Bass Lessons in Portola Valley, CA

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

Each student learns at their own pace and it's important to understand that not everybody learns the same. Setting both short and long term goals with the student helps me understand what they want out of lessons. This makes it easier for me to engage with them and bring it back to something relevant to them at the end of the day. For example, no child understands advanced rhythm unless you disguise it in familiar terms e.g. using the phrase "run po-ny run" to describe two eighth notes sandwiched in between to quarter notes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

I have been teaching music since 2001. I was the music program director at Mission Hills Middle School and the guitar and conga teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland. I have also been a music instructor with Star Power Music, COVA, Art and Soul Music Studios, Hayward Music Center and ALMA. I teach all levels of guitar and congas, as well as beginning piano, voice and drum set lessons. 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: Bass Guitar Double Bass

I began teaching bass guitar and double bass in 2006 privately from my studio and in music schools and academies. I use a combined classical and modern approach to music, taking full advantage of all my musical knowledge and music skills to find and build the most appropriate one for each individual student, helping them enjoy the music and bass, encouraging them to study and practice. I have also planned and taught music classes in elementary and middle schools as well as at summer programs. Read More

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

All of my lessons are built around songs to teach technique and I add materials to teach theory and musicianship if the student wants and needs it. I always interview each student to find out their interests and desires and and build a custom curriculum eight lessons at a time to insure satisfaction and success on the students terms. I have student assessments at the end of each eight lessons block to make sure that the student knows how they have improved and where they need more work. 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 Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching guitar after graduating undergraduate school in NYC. I taught some of my college friends as well as expanded to middle school and high school. students. I have taught 9 year olds as well as seniors well into their seventies. I love interacting with people and helping them learn and develop their love of music. There are so many different types of music in the world such as Persian modal, Indian ragas, Argentina rumbas, Reggae and much, much more. Read More