Double Bass 101: Developing a Comfortable Bow Hold
Developing a comfortable bow hold is challenging for young string players first starting out. Rather, maintaining a comfortable, relaxed, and flexible bow is a process that continues even today for me as I develop and grow as a musician. Over…
Double Bass 101: Left Hand Technique Fundamentals
Learning the double bass is a challenging pursuit. Building the endurance, muscles, and dexterity to get around the bass takes time and diligence. Young musicians looking to learn the bass will have to work at developing both solid left hand…
3 Considerations When Recommending Double Bass Repertoire to Young Bassists
As educators, we know our students best. We know their strengths and weaknesses and we care about their personal and musical growth. Music learning is different for every student and requires us to be tuned into their needs. There have…
2019 Summer Bass Study Camp Recap
This last week I wrapped up the second annual Summer Study Bass Camp. The camp was created last summer to reach young bassists in my community who are interested in learning more about playing the bass, connecting with other young…
Double Bass 101: Thinking Like A Bassist, A High Calling
“How come we never get the melody?” “My part is boring!” Perhaps you’ve heard this lament from the bass section of your orchestra or rhythm section bassist. As a middle school orchestra director, I know I’ve heard this sentiment at…
Tips For Creating Clear Performance Assessment Rubrics
Musicians are masters at assessment. We assess our personal music making and those of our students constantly and make real time adjustments and observations. Live performance is an “in the moment” creation. During a performance, musicians are called to listen,…
Teaching More Than The Notes And Rhythm
A performance is often the major driving force behind our teaching as music educators. It is in a sense the final assessment. Certainly, students learning the music for an upcoming performance is top priority. No doubt, the music must be…
The Benefits of a Student Led Chamber Ensemble Experience
Each year in our district we are fortunate to host an annual solo and ensemble festival sponsored by the American String Teachers Association (A.S.T.A). Grades six through twelve participate in the festival on two separate days. One for students in…
Fundamentals of Tone Production
When we hear a particular musician play and are immediately drawn into the music we may be attracted to their note choices, their feel, the way they may blend with the other musicians, and their individual and unique tone. I…
Helping String Orchestra Students Tune Independently
The goal for our students is to help them become independent learners and musicians. As educators, we want our students to be able to practice effectively, set goals, think critically about their music making, perform and play expressively with a…