The First Call Bassist Intensive

It's no secret that it's harder than ever to be a professional musician these days.

Whether you're a classical, jazz, pop, or even Balkan-folk musician, the demands placed on you are already overwhelming enough:

... to play with flawless technique and perfect intonation

... to sight-read well, even if it's atonal and in an odd meter

...and to be able to get outside of your own head, playing 100% in the moment while supporting the other musicians around you.

That's a tall order. And let's be real:

To be a competitive musician at the highest level, that's just the start.

On top of playing with a high level of expression and authenticity, there's also the daily practice: scales, arpeggios, etudes, learning repertoire... you know the drill.

Easy stuff, right? 🙄

It's almost as if there's not enough time to work on our ears, or focus on "creative" activities like composing and improvising...

(or maybe you believe it's *just* for jazz musicians)

Either way... there's just so much to digest!

Not to mention mastering repertoire for the big orchestral audition, rehearsals with your band, finishing that composition commission... or memorizing jazz standards for your next gig.

We're constantly spinning our wheels... and worse, even when we follow our practice plans to a T, the individual pieces often don't come together and give us the freedom to play that we want.

In fact, all of the practice we do mostly leads to more thinking on the gig — and LESS freedom.

And if there's one thing we want, it's the ability to play without worry.

What's ironic is that the one thing that will help us the most with this is the thing we actually neglect:

Our ears.

Neglecting our ears in music is like saying "I don't have time to exercise, I'm way too stressed."

And let's be real: it probably inspires thoughts of dusty textbooks, tedious interval memorization, phone apps, and boring college classes.

But what if playing by ear could be the easiest and least worrisome part of your practice?

What if you could rely on your ear, and know that no matter what happens musically, you'll be okay?

What if you could work on these skills in a way that doesn't feel like a chore,

but rather gets you excited to practice...

unlocks doors constantly...

and inspires you to make music without any worry of sounding bad.

Would you give yourself the chance?

#1 I just need an App to help me learn intervals and chords, right?

Many of us have been there — we download an app to learn our intervals or basic chord types, and some of us get very far with it. Cool!

[I definitely applaud you and support your move to address your ears.]

Then, after we continue practicing for some time, something peculiar happens — or rather, doesn't happen...

It doesn't help us memorize music, hear chord progressions better, or improve our composing and improvising.

The issue with many of the apps, or these skills learned in isolation is that they don't transfer to situations where we actually make music.

You need a way to put these skills into context — or quite honestly... just forget about memorizing intervals and individual chords.

Studying intervals and chords this way is akin to learning a language by ONLY studying individual words... but never full sentences. What so many of these apps and programs do is immediately start with de-contextualized skills (chords, intervals) and never connect the dots for you.

You need a program that places the emphasis on learning music from the beginning, and is organized so that the way you develop your ear models the way we play music in performing settings.

Say goodbye to memorizing intervals and chords. Seriously! There are far more effective ways to develop your ear.

[And if you don't take this Intensive, this is still my best advice: put REPERTOIRE at the heart of your learning experience!]

#2 I can memorize the chord changes from a chart... but I forget them a week later.

No matter how hard we understand and recognize what's happening in the music, memorizing chords and thinking about them will never be the ticket to learning tunes.

Think about reading a foreign language dictionary. How easy is it to remember words in a new language after glancing at them a few times?

Probably damn-near impossible, right?

That's because charts don't tell you how music sounds. And, in music that is entirely dependent on your listening abilities, it's no wonder that looking at a picture of symbols doesn't trigger our ear.

You need a different approach.

Chord charts are a reminder of music... but require YOU to interpret them and make the music.

There's nothing wrong with learning to read, and using the aid of notation. However, you need an approach that puts the chart last in your learning process.

The problem with learning a tune from a lead sheet is that it allows you bypass your ear, making it near impossible to recall later on. It's like expecting to get the same leg workout from taking an elevator as you would from taking the stairs. And if the shortcut is there, you'll never be encouraged to take the hard road... until the elevator breaks and misery strikes!

You need a process for tune learning that puts your ear at the center. That way, when you do look at a chart, you already know what the music sounds like — similar to reading a book inside of your head.

#3 I need perfect pitch to be able to develop these skills! I'll never get that...

Oof! There are a lot of myths surrounding building a great ear, but this is one of the most common ones I hear.

