Bass Lessons in Hardwick, MA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My approach to teaching emphasizes creative expression, technical proficiency and musical exploration. I pay close attention to the goals of a given student and shape my curriculum based around their needs. If a student aspires to become a professional jazz guitarist, I teach them jazz chords, improvisational techniques and necessary reading skills. If a student aspires to write and perform their own songs, I teach them about writing guitar accompaniments, writing lyrics and crafting melodies. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Melody (lead) playing is not essential, but encouraged, as I believe it is a viable and gratifying skill. Supplemental books are helpful and encouraged, but not required, as is music theory and sight reading (standard notation). Many books will include technical studies such as theory, which can certainly be helpful. Playing by ear is very helpful and useful, and I do utilize that. The abundance of online instructional videos can also be a supplement, as are other websites that use tablature (tab) notation, which I also use. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

I strongly believe that everyone is very different.  Learning styles and musical goals are very much a part of this.  Some find reading from a book helps them, so for most students I begin by recommending "A Modern Method For Guitar" from the Berklee Press, however for others a book is not as helpful as listening to some music and watching someone play.  I like to introduce as much theory as is desired from the student because theory is a very important part of the musical process, but if the student prefers to get playing first and understand the “why” later then we can work something out in that regard.  Depending on musical interest, we can work with different genre's and pieces to promote specific techniques and practice routines. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica

My methods for teaching are directly linked to the desires of the student and what they hope to achieve by learning how to play an instrument. If a student is particularly interested in songwriting and composition, I'd be more inclined to emphasize the principles or harmony, counterpoint, structure and written music, whereas if a student is more interested in becoming an instrumentalist for a band etc., I'd be more inclined to emphasize rudiments, scale exercises and a jamming mentality. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Proper technique, learning the notes, and learning how to practice effectively is a great place to start. Even ten minutes a day is better than not practicing. Making lessons fun and giving students tools to bring home is very important to me. An example is learning some excersises to get the notes under your fingers, and some chords and scales to practice at home. The excersises will create and maintain proper technique. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

I began teaching privately in high school at the age of 16, what started as one weekly lesson quickly became several; over that time I developed a strong passion for teaching. Watching a student's talent grow is extremely rewarding to me. Over the past 7 years I have taken my knowledge gained through my own studies and adapted them to my lessons. The best part for me as a teacher is having a student take the tools that I have given them, and create their own voice as a musician and artist. Read More