Sean F. TakeLessons Instructor Music, Bass Guitar, Music theory, music appreciation, electronic music, live sound and recording... Seattle, WA

        Hi! My name is Sean. I have been playing the bass guitar for 15 years, and teaching it for 5! I have a deep love of music in general and of the instrument in specific, and look forward to helping you achieve what you want to with the bass! Here's a little about me:

        I grew up overseas, but after settling in Seattle in 1989, I took immediate advantage of the availability of school music programs, preferring the tenor and alto saxophones. I played in classical ensembles and had just begun jazz study when, on a trip to see my father in Tokyo, I was offered a fourth-hand bass guitar from the bassist of an Australian band whom my father had befriended. Within months after returning to the states, I knew that my life had a new direction. 

        High School at Mill Creek, Washington's H.M. Jackson H.S. brought further musical education and refinement through the introduction of choral singing, jazz choral singing, various student bands, digital recording and MIDI applications. At the University of Washington in Seattle, I found a way to reconcile and combine the two strongest forces in my life; the love of travel/foreign cultures and music, through the Ethnomusicology program. I studied music and language at the University and graduated with a bachelor of arts in 2003.

        I currently stay very active in the Seattle music scene in my own bands, others' bands, as a session musician, and of course as a teacher. I'm lucky enough to have a great cadre of students, and I look forward to welcoming you as the newest!

        I believe in being a musician first, a bassist second. To this end, I've teamed up with fellow musical cohort and long time friend Isaac Chirino in running a teaching studio in Seattle's Beacon Hill area, where I have access to various technology and instruments and can really get hands-on with students during lessons. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!

First and foremost, these lessons are about you! They are about your goals and interests, and how I can help you reach those goals. Not everyone wants to learn enough theory to play advanced jazz or sight read well enough to play with a major symphony orchestra, but if you do, I can help you do that as well!

I'm an easy-going, jovial teacher who's certainly not fond of raising my voice in anger. I'd much rather laugh with you about something than lecture you! Of course, since these lessons are directly related to helping you reach your own goals, you owe it to yourself to practice what you need to at home, come prepared, and make the most of our time together. But I will give you all the tools you need to accomplish this and more! 

In general, and if it fits with your specific desires, you can expect to learn about a broad range of musically-related subjects, such as: musicianship, rhythm, technique, tastefulness, groove, musical technology (amps, electronics, and computers), various musical genres, ear training, theory, reading, improvisation, and more! My lessons are always individually tailored to each student, so we'll create a unique plan for you. 

I'm a very big fan of world music, having studied ethnomusicology in school, and am well versed in playing and teaching styles as diverse as rock, jazz, soul, reggae, african, afro-cuban, brazilian, funk, punk, pop, and likely several more that I'm forgetting at the moment!

H.M. Jackson High School - vocal and instrumental jazz - 96-99 (degree received)
University of Washington - Music, Ethnomusicology, Linguistics - 99-2003 (degree received)

Music, Bass Guitar, Music theory, music appreciation, electronic music, live sound and recording techniques.