Double Bass Lesson Goals	Amazing Bass! Amazing Place!
Double Bass on stage before the doors open	Side view of the Boulder's 3rd Flatiron
AIM HIGH AND SUCCEED:  Our goal in the double bass studio is always clear:  to achieve the highest level of musical excellence through a comprehensive training dedicated to helping each student develop into his or her fullest potential as a musician and person.   Confidence in oneself is the foundation every person needs.  Self-confidence motivates us to progress.  As we progress we enjoy the satisfaction gained from real accomplishment.  The spirit of supportive comraderie among students in the double bass studio at CU is a great asset: it creates a positive atmosphere that fosters and encourages each student to work hard to become his or her best.  Students are inspired to devote the necessary practice time it takes in order to make the progress which they ultimately desire.  With this kind of determination and enthusiastic effort, each student's sincere effort will certainly pay off, giving self-satisfaction and leading to professional success.
PERFORMING IN A GROUP:  Each week, bass students meet for a solo performance class and a bass ensemble class.  In the solo performance class, students have frequent opportunities to perform with piano accompaniment the solo literature being covered in lessons.  Students learn how to communicate musically with an accompanist.  In the ensemble class, the entire bass section works together on orchestral music, learning how to play as a bass section.   Students develop the important skill of learning to hear how the bass part fits in with the other instruments of the orchestra, which adds greatly to the enjoyment of playing in orchestra.  In ensemble class, bass students also play double bass chamber music (duos, trios, quartets), focusing on learning to respond to each musician in the group.
THE BIGGER PICTURE:   As students progress, particularly at the graduate level, the various components of the double bass program work together to help students develop poise, self control and confidence as performers.  Students learn to use to their advantage the adrenaline that comes when performing in front of an audience (concert or audition), which for many musicians means overcoming performance anxiety.   Very important is developing the capacity to think clearly in pressure situations, rather than playing as though in a fog.  Proper practice will develop this capacity.  We need the confidence in ourselves to know that those tough passages that we are able to easily play in the comfort of the practice room will also go well on stage or in an audition.  To help students achieve this high degree of consistency in their playing, Paul Erhard uses teaching and learning techniques which he developed from his experiences in Europe and India.
CONTACT: Dr. Paul Erhard at  paul.erhard@colorado.edu
AMAZING BASS! AMAZING PLACE!