Here's full disclosure: I have perfect pitch.

I also have relative pitch.

And I can say that I have worked on my ears religiously for the last 20 years to develop the skills that will benefit me on the bandstand.

Both are helpful, but relative pitch — a skill that anyone can develop — is FAR more useful in performance settings.

The times where perfect pitch is useful is when I'm on a gig and can't hear the count-off for the tune... and I need to start playing on beat one. But do you know how to counter this?

Ask the bandleader for the key.

Do you know what perfect pitch can't teach you? How to hear the function of chords, how to write down the music you hear in your head, how to improve your intonation... skills which are far more important to musicians.

I've built my professional career playing with some of the top jazz musicians, including Jorge Rossy, Sheila Jordan, Wycliffe Gordon, Bobby Militello, Gordon Webster, Bill Dobbins, Nancy Kelly, Harry Allen, and the Focusyear Band.

I've also spent an equal amount of time practicing and researching the art of teaching... in order to make music learning possible for everybody.

>Why should you work to build amazing ears? <

Because it may be one of the single most critical pieces to us experiencing freedom while performing, playing with confidence, and expediting our progress.

And being good at it leads to better, more fulfilling gigs — no matter the genre.

Why should you trust me to help you?⤵

Truthfully, there aren't as many people who are as active in the teaching space as they are performing space. You know my playing credentials, but we know that not every great player is a great teacher. Here's a shortlist of my teaching qualifications...

I've published six books — including four on bass playing, one on ear training, and one on teaching.
I currently teach Ear Training at the Art University of Graz, where I'm also designing the innovative jazz solfege curriculum.
I've also taught at major institutions including the prestigious Eastman School of Music, SUNY Oswego, and Eastman Community Music School, and guest lectured all over the world.
I produced three video courses for Discover Double Bass.
I studied music pedagogy, curriculum design, and research through multiple degrees at the Eastman School of Music.
I designed one of the most innovative online bass teaching programs called the First Call Bassist, where bassists completely transform their playing and supercharge their ears. [Imagine being able to know *all* of the chords in a jazz standard after only hearing it once... and never needing the real book again!]
I have tirelessly researched the heck out of jazz bass and aural skills pedagogy. [Think long nights reading dissertations and articles, analyzing method books and videos, designing research studies, you name it...]

Most importantly, I know what listening skills musicians need to have thriving careers...

And I've helped TONS of them do it.

Whether you're a full-time performer, educator, student, beginner, or hobbyist, you'll walk away with a plan for developing your ears regardless of genre:

>> 8 hours of expert-guided training

>> A personalized ear-development roadmap, including my system for hearing harmony quickly

>> Guest workshops covering solfege and career advancement (yes — they are linked!), practice accountability, and more.

>> Plenty of peer collaboration

>> Q&A sessions and opportunities for direct feedback with me

>> Strategies for tackling the one-pass listen

>> Video playback for up to one month

Event Admission: $97 $49

[This is my most affordable program of the year, and the only time I'll be hosting a 1-Day Intensive!]

>> 8 hours of expert-guided training

>> A personalized ear-development roadmap, including my system for hearing harmony quickly

>> Guest workshops covering solfege and career advancement (yes — they are linked!), practice accountability, and ore.

>> Plenty of peer collaboration

>> Q&A sessions and opportunities for direct feedback with me

>> Strategies for tackling the one-pass listen

>> Video playback for up to one month

1. How does the event work?

The FCM 1-Day Intensive takes place live via Zoom.

But this won't be your typical Zoom meeting. In this highly interactive event, you'll receive personalized attention throughout, and plenty of time to interact with your colleagues.

You will also have plenty of breaks, ample time to stretch and grab food, and opportunities to avoid become a Zoom-Zombie. (A zoombie, if you will...)

2. I’m not as experienced as other people. Is this right for me?

Yes, absolutely! The strategies I teach are powerful because they work for everyone, no matter what stage of the game you’re at.

Even if you’re relatively new to your instrument, returning after a break, or for any reason you feel like you’ll never play like the pros — this experience is perfect for you! What we’re dealing with is working on our core musicianship.

3. What is the cost?

All of this is available to you for $49. For perspective, a one-hour lesson with me costs $150.

