Piano Lessons in Independence, MO

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
The bass is a very challenging instrument physically. It takes a lot of physical strength and stamina just to get through a song. This fact can lead to an unhealthy focus on the technical and mechanical aspects of playing the instrument, sometimes at the expense of musicality. It seems to me that bassists should aspire to the same levels of artistry as singers or other instrumentalists, which requires both a high level of technique and also an awareness that this technique is in service of musicality and not the goal in and of itself. This can be an especially hard balance to strike on the bass.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
The local high school music teacher Steve McNeal was very encouraging when I was 12 or 13 and just starting to play bass. He would let me stay after summer orchestra sessions to study privately with him and practice double bass (since my family couldn't afford one at the time). Before I realized it I was learning to read music and starting to get a handle on the instrument. His optimism and enthusiasm were inspiring and he let music be fun, which I still think it is, and I am grateful for that.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I started playing bass guitar and double bass at the same time, in the summer between 6th and 7th grade. I had learned a bit on the guitar, due to my father being a professional jazz guitarist, but didn't start practicing seriously until I took up the bass. Something clicked for me and I began practicing 6-8 hours a day (which I still do when I get the chance!). I think I loved the physicality of the bass--it takes your whole upper body just to play certain notes on the upright bass--and the fundamental role it plays in so many kinds of music. Whether playing in a chamber orchestra or in a metal band or a jazz ensemble, it always felt not like the bass was the captain of the ship, but definitely steering it:)

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am very proud of some of the records I have made or played on. I still love the feeling of seeing and hearing for the first time a new release that I have played on and/or written music for. That some of these recording have positively impacted lives is the best part of it, especially when I think about how much certain records have meant to me at times. I am also proud of being able to share and communicate through music with so many different people in so many different places. Music really is universal to the human experience, and it is giving me countless amazing experiences.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
I believe that exposing children to a wide variety of music is important, both for their mental and cultural development. But I do not children should be made to study music or take music lessons unless or until they are excited about it on their own. This can create a negative attitude towards making music that can be hard to get past even as adults. I believe that music is a wonderful way to enrich a child's life and help them grow as human beings, which is why I think playing music should only be encouraged if a child is excited about doing it.

When will I start to see results?
I tend of think of results in music philosophically. Music is a lifelong practice in which there is always room to grow and more to learn. I have been fortunate to play with many world class musicians, and the one thing they all have in common is the ongoing pursuit of developing further as musicians. So results can mean different things depending on one's perspective. With my own practice, it seems that I often don't notice that I've gotten something difficult in my brain or under my fingers, because by the time work in one area starts to pay off I'm already on to another focus. Consistent, focused practice, is both the method and the reward.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Practicing should be both meditative and fun! Try to practice in a quiet place if possible, and stop in between songs or exercises and listen to the silence (or if it's not silent then focus on the birds, cars, other "non-musical" sounds you hear). This clears your ears and your mind. It's important as well that you remember to think not just about the mechanics of what you're practicing in terms of playing your instrument, but try to really listen to how it sounds, and try to make everything--whether it's a scale or a bass line or a Charlie Parker solo--sound musically satisfying by itself.

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