Woodbridge, CT Upright Bass Lessons

n-person and online. I've recently moved to private teaching full-time and couldn't be happier!

I'm excited to get started with you and help you set and reach your musical goals!

*** Online & In-Person Lesson Details ***
It's most important to me that you are excited and motivated about your music lessons! I am a flexible instructor and am always open to hearing your ideas for songs. After working together to identify your beginning knowledge of music and your instrument, we'll progress from song to song to develop your musical abilities.

All of my online and in-person lessons begin by warming up with a quick exercise, scale, or even an improvisational activity. We'll use the music you love to develop your guitar technique, learn new chords, and sharpen your listening skills.

You'll gain an understanding of what makes the music work and why the notes, rhythms, and harmonies are what they are.

The music we study can also serve as inspiration for creativity. I may ask you to come to the next class with a short composition of your own or we'll finish a lesson by improvising together on related musical themes.

I'll do my best to make my expectations for you clear and at the end of every lesson, we'll go over what we accomplished together and make sure you understand what to work on before our next class.

*** Additional Online Information ***

Online lessons can be just as effective as in-person lessons for teaching you the basics of your instrument, developing technique, and achieving your musical goals! I'll use screen sharing to display music, chords, and scale charts during the lessons. Materials will be emailed to you as well for you to use at home. And communication is extra important when it comes to online lessons; because I can't make physical adjustments, I'll often assess how you hold your musical instrument and describe how you can make the adjustments yourself.

Please note that a high-speed internet connection is needed in order to make sure that we can see and hear each other appropriately. In addition, I expect that you will be able to provide your own musical instrument (and amplifier, if you have an electric instrument) to use during the lesson.

*** Additional In-Person Information ***
I teach my in-person lessons from my home office with comfortable seating for both students and parents. I expect that you will be able to provide your own musical instrument to use during the lesson.

I will have music stands available for use during lessons and will accompany and demonstrate on my musical instruments. I will have an amplifier and cables, but if you prefer to bring your own amplifier you can do that, too!

Please note that I have two cats; they'll be in an enclosed room away from where we will have lessons, but if you have cat allergies this may not be a good fit.

find it rewarding working with beginners and the opportunity to show them the amazing world of listening, playing and making music.

The teaching begins with identifying student's musical needs, goals and tastes. Students are taught a stimulating, thorough, and graduated course of recital solos, theory, technical studies, and classic repertoire. For those wishing to pursue more of a classical approach to music, there are proven methods to accomplish that goal established by European master teachers and pedagogues. Also, I can teach the know-how of Jazz and Blues though gradual lessons that cover basic theory, scales and chords up to melody and harmony development.

*** Lesson Details ***
The learning process should be, for the most part, fun and based upon a strong relationship between the teacher and the student. Curriculum and lesson plans are based on student's abilities and aspirations with appropriate balance between theoretical and practical work. The lesson material is always carefully chosen, and when necessary, adapted to specific learning needs.

With a proper approach, everyone can learn to play music. Whether you want to pursue a music career, or just play for fun and enjoyment I can help you attain your goals. From basic piano and stringed instruments, to advanced theory, harmony, composition and improvisation to jazz, pop and rock.

Classes are not based on a single source or book. I provide other exercises in printed form for students to keep and take home.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Two high end digital keyboards, two violins, viola, cello, upright bass, bass guitar and amplifier, music stands, stereo equipment with a large CD collection of just any conceivable music style.. Assorted school instruments: recorder (soprano and tenor), xylophone. Various music charts and a large library of music resources and other books; Extensive e-library and ability to print any required material on the spot. Instant access to many on-line sheet music resources.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Full size and a school grade digital keyboards , bass guitar, amplifier, staff paper and other printed resources, violin, viola, spare parts, maintenance tools and equipment.

*** Specialties ***
Pop, Classical, Jazz, Ethnic and Modal music, Composition, Arranging, Harmony, Counterpoint, Advanced Music Theory

Bass and musical director at Murderers Row
Blue Man Group….Chapman Stick, bass guitar and talking drum from 1991 to present including performing on the Jay Leno Show in 1994; ongoing gigs as sideman and leader (bass, guitar, stick and voice) in NYC from 1981 to 2015
Tom S. Trio on fretless guitar - NY
Fretless Guitar Festival, 2006

Solo bass CD- Quixotic
Brillliant Coroners CD
Otis Ball and The Chains - I'm Gonna Love You Till I Don't;
Dumptruck For The Country CD

Specializations:
Improvisation
Music Learning (Theory)
Music Technology (MIDI and Digital Recording)

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a laid back, but focused instructor. I use a variety of methods to best improve my students strengths and lessen their weaknesses. After three to six months , most students will be comfortable playing in rhythm and understanding basic harmony.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the music room, guitar, electric bass, amps, computer with recording equipment, protools, logic and ableton live

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will bring a bass or guitar. They must have an instrument and some form of amplifier.

*** Specialties ***
Rock, Jazz

ant Park, The Jazz Showcase, House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe, Cubby Bear, Schubas Tavern, Beat Kitchen, Reggies, Subterranean, Bottom Lounge, and many others, as well as performances all over the United States, Ireland, and England. He has also contributed to some half-dozen albums by various artists. For much of the year he keeps busy playing both on stage and in the orchestra pits of musical theater productions for companies such as Porchlight Music Theater, NightBlue Performing Arts Company, and The Royal George Theater.

He loves helping students to become the best musicians they can be, and tailors his teaching style and material to suit each individual.

ves as the Albemarle Road Middle School Director of Strings as well as teaching private lessons in wind and string instruments. I am a member of the National Association for Music Educators, the International Trumpet Guild, as well as the American String Teachers Association.

s Jazz Festival at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Lauren is an avid performer in the New York jazz scene and appears at venues such as the legendary 55 Bar, where she enjoys a monthly residency. She has performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cosmopolitan Club, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, Zinc Bar, Club Bonafide, Swing 46 as well as other venues in the city. Lauren enjoys sharing her love of music with her students and has taught both privately and in New York City schools, including the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Program. In addition to playing bass and singing, Lauren also plays piano, clarinet, electric guitar, electric bass and acoustic guitar.

ey don’t recognize it right away, they are so fortunate to have your support. As the founder and owner of NOVA Music Academy, I believe that children always win when parents and teachers unite to provide support. We hope that by inviting you into the NOVA Music Academy family, your unique child will find joy in learning music and grow to appreciate the deeply expressive power of art for a lifetime.

I can personally attest to the joy that music has brought my life, including full scholarships for a bachelors, master's and doctoral degree and I could never have done it without my amazing flute teachers. I'm looking forward to repaying their investment into the next generation of musicians, I sincerely hope your child is one of them! My website contains a full bio, resume, and recordings of my playing and testimonials from parents and students.