Amazing Bass!   Amazing Place! Double Bass Programs

DEGREES: Undergraduate degrees in classical double bass include Bachelor of Music Performance, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Arts.  Graduate level classical degrees include Master of Music Performance, Masters of Music Education, Master of Music Performance & Pedagogy, and Doctorate in Music Performance.  A supplemental Jazz Certificate is available for undergraduate double bass majors.  The jazz degrees include the new Bachelor of Music in Jazz Bass, the Master of Music Performance & Pedagogy, and the Doctorate in Jazz Studies.  The CU College of Music is one of only a few music schools offering the Jazz Doctorate degree. THE DOUBLE BASS STUDIES:  The courses of double bass study train students in a wide range of musical directions: 1) symphony orchestra music  2) solo classical  3) jazz  4) world music 5) teaching at the high school and university level.  Double bass students receive a weekly one-hour private lesson with Dr. Erhard, and participate in the weekly double bass studio performance class and also the weekly double bass sectional class devoted to orchestral excerpts, technique exercises, and sight reading. LESSONS: See pages Bass Lessons: Goals  and Bass Lessons: Format PERFORMING IN THE COLLEGE OF MUSIC:  Double bass players perform in various College of Music large ensembles, including the University Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Campus String Orchestra, Jazz Ensembles, and African Ensemble.   Smaller ensembles include Bass Ensemble, chamber music groups coached by CU string faculty members, Early Music Ensemble, and Jazz Combos.  The double bass studio frequently performs off campus in retirement communities. ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE CLASSES:  1) Orchestral Repertoire Class prepares students in the art of taking orchestral auditions (required for all undergrad string performance majors), 2) Improvisation for Strings develops  improvisation skills for a variety of musical styles  3) Jazz Bass Class, open to all double bass majors, focuses on the basics of playing jazz bass: playing good bass lines, keeping steady time, playing solos, and learning tunes. PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING OUTSIDE THE COLLEGE OF MUSIC:  There are many performance opportunities  in the musical community outside of the College of Music for both classical and jazz bass players.  CU double bass players perform as members of regional semi-professional orchestras in Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley, Cheyenne WY, and the Colorado Symphony in Denver.  Jazz players perform frequently throughout the metro Denver area. THE BUSINESS SIDE OF MUSIC:  A valuable resource available to all our music students is the College of Music Entrepreneurship Center for Music.   The ECM offers classes and workshops that teach students the business side of music, and how to create opportunities for themselves as they make a career in music as professional musicians. TO SUM IT UP: Through this comprehensive program of undergraduate and graduate double bass study, students are given the tools necessary to succeed in a career as professional double bass players and teachers.  Students are encouraged to develop into their fullest potential as musicians.  Have an incredible adventure with the amazing bass in fabulous Boulder!

CONTACT: Dr. Paul Erhard at  paul.erhard@colorado.edu

Amazing Bass!    Amazing Place!