Bass Lessons in Western Springs, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard

Basically I start with questions on why the individual wants to learn how to play that particular instrument. Then I follow with how much do they know about the instrument of their choice. So following a brief historical lesson we get into how to start playing that instrument. Also why I love to play that instrument and why I'm playing it with passion. I start teaching with basic scales or vocal warm-ups. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I've been teaching private lessons since 2010. I remember how excited my first student was during our first lesson, as he was learning the chords to his favorite Metallica song. The experience was profoundly motivating for both of us. As a teacher, there's nothing more enjoyable than watching students blossom into the musicians they've dreamed of becoming. During the summer of 2013, I worked as the musical director for a staging of "Waiting for Lefty" at Oracle Productions in Chicago. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Over the past 20 years, I have developed a very successful method of getting students up and playing the guitar very quickly focusing primarily on the mechanics of playing the guitar. The guitar is a highly physically demanding instrument and requires very regular practice just to get to the point where sound that can be turned into music can be made. For more intermediate and advanced students, I draw on my extensive performance experience and focus on practical, real world techniques and theory to help them advance their playing. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Aside from whatever primary genre they (or their parents) care to learn, students under my tutelage should expect to learn bits and pieces of everything; jazz, bluegrass, classical, metal, and anything else that I feel can create a 'musician-of-all-genres,' so to speak. One note: for parents interested in having their child learn classical guitar, I feel it's good to have the kid learn at least some other genres prior to moving onto classical. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching methods involve a mix of real music, etudes, dexterity exercises, and rudimentary technical drilling. In each of these lessons I choose in one of the aforementioned areas the one I feel is the most pressing and in need of improvement. I am very strict about students using their metronomes to practice what I teach them. My view is that playing a song or drill slowly and in time with a metronome is better than playing it at the proper tempo incorrectly. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

I am open to any beginning method. However, I prefer Both Mel Bay and Hal Leonard for students interested in learning theory for their particular instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar

I believe in providing a well rounded education for you or your child. My approach entails a 50/50 split between doing the hard work necessary to excel and learning to enjoy music. Therefore, their will be and allotment of standard scales, chords, sight-reading and music theory education. However, one must also learn how to use these elements to find there own stylized expression, creative abilities and improvisational voice, which I believe to be necessary if one is to really enjoy music. Read More