Bass Lessons in Alexandria, VA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

The most satisfying moment as a teacher is when a student finally "gets it", and for students, I find that lessons are the most fun when the student feels capable and not overwhelmed. I like to challenge my students and encourage them to exceed even their own expectations of their abilities. With this in mind, my overall teaching philosophy emphasizes gaining technical mastery over the student's chosen instrument, strong music reading and theory skills, along with creativity and improvisation to turn them into well rounded players who can hold their own in just about any music setting from the stage to the studio. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

For Piano I teach from the Faber Faber series. I used Primer and level 1 one for children and a level 1 version for late teens and adults. For Guitar/Bass I use Hal Leonard Guitar Method Series. For all my students I determine what they are interested in learning and we focus on that music while still practicing the fundamentals. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

On the first lesson, I like to help students create realistic, long-term goals for themselves. Then the student and I develop a plan to help them achieve them. Learning tools include method books, recordings of the lesson, and playing along with me. I also make solo pieces available, and encourage the student to participate in local recitals. My lessons generally follow the county public school's music curriculum and include rhythmic and melodic dictation, ear training, sightreading, theory and song form. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I LOVE teaching people how to play the guitar! I have been playing guitar since I was a child and I grew up in a music-loving household. I was in a rock band in high school. In college at UMBC I was also in a band and earned my degree in Music with a concentration in Recording Engineering. I've recorded several self-produced albums of music I wrote and produced myself. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

Recently I was hired as piano instructor for Quartertonez Music, in Washington DC. Also, I have had experience teaching and studying music education under my high school mentor, renowned music teacher Tim Savage; I was his student-teacher for a semester course at St. Lawrence University. Additionally, throughout my experience as his music student, his teaching approach has infused music education and facilitation lessons within the musical instruction itself. My past teaching experience also includes being a Drill Instructor for the Italian Department at Vassar College for two years during my time as an undergrad (I not only "ran drills" for students who had already started learning the material, but also had to compensate in a variety of ways for the unsuccessful, dysfunctional, or half-hearted engagement that is typical in a foreign language class). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Children often encounter obstacles with regard to motor-skill development issues (i.e., usually their hands don't work well enough under the age of ten to develop many of the skills required to play the guitar) so a more general musical exploration is often called for. This can involve singing when the child is open to that. With teenagers and adults, I like to discover what their interests and goals are and tailor the lesson in accordance. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I teach with the approach that the zest for music can grow into a lifelong passion for any person if their interests are nurtured and challenged. I like to work with each student to set personal goals based off what inspires them. For many budding musicians, working on a song that they love can make all the difference between practice feeling like a chore and practice becoming something they take up of their own accord. Read More