Bass Lessons in Port Costa, CA

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

For beginning students, children or adults, the first thing is to work on body position: the hands, arms, wrist and shoulder to avoid having the wrong positions of the body which could lead to physical problems in the future. Then it is important to learn the basic music skills: scales, arpeggios, basic harmony, and finger techniques. Once the students have progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals we can follow two parallel lines, studying advanced techniques and varied bass repertoire and at the same time focusing on what the student is interested in. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Organ Ukulele Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

Throughout years of teaching I began making every lesson unique in a way that would benefit the student the most. The number one goal is for the student to have fun and learn at the same time. I was taught in a very rigorous fashion by high level teachers. I know what it means to look forward to coming to class. I love teaching because it lets me avoid the mistakes my teachers made in the past when it came my time to learn music. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

I like to give my students small goals until I get to know them better. Early triumphs in learning a musical instrument tend to really help keep the attention of the new player. With beginning students, I like to teach in reference to the music the student wants to play. With Intermediate students, I like to have them explore new musical genres with similar concepts to what they are listening to or creating, in order to teach them to use the tools they already have more diversily. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Double Bass

I began teaching music in 2004 while working in a guitar shop in nothern California. While I have mostly focused on writing music and performing, I am a passionate teacher and use the many great teachers I have had as a backdrop to my teaching style. I like to explore many aspects in music which include songwriting production and analysis. I currently teach privately in my Pacifica home and studio. I hold a BA in music from San Francisco State University with a focus in jazz studies on guitar. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Organ

For beginner students who are pursing music on the tonal instruments, I typically start with learning the names of the notes on the instrument and the major scale in every key as it relates to the piano. For the bass guitar I start of with basic finger strength techniques and exercises while incorporating the major scale fingering form and Nashville numbering system for all tonal instruments. For voice, I start off by finding the range of the individual and then teaching warmup techniques while building the individuals technique through finding a song and learning how to sing along.  Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I have been paying guitar for over 15 years. My love of improvisation brought me to the California Jazz Conservatory where I have been studying since 2012. In fall 2016 I will graduate with a B.M. in Jazz Studies, focusing on guitar. I play in a local rock/funk band, The Electic Soul Factory, and I am a founder a of The Moldy Fig Improvised Music Collective, for which I compose and arrange the material. Read More