<p>Hi everyone. My son is a junior in HS. His main instrument is electric bass, and he also plays upright. He is interested in studying jazz/composition. There doesn't seem to be much out there for electric bass players. We are currently investigating Hartt, Berklee, and some of the SUNYS. I think he should look at the Frost School at University of Miami as well. Any other suggestions? </p>
<p>Also, I haven't found any good central resource for investigating music programs other than looking at the schools individually. Has anyone found any resources like that? </p>
<p>You may also want to look at Belmont and USC Thornton.</p>
<p>The Music Majors section of College Confidential is the closest thing I have found to a central resource for investigating a wide range of music schools. There are sites that have links to a lot of music schools, but you are still basically looking at individual web sites from there. Here, you can search to find the answers to specific questions, post your own questions and PM people who have direct experience with the school or schools of interest.</p>
<p>I will second the recommendation to look at USC to see if it is a fit. Son lives with a guy who is a combo jazz bassist electric and stand-up in the jazz and popular music performance programs at USC Thornton. This guy is very talented and loves his bass instructors and the overall programs. He is performing constantly.</p>
<p>For jazz, SUNY Purchase is the go to school for bassists in the SUNY system. I think it is an upright bass program but there might be an electric bass program, too. I believe you can check out the Skidmore college summer program because the SUNY prof teaches there too.</p>
<p>The jazz program at UMiami is really incredible. Since he still has time to get ready, I would encourage him to buckle down on upright bass, just because it’ll really give him a lot more options as far as schools go, and it certainly won’t hurt his electric playing. Especially since he’s interested in doing jazz, the expectation will be that he can do both, and upright bass will take him a long way.</p>