Mike was born and raised in East Lansing, Michigan, USA, and began to play the guitar at around the age of 12. He developed an interest in the Japanese language and culture while attending Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. After attending an intense Japanese language and culture program in Hakodate, Hokkaido in the summer of 2005, Mike applied and was accepted into the JET Program. Prior to living in Japan, though, he self-produced his first studio album, titled ONLY A MOMENT, in which he tried to blend his music across many genres, and included Japanese lyrics on some of the tracks. Mike lived and worked in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan for three years as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) for the JET Program, and have since then started his own business for producing music, Mike Bass Music LLC. Mike's most current project is called THE MOON THROUGH MY WINDOW, an enhanced CD with worksheets and music geared toward the enrichment of learning English as a second language.

LEARNING ENGLISH – LANSING STYLE

By Chuck Krafft

Inside and outside of the Good Old USA, there are many people trying to learn English as a second language.  (ESL)  In the Lansing Area, we have an entrepreneur who has invented a method to help put some entertainment into the process!

Mike Bass, a local entrepreneur who is also a professional musician, has developed a CD where he has written songs that incorporate targeted vocabulary words for ESL in the lyrics.

This CD can be used by an ESL teacher for an entire classroom.  However, it is also user-friendly enough for students to practice on their own at their own pace.  The songs are in a folk song style that works well as a piece of music in addition to helping the student focus on the vocabulary.

The CD’s name is taken from one of the songs, “The Moon Through My Window.”

Mike developed the background for doing this CD by teaching English for three years while he lived in Japan.  His long-term interest in the guitar and his skills as a songwriter and in using recording equipment came together to allow him to produce this clever CD that makes a great teaching aid toward learning English.

Basically, the students listen to the songs and do exercises that help them to identify various targeted words in print as they listen to the song.  It’s entertaining and is making me consider relearning English from scratch!!

Mike also has extensive experience in performing his original material (songs not written for ESL training) as well as the occasional cover song.  He has a pleasant voice and effectively communicates his emotions as he sings.  Most of his original songs follow a folk sort of a format and are quite pleasant to listen to.

Much of his original material involves a guitar style that involves Mike weaving percussive sounds made by finger snaps and finger tips drumming on the acoustic guitar in with the chords and notes he strums to support his vocal.  He also drums with the base of his right palm to make a low bass sound.  It’s quite interesting to hear and entertaining to watch as Mike is able to make quite a variety of percussive sounds without losing the beat or missing any notes.

You can find the ESL CD on www.themoonthroughmywindow.com.  Mike’s regular music is on www.mikebassmusic.com.

I have been a professional musician for almost thirty years and can certainly vouch for Mike’s musical skills.  It’s exciting to see him creating a second career for himself where he can market his music in the educational world!