Arlington, MA Bass Guitar Lessons

l needs. I first began learning about the subject as a Music Director for children's theatre, then as a one-on-one aid in a specialized classroom for middle school students with severe and profound autism. From there I moved on to a similar but much more intensive position in a private, year-round school designed especially for students whose autism was severe enough to prevent them from attending public school. While working there, I made a connection with the adaptive music program that would come into the school, and now I teach for them during the day, running adaptive music classes for students and adults with autism, as well as adults who have suffered traumatic brain injury.

I love teaching, and I try to make my lessons fun, engaging and personally tailored to help each student achieve their unique goals. I've worked with individuals of all ages, ability levels and walks of life, and I put a real emphasis on developing my students' creativity, not JUST their technique. I love teaching beginners and helping them navigate their way through what can be a very intimidating subject at first, and I also really enjoy the challenge of helping more experienced students as they seek to deepen their ability for self-expression.

possesses both beautiful vocal abilities and perfect pitch , although she has never had a chance to develop her natural gifts any further. But I have heard my mother singing, and these moments remain one of the most touching and impressive musical experiences, that I have ever received, and remember to this very day.
Only after a considerable life experiences, abound of trials and mistakes, at the age of twenty five, I have come to a clear realization, that music remains my greatest passion, and that I would have to become a professional musician. With help and support of friends and colleagues, I have entered Community College in Soroki city, Moldova Republic, where I have studied Choral Conducting for Amateurs. I have graduated from school in May of 1988, having written a few instrumental and vocal compositions of my own, and, quite unexpectedly for myself, was invited, that summer, to visit Moldova State Conservatory, with the prospect of audition for the Composition Major. After the meeting with the Chair of the Department, I was offered an opportunity to be accepted to the Master Degree Program in Composition, provided I will have completed two years of preliminary studies of Music Theory, Music Harmony/Voice Leading, and many other related disciplines.
Why do I bring all of these facts to this Essay? I know for the fact now, that I was not ready for what was awaiting ahead of me, back then. There was no way, that I could cope with the demands of Composition Program curriculum. But I have had love for music, that my parents have implemented in me throughout my childhood; I have had natural abilities, that Heavens supplied me with: and I have had a chance to make my dream a reality, providing I do everything that I will have to, during the following years of struggles and study.
The decision was made, and my studies have begun. I have come through every mistake, defeat, and mind-barriers imaginable, and if it would not be a continuous stream of professional help and support, that I have received from my numerous teachers, mentors, and professors, along the years of study, my goals could never be attained to any modest, but real degree.
Whenever I have a chance to teach, tutor, or assist other musicians with their study, my past experience always reminds me, that any person may experience some difficulties of various nature with the learning material, from time to time, and that those difficulties should be addressed by student's teacher with the highly individual approach, however time-and effort-consuming it may be. Patience and respect, in regard to the students, have become as important aspects of teaching to me, as those of discipline and professionalism.
My studies have come to an end; I see now, that the world of music is an endless entity, for it has no boundaries, and we all have to maintain our further progress, in order to move to our chosen destinations, and to help others with their own advancements.

Sincerely
Vasiliy M.

*** Lesson Details ***
I would be more than willing to assist my prospective students with their various musical endeavors, and people's willingness to either play music instruments,take voice lessons, or to study Music Theory/ Musicianship disciplines will serve us as a starting point for our work. Through the diligent preliminary talk we will discuss various aspects of interest that my students have developed in relation to music, so we could plan and design our future lessons according to an initial discussion. My job and responsibility will be to make an intelligent assessment of my students' natural abilities for the given subject of study, to create vigorous learning atmosphere during our meetings, and to give my students professional instructions to the best of my humble abilities, for the benefits of their musical , aesthetic, and personal development. I will encourage my students to learn as much as they can, at the given moment, but I will not ever attempt to exceed people's natural capabilities. Participation in Music with love and fun should be as rewarding and valuable to the music amateur, as professional performing career ( with its highly demanding standards) stands for classically trained musicians. During our study sessions, we will work upon the goals and tasks that we have discussed at the beginning of our meetings. My ultimate goal as a teacher was and will always be to help my students discover and bring forward their best creative potentials through the intensive musical studies and practice, and, at the same time, to favor heir initial interest's transformation into a deep, serious passion.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room, Italian keyboard Real Piano PRO 2

*** Travel Equipment ***
Honda Insight 2011

*** Specialties ***
As a Bass - player, I have been performing in Big-Band Orchestras, Jazz Sextets, Quartets, Trios, Duos.
I was also a Progressive-Rock Band Bass-Player.
John Pretlor Band, (R&B style, Soft Jazz) hired me, as a Bass Player, before I went to Mannes College, to study Composition.

