Transcript “Bass Studio 101” Tips for the Contemporary Bass

“Bass Studio 101”
Tips for the Contemporary
Bass Teacher
Presented by,
Mr. David Ballam
ISB Convention 2011- SFSU
Saturday, May 11th 2011
Overview:
 Settings for studio teaching (pros/cons):
 Teaching in your home
 Teaching in the schools
 Teaching at a music school
 Building your studio:
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Networking with other teachers and professionals
Advertise at local music store
Clinics with schools
Judge competitions
Posting business cards (keep information simple)
Key Topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Creating an effective studio policy
Managing your studio successfully
Developing connection with your students
Resources and integrating technology
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.)
 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)
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):
1) Business deductions
2) Methods of payment
• Checks and online payments
3) Recording mileage
4) Arranging lesson schedules
5) Keeping track of student lesson activities,
individual student goals, etc.
• “Musicians Practice Planner” or lesson
notebook.
Record keeping:
1) Envelopes: Deposit Slips & Copies of
checks
2) Monthly Bank Statements
3) CC Statements & Receipts (Taxes!)
4) Miscellaneous Payments and/or Write-offs
5) Checkbook, Debit Card, CC Storage
Note: If in doubt, save everything and keep
up-to-date records.
 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)
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Working with Students:
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Professional demeanor
Punctuality
Respectful of students and parents
Be Prepared- your teaching bag:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Tuner/ Metronome
Pencil
Lesson book
Handouts
Scale sheets
Copies of music (solos, orchestra music, excerpts, etudes,
sight-reading, duets, etc.)
7) I.D. Badge if teaching in public schools
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
 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
Recent recital photo (students from the RRISD):
4. Resources and Integrating
Technology
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Using the Internet to your advantage:
1) Creating your own personal website (Google Sites,
Webs.com, etc.)
2) Other tools on the web for studio teachers (Music
Teachers Helper)
3) Maintaining a Blog (using Wordpress or Blogger,
etc.)
4) Take advantage of social media: Twitter, Facebook,
YouTube, etc.)
5) Websites for file storage (Box.com, Google Docs,
etc.)
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Audio recording and videotaping for the
complete technology novice:
1) Use of mini-recorders such as the “Zoom” recorder for
audio or “Flip Cam” for video (use compressed file
formats).
2) Use of separate recording devices such as CD recorder
(burner) with input professional mic, or DVD recorder
from a camera.
 Books and other Resources:
1) The New (3rd Edition) Tax Guide for Writers, Artists,
Performers & Other Creative People, by Peter Jason
Riley, CPA (2010)
2) From the Stage to the Studio: How Fine Musicians
Become Great Teachers, by Cornelia Watkins and
Laurie Scott Oxford University Press (In Press 2011)
3) Professional Associations: ASTA, MENC, ISB, etc.
4) Magazines and Journals (“Bass World”, “The Strad”,
“Strings”, etc.)
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Personal Resources- Collaborating with
other Teachers:
1) Other local music teachers (even non-bass)
2) Public school orchestra teachers (Elementary,
Middle, High-School)
3) Professional and/or gigging musicians
Questions & Reflection:
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What’s next??
“Raising the bar”
Doing more with less
Learning to be realistic
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
WEBSITE: David Ballam Bass Studio
www.bass-studio.com
BASS BLOG: “Tuned in 4ths”
www.tunedin4ths.org