Piano Lessons in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My ears hear bass first, this is what most people hear. The Root of the chord is mostly played by the bass, since it’s a lowest tone. There are 3 basic music fundamentals, Melody, Harmony and Rhythm. ( there are more fundamentals but these are the most important to a bass player ) Melody, states what the song is about, instrumental or with words. Harmony, major? minor? The chord is built on the Root of the desired chord. Rhythm, how is the root played? Whole notes? Half notes, etc, is the root movement more involved? The bass player plays 2 of these elements, which ones are they?

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Learning the Double Bass, I wanted a music degree on electric bass but the program did not allow it, so I struggled with the double bass for 4 months, practicing and getting my callouses ready for school. As an adult in college, I was playing on a middle school level the first semester. This was tough, but with determination and practice, I prevailed and became a section player in the Norfolk Symphony.

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
most of my students agree that they have learned something they didn’t know, I always want to hone in on something the student can’t play or does not know something about. Some students learn the basics then move on to self study. When they have a problem, I help with it. My students succeed at learning new things, Like chords, By knowing the chords of a song, allows the player to expand on the original bass line by Improvising, my specialty

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
On the Double bass is Intonation, playing in tune, by learning the positions and practicing, one learns where to place your fingers. Playing with other musicians hones this skill. Play alongs help with solo practice, first have to develop your ear to what is right and wrong. Meaning pitch, is the note sharp or flat, and being able to correct the pitch instantly. If this is a problem, playing a fretted bass might be a better choice due to the placement of the fingers in a general location instead of the only location.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I use my own method, developed through years of experience. I will use a method book if it’s required by the student. Some have already started in a method, Hal Leonard is my favorite, but I use the Simandl method with beginning Double bass students, they will be in a orchestra or concert band and need to know the fundamentals of fingering to allow the best way to get around the instrument

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Jazz, this gives me room to experiment with harmony. This gives me the opportunity to interact with the other musicians in a real time atmosphere

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
Started on electric bass, 4 string, moved to double bass, then added the 5 string electric bass and now play the 6 string electric bass. Having the extra low and high strings, allows me to express more musical ideas.

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