Music Theory - wise, I have taught Fundamentals of Music, Elementary Music, Music Theory I, II, Keyboard Harmony, Music Analysis, Post-Tonal Theory.

different concepts they incorporate
3 Ear-training/pitch recognition. Strengthening the ability to "pick up" new material more quickly and translate ones Ideas to the instrument.
4 Music appreciation/Musicality. Listening to new and different types of music focusing on the different elements that make up a great performer/performance.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music Studio: piano, stereo system, no drum there! room to sit for parents
A1: drum kit, whole performance set up with recording studio, room for parents to sit in on lesson

*** Travel Equipment ***
amplifiers, cd/mp3 player

*** Specialties ***
ear training, most musical styles (pop/rock, r&b, reggae, jazz , world)

than 30 years, I am currently the Director of Worship for the chapel at Gordon College, a small Christian school north of Boston. I'm often involved in city-wide music events in Boston’s faith-based community and in demand as a featured musician for church services, parties, concerts and other events.

I hold a Masters of Music from New England Conservatory in Jazz Piano and am comfortable and fluent in a number of musical styles. In addition to private lessons and performing, I do music transcription, workshops, and all forms of vocal and instrumental arranging. My passions include morning coffee, finding new guitar chords, creating killer PowerPoint presentations, and trying to figure out how to use my smart phone.

*** Lesson Details ***
My priority as a teacher is to make the learning process fun, life-giving, and productive. I teach with patience and humor, at a challenging but not frustrating pace.

Some quotes from my students:
"I absolutely love learning from Bil! I've watched my playing and the playing of others at church vastly improve as a result of his training."

"[Bil] is filled with a large amount of knowledge, so while sitting under him you not only learn about how to play but you learn about music history and theory. Beyond being a good teacher he is genuine and friendly and cares about others."

"I have really enjoyed working with Bil. His patience and wealth of knowledge has helped me come out of my musical shell and has encouraged me to discover my musical voice."

"Bil makes learning theory fun! His deep understanding of music is complemented by his contagious enthusiasm."

"Bil has taken me to a different level. I went from tab and basic guitar chords, to building jazz chords and a far greater understanding of music theory."

There are at least two ways that might set me apart from other teachers.

Firstly, I have honed and developed "people skills". I am an ordained minister and have held positions where I was formally and informally in a mentoring/pastoring role. I bring that sensitivity to my music lessons, understanding that personal and emotional issues can be triggered by the engagement with the music and skills being worked on.

Secondly, I've had a remarkable broad base of experience. My coursework has exposed me to a wide breadth of ideas and tools; my work life has been long and varied; I have had extensive experience in many different cultural contexts, both musically and otherwise; and I work well with many age groups and skill levels.

Regarding my teaching approach:
For beginners, I have a fairly consistent set of topics and skill sets to cover. Generally, in a few months, piano students (particularly those in middle school through adulthood) should know how to play major, minor and seventh chords, how to read simple chord charts and some very basic accompanying skills. Guitar students should know a dozen open chords and have been introduced to barre chords, and to have learned several styles of finger picking as well as strumming. Bass students should know how to find notes on the board and will have begun to learn how to fill out a song with an expressive but non-obtrusive bass line.

For intermediate students, the pace, direction and focus on lessons depends upon the goals and passions of the student along with the amount of time he or she has to practice. My goals for students at this level and beyond is to learn how to learn. I will use outstanding recorded examples of particular skills or stylistic idioms to help my students understand and master each new concept. I often will check in with my student to make sure that we are on track with what they are hoping for.

