Violin Lessons in Honolulu, HI

Instruments: Bass Guitar

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I have wanted to be a musician since I was little. I would watch videos of Elvis and watch how he moved the crowd. He could ask the to do anything and they would have done it.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I would be a chef. There are many forms of art. Painting, sketching, sculpting. There are just as many mediums of that art. We can of course paint or draw, we can build things out of wood or metal or glass. We can make things out of food. I can't think of anything else that makes people more happy than a good meal.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
The two hardest things to master on bass guitar are the proper tone to fit into whatever music you are attempting to play and finger strength. Bass guitar strings are 10 times thicker than guitar strings and they can be very abrasive. For the first couple of months, your hands are going to cramp up.....LOL!

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I can't lie on this. I saw my first KISS video clip in 1976 and thought Gene Simmons was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I also was able to see at a young age how music moved people.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
To practice effectively one must filter out distractions. Put down the phone, turn off the TV, and focus. We also need to understand what it is we are trying to learn. We have to understand the goal of the student / parent before we can discuss how we are going to learn. We will only practice that elements that we set out to learn. When the student has learned that, then we move on. That is very important. We cannot skip steps.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
I would not recommend starting lessons until 11 or 12. Preteens and even some adolescents don't have the concentration to focus on lessons. Around 11 or 12 is when I would begin to examine their interest. Do they sing in key to songs on the radio? Do you see them in the back seat "playing drums" on their thighs? Can they keep time? Those are some good signals

When will I start to see results?
If they actually practice what I give them to practice, you should see results in 4-6 weeks. If you have to make them practice the instrument........you are wasting time and money.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My inspiration was a man named Bobby Slone. He was the upright bass / fiddle player for a world famous bluegrass group called JD CROWE and THE NEW SOUTH. He lived close to me and was very patient. He knew so much of what the bass was, and where it should be in a song.

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