Preucil School of Music

Bass Lessons

In recent years, the strung bass has come into its own as a solo instrument, while maintaining its traditional importance as the foundation of the orchestra, concert band, or jazz group. Children who have not started a stringed instrument by fourth or fifth grade, or pianists who want to join the orchestra program are encouraged to consider the string bass. Because of the limited number of bass students, it is not possible to offer group classes, but orchestra participation is encouraged as soon as the basics are learned.

Individual Lessons: Beginning students enroll for a thirty minute lesson. This time is shared by child and parent, in order to instruct the parent in his/her role as home teacher. All new parents and students are encouraged to observe other student's individual lessons, as well as a group lesson, during the first few weeks of the term. During these observations, the Suzuki Triangle can be seen in action: parent, teacher, and child working, sharing, and having fun together. Success in the Suzuki approach depends upon this triangular relationship, rooted in a rich environment.

The parent is expected to be present at all lessons and supervise home practice until the teacher determines that the student is sufficiently mature to work without help. Using a cassette recorder to tape each lesson is recommended whether or not the parent is present at the lesson. Questions which come up mid-week are easily resolved, and reminders of special details result in a better-prepared lesson.

Parents are asked to take pertinent notes in a notebook which is brought to each lesson. The teacher's instructions should be written in this notebook each session, so that a complete record is available for review and reminders. The parent's role as home teacher usually continues for several years, with the student gradually assuming more responsibility. The teacher will guide the student toward working independently at the proper time.

When music reading is introduced (around Book Two or Three), it is advisable to increase the individual lesson time to forty-five minutes, and the daily practice proportionately.

The Preucil School welcomes students who transfer from non-Suzuki backgrounds during any stage of advancement. Regardless of the age of such students, it is helpful for their parents to observe lessons at first to gain an understanding of Suzuki learning ideals and any necessary technical adjustments.

Home Practice and Listening: Progress occurs during home practice and listening sessions. At lessons, the teachers take students from where they are and move them to the next step. If growth has not occurred at home during the week, the lesson remains at the same level. Similarly, careful practice and listening habits in preschool and elementary years can result in outstanding musical and academic accomplishments in high school and later life. An open understanding with the teacher about realistic practice and listening expectations is essential. While the discipline of regular practice is not always easy, children are always happiest when they do well. Suzuki challenges parents to "create the desire to learn" in their children.

Additional information

Photos and video

Learning: Lessons/practice information

Bass faculty

Registration/enrollment policies and forms

Thank you for your interest in the Preucil School of Music. If you have trouble downloading the forms, please install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

To put your child or an adult student on our waiting list for lessons:

1. Please read the Enrollment Process carefully:
Enrollment Process for lessons
2. If your child is under 5 years old, please read:
Pretwinkle Partner Lesson Information
3. For information about lesson tuition and fees:
Fee Structure 2008-2009
4. Print and complete the Placement Form:
Lesson Placement Form
5. Print and complete the Observation Form:
Observation Form
6. Send the completed forms and the $35 placement fee to:

Preucil School of Music - Main Campus
524 N. Johnson St.
Iowa City, IA 52245-2840

Financial aid is available.

Jeanette Welch

Jeanette Welch received her BA in Music from the University of California at San Diego where she studied with Bertram Turetzky. She received an MA in Bass Performance at the University of Iowa under the direction of Diana Gannett in May 2000. She has also studied with Ed Barker, principal bass of the Boston Symphony, and Klaus Trumph in Munich, Germany. She performs with the Cedar Rapids Symphony, the Dubuque Symphony and occasionally with the Quad Cities Symphony. She is also on the faculty of Kirkwood Community College, and enjoys playing with her band "Brace for Blast" which can best be described as "eclectic neo-hardcore rock."

Click here for a note from Jeanette.

Bass players are a breed apart. We lug around these big hunks of wood and endure people asking, "Don't you wish you played the piccolo?" No, I don't. What I love about the bass, is its wide range of pitch, but most importantly, the deep sound is what drew me to it. You can feel it in your bones. We're the backbone of all types of music, be it symphonic, jazz, rock, country western etc. I play all types of music (well maybe not country...) and encourage my students to do the same.

At the Preucil School, we currently have 10 students, 5 boys, 5 girls, ranging in age from 9 to 16. The school owns three basses, all being used. The smallest is a quarter size, we also have a half size and a three quarter size. (In the bass world, a 3/4 size is considered the most typical size. Unless you are taller than 6 feet, you can't handle a 7/8 or full size bass. At 5 feet 4 inches, I play a 5/8 size bass.) Reck Violin Shop and West Music are good sources for acquiring basses for rent or purchase.

Starting this fall, I will begin my first 4-year-old student. Who knew you could start children on the bass so young? Until fairly recently (the past decade or so), basses were not available in small sizes. Now we have basses as small as 1/10. But to start the really young children, we use a ? size cello and string it with electric bass strings.

With the younger students, we make up games that develop coordination and strength without anyone knowing it. An example of this involves playing "golf" with the bow. The golf ball is made from a crumpled piece of paper and the hole is a flat piece of paper. While holding the bow in a proper bow hold, the student sees how many swings it takes to get it to the goal. I encourage the parents to play with us. Often the student beats the teacher and the parent.

Student, parent and teacher have a lot of fun in lessons where new ideas are explored and incorporated into the learning process. The bass is an excellence choice for students wishing to add a second instrument and expand their musical experience.

Back to bass faculty.