“Bass Studio 101” Tips for the Contemporary Bass Teacher

1. “Bass Studio 101”Tips for the Contemporary Bass Teacher Presented by, Mr. David Ballam ISB Convention 2011- SFSU Saturday, May 11th 2011

2. Overview: • Settings for studio teaching (pros/cons): • Teaching in your home • Teaching in the schools • Teaching at a music school • Building your studio: • Networking with other teachers and professionals • Advertise at local music store • Clinics with schools • Judge competitions • Posting business cards (keep information simple)

3. Key Topics: • Creating an effective studio policy • Managing your studio successfully • Developing connection with your students • Resources and integrating technology

4. 1. Creating an Effective Studio Policy • Description of policy for absences, cancellations, lateness and discontinuing of lessons • Materials needed (who is responsible for purchasing?) • Expectations of practice and lesson preparation • Special studio rules?? (cell phones off, nails neatly trimmed, etc.) • Pertinent contact information for the student, parent or guardian. Indication of preferred contact method (email, phone, text, etc.)

5. Pertinent contact information for the student, parent, or guardian. • Indication of preferred contact method (email, phone, text, etc.) • Recommended: parents and students sign and date annually. (ie. This is like “contract” for all things related to the studio)

9. 2. Managing your Studio Successfully • Business Basics • Setting up a business bank account • Sole-Proprietorship and EIN # • Keeping personal life separate from your business entity • Filing Taxes: W-2, 1099-MISC, Schedule C and paying estimated taxes quarterly • Keeping track of your records (various topics):

10. Business deductions • Methods of payment • Checks and online payments • Recording mileage • Arranging lesson schedules • Keeping track of student lesson activities, individual student goals, etc. • “Musicians Practice Planner” or lesson notebook.

12. Record keeping: • Envelopes: Deposit Slips & Copies of checks • Monthly Bank Statements • CC Statements & Receipts (Taxes!) • Miscellaneous Payments and/or Write-offs • Checkbook, Debit Card, CC Storage Note: If in doubt, save everything and keep up-to-date records.

13. Working with Parents: • Communicating the progress of the student. • Specific notes or directions about parental involvement. • Updating parents with crucial information such as dates of upcoming recitals, masterclasses, studio news or other current information that might be beneficial. • Making parents aware of your own professional activities such as performances or authored articles. • Parent education (Suzuki)

14. Working with Students: • Professional demeanor • Punctuality • Respectful of students and parents • Be Prepared- your teaching bag: • Tuner/ Metronome • Pencil • Lesson book • Handouts • Scale sheets • Copies of music (solos, orchestra music, excerpts, etudes, sight-reading, duets, etc.) • I.D. Badge if teaching in public schools

15. 3. Developing Connection with your Students • Defining your student’s short-term and long-term musical goals • Understanding your student’s personality • Creating an environment for learning (no distractions!) • Promoting student self-assessment and opportunities for them to discuss technical and musical choices during lessons

16. Teach your students how to practice, not just what to practice! • Creating your own personal touch (remembering student’s birthdays, personalized notes, etc.) • Studio recitals • Competitions and music camps • Working with adult students: • Repertoire choices • Practice goals • Defining your role as teacher

17. Recent recital photo (students from the RRISD):

18. 4. Resources and Integrating Technology • Using the Internet to your advantage: • Creating your own personal website (Google Sites, Webs.com, etc.) • Other tools on the web for studio teachers (Music Teachers Helper) • Maintaining a Blog (using Wordpress or Blogger, etc.) • Take advantage of social media: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.) • Websites for file storage (Box.com, Google Docs, etc.)

19. Audio recording and videotaping for the complete technology novice: • Use of mini-recorders such as the “Zoom” recorder for audio or “Flip Cam” for video (use compressed file formats). • Use of separate recording devices such as CD recorder (burner) with input professional mic, or DVD recorder from a camera.

20. Books and other Resources: • The New (3rd Edition) Tax Guide for Writers, Artists, Performers & Other Creative People, by Peter Jason Riley, CPA (2010) • From the Stage to the Studio: How Fine Musicians Become Great Teachers, by Cornelia Watkins and Laurie Scott Oxford University Press (In Press 2011) • Professional Associations: ASTA, MENC, ISB, etc. • Magazines and Journals (“Bass World”, “The Strad”, “Strings”, etc.)

21. Personal Resources- Collaborating with other Teachers: • Other local music teachers (even non-bass) • Public school orchestra teachers (Elementary, Middle, High-School) • Professional and/or gigging musicians

22. Questions & Reflection: • What’s next?? • “Raising the bar” • Doing more with less • Learning to be realistic

23. Acknowledgements: • ISB Convention Committee and director/coordinator Madeline Crouch • The Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music- University of Texas at Austin • My parents who supported my interest in music and the doublebass

24. WEBSITE: David Ballam Bass Studio www.bass-studio.com BASS BLOG: “Tuned in 4ths” www.tunedin4ths.org