Remind.com- Keep Your People Informed!

With so many forms of readily available, inexpensive (or free) communications methods available, why does it seem like our ensemble members are less informed than ever?  Maybe it has to do with the constant state of distraction that so many of us seem to constantly be in.  Or the nagging sense that we should always be doing more with less time... at any rate, I have been searching for some way to reach all my students and parents no matter what.  I have tried email, which works for some people- but some do not check their email very often, especially if they do not use it for work.  Students in particular, often have email addresses they use for creating online accounts, but they either never check it or they created the email and promptly forgot the password and never use it.  In some cases it isn't even a real email address!

Social media can be a good tool as well, but again you face the same hurdles, as well as some additional ones.  Not everyone uses it, some people use different platforms, some people do not have access, and the number of different social media iterations makes it hard to know which one will reach which people, and time consuming to create and maintain accounts on all of them.

For many years I manually created email lists, and did my own distribution list.  But I knew I was only reaching a small portion of my people, as many did not have email, or never read it.  Pretty much everyone has a cell phone, but some do not have "smart" phones and can only get SMS text messages.  It would be possible to collect cell numbers and make a mass texting lists, but then everyone would receive all the messages and replies, and some people might not want others to see their cell number.  Plus, the inherent risks of students (and even parents) having a teacher's personal cell number.

Remind takes all of this into account and has created the perfect means for teachers, coaches or activity directors to contact all their people via cell phone.  If you want to, you can receive messages via an app, email, or through simple text messaging.  Directors can add members through inputting their phone number or email, or members can add themselves through a web link, or by texting a code to a number.  You can send images, emojii, links, etc. as well, although they do not seem to work for the plain texting recipients. Messages need to be fairly short as well, but a handy counter keeps track of how many characters you have left.

I started using Remind just a few months ago and it has been a game-changer for me!  While in the past a few students and parents have emailed questiosn to me, it has been great to know that should they have a question they can ask me from their phone, and I can respond, all without having to worry about exchanging personal cell numbers. Remind tracks all conversations for security purposes. I can have students sign up in class by texting the code to the set-up number, or I can email or post the sign-up link on my website.

I look forward to using this tool in my classroom to help with parent and student engagement!

Electric Bass in the Band Program

Electric Bass in the Band Program

When perusing the available lesson books in most major band methods, you may have noticed the availability of lesson books for Electric Bass that follow the same exercises as all the other instruments.  Position charts and all other instructional materials match up, and students can progress through the books along with all other band instruments. Using these method books, students can learn new notes at the same time as the rest of the band instruments, and the bass can "basically" be treated like any other band instrument.  In the beginning band method books, fingering charts and all other information is provided for the bass just as all other instruments.  Below is a list of series of band methods that I know offer electric bass books.  Someone took the time to write the books for these instruments, so it makes sense to use them!

1. Essential Elements
2. Standard of Excellence
3. Tradition of Excellence
4. Belwin 21st Century
5. Accent on Achievement

If I missed any, please let me know and I will add them!  Another point to mention is that like most other method books, all of these band methods are integrated into SmartMusic and the bass can be assessed like any other instrument in SmartMusic!

Why is Electric Bass not used more often?

Interestingly enough, it does not seem that the electric bass is widely used in school bands.  Perhaps directors are worried about the additional logistics of worrying about tuning, amplifiers, extension cords, cables, etc.   Perhaps they are worried about balance and blend issues of adding an amplified instrument to an acoustic ensemble.  Perhaps, they see the lack of proper parts as an impediment. Perhaps, they lack the necessary knowledge to implement the instrument into their group.  Or, perhaps directors are worried that a "cool" instrument like the electric bass would draw talented students from more "useful" traditional instruments. I take issue with this sort of thinking, as I have found bass to be a very useful addition to my band programs.  Bass players are always needed in jazz bands, and can help fill out the low end of a band that has a weak (or absent) tuba section.  Electric Bass is more and more commonly seen in the marching band "pit" or stationary percussion section for the same reason, as well as offering a tonal option for the low end that has better projection and technical facility.

Alternate parts may work for easier band pieces and allow a bass player to avoid any octave transpositions, however, more advanced players will need to learn to transpose tuba music up an octave or have their director write parts out for them. (Bearing in mind the bass sounds an octave lower than written.) In grade 0.5-1 music, the normal low brass parts (trombone, baritone, bassoon) are most likely the same or similar and are in the proper range for bass and can be played without any transposition.

The relationship between upright bass and electric bass doesn't always seem to be well understood even by music teachers.  While it is called a "bass guitar" it really does not have much relationship to a normal guitar, other than sharing the same basic shape and tuning of the lowest 4 strings.  The electric bass was invented as a way to bring the sound of the bass more to the forefront in popular music, and certainly portability music have had a bit to do with its invention.

