Bass Lessons in Clifton Heights, PA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I have a love for teaching students of all levels and ages. My specialty as a guitarist is in jazz, but I bring that love for improvised music to a number of other styles: blues, rock, funk, acoustic/fingerstyle, country, folk, ska, reggae, RB etc. I graduated from Duquesne University in 2013 with a degree in jazz performance. Pittsburgh is a great jazz town with a fantastic local scene, which was a very fun and nurturing environment for me as a student. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

For younger beginners I tend to use Hal Leonard's Guitar Method series to build a foundation of basic knowledge and fundamental techniques. From there I tend to focus on a custom lesson plan entailing a combination of music/exercises I believe the student will benefit from and enjoy coupled with whatever the student them self wishes to learn whether it's a genre of music, a specific song or something else. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My method varies depending on the student. If the student wants a traditional musical approach, and is interested in learning notation and theory, then we will usually start with the Hal Leonard Book Series. If the student doesn’t want to learn notes or the more advanced musical concepts, I usually just start by teaching them simple songs that they know from the radio, TV Shows or movies. Something to get them really excited about learning and practicing, and songs that they recognize and can show others. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

I began teaching music at the age of sixteen, teaching students not much younger than me about a wide variety of subjects like music theory, rock electric bass, composition, classical upright bass, and jazz improvisation. While still in high school I was the assistant conductor for my schools string orchestra and ran a small jazz ensemble at the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild. Since coming to college I have continued to teach students in Philadelphia as well as in Amsterdam for a brief time, giving lessons on avant-garde improvisation and double bass technique. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I will encourage all my students, regardless of age or skill level, to perform at a recital or open mic; some type of live performance, as this builds confidence which is hugely important for an aspiring musician. For my drum students, I will begin with basic snare drum technique and essential rudiments, while teaching them the fundamentals of reading drum notation. The next step is a basic drum beat with the kick and snare, and we move forward from there. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

For absolute beginners I make sure that they know the guitar strings and make sure they get to know the fretboard by learning the pentatonic scales and basic chord shapes. First we will learn what an octave is and where they are on the fretboard. After we learn octaves we learn the scales and the notes on the high and low E string. After that we start with our sharps and flats. Read More