4. I'm not very tech-savvy. Is that okay?

Absolutely! As long as you can use Zoom and are familiar with Google Drive, that's all you need in order to participate. You don't need a fancy camera, microphone, or anything — just the basics will be just fine.

5. Are there recordings if I can't make everything?

Yup! You'll receive all the recordings, though you'll want to make it live just so you can get the full experience. You'll have access to the recordings for one month.

THE

FIRST CALL MUSICIAN:

1-DAY INTENSIVE

Your Personalized Roadmap for Developing First-Call Ears

JUNE 10, 2023

Live via Zoom

10am-6pm Eastern Time

7am-3pm Pacific | 4pm-12am Central Europe

THE

FIRST CALL MUSICIAN:

1-DAY INTENSIVE

Your Personalized Roadmap for Developing First-Call Ears

JUNE 10, 2023 Via Zoom

10am-6pm Eastern Time

7am-3pm Pacific | 4pm-12am Europe

For musicians who want to unlock the mystery behind great ears,

stop being so glued to the notation,

And completely transform your fundamental musicianship.

“I've downloaded ear training apps, learned tons of theory, and try to visualize what I'm playing... but no matter what I try, I still can't play confidently without the sheet music!"

If that feels familiar ⤴

Then this is for you! ⤵

No matter where you are on your journey, the fact that you’re here tells me you’re already taking big steps towards advancing your musicianship — and it's NEVER too late to make these goals a reality.

What if you could work on these skills in a way that doesn't feel like a chore,

but rather gets you excited to practice...

unlocks doors constantly...

and inspires you to make music without any worry of sounding bad.

Would you give yourself the chance?

Wouldn’t it be amazing to feel the freedom and confidence to play any tune or piece of repertoire without needing sheet music... or fear of getting lost?

To listen to the musicians in your group and know exactly what they're playing all the time — and how your role fits into that?

And be able to focus exclusively on creating music without worrying if you sound good?

Wouldn’t it be amazing to feel the freedom and confidence to play any tune or piece of repertoire without needing sheet music... or fear of getting lost?

To listen to the musicians in your group and know exactly what they're playing all the time — and how your role fits into that?

And be able to focus exclusively on creating music without worrying if you sound good?

"My playing has improved exponentially"

Cooke Harvey

Bassist, New York City

In the FCM 1-Day INTENSIVE, I'll be addressing common myths and struggles surrounding the your listening capabilties.

→ 3 Common Struggles ←

#1 I just need an App to help me learn intervals and chords, right?

You need a way to put these skills into context — or quite honestly... just forget about memorizing intervals and individual chords.

#2 I can memorize the chord changes from a chart... but I forget them a week later.

Chord charts are a reminder of music... but require YOU to interpret them and make the music.

#3 I need perfect pitch to be able to develop these skills! I'll never get that...

The goal of having great ears is to connect better with the music, in any way possible.

the

FIRST CALL MUSICIAN

1-DAY INTENSIVE

JUNE 10, 2023

10am-6pm Eastern US Time

7am-3pm PDT | 4pm-12am Europe

Chisoo Kim

Bassist, New Orleans LA

Mike Fittipaldi

Hey! I'm Danny Ziemann

"Get where you want to be"

Chris Northington

Bassist, Rochester NY

Let's talk about the details of the

FCB 1-DAY INTENSIVE

Saturday, June 10

Whether you're a full-time performer, educator, student, beginner, or hobbyist, you'll walk away with a plan for developing your ears regardless of genre:

>> 8 hours of expert-guided training

>> A personalized ear-development roadmap, including my system for hearing harmony quickly

>> Guest workshops covering solfege and career advancement (yes — they are linked!), practice accountability, and more.

>> Plenty of peer collaboration

>> Q&A sessions and opportunities for direct feedback with me

>> Strategies for tackling the one-pass listen

>> Video playback for up to one month

>>Event Admission: $97 $49<<

Event Admission: $97 $49

>> 8 hours of expert-guided training

>> A personalized ear-development roadmap, including my system for hearing harmony quickly

>> Guest workshops covering solfege and career advancement (yes — they are linked!), practice accountability, and ore.

>> Plenty of peer collaboration

>> Q&A sessions and opportunities for direct feedback with me

>> Strategies for tackling the one-pass listen

>> Video playback for up to one month

So in case you're thinking

“Sounds awesome — but is this really for me?”

Let me help you decide →