructional material- books, online courses, etc.

But in terms of gigging, well maybe kesslari is right.
 
#4
kesslari said:
Sadly, I think that and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee...
Click to expand...

it will also get you instruction by a world class musician, exposure to other musicians eager to develop their skills and an experience in an academic setting that was unheard of until, well until Professor Neher started this program.

A degree goes a hell of a lot further than a cup of coffee and this is coming from somebody who works in government in a position that requires a degree, any degree. Most employers in my sector only want to see that somebody followed through with something in their lives and they don't care what your subject of study was as long as you have a degree from an accredited university.
 
#6
kesslari said:
Sadly, I think that and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee...
Click to expand...


Why so negavtive man? Education is a GOOD thing! Having a degree on your instrument is a GOOD thing! I studied with some AMAZING players that weren't ABLE to get their degress because they didn't play upright. I would like to applaud this program and the professor that pushed so hard to get it approved. KUDOS!
 
#7
Pop & Rock Bass
Covers, originals, transcribing, transposing techniques and repertory. Double bass and Electric basses.

Rep. Song Writers Examples:
Bruce Springstein, Jerry Lee Lewis, Madonna, Sting, Incubus, Elton John, No Doubt, Lady Gaga, etc.
Click to expand...

There are worthy basslines in these to pursue in a BM program? :hmm: :confused:

Bruce Springstein (sp?) :eek:

Apparently spelling isn't a prerequisite in college anymore.
 
#10
Looks quite interesting. Can a student major in Education with a bass guitar major? I would say, if so, the graduate might find it hard to get a teaching gig with no knowledge of bowing technique. The best of both worlds in a college setting would be to combine double bass with electric bass, having to pass jurys in both. Studying the double bass and playing in an orchestra makes a graduate more marketable with exposire to bowing, vibrato, and trying to play each note in tune!!

Are you passing through Buffalo in the near future? (Please, no Bills cracks!)
 
#11
I think it looks pretty cool. I mean, how many schools offer a degree in electric bass? In terms of knowledge, it could be quite invaluable. As to whether or not you could procure gainful employement from it misses the point, me thinks. How the knowledge is implemented by the student has a greater bearing on the personality of the student. It's about music, not money. An artist rarely lives off of their art.
 
#12
Can it be taken online?

I really want to get certified, the only teaching school in the area requires "certification" of some kind.

Oh I've stood in for major label acts and know my theory inside and out. Can play classical and jazz standup. I took lessons from seasoned pros. I've gigged for years but that isn't good enough without a 2 year diploma from a community college. They wouldn't even sit me down to listen to me play or ask me about theory.



:/
 
#14
Since very, very few gigs require a degree, and a music education major with only EB as an instrument would be at a disadvantage (I've taught music for 34 in private, public schools) I don't see what a degree is going to do for a person. What knowledge is given that cant be gained from private lessons? I'm thinking that a person who really wants to play would be better off listening to as much music as they can and spending the tution money on private lessons (even like plane travel to other cities to study with world class players). I agree finishing a degree DOES say something about a person and their ability to finish a goal.... but if you are going to go through all that, why not get a degree in something that just might lead to some level of employment.

To get a college education you are spending time AND money.....what do you get in return?
 
#15
mstott25 said:
A degree goes a hell of a lot further than a cup of coffee.
Click to expand...

That depends entirely on the degree and the cup of coffe involved.

I personally would not sign up for an electric bass degree, but would go for a good cup of coffee any time of the day...it's also a hell lot cheaper , just in case it's not as good as promised...my two beans:)
I hold a music degree and had excellent bass teachers during that time... I am really glad that it was not a "bass degree" as I learnt about other instruments, arrangement, counterpoint, history etc..., got to know future collegues and employers
I got a deep and well rounded education, which to me is very important.

If an electric bass degree gives all this...it might just work.
So far I have not seen one.
But at the end of course, it's all down to what any individual wants from a degree.
 
#16
cnltb said:
That depends entirely on the degree and the cup of coffe involved.

I personally would not sign up for an electric bass degree, but would go for a good cup of cofee any time of the day...it's also a hell lot cheaper , just in case it's not as good as promised...my two beans:)
I hold a music degree and had excellent bass teachers during that time... I am really glad that it was not a "bass degree" as I learnt about other instruments, arrangement, counterpoint, history etc..., got to know future collegues and employers
I got a deep and well rounded education, which to me is very important.
Click to expand...


The point was, you can point to any degree and call it worthless. Including my old roommate's law degree which prepared him well to open up a bar after he realized it was much harder to get work as a lawyer than he he had imagined :D
 
#17
True enough, no one ever asked to see my degree before they hire me for a gig. It doesn't mean it was worthless. The skill I acquired in obtaining it was why they were hiring me,even if they didn't know it.

Then there are my classmates that wound up with teaching gigs at universities after establishing them selves as players. The degree was invaluable to them. My friends that are GREAT players with no degrees are going back to get them...
 
#19
Hankenstein said:
Then there are my classmates that wound up with teaching gigs at universities after establishing them selves as players. The degree was invaluable to them. My friends that are GREAT players with no degrees are going back to get them...
Click to expand...

Those teaching gigs were plentiful at the University level until about 5 years ago. Enrollment in these programs is down, since many finally realized that the primary value was to get a teaching gig in a similar program. It become very circular after a while. How, the business of gigging is down so much that these universities can get serious heavy weight talent as faculty, versus a schmoe with a music degree that no one has heard of.

Doesn't mean it is worthless, just that you had better have a VERY strong 'plan B'.

Sorry to be harsh, but you will thank me in 25 years... a lot!
 

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