Upright Bass Lessons for Oak Park, IL

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.

My students can expect a loving, supportive, and encouraging atmosphere to learn a difficult instrument. We will go through the basics of hand shapes, learn how to navigate the neck with scales, and tunes that make the upright bass approachable.

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!

My primary goal with all of my students is to help them make great music that is true to themselves. I also try to stick with a sound-before-symbol approach to learning music. What this means for my teaching is a focus on training both the ears and technique. I always prefer a more personalized approach to teaching, working with students to find repertoire that speaks to them and improves their musicality and technique.

My name is Geoff and I play Double Bass).(also called.Upright Bass).I played in a Full Time Symphony Orchestra for 20yrs.I teach Solo work,NYSSMA pieces(expert),ALL Symphony Repertoire,Your School Music,Technical Studies,Scales and Sight Reading.I' m patient with students and changing lesson times if need be.Students do great at NYSSMA,All County and Long Island Strings,and all School Ensembles.Let's Go!

I'll teach you to sound like whoever, whomever or whatever you'd like! -Players (Ray Brown, Mingus, Bill Black, Lee Rocker) -Jazz (Walking bass, the Blues, Rhythm Changes) -Latin (Tumbao, Salsa, Samba) -Arco/Bow (Classical & Ballads) -Theory (What is a...? "I, IV, V" or "ii, V7, I") -Reading (Important for school and the studio!) Try with me!

I am a Bass Performance student at UGA. I love to teach upright bass in all styles! I personally play jazz, classical, funk/jam, musicals, rock, and bluegrass. I love to help students get their low notes sounding good and grooving!

It is my goal as a teacher to give you the tools to play music but more importantly to create music. My Teaching Philosophy Left Hand- Scales and arpeggios our the bedrock of music. They are the foundation of everything harmonically and melodically. We will begin with learning our major, minor and pentatonic scales and corresponding arpeggios. Once we have an understanding of those we will delve into our modes and more “exotic” scales. Right Hand- The right hand is our time machine. It gives us the ability to play in time and with groove and feel. We will work on rhythmic studies string crossings and practicing with a metronome. Remembering music is harmony, Melody and rhythm working as one. For those who are new to playing music the hardest thing for some to master is rhythm/time keeping. It is the black and white right or wrong of the music world. Often times our want to progress quickly is hampered by skipping over the basic building blocks of rhythm and time keeping. The first critical step is the concept of subdivision. Subdivision it the mind process used to keep accurate time. It is mentally filling in the gap between the major beats. In 4/4 time it simply begins as counting 1+2+3+4+. I will constantly be emphasizing the need for unrelenting subdivision. But one can work on subdividing while you listen to recorded music even as you walk down the street humming a tune. Music Reading- I highly encourage learning to read music notation thought not a necessity it has the following benefits: 1.It will help you understanding of the mechanics of music theory. 2.Enables you to look at any piece of music and play it/have basic understanding of the song . 3.Gives a visual representation of and auditory art. Styles- As a bass player you will be called upon to play many different styles of music. We will learn the attributes of a diverse range of genres. So you will be prepared when your band mate wants you to play in a “New Orleans meets Moroccan feel” Feel/Groove- Is the most important attribute of a bass player, yet the hardest concept for some to master. Through out our learning of scales and styles we will constantly focus on the feel and groove of everything we play. The right feel/groove not only can make or break a song it can help heal the soul.