Bass Guitar Lessons

in Howard Beach.

Amazing Teachers.

le pages. Theory helps you to understand song writing, ear training, and how to build chords and scales. I try to get you to hear the music so you can improvise better and also take songs and solos off CD's yourself, therefore becoming more self reliant to teach yourself in the future.

My students bring in the songs they like and by strengthening their ears and learning to apply theory points, I show them how they can figure out the song by ear the exact way it was written and played by the original artist. Therefore you can play with the CD as if you are a band member. This builds confidence to perform and record in any band at any level. As stated above, I will also customize a program for those interested in learning songs without the theory work so they can use the music to play songs as a nice relaxing past time.

Course Descriptions- Rock, Blues and Funk: You will quickly learn how chords and scales are developed using a condensed theory set up chart. This quick immersion in theory helps you to build a strong foundation while at the same time playing and enjoying the music. I have found in my years of teaching that making theory and music interactive from the beginning makes it more enjoyable to learn. You will learn all scales, chords, techniques, rhythms, and ear training specific to these styles of music. The advantage to this Teaching Format , especially in terms of solo scale playing, to progress much further and faster than if you were just learning how to play the songs. We then go straight to the CD's of your choice and learn from the best, the artists you've admired. Whether to learn their rhythms, solo lines, songwriting formats, melodies and harmonies, and all by ear. As a soloist, you will know enough about scales and chord theory and how to blend the two so you can make the guitar talk yourself. Still for those who want a quick song approach, we can get into playing a song and review its theory relevance when desired. (Recommend 1 hour lesson/week plus practice time)

Folk, Country and Bluegrass: As stated above, I begin with the condensed theory chart to understand chords of all types. Here we study rhythms of the above music forms including ballad, country blues and country folk. Through use of songs you enjoy, we study how the music was written and performed. You will learn in this course how to play music you love as it was done by the original artist. We begin with listening to the original soundtrack. Through the use of the ear we dissect the song and learn it in its original form piece by piece. This will also help set up the study of song writing. Understanding how artists Choose Chords, develop Melodies and Harmonies, and use the art of Modulation to bring you to and from different keys for effect. Transposing songs to fit your vocal range and Arranging songs to bring out their best. (Recommend 1 hour lesson/week plus practice time)

Finger Style: Great fun for those who would rather not sing but still want to play full songs on guitar. This style of guitar will blend the techniques of traditional finger picking artists along with our own on improvisation over twelve bar blues progressions and songs. You will learn to play all the parts, bass, melody, harmony and inside chords with your picking hand. Also how to create chord/melody arrangements from any melody.

Classical: Classical guitar is taught through developing standard reading skills, finger exercises and scale work while learning beautiful pieces at the same time.

Song Writing: Song writing always begins with an introduction to theory. From there you will study works from other artists to see how they Choose Chords, develop Melodies and Harmonies, and how they use the art of Modulation to bring you to and from different keys for effect. Choose a song and artist that you enjoy and we will dissect the piece learning the above techniques.

Children's Studies: The study of music has proven to enhance a child's concentration, mathematical and reading skills, self confidence, performance skills in all walks of life whether its playing the guitar, to public speaking, to playing sports.

*** Lesson Details ***
"Fun - Fast - Patient" My course is tailored to your needs.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Les Pauls and Marshall/Fender amps. Love the sound.

*** Specialties ***
All styles but jazz. Rock, blues, folk, finger style, classical, punk, blues and all in between, from funk to punk, rock to metal. I also teach bass and drums.

t Award." Outside of the school curriculum, he joined several bands and performed at several venues such as the Willow Jazz Club, Middle East Cafe, and Copley Square Hotel. With one of these bands, he appeared at a jazz festival called "Jazz Improv." in Kingston, NY in 1993.

