Bass Lessons in Portola Valley, CA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been playing guitar for 21 years and teaching for 14 years.  I started taking private guitar lessons as a teenager for several years and played in my High School Jazz Band along with other original rock bands. While in high school, I was able to study with popular Chicago rock guitarist Kevin M. Buck where I first learned music theory, which inspired me to be more studious with the guitar. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been giving lessons to children on my own for about 2 years and also performed quite a bit at a summer camp called Lair of the Golden Bear this last summer. My previous jobs have mostly been with children but I am open to giving lessons to adults as well. Besides teaching and learning, another one of my musical passions is recording, which is why I have my own studio in my garage. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I love to see students learn something and progress as the make music. Therefore, it is my goal that my student progresses at their own pace. I encourage the students to set goals for themselves and help them achieve them. Commendation is given as the student progresses and this encourages the student to dive deeper into his playing. Also, I try to see what the student is interested in, where her it be rock, alternative, blues, classical, or even jazz. Read More

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

From experience, these are all the basic tools a student needs to work on their fundamentals before diving into full fledged solo pieces for competitions. Beginning students have to start from the bottom. These students will start by learning how to hold the violin and the bow, for example, and slowly but surely get into reading music and eventually playing simple scales and melodies from an elementary book. Some adults, however, may be interested in learning an instrument because they want to play a song they love. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

I have infinite amounts of patience, which is the most important thing when teaching music. I adore teaching and playing music, and all of my students can sense this immediately, rather rapidly absorbing my love for the instrument and becoming passionate about it themselves. I give students realistic goals I know they can meet each week, and strongly recognize their achievements. I also ask the student many questions to learn what type of music they like best, what truly inspires them, so I can mold each lesson around these interests and truly engage him or her. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

For beginners, I typically focus on teaching straightforward open chords, along with scales and exercises to improve finger dexterity. Following that, I guide them in incorporating melodies or soloing over chords. We delve into strumming patterns and cover fundamental techniques for warming up. With intermediate players, my approach involves introducing chord inversions and delving into basic music theory. Topics include understanding how to stay in a key and identifying the diatonic chords within it. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I developed a very good relative pitch. Luckily, my old teacher had taught me how to read music. While in college I fell under the spell of flamenco music and studied briefly with a blind Spanish guitarist in Manhattan. I performed in rock and pop groups throughout college. When I moved to California I studied with Jon Harris, a classical guitarist who had studied under Segovia. I began to compose my own music and to continue a grueling practice schedule. Read More