“Bass Studio 101”Tips for the

Contemporary Bass Teacher

“Bass Studio 101”Tips for the

Contemporary Bass Teacher

Presented by,Mr. David Ballam

ISB Convention 2011- SFSU

Saturday, May 11th 2011

Presented by,Mr. David Ballam

ISB Convention 2011- SFSU

Saturday, May 11th 2011

Overview: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)

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)

Key Topics:Key Topics:

1. Creating an effective studio policy

2. Managing your studio successfully

3. Developing connection with your students

4. Resources and integrating technology

1. Creating an effective studio policy

2. Managing your studio successfully

3. Developing connection with your students

4. Resources and integrating technology

1. Creating an Effective Studio Policy

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.)

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)

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

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):

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.

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:Record keeping:

1) Envelopes: Deposit Slips & Copies of checks2) Monthly Bank Statements3) CC Statements & Receipts (Taxes!)4) Miscellaneous Payments and/or Write-offs5) Checkbook, Debit Card, CC Storage Note: If in doubt, save everything and keep up-

to-date records.

1) Envelopes: Deposit Slips & Copies of checks2) Monthly Bank Statements3) CC Statements & Receipts (Taxes!)4) Miscellaneous Payments and/or Write-offs5) 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)

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)

Working with Students: Professional demeanor Punctuality Respectful of students and parents

Be Prepared- your teaching bag:1) Tuner/ Metronome2) Pencil3) Lesson book4) Handouts5) Scale sheets6) Copies of music (solos, orchestra music, excerpts, etudes,

sight-reading, duets, etc.)7) I.D. Badge if teaching in public schools

Working with Students: Professional demeanor Punctuality Respectful of students and parents

Be Prepared- your teaching bag:1) Tuner/ Metronome2) Pencil3) Lesson book4) Handouts5) Scale sheets6) 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

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

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

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

4. Resources and Integrating Technology

4. Resources and Integrating Technology

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.)

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.)

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.

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.)

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.)

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

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:Questions & Reflection:

What’s next?? “Raising the bar” Doing more with less Learning to be realistic

What’s next?? “Raising the bar” Doing more with less Learning to be realistic

Acknowledgements: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

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

WEBSITE: David Ballam Bass Studio

www.bass-studio.com

BASS BLOG: “Tuned in 4ths”

www.tunedin4ths.org