Bass Lessons in Tolleson, AZ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Cello Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Double Bass Music Keyboard Djembe

I recorded my first solo album titled Just a Bass and won NMHS Battle of the Bands again my senior year. For my senior project I composed, rehearsed and performed my first Concerto for Cello and Orchestra and went on to study Double Bass performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where I received my B.M. I have played in many master classes with some of the worlds greatest musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Victor Wooten, Emanuel Ax and others. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass Music

I like to teach my students with more of a coaching style. I want to know what their intentions are as a bass player, their willingness to put in the work. After understanding what my students want to accomplish, then we create goals and strategies along the way to ensure they are improving at the desired rate. The best bass players in the professional world are often the most consistent with their work ethic, taking the time to develop their ears, their reading skills in addition to their practice regimen. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet Bass Guitar

For all students, I teach them exercises to strenghten their fundamentals and skills in the given instrument, and each lesson we practice the exercises to focus on improving their sound production, pitch finding, placement, and more.  We also learn songs that both the student and I choose and prepare for performance (when necessary).  Here are the books I work from for each instrument, but please note that I don't necessarily use these for every student, only when appropriate: GUITAR:  Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method (books 1 through 3) VOICE:  Master Vocal Exercises by Horatio Connell, and Sightsinging (Hal Leonard) BASS GUITAR:  Bass Method, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) TRUMPET:  Essential Elements 2000, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

When it comes to strategies regarding teaching I use many methods. I usually will start students understanding the fundamentals of music literacy. In order to achieve the introductory points of this we will work out of a method book like a Hal Leonard Beginner Guitar Method 1. We will understand the importance of understanding how to count rhythms and read pitches correctly. I also focus highly on the correct techniques of the instrument in order to avoid bad habits in the future. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Euphonium Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

My method begins with basic note reading stick grip, we concentrate on relaxation. stick control note reading. As soon as they are able to cleanly play 16th notes on a practice pad, we incorporate drum set independence. This independence is introduced through learning various genres of music, which also introduce various styles of playing. These variations are studied worked out in exercises that allow the student to ad lib with any style of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I feel I explained a good amount of my teaching style in the last column. I really like to go with what the student will benefit from the most, not necessarily what is the cookie cutter "next step" I learned to play by trying things a couple levels above me and I loved it. I know not all students are the same, and sometimes the parents input is a big factor depending on if they are musicians themselves! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard

Most of my students (who don't already know) start off with basic theory (Major Scale & Major and Minor Chord Formulas). Whatever their ultimate goal for learning would determine where I would take it from there. If your goal is to play one song for your significant other we can do just that. If your goal is to perform we can cater to that as well. Maybe you're goal is to learn enough to write your own songs. Read More