University of Arizona,
School of Music
Bass Studio Syllabus Overview - Undergrad
Patrick Neher - Professor (room 223. Office phone: 520-621-5822)
For the 2011/12 academic season, Professor Neher is introducing a new pedagogy. This new way of teaching bass, unique to Professor Neher's studio, will provide students with a holistic approach to studying all music that is played on the bass. No longer will the repertory be limited specifically to double bass, but will include all music that bass players are requested to play in today's changing musical world.
The New Philosophy and Approach:
Simply put; developing the ability to play all bass instruments with strings is the focus of the technique. This means that electric bass, acoustic-electric bass, stick basses, bass guitars of all types, and double bass (upright bass) will all be treated with equal respect as instruments of musical study. All styles of music will be explored with interest and vigor. We will together become aware and be guided through the vast repertory for bass, and will develop for you the techniques for performing and interpreting this interesting, vast and varied repertory.
New "Tracks" of Repertory Study:
Pedagogically, a student is allowed to cross tracks, mix tracks, or stay on a single track. All students will be allowed and encouraged to perform lessons and concerts on basses appropriate to the repertory being studied. For example, one lesson might be focusing on the techniques required to play Bottesini's Elegy, another lesson on the playing of a jazz solo by Paul Chambers, another lesson on playing Americana changes on electric bass. Each Track will have repertory determined by the student along with specific pieces required by the instructor. A Plan of Study will be devised each year that will specify the Track and repertory, and the techniques needed for each Track, combined with those that are cross-Track. A Goals Completion and Evaluation will be used as self-evaluation. Grades will be based on self-evaluation combined with instructor evaluation.
| Classical Bass Solo and orchestral techniques and repertory. Double bass. Rep. Composer Examples: Bottesini, Misek, Hertl, Sperger, Bach, Dragonetti, etc. Beethoven, Brahms, Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Schostokovich, Stravinsky, etc. |
Contemporary Bass |
Jazz Bass |
Pop & Rock Bass |
Folk & Ethnic Bass |
Also unique to Professor Neher's approach is the integration of an Assistant professor who will provide this new approach an alternative opinion and experience. In general, Professor Neher will focus on the student acquiring the technique to play the bass well (physicality, techniques, form, movement, natural forms, balance) and the ability to interpret music deeply, and express that interpretation easily. The Assistant professor will focus on repertory, commonly held expectations, projection, stage deportment, ensemble collaboration, and giving the student the necessary tools to compete in the genre he/she selects.
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