lessons
Our Lessons Are Tailored To Suit You
Double Bass Beginners
For beginner bass students I like to go over basic technique like how to hold the bass and the bow and how to pluck the string (pizzicato). I like to start off using the Essential Elements books and Double Bass Solo Book 1 by Keith Hartley.
If the student is not able to read music that’s okay! We’ll start to learn how to do that as well, and the Essential Elements books help a lot with that. We’ll also work on any school music the student has.
Double Bass High Schoolers
High School bass students typically have school music and competitions like ASTACAP, Solo and Ensemble and All-State to prepare for. I like to focus on the music that is currently on their music stand, while working through technique and solo books like Progressive Repertoire for the Bass by George Vance.
We will also work through all scales in 1, 2 and 3 octaves with my scale book Scales for the Double Bass, which will prepare the student for All-State and school quizzes.
Double Bass Adults
I like to work on whatever the adult student wants to work on! If they want to learn the bass line to a Beatles song, or work on a classical solo, I’m willing to help them achieve their goals. This is your time and there aren’t any tests or competitions to prepare for.
I do, however, have some suggestions for technique and solo pieces that we can work on to have some structure to our lessons.
Bass Guitar Students
I like to work out of the Hal Leonard Bass Guitar Method books to have a good foundation of bass guitar performance. There are a few other method books that go into different styles of bass guitar performance like jazz, funk, rock, etc. I am also glad to work on any music that the student would like to work on. For more advanced students we can get into jazz theory and walking bass lines.
FAQ
Where do lessons take place?
Lessons take place at my house in Broad Ripple, which is easily accessible from all places in and around Indianapolis, IN
What do I need to bring to lessons?
Double Bass students will need a bass, bow, rosin, and any music that you are working on. I’ll work with you on the rest of the music you will need for lessons.
Bass Guitar students will need to bring their bass guitar and any music you are working on.