Rod McCaulley Music
Music for Any Occasion on Cape Cod
duo, trio or any size ensemble
Instructor in Bass, Piano, Guitar, and Improvisation
Teaching
How I work with my students:
I believe that effective teaching is comprised of three vitally important elements:
Sizing up, Solving the Problem and creating a Positive Environment
Sizing Up. Every student has very special talents as well as areas in need of development and change. It is my job to pinpoint those areas that not only need development but also correction to eliminate obstacles that prevent the individual from realizing his or her full musical potential. The ability to interpret a student’s strengths and weaknesses has only been developed after many years of working successfully with Students of all kinds of interests.
Solving the Problem. A student’s musical shortcomings may include needed improvements in rhythm, instrumental technique, phrasing and interpretation, theory and knowledge of the literature. Whatever the case, all students deserve the quickest and most effective approach to mastering all elements of good musicianship. Having worked with some of the best teachers in all of those areas and performed with top classical and improvising professionals, I have incorporated those techniques that appear to work best and most efficiently. My goal is to bring out the best in each student and to help develop as versatile and complete musician as possible.
Positive Environment. I understand that studying an instrument can sometimes be daunting. At each lesson I make every effort to make a student comfortable, reinforcing positive accomplishments, no matter how seemingly small. Instilling a “can do” attitude can work wonders in enabling students in overcoming temporary hurdles.
Areas of Teaching Competence:
Auditions:
Coaching for Auditions for youth orchestras and ensembles
College Entrance Auditions
Professional areas of emphasis:
Interpretation and phrasing
Technical security
Sight- reading
Stage presence and mindset
Age groups:
Children
Teens
Adults (Beginning and Advanced)
Instruments:
Double Bass and Electric Bass Guitar: All styles & levels
Piano: Beginning and Intermediate: Jazz,classical & pop
Guitar: Beginning and Intermediate: pop, jazz, & learn your favorite songs
Theory and Harmony:
From Music Fundamentals to Advanced Harmony
Theory
Improvisation:
Jazz
Pop Blues
Distinctive Teaching Qualifications:
Provide piano accompaniment for all instruments creating a total context within which a student develops “real time” ensemble and soloing skills
Emphasis on developing whole musicians. For example, many double bass students now perform in both symphony orchestras and jazz ensembles
Emphasize the importance for piano students of all ages to learn keyboard fundamentals while playing easy to advanced compositions of quality that create interest and sustain motivation
Employ a progressive and thoroughly developed and proven method of teaching theory, harmony and improvisation to brass, reed, drum, guitar, piano and bass students
Make the study of the guitar enjoyable to students of all ages while introducing them to good technique as well as the reading of music
I’m now also teaching online.
Rod McCaulley exemplifies that uncommon musician, highly proficient in both jazz and classical music. As an acoustic double bass player of exceptional ability and technique, he is in considerable demand as performer, teacher and educator in the communities of southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.
He counts among his teachers New York City based bassists Michael Moore and Jack Lesberg. In Boston he studied electric bass with Oscar Stagnero. After 25 years, Rod is retired from the double bass section of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra; he also appeared with the Cape Cod, Nashua (N.H.) and Plymouth (MA) symphony orchestras. An accomplished pianist he has studied with Julliard faculty member the late John Mehegan and Boston – based pianist Paul Schmeling.
In addition to his work with symphony orchestras and chamber music ensembles, Rod has appeared with some of New York’s best known and prestigious jazz musicians, including singer Maxine Sullivan, drummer Bobby Rosengarden, guitarist Vic Juris, and pianist Walter Bishop Jr. as well as such instrumentalists as Bob Wilber, Randy Johnson, Max Kaminsky and Bob Mover.
An active member of the Cape Cod, & Boston musical scene since the early 80’s, Rod became a full-time resident in 1991. He has kept a busy schedule of free-lance appearances on the Cape, Boston, & Southeast MA. with such musicians as the late cornet/trumpet player Ruby Braff, guitarists Jon Wheatley and Gray Sargent, clarinet/sax player Dick Johnson, trumpeter and educator Herb Pomeroy, vibes/piano player Ed Saindon, and pioneering alto saxophonist Lee Konitz. His big band work includes a stint with the Artie Shaw Orchestra.
As a dedicated teacher committed to handing down the Jazz tradition as well as teaching bass, piano, guitar, music theory and improvisation at his studio in South Yarmouth, MA, and at Cape Cod Conservatory in Falmouth, & West Barnstable, MA. Rod directed the Cape Cod Jazz Society’s youth jazz ensemble from 1995 to 2007. A significant number of these students have gone on to major in jazz programs at some of this country’s most eminent music schools.
Updates:
Played 5 string electric bass for a new musical “Unexpected Joy” at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater July & August 2016.
Played bass with Tracy Lee & Kenney Greene at WHAT Theater doing Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. August 2015.
Played Played in Orchestra with Gloriae Del Cantores playing Mendelssohn’s Elijah July 2015. Pilgrims Progress Fall 2017.
Taught bass, guitar & piano at Cape Cod Conservatory in Falmouth and West Barnstable for over 10 years ending in 2023.
Taught guitar at the Sandwich Montessori school. Taught a guitar class at Mattacheese Middle School (Yarmouth).
Former classroom music teacher at Sandwich Montessori School.
October 9 & 10, 2010 played string bass with Singer Steve Lippia with a jazz trio out in front of the Cape Cod Symphony Pops.
March 6th, 2011 & March 31, 2012 played bass with Plymouth Symphony. With Cape Symphony May 5 & 6, 2012, April 5 & 6 2014
Studied guitar with Fred Fried.
Played bass for “A’int Misbehavin” July 9- 21st, 2012, “They’re Playing Our Song” the music of Marvin Hamlisch June 24th- July 6th, 2013 at the Cape Playhouse
Directed the All- Cape H.S. Jazz Festival Orchestra at Dennis Yarmouth H.S. April 10,2013. Also did this April 2009 at Harwich H.S.
Played string bass for the production Always Patsy Cline at the Cape Playhouse July 6-16, 2022.