Bessy & Benny School of Bass!
Launching a new bass school in the midst of a global pandemic!
So this was the blog I sat down to write last week! It’s not unusual for me to get side tracked these days. Lockdown fatigue and more time spent in my own company often give my mind permission to wander off track. I don’t consider that to be a problem as I love to see what the creative side of my brain comes up with when given free rein! In pre-pandemic times, my regular commutes to gigs used to double as my thinking time and many a project grew from a single thought whilst waiting (im)patiently in traffic jams or cruising across the M8! These days the slick commute from kettle to computer to double bass means a regular Bessy Bass day dream session needs to be actively scheduled into the day.
The Bessy Bass project has always been inclusive. It’s about celebrating and sharing the wonderful world of music. It’s about all instruments, just led from the bass. However, after a year with my best pal confined to HQ, and staring hard at me with those powerful eyes, I felt compelled to give the double bass some well-deserved, devoted attention.
I maybe biased but the double bass really is a super-cool instrument! Whatever genre of music you prefer, you can get involved in it with the double bass. Be it classical, jazz, rock, country, folk, there is always place and a need for the double bass. Not only is it the crucial foundation of any orchestra, ensemble or band but its natural sound is that of melting chocolate!
That may be enough to answer the question, '“Why should I play double bass?” but perhaps that is now triggering the next question, “How can I learn to play double bass?” or “How can my child learn double bass?”
I might be able to help with that. Let’s start with the latter question, on behalf of your child…whether they know they want to play double bass, or don’t realise it yet!
Having just started high school, I was an older child when I began taking double bass lessons, To be absolutely honest, the only reason I signed up for them was because there was a waiting list for everything else!! But I firmly believe that musical instruments choose you. After signing up, I remember so clearly my friend saying “Go on, strum the strings. This is your instrument now!'”, as we walked passed the old bass with a hole in the shoulder after music class. That first strum bonded us and I fell in love straight away with my new friend which was quickly named Bessy. Double bass lessons for me were the highlight of my week. Three lessons in and I was sent along to orchestra! Excitement turned to fear though, as I looked at the sheet of notation on the music stand that Iona shared with me. Iona, a senior in her final year of school, was the principal and the only other double bass player in the school. She was an amazing player and I was starstruck as she took me under her wing. I proudly played the first note, then taken aback by the incredible sound of the McLaren High School orchestra, spent the next what seemed like an eternity working out how to locate the last note. All the time, with one eye glued to Iona, waiting for the nod and loudly whispered “now” for permission to play it!
Back then, mini basses were still waiting to make their appearance and players had to wait until they were big enough to get round the standard 3/4 size double bass! The introduction of the mini bass was a revelation! With double basses scaled down to 1/2, 1/4 , 1/8, 1/10 and even 1/16and 1/32, double bassists can start at a much younger age, as with most other instruments, and so are less likely to have to play catchup in school, regional and national ensembles. However, despite this, the double bass still finds itself on the endangered instrument list!
I am on a mission to help promote this wonderful instrument.
For a long time, I have dreamed of having my own bass school. It has taken a great deal of work, procrastination, a global pandemic and three lockdowns but finally, the Bessy & Benny School of Bass is launched and off the ground! It may seem like a crazy time to launch the school but as I mentioned in my last blog, being out of my comfort zone is my comfort zone and I, like so many people, have become much more respectful of the fragility of life, so intend to burst out of lockdown and hit the ground running. Therefore, in my mind, now is the perfect time!
I love teaching bass to all ages and stages of players. It is something I’ve done in various guises for thirty years or so. I am passionate about sharing the amazing life experiences my double bass opened up for me and I never tire from that amazing feeling when a student, whatever their age, get’s it! I also understand how daunting it can be to get started, especially the logistical aspects!
With this in mind, the Bessy & Benny School of Bass has carefully designed programmes for children aged 6-11 years, providing everything they need to get started. We provide the appropriate size of instrument, a handmade bespoke stool, accessories, music and more. Lessons are a blend of online and face to face (following Covid-19 government guidance). They are complimented with a variety of regular events both online and when possible, in person where students get to meet professional double bassists, with the opportunity to hear them talk about their careers, hear them play and ask them questions, as well as experience ensemble playing with other students as soon as it is allowed. Students also have exclusive access to our online library of practise and help videos and the whole family has membership of our private Facebook group where we build our community. We have endeavoured to make it as easy as possible to start playing the bass and this all comes with an easy pay subscription.
It takes a special character to get the best from a double bass. They need determination, they need strength…surprisingly, probably more inwardly than outwardly. They (and their grownups) need to be prepared to make the effort to move the instrument around or accept that they may need to borrow instruments when travelling further afield. That said, BREAKING NEWS… double basses fit into the majority of cars! This is probably a blog in itself!! I have fond memories of my mum driving me, my friend, a double bass and a trombone to our regional orchestra audition, safely and surprisingly comfortably accommodated in her wee Mini Metro! My best friend at school also drove a similar car. She had just passed her test and I had my first gig! That evening we learned that Boness is not on the Glasgow motorway, that wee cars can go fast and that your best friend will get you to your gig on time no matter what!
I digress yet again! So whilst my train of thought is halted at the station for a moment, I’ll give you the opportunity to alight, take a moment to refresh your cuppa and invite you to join me for a tour of the ☞ Bessy & Benny School of Bass .
“What’s that…How can an older child learn double bass?” I hear you ask, along with your very first question…“How can I learn the double bass (as an adult)?”… Well, let’s get the primary aged kids settled in first and I’ll come back to you with more about that. We’ve got so much more to chat about!