Bass Lessons in Portola Valley, CA

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 Drums Bass Guitar

I have worked as a professional musician for over 25 years. I have performed with members of the Doobie Brothers, Grateful Dead, David Grisman Quintet, Galactic and many others. I have performed on guitar, bass, drums, mandolin and keyboards. I have performed across the country at festivals, theaters and smaller venues like cafes and restaurants. I also have 20+ years experience in the music "business," as radio deejay, music journalist for the New York Times, manager of a guitar store, sales rep for a drum manufacturer, and guitar instructor UCSC. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

I like to give my students small goals until I get to know them better. Early triumphs in learning a musical instrument tend to really help keep the attention of the new player. With beginning students, I like to teach in reference to the music the student wants to play. With Intermediate students, I like to have them explore new musical genres with similar concepts to what they are listening to or creating, in order to teach them to use the tools they already have more diversily. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When I begin with any student, I like to ask what they love, what they wish, and what they'd like to do during their lessons. Depending on the answer, I may start the student with tape on the fretboard, under the strings, outlining the chords for a guitar player. Or I may start with a book outlining the fundamentals of music and focus on sight reading. I like to have the lesson be a mix of what the students want, and what I believe to be useful information. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

I like my students to work on their performance personas, as well as technique and repertoire. I want my students to be engaged and excited about the music they are working on and to practice performing it like the rock star they are! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Double Bass

My teaching experience started in college, as I began teachin private lessons pasrt time 6 years ago, and I have been consisting teaching either on school campus or at my home studio. I encourage regular practice and like to set up consistent schedule's is something I encourage young students especially for the parents involved. I use a combination of both classical technique combined with modern music. I try to make the music something fun to learn so students will want to continue learning their instrument. 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