Bass Lessons in Melrose Park, PA

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Harmonica Banjo Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

One of my main goals as a teacher is to get to know my student, how they best learn, and what it is they love about music. My own love for music and particular bands/genres is what gave me the drive to keep practicing, and I bring this same approach to each of my lessons. Nothing makes me more happy than to see one of my students getting excited about something they are playing--and because of this, I structure my lessons to maximize the aspects of music each student enjoys, while making sure to incorporate fundamental aspects of technique and music theory regardless of the particular music we are studying. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

For beginner students I use the Hal Leonard method to teach reading and positioning. Chords I teach at the pace the student is learning to play them cleanly (and this varies tremendously), starting with the easier open chords and moving on to progressively more difficult voicings. There are certainly some good beginner pieces in the hal leonard books and sometimes I pull recital material out of the William Leavit book. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar Double Bass

I believe the role of a teacher is to provide a framework or organized system of progress for his/her student. A teacher is not simply someone who orders and dictates; but someone who can stimulate their students growth in whatever their field of study is. Particularly in the case of music, a teachers number one duty is to show their student how to practice efficiently and thoroughly. They help students to progress quickly by pointing out which areas of their playing need improvement and what to focus on. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginners I like to use books and a few easy songs to get the student started. As skill level grows, I try to encourage students to form their own chord progressions as well as using songs that I choose or a song the students chooses that will encourage them to play and learn more songs on their own. I also encourage intermediate level students to explore their imaginations and create their own songs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar Keyboard

I've been fortunate to have some pretty amazing students in the past. The most rewarding part of any teachers job is seeing their students develop into better people, musicians, and instrumentalists through hard work and fun discoveries. Many of my students have gone on, or continued, to pursue careers in some form of music while many have not. Yet a common thred amongst them is a deeply rooted appreciation for music both as an art form and a science. 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

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

With my bass students, I begin with basic technique and ear training. My first goal for a student is to learn one of their favorite simple folk songs by ear, while also developing basic musical skills and instrumental technique. I believe that it is extremely important to begin developing a students aural abilities and creativity early on. I also will have the student begin to work out of the Simandl bass method book for simple exercises and introduction to reading music. Read More