Deciding who you are going to study with for the next four years is a decision that requires self-reflection and an understanding of your potential instructor.
First, ask yourself where do I want to be by the end of this chapter in my studies. Do I want to audition for professional orchestras? Do I want to audition for a performance-based master’s program? Do I want to freelance in a particular region of the country? Do I want to go on tours with pop artists?
Research
It’s ok not to know the answer to this question. However, if you desire to be on a track to win an audition in a major symphony, then it is worth your time to research what collegiate double bass programs are producing audition winners. From there, you can drill down even more. Look for content about other bassists who have won auditions. There is a ton of it. Listen or read first-hand accounts of bassists who have attended these programs. Odds are, you are going to hear a consistent message. You are not looking to create a carbon copy of their experience, rather, you are trying to extract a shared set of principles from performers who have risen to the top of their industry.
You can also contact people directly. Current and former students can be a tremendous resource and you should try to connect with as many of them as you can. You need to be mindful when listening to other student’s experiences. If one student’s negative experience with a teacher or program is not shared by your other contact’s experiences, then think of it like Amazon product reviews. We all know the review that is full of hyperbolic language and, ultimately, serves as a soapbox for the reviewer’s misguided expectations. You have to really listen to the criticisms. If the criticism is, they are never on campus, then yes, that is an objective observation. If the criticism is, they made me practice everything the way they like to practice and didn’t even ask for my input. Well, that is instructive and should be taken with a grain of salt.
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Communication
When I was auditioning for undergraduate and graduate programs, I composed an email to each bass instructor to introduce myself. I kept it brief and informative.
These emails serve a few purposes.
- It signals to the professor that you are considering auditioning for their studio and are serious about your education. More on this later.
- It can begin a fruitful dialogue that gives you insight into how the instructor communicates with students, and ultimately, teaches.
When I was an instructor at the university-level, receiving a thoughtfully written email from a potential student was a welcomed addition to my inbox. I know that the student who wrote this email took the time to research me (or at least read my bio), and find my email on the institution’s website. Then, they took the step to make a personal connection, letting me know a bit about themself, their interest in the program, and their goals and aspirations. Now, without hearing a note, this is someone that I am ready to listen to. Writing this letter also indicates a bit about their attitude. They are demonstrating self-sufficiency and confidence. Those are traits I want to see in my students. You may be thinking, does any of this matter if their audition is sub-par? Sure, if their performance is not of high quality, then it is far more difficult for the student to be considered for a program. However, it is important to recognize that the talent and performance of the person auditioning is only part of what goes into an acceptance decision. Phenomenal musicians have been turned down from the best programs because of bad attitudes, ego, and other non-performance aspects related to their personalities. So, take the time to send the email and allow yourself to stand out from other prospective students.
Interpersonal Connection
Do you respect your potential future instructor? If you can’t answer that with an immediate, yes, then you need to look elsewhere. This person will be someone that you look towards for answers to difficult questions, answers you may not want to hear, but need to hear, career guidance, and the list goes on. They do not need to be your friend, but you need to respect them. I have personally observed talented students who studied with renowned teachers that resulted in a terrible match.
So, how do you figure out if you and the instructor are a good fit? Take a lesson with them. Ask yourself… how did you feel after the lesson? Did you learn anything? If so, what was it? Hint: it doesn’t need to be profound. Did the instructor introduce you to a principle? If so, that could be indicative of how they approach their teaching. If you didn’t understand or execute a concept or instruction immediately, were they impatient? If so, how did they follow-up? Was it respectful?
More Questions…
On a practical level, you should understand the instructor’s commitments outside of their teaching position, at the institution you are seeking to attend. Are they on tour part of the year? Do they have a substantial commute? Are they available outside of your scheduled lesson times? Are they willing to be a mentor after you graduate? Are they willing to teach online? The answers to these questions can give you a sense of what it will be like to work with this person.
Finally, you need to accept that this person is going to be different from your current instructor (which is a good thing), and feeling trepidation about studying with someone new is OK. Trust is difficult to build with someone with whom you’ve have had limited experience. It can feel like a leap of faith. Staying open to new experiences and teaching styles is a crucial part of learning and an attitude that will benefit you greatly in the future.
-Trevor Jones, founder of The Scholarship Roadmap
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