Bass Retreat 2014 - registration now open!

Bass Retreat 2014!

I am so pleased to announce that everything is in place for our first workshop which is now titled "Bass Retreat"!  (turns out Bass Boot Camp was already taken)

What is it?  A one-day event filled with group classes where we'll focus on using our bodies efficiently, stretching, posture, playing together and covering the basic elements of technique, masterclasses with inspiring teachers, a session on caring for your instrument in all seasons, and a chance to try improvisation - especially if you have never tried that before!  Lunch is included in the cost of the event, and we'll all eat together and have more time to network, chat, and really go to town on all things BASS!

Here's the flyer that's going out to all the local teachers and players.  You can print your registration from here, or go to bassretreat.com to sign up online.  There will be bass rentals available for the day if you are travelling in from out of town.  Just let us know on the form.

Hope to see you all in August!  Feel free to contact me directly with any questions at gmccormick@esm.rochester.edu

Gaelen

Next Level Journal for bass and cello - a free online resource

Happy Fourth of July to all my bass friends!

I'm trying to conserve a little energy here in the middle of the day, post-taking daughter to the pool to swim, and pre-playing a late night show for the city of Rochester.  You know, noodling on the computer when....

BAM - there it is - Next Level Journals has their latest issue out and I want very much to call your attention to this great resource.  First - it's free!  Yes, you have to register with the site, but I have been using this for about two years now, ever since it launched, and they have not sold my email address or hit me with even one spam-ish email or advert.

So, what is it?  Well, they feature two magazines, in magazine format when you read it online, which is a little strange for an old fart like me, to have to click a page turn rather than scroll down the page.  But, whatever.  One is for cello, one is for bass.  Because we all know (say it with me) that a bass is NOT a cello (or a violin for that matter).  They interview great players, in all genres, and have deep conversations about practicing, or performing, or what making music means to them.  There is a bit of advertising within the magazine, but it's sustaining them and keeping it free for the rest of us to use.

Jordan Morton is featured this time, along with her most recent teacher, Nicholas Walker.  I met Jordan about two years ago when I was lucky enough to give a masterclass at Ithaca College for Nick Walker's students.  Jordan was one of the four students Colin Corner (our principal bass here in the Rochester Philharmonic) and I worked with that afternoon, and she left a really big impression on me.  I could easily see that she was a dedicated artist and a lifelong student - qualities that I so admire in great musicians.

Head on over to Ranaan Meyer's magazines - Next Level Journals at:
https://2caec3.campgn3.com/View-Next-Level-Bassists-Left-Hand-Issue

I think it will fill you with plenty of practical practice advice for our great instrument.

Gaelen

Widening the road - for all bass players and teachers

Hello Bass friends!

They are about 1/4 done with a project in front of my home to widen the road and add drainage to our otherwise soggy area.  Exciting, no?  And from where I practice in the front of the house, right now I see all kinds of large machinery being hauled by, lots of flagpeople helping to keep the flow of traffic safe, and not much else.  I live pretty far outside of Rochester, and it's very scenic and hilly, which makes for great road biking and running in the warmer months.  So I really enjoy seeing the bicyclists zip by as I practice.   But alas, they are wisely avoiding my road for the rest of summer.  The good news is that the road shoulders will be widened, making it even safer and smoother for our biking community.

Today, however, I am thinking a lot about the upcoming workshop I'm planning - 

Bass Boot Camp at Nazareth College  

We just named the date: Tuesday, August 19th!  And I was thinking about how this one day camp will be about "widening the road" for more ideas and more kinds of bass playing.  It's not always the case that lots of different ideas are welcome at the table, but I want you to know that here it is!  There are so many styles of bass playing, sizes of instruments, kinds of bows and bow grips, types of strings.... you see where I'm going with this?  

Bass playing isn't just one thing, and teaching it isn't either.  So let's widen the road together.  Let's share our ideas, play with them right away on our instruments, and help each other grow as players and teachers.  Save the date August 19, from 9am to 5pm for a friendly and fun day of bass playing and learning together.  A formal announcement and marketing materials will be coming out soon.  I have a great list of teachers and players joining me for this event:

Jeff Campbell - jazz bass professor at the Eastman School of Music

Katie Fittipaldi - Alexander Technique teacher, cello teacher at the Kanack School 

Nicholas Walker - bass professor at Ithaca College

and of course, me too!  Gaelen McCormick, bass instructor at Nazareth College and the Eastman Community Music School

Until we meet again - happy practicing!

Gaelen