I give lessons to a limited number of students at the beginner to advanced intermediate level.  Focus is on the fundamentals of learning to read music notation, left hand position, scales, bowing (con arco) and pizzicato technique and above all, showing the student how to develop correct intonation and a good sound on the instrument. 

 

Beyond the fundamentals, my objective is to help those students interested primarily in studying American roots music--blues, folk, jazz, bluegrass-- to develop their ears.  The ability of a player to recognize and interpret what his ears tell him and respond to that information with complimentary bass lines-- developing what I call "ear-hand coordination"-- is an essential skill in improvisational roots music.  By emphasizing ear-hand coordination I encourage students to transform the bass into an extension of their body to enhance execution and development of improvisational skills.  

 

I emphasize listening to the music of master bassists, understanding rhythm changes, timing and execution. I also teach students how to set up their instruments for ease of playability and maximum sound and how to maintain and care for their bass. Feel free to contact me for more information at twofive7@verizon.net.