BASS PLAYER & TUTOR

I offer bass guitar lessons and mentoring to students of all ages and abilities. My current students range from 10-year olds to retirees, complete beginners to experienced players. I cover all aspects of technique from finger-style to playing with a pick and slap, and focus in on exactly which parts of music theory a bass player needs to understand. Wherever possible I try to teach through studying real songs. This is a more enjoyable way to learn than just exercises and gets you doing what you want to be doing straight away - playing cool basslines!  Of course, there are some aspects of playing that do need to be worked on in a more formal way and I have a proven structured approach for gaining the understanding and ability you need to become a well-rounded bassist.

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With the vast majority of my students I build lessons around the Trinity College London Rock & Pop Bass syllabus. This is a brilliant way to chart your progress, and also a great motivator as you push towards the next clearly defined stage of your playing journey. This does not mean you have to take grading exams, there are lots of other benefits to a structured program. However, some choose to do so and I am proud that my students have a 100% pass record. Grades of all levels are internationally recognised and at Grade 6 and above provide UCAS points for entry to higher education.

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Regular face-to-face lessons are the key to making good progress. I offer either weekly half-hour slots or fortnightly one-hour slots, based exclusively at the Music Lessons Derby teaching studios, above Rattle & Drum and Hippo Guitars in Derby city centre.  A half-hour lesson is £17.50, a one-hour lesson is £35. To give students a risk-free opportunity to try lessons, I offer the first 4 x half-hour or 2 x 1-hour sessions at a special introductory rate of only £40 total.  

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I am totally committed to my students' success, as well as our direct contact time I am happy to provide guidance and mentoring between lessons, supporting you and keeping you motivated and moving forward at all times.

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Why choose me as your bass tutor?

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I believe very strongly that if you want to learn to play bass, you should find a teacher who is a bass player. It sounds really obvious, but if you are trawling the internet looking for a bass teacher you have probably realised that most bass teachers are in fact guitarists! Despite their similarities bass and guitar are not the same instrument. There is a lot you can learn from studying with other musicians, but your foundation should come from someone who actually plays the same instrument as you. I was motivated to teach by this exact frustration, I love mentoring new and less experienced players because I know how much having the guidance of a more accomplished bassist would have helped me earlier in my playing career.

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I have been playing bass for 30 years and have honed my abilities and understanding of music through performing hundreds of live shows with numerous bands, spending time in the studio, and by playing and studying with great musicians. I can help you develop the skills you need to make your bass playing a success, whether your aspirations are to get on stage, make your own music or just play along with your favourite songs at home!

It also can't be overstated how much better face-to-face lessons are than trying to learn online or teach yourself.  Learning online usually leads to information overload, wasting time on the wrong things and picking up bad habits, whereas I will be there to guide you every step of the way, keeping you focused on exactly what you need at each stage of your journey to becoming a great bass player.

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As my testimonials show I am an engaging and organised teacher, a good communicator and a reliable easy-going person. As well as my extensive playing and teaching experience I hold Trinity College London Rock & Pop Bass Grade 8 (Distinction), full public liability insurance and a current DBS certificate.