The pitch of the four strings of the electric bass and the upright bass are identical.  Even a professor of mine in college who played string bass didn't seem to realize that and assumed the upright bass was an octave lower.  Indeed, scale length of the upright is larger (especially in comparison to "short scale" electric basses) but the tuning of the open notes is the same.

Electric Bass to String/ Upright Bass

String Bass has been used for many years as a standard part of the concert band and wind ensemble instrumentation, despite the fact that relatively few pieces include string bass parts.  I have found electric bass to work well as a transitional instrument to string bass.  There are obvious differences in shape and size, as well as the separate but considerable issues of bow technique.  But nonetheless, electric bass can be a useful tool for moving younger students towards playing the string bass.

One trick I have used successfully is to mark the neck of the upright bass in half-steps as if it had frets.  Students will have to adjust fingerings to play on the lines rather than in between the frets as on electric bass, but it can work with skillful listening and practice.  I generally start to transition my students to upright bass after a year of study on the electric bass.  We do not have a dedicated string program at my school, so students are not learning the upright bass along side other bowed strings as they might in other programs.  The lines can be removed once the student gets comfortable with positions.  White-out, paint markers, thin strips of electrical tape, or automotive pin-stripe tape all work well.  Use a tuner and your ear to determine where the markings should be, and remind students that ultimately their ear must determine exact positions as finger thickness and many other factors impact intonation.

Using a standard string-method bass book as a supplement is an important step as well, to ensure students know the the basic skills of  holding the instrument, posture, etc.  I generally do not emphasize much bow-work until students are comfortable playing pizzicato.  I feel it is better to wait on introducing the bow rather than have a student start using it before they are ready.  Pizzicato works perfectly fine for the majority of band music, since generally they are playing from a tuba or low brass part and not a string bass part anyway.

The upright bass is quite a bit more expensive than a bass guitar, and in some cases perhaps they will be left as the domain of the High School program.  A few years ago I was able to secure a grant for a 1/2 size upright bass for our middle school, which I have used as a transitional instrument quite successfully.

To Amp or Not to Amp

The care and feeding of your young bass players is not complete without a discussion of amplification.  Rightfully so, the thought of younger players being given 150 watts of pure amplified power and the ability to control their own volume is a frightening prospect.  Hopefully, I can help assuage your fears!  First off, there is a hybrid instrument you might not be aware of: the Acoustic Bass Guitar.  Visually, these instruments look much like a large-bodied acoustic guitar, except they use four strings tuned identically to a bass guitar. They were invented in the 1960s but did not gain popularity until the MTV unplugged era showed them being utilized by popular bands and they gained a "cool" factor.  Indeed, the ability for your bassist to play around the campfire 100% unplugged is a major factor, as well as being able to participate in post-apocalyptic jam sessions when electricity might be at a premium.  These instruments are not especially loud when played unplugged, but they do have built-in pickups that can be used to amplify their sound.  But they are loud enough to allow students to practice individually and in small groups, as well as use computerized assessment and instruction programs like SmartMusic.

If you want a softer, unplugged option for your bassists, the acoustic bass guitar is your weapon of choice.  They can be had for as little as $100.  But eventually you will want to train your bass players to "plug in."  I teach my bass players to know where their volume knobs are (electric basses and guitars can have a dizzying number of knobs, knowing which one(s) control volume is usually a matter of simple trial and error.  Likewise, knowing what the knobs on the amp do can be tricky.  Luckily, bass amps are much simpler than electric guitar amps.  Have students "zero out" the knobs before plugging in.  Volume knob (and/or Gain) all the way to the left to zero, and any equalizer (EQ) or tone knobs should be centered to zero.  Volume on the instrument also set to zero.  Slowly turn up to the desired volume.  Students should sit in front of their amp, not behind it.  They need to be able to hear their own sound.  Placing the bass amp behind the drummer can also be a big help.

I currently have six bass players in my middle school band, but only two of them are currently allowed to plug in.  I treat it as a privilege, and if they cannot control their volume, I do unplug them.  Don't be afraid to exercise a higher degree of scrutiny towards your bassists playing with the concert band, as they can easily overwhelm the band if they can't control their volume!

Short-Scale Electric Basses

Most standard electric basses have around a 34-inch scale, meaning the tuned length of the strings. Shorter scale basses are available, anywhere from 32, 30.5 and probably even smaller... these instruments can be much more useful for younger players, as they have smaller arms and hands. Popular models include the Fender Mustang or Jaguar and Washburn Corvette.  Originally these were designed to facilitate switching from Electric Guitar to Bass but they work equally well for those with less reach.  Look for a Bass with SS (Short Scale) designation or a scale length of 32 or less. 

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, please do not fear adding a bass or two to you band program.  How you do this is certainly your choice, whether you have a student learn bass on the side (mine often play percussion in parades) or use it as a stand-alone instrument.  If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me!