For advanced students, we will generally target very specific objectives. I also try to add elements of theory, history, culture, and even life lessons to apply to the topics we address. Because of my background in pastoral ministry, I can serve as a mentor addressing the emotional and relational issues of playing music as well as its technical aspects.

*** Studio Equipment ***
upstairs music room: fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, amps, drum set, seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
if for guitar or bass, that instrument; I expect piano students to have an available keyboard and for other students to have their own instrument(s).

*** Specialties ***
strong in jazz, rock, pop, gospel, sacred, R&B.

. Soon after, he was one of the first students to receive a full scholarship to Berklee through the African Scholars program. In 2009, he settled in Boston, Massachusetts.

At Berklee, he was exposed to a variety of influences, but wanted to go deeper into the roots of jazz and expand his knowledge of music. He auditioned and was selected to participate in the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, which is directed by Danilo Perez and the residency teachers, including Joe Lovano John Patitucci, and Terri Lyne Carrington. The Institute emphasizes an artist's original vision in jazz, and has helped Albino find his own unique voice in the art form.

Albino still felt the absence of his own Mozambican traditions in his music. With the help of his mentors, Richard Bona and Lionel Loueke, two of the most prominent African musicians in the United States of America today, he began to bridge that gap.

Today, Albino's music succeeds in combining many disparate parts into an organic whole. It incorporates his musical experiences from Mozambique, the U.S., and many other places around the world, combining rhythmic patterns and musical concepts to create a unique Moz-Jazz sound. He will always continue to combine and capture the energies of different musical traditions to create a unified and original musical style.

Albino's original composition “Mozambique Dance” was recorded by Jazz Revelation Records, a student-run record label at the Berklee College of Music, for the 8th annual album released in 2011. He also recorded “Awusiwana,” his own composition, for the Berklee 2012 summer album. His debut album, also called Mozambique Dance, is to be released in Spring 2013.

Albino is an active musician, and has performed in several countries including Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Italy, the U.S., and Mexico. He has also produced and recorded various projects in Mozambique and in the United States. In 2012, he will graduate from Berklee College with a degree in Music Production & Engineering and Performance, and a minor in Acoustics and Electronics.

*** Lesson Details ***
My teaching method dependent on the type of student. All my students will be treated with care and commitment to help them archive the their goals in the lessons.
We will be using book method as a way to follow a clear direction.
Learn songs, chords, scales, phrase, theory and more material that is needed for better musical foundation.

I am open to what the student wants to achieve over short and long terms.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Desk top and Laptop Mac Computers
Protools, Logic Pro, reason
Focusrite 56 Liquide, Focusrite Dual Mono Mic pre
BBe Maximizer
Bricasti, M7, sterreo reverb

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar
Guitar Amp
Mic
Laptop
Mbox

*** Specialties ***
Guitar
Bass Guitar
Voice
Ukelele
Song writing
Production
Audio Recording
Mixing
Mastering

or and in-demand session player

Gift Certificates available!

Study the styles of the masters and have fun doing it.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'm happy to provide individual custom-tailored lessons to make you the best player you can be. If you're a beginner we'll start from scratch. If you're an advanced player we'll figure out which areas you need to improve upon, and I'll take you to the next level. After a few lessons with me, you should see a dramatic improvement in your playing!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Fully equipped teaching studio and library.

*** Specialties ***

All styles of music taught!

Rock - Blues - Jazz - Fingerstyle - Classical - Country - Folk

Songwriting - Music Theory - Ear Training - Arranging - Improvisation

Now offering Ukulele and Banjo lessons!

Learn the latest techniques.
Learn to develop your own style.
Learn arranging and composing.
Gain consistency and confidence as a player.
Prepare for acceptance to Berklee College of Music.
Beginners always welcome!

ely,
Phil S.

Some press:

Phil's compositions showcase a variety of ideas and are quite effective at setting up the soloists to explore the various permutations suggested by his tunes. His compositional originality is matched by his incisive playing which ranges from "inside" lyricism to hard edged, riff based, screaming rock and satisfying surreal textures aided by his intelligent use of electronics."
- David Kane, Cadence Music

"With demonstrative technique, Phil is cognizant of the tradition but thinks outside of the box."
-Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz