Bass Lessons in Portola Valley, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I think of two things as being central to my teaching style: Fun, and Growth. I think too many music lessons dry out the material, and suck the fun out of something that should be inherently joyful! I try to make every music lesson interesting, and keep my students engaged by giving them material that gets them hyped. Second, I think music is a great chance for people to experience the joy in Growth. 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: Bass Guitar

Beginning students will learn the basic major scales, then minor scales. They will learn songs applying to the "scale of study," for that day, with the student's input as well. Once an understanding of chords has developed, we will experiment with changing the bass note in the chord, and play with how it effects the sound of the whole chord. Playing with friends and/or recordings of your favorite songs is recommended highly! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Double Bass

I try to cater my lesson style to the individual students desire and needs. I like to always incorporate the fundamentals of music and technique while exploring the material at hand.  Some key points I try to incorporate into my teaching are an understanding of:  rhythm, technique, playing from ear, improvisation, theory, and most importantly making music! I usually encourage my students to seek out music they like and specific songs they want to learn. Read More

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

I began teaching music in 2009 as a tutor for the local junior college teaching music theory and musicianship. I expanded to voice and guitar lessons and have been teaching for the last 12 years. I teach in my home studio, in my students homes and online. I know that consistent practice is the way for students to reach their music goals and so I make sure that each student knows what to practice and how to practice. 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