Bass Lessons in Hyattsville, MD

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Lap Steel Guitar Ukulele Double Bass Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I sincerely believe that even the most basic material can be made to "sound good", and I stress this from the beginning. I'm big on playing duets. I'll tend to toss in tidbits about the physics of sound, or how muscle memory works. I like to engage the curiousity of the student in this way. I like to ask students about what music they like, and what they would like to do--play in a school talent show? Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have lots of experience giving private lessons, and the optimal time range with respect to a student's attention is 30-45 minutes. I am willing try one-hour lessons, but students usually reach a "wall" around the 45-minute mark. We can surely discuss this prior to beginning the lessons. There are several pathways that I lead my students along with respect to their learning the guitar. I provide some of my students with instruction in sight-reading of classical guitar sheet music. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

First and foremost, I love the performance and the expressive aspects of music, and I transmit this enthusiasm to my students. I also adapt my teaching to each individual, allowing the student to make an emotional connection to what they are learning and to apply that emotionality back into their playing. Understanding what the student wants and is interested in is the utmost priority in my teachings. I am supportive and positive at the same time that I present surmountable challenges that motivate students to do their best. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

As I've stated before, I really like to focus on how to play the instrument effectively. Proper posture, finger placement, finger pressure and articulation are all part of playing the proper technique. It also helps to minimize fatigue during countless hours of practice. Also, one of the main things in to make sure that the student is practicing on a daily basis and to develop their own practice regimen. Developing a love for the instrument, bordering on healthy obsession, is the key to progressing as a guitar player. Read More

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: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

I have been teaching since 1977, and I am as passionate about teaching as I was on my first day! I have taught students of all ages and levels, and learned to customize lessons to fit their stated musical goals. A number of my former students now work in the music field, from music instructors at Towson State University to local freelance musicians. I currently hold the rank if Sergeant in the Maryland Defense Force Band, serving as a percussionist/drummer. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Bass Guitar Double Bass

My first teaching experience was in 2009 as a music tutor at Schenectady County Community College where I helped students with music theory and ear training while earning my Associates degree in music. Also at this time I began teaching private students the electric bass guitar. At SUNY Fredonia I began teaching double bass lessons to non-music majors focusing equally on classical, jazz, and folk traditions. Since then I have worked at Peabody as a Graduate Teaching Fellow and was part of the Junior Bach outreach program, learningto teach music theory, ear training, analyisis, musicianship, and composition, including the use of notation software like Sibelius. Read More