In the spring of 1995 he earned a Professional Diploma in Performance and Jazz Composition from Berklee College.
His ambition to learn and play music made him move to New York City. He continued his studies at The City College of New York, CUNY, NY, and earned a Masters degree in jazz performance in the spring of 2000. There, he studied jazz and contemporary drums with Charli Persip, Kim Plainfield, and Mark Walker. Also, he studied jazz ensemble, and arranging with Grammy award winning bassist Ron Carter.
Currently, as a full-time freelance drummer, he appears at various live music venues in New York City, and around the tri-state area as well. His own jazz band has performed at Arthur's Tavern in Greenwich Village every Tuesday since September 2001, and he has also appeared at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York in 2003, 2004 and 2005. He has also been touring in Tokyo and Kyushu, Japan.

As a sideman, he has performed at the Birdland Jazz Club in New York with the Morris Brothers Band in 2000, and also at the April Jazz Festival in Finland with the Jay Sweeney R&B Experience in 1999. With his wide-ranged interest in music, he plays not only jazz, but also rock, R&B, funk, blues, country, Brazilian and afro-Cuban.
John Scofield, Larry Carlton, John Abercrombie, Robben Ford, John Petrucci (Dream Theatre), Percy Heath (MJQ), Ron Carter, Donald Byrd, and Barry Harris are among some of the more notable musicians that Yuichi has performed with.

Yuichi is an excellent and experienced educator. He taught drums at the National Guitar Workshop since 1997 and also at the Roosevelt Island School in 2004. His students range from 9 years old to experienced adults. He has clear objectives and a passion for all lessons, units, projects, and is able to share these objectives with his students very clearly. Also, with his skill to plan instruction programs for music that meets individual needs, interests, and abilities of students, he worked for the Jazz Workshop in Yamaguchi, Japan in 2002, 2003, and 2006. There he played a very important role as a program coordinator as well as a translator. At this workshop, he worked with jazz legends, Barry Harris, Richard Davis, and Lewis Nash.

*** Lesson Details ***
After so many years since I grabbed a pair of drum sticks for the first time, I still get the same joy and excitement when I play music with drums nowadays. The better I have an idea about music, the more fun I get. It seems that my drumming gets better as long as I have specific goals every time I practice playing drums, and that keeps me wanting to play more.

By teaching how to play drums, I like to share this fun with you. In order to do that, I will make an ideal practice plan specifically designed for you.
If you know what songs you like to play, then I will show you what to practice on drums and how you are doing. It might be helpful if you understand the song in terms of what it consists in term of verses and choruses, chord changes, instrumentation, etc. Whenever you like, I can talk about these things as well. You could take it as a kind of music theory, but I keep in my mind that your primary interest is getting better on drums.

If you do not have particular songs in your mind right now but you want to play drums, No problem. I will be happy to introduce you many different kinds of songs/tunes until you find one to play.
Or if you just want to play some hot drum solos, I sure got some great stuff to work on to it.
Either playing a song or playing just solo drums, I will show you many different techniques to work on, and I will keep watching how you are doing on drumming.
I look forward to meeting you and starting work on building your fun with music!
Thank you for visiting my profile site!
Yuichi (pronounce 'you-each-ee')

*** Studio Equipment ***
Drum set, PA, guitar/bass amp., keyboard

*** Travel Equipment ***
Snare drum, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass guitar

*** Specialties ***
Drums, Percussion, Electric Bass (beginning to intermediate level), Music Theory, Guitar and Keyboard (beginning level)
Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Funk, Latin includes Afro-Cuban, Brazilian

he Hot Sardines, Andrew Nemr (tap dancer), Miles Griffith's New Ting, Terry Waldo, Dandy Wellington, New Orleans’ Aurora Nealand, Gordon Au's Grand St Stompers, Mona's Hot Four, Dr. David Pleasant, Jon Weber, John Colianni, Kim Clarke, Raphael McGregor, Anastasia Rene, Indian/pop singer, Meetu Chilana, & many others.

Nick has played extensively with Malika Zarra, including her Ebony Road CD release with Harvey Wirht, Mamadou Ba, Brahim Frigane and other great world musicians. As a pupil of Pandit Samir Chatterjee, Russo continues to study Indian music, plays harmonium, box tanpura (soon sitar and oud!) and jams with grammy nominated producer/composer/Indian percussionist, Deep Singh (tabla player with Sting) and grammy nominated producer/trumpet player/composer, Frank London on a regular basis.

