Private lessons with top Upright Bass instructors near San Francisco, CA

I provide lessons for classical double bass playing, from beginner to advanced level.

I aim to instill a love of music and of the instrument through both student guided song selections from popular genres and movie/video game soundtracks, as well as the pedagogy and technical exercises that are required to play the double bass. I complement this with various etudes and repertoire from both the classical and jazz idioms to create a bassist that not only knows how to groove, but has a solid command of the bass.

Experienced in classical, jazz, and various other styles and genres. If you want to develop excellent technique and dexterity with a fun and laid-back (yet knowledgeable and motivating) teacher, you've come to the right place!

I began teaching upright bass in 2009. During the 2012-2013, I was the orchestra director at Rolling Meadows High School. I specialize in either jazz or classical studies for the upright bass. Topics include: holding position and posture, left and right hand technique, musical notation, rhythm, scales/arpeggios, and repertoire.

Students can expect a teacher that addresses every single aspect of learning orchestral upright bass: from honing bow technique, to left-hand formation and fingering choices, to reading musical notation, interpreting music and learning rhythm. My goal is to help students develop a technical foundation on the bass for playing just about any kind of music that they are interested in, and to support students with practicing tips for areas in their playing where they want to improve. My specialty is symphony orchestra training, so I primarily use both the Essential Elements for Strings books and Suzuki Bass School series at the beginning, and then later as students make progress, I begin to introduce standard orchestral repertoire, sonatas, and concertos written for the bass. I have been teaching since August 2016 and so far I have helped students get into All-States, ensembles at the New England Conservatory Preparatory Division and Berklee College of Music, Districts/Regional festivals, youth orchestra programs, and music degree programs at colleges. I feel that the reason why my students succeed is because most of my students get the sense that I am very passionate about teaching the bass and therefore I am usually very detailed and patient in my explanations. I also use a combination of both verbal explanations and hands-on demonstrations, especially when it comes to improving mechanics and musicality. Most of my students (and parents/guardians of students) consider me to be very proficient and engaging. If you are interested in taking lessons with me, choose one of the lesson durations from the provided selection and then we can solidify lesson times that work for your schedule. I look forward to working together and helping you to achieve your greatest potential on the double bass.

My goal is to help you find your path to your own ability to play whatever it is you want to play; I am focussed on you, and where you want to go. I consider it my purpose as your teacher to facilitate, aid, and guide your self-directed study; you’ll choose your goals, and I will help you discover what, and more importantly how to practice.

Upright Bass: Also called Acoustic Bass, this instrument puts down the foundation in the band or orchestra. Besides learning the fretboard, notes, chords, finger exercises, theory and improvisation, the student will also learn how to play with a pick or their fingers and incorporate plucking, slapping, popping, and strumming techniques.

Essential Elements book 1 My main focus is on the bow.