This is a repository of resources helpful to the current and prospective music educator. There is an emphasis on resources for string players (especially double bass players) given the slant of this blog, but most music teachers and students should find some helpful information here. The following information is intended to serve as a resource for both students and teachers, and sharing any and all of the linked media and resources is encouraged.

The links that follow will guide the educator through the Bass Blog, but I would also highly recommend clicking on the tabs at the to of the blog or the links in the sidebar if you see a subject that interests you. As of this writing (March 2007) the blog has just under 1000 individual HTML pages plus hundreds of downloadable MP3 and PDF files, so there is much more content here than can be summarized in a few bullet points.

Since this site is run on a blogging engine (a blog, after all, is just a website with a special content management system), you can leave a comment on any page anywhere on the Bass Blog. I read and respond to all comments, so please let me hear your two cents! That easy social interaction is one of the most special things about the blog medium, and I really enjoy hearing from my readers. If you prefer to communicate in a less public way, e-mailing me is always fine.

Enjoy!

• Music Links – This page consists of links highlighting double bass websites, gear and accessories, top double bass programs, music publishers for bass, plus string shops in the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond. Of more general (non-bass) interest are links to jazz resource sites, instrument insurance companies, music educator resources, career development websites for performers, summer festivals to audition for, recommended area professional orchestras, and web-based practice tools.

• Student Resources – This page features a student-friendly portal into the Bass Blog. I usually tell my private students to click this link. Once on this page you will find my lesson schedule, lesson summaries and assignments for my students, recommended repertoire for the double bass, links for bass students, videos of bassists, downloads. The final link on the page takes the student to the Bass Blog Practice Page, which gives the student access to hundreds of downloadable practice tracks. There are also links to many music-related articles of mine as well as my set of crazy gig stories.

• Practice Tracks – This page will take you to around 300 practice tracks. All 1, 2, and 3 octave major and natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales have their own individual track, which can be practiced from the blog or downloaded. A variety of solo works and orchestral excerpts for the double bass also have practice tracks.

• Downloads – One of the highlights of the Bass Blog is the vast array of downloadable content for the music educator. This page contains links to MP3 practice tracks plus downloadable PDFs of scales, transcriptions, staff paper, and technique packets.

• Podcasts – Visit this page to subscribe to Contrabass Conversations, my weekly double bass podcast, or my more irregularly updated podcast titled Jason Heath’s Double Bass Performances.

• Crazy Gig Stories – I’ve had a lot of weird stuff happen to me while playing the bass. A lot. Click here to find out more.

• Bass Videos – The Bass Blog contains an ever-growing number of videos featuring performances on the instrument. Click here to visit the collection.

• Bass Posts – Much of the content on the blog (although certainly not all of it) has to do with the bass. Clicking this link filters out all of the non-bass material, leaving you hours of topical bassy goodness.

• Education Posts – Although not as frequent as the bass posts, I also regularly write about topics in music education and education in general. Clicking this link will bring up only my writings about education.

• Articles by Jason – I have written numerous articles about education, freelancing, careers in music, advice for students, and the double bass. This link will take you to these various articles.

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While browsing the blog, you can also watch me play on the famous 1611 Amati bass formerly owned by Boston Symphony conductor Serge Koussevitzky: