Lessons

I teach double bass and bass guitar in all styles, as well as composition, improvisation, and theory. I am a patient, thoughtful and passionate teacher.

Studying an instrument can and should be a rewarding, meaningful activity. Music is an important part of our lives, and the opportunity to actually make music can be inspiring, spiritual, and fun!

It can also be frustrating when one’s initial thrill at beginning the musical journey is thwarted by the theoretical minutiae and hard work seemingly required to play well. Must one work through years of boredom before enjoying playing an instrument? Is the enjoyment of playing music limited to those “born with talent?”

Not at all.

Everyone has enough “natural talent” to play an instrument, and play well. It does take years of practice and hard work to become a virtuoso, and learning the language of music is a lifelong study that continues to provide satisfaction and challenges. But that does not mean that the first steps we take as musicians must be unpleasant, unsatisfying, or unmusical. In fact, just the opposite is true!

Complex, intricate, and virtuosic music is made up of fundamental, simple, basic musical ideas– the same musical ideas that we learn when we begin to play. These simple fundamentals can be played well. Even the first piece we learn to play can be played beautifully.

I would be honored to guide you or your child on the musical path.