Bass Lessons in Upper Black Eddy, PA

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

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For children and adult piano students, I like using Piano Adventures from primer to the adult version. For guitar, I like using Hal Leonard Guitar Method books. For ukulele, I like to use Hal Leonard ukulele method books. For my little singers I like to use Blankenbelhers Singing Lessons for Little Singers to get them started. For my adults I like to use Absolute Beginners - Voice to show them vocal warm ups, breathing exercises and more. Read More

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

My method varies depending on the student. If the student wants a traditional musical approach, and is interested in learning notation and theory, then we will usually start with the Hal Leonard Book Series. If the student doesn’t want to learn notes or the more advanced musical concepts, I usually just start by teaching them simple songs that they know from the radio, TV Shows or movies. Something to get them really excited about learning and practicing, and songs that they recognize and can show others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For a beginning student on guitar, I have them learning notes from a Hal Leonard, Mel Bay, or Alfred starter book. All these books are great, but I believe it depends on the individual student and how they learn. I also teach tab to beginners. I feel it is important to read tabs these days as well as notes. I also work with music theory. It is also important to know what you are doing, not just putting your fingers on the strings. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning piano students, I often get them started with the Faber piano series, then incorporate music theory along with their song requests. For beginning fretted string students (guitar/bass/ukelele), I like to start with the Hal Leonard method book to get started with reading notation, so that we cover more than just tabs and chords. For drum/percussion students, I'll have them start with a combination of Syncopation by Ted Reed and Peter Erksine's Drumset Essentials Volume 1. Read More