Russo has also played extensively with ELEW years before, when he was jazz pianist, Eric Lewis and trombonist, Clark Gayton as sideman in various bands, including the James Brown tribute band with the late great, Black Velvet (Charles Bradley) led by Victor Jones.

Nick currently leads/MC's 3 bands: Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches, Hot Jazz Jumpers and NickRusso+11

Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches (with Betina Hershey) album, Get Us Out Of Fearland: #2 album, #2 artist, #5 song with 6 of our songs in top 20 on April 2018 International Folk Music DJs Radio chart!

Over the past two year, Banjo Nickaru Western Scooches has built a solid following in the Eastern U.S. with a half dozen tours while also playing such prestigious events such as NBC affiliate Kansas City TV, Falcon Ridge Fest, Kansas City Folk Fest (main stage), Folk Alliance International, NERFA, WFUV Sunday Supper, Jon Platt's On Your Radar, Blue Plate Special, WMOT Finally Friday, WNCW Studio B Sessions, WoodSongs, Isis Music Hall, the Mid-Winter Folk Fest at Club Passim and recent January 2019 APAP showcase in NYC.

“Nick Russo has worked with artists all over the jazz spectrum. His latest release brings a decidedly unorthodox approach.”
DOWNBEAT ⋆⋆⋆⋆

"....the inimitable Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches"

— John Platt (WFUV)

“A heart as big as the sky…full of high energy and higher spirits.”
-Elmore Magazine

“A band that has to be seen to be believed.” — John Platt (WFUV)

"They go back to basics with songs that bask in a genuine roots regimen and a sense of timeless tradition." Elmore Magazine

"Americana music at its purest and most impressive." No Depression

“Unfailingly high-spirited." LONDON TIMES

"...Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches are ridiculously fun." Rambles.

-Down Beat magazine 2006 Ro review plus [Jan/Feb 2016] Hot Jazz Jumpers' "The Very Next Thing" DVD/CD review

-Jazz Insider magazine current issue [Dec 2015]
2.5 page interview

-Just Jazz Guitar magazine interview [February 2015 issue]

-Vanity Fair magazine (August 2013) interview

"Summer of 2013, Nick R. performed at Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's home. It was an honor to meet Paul McCartney and jam with him while he played toy harmonica. Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Iridium, Bluenote, Birdland, U.N., IAJE, Cape Cod Jazz Festival, NJPAC, Sweet Rhythm, Smalls, Zinc Bar, Smoke Jazz Club, internationally: Japan, Spain, Russia, Brasil, St. Kitts, Canada, France, Bermuda, Sweden, Israel

-Toured/recorded and/or worked as sideman with Antonique Smith, Jon Batiste (from the Colbert show), Jimmy McGriff, Teddy Charles, Bill Charlap, Sonny Dallas, Victor Jones and Cultur-versy, Vince Giordano & The Night Hawks, Frank Vignola/Joe Ascione, Miles Griffith, David Pleasant, Jim Nolet (former violinist for the Jazz Passengers), Dandy Wellington, Jon Weber, Aurora Nealand (from New Orleans), Anastasia Rene, Mona's Hot Four, Gordon Au's Grand Street Stompers, Michael Arenella's Dreamland Orchestra, with Jesse Gelber, Raphael McGregor, Emily Asher's Garden Party, and many other groups.

-Appears in Sam Mendes Film "Away We Go"

-Movie Soundtrack: King George.

-Guitar/banjo: "Jew Grows in Brooklyn," "Take Me Along," "The Big Apple Circus" + others.

-Banjo/Guitar Chair: "New Girl In Town" (Irish Rep Theatre)

-Author: Metallica Legendary Licks series,volume 1 & 2)
-Editor GRP chords (both Cherry Lane Music/Hal Leonard).

M.A. from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College
(partial scholarship)

B.S. from S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook, graduated magna cum laude. Dean's list all semesters

-Published interview (book): A New Face of Jazz (Cicily Janus)

-Playing guitar/banjo on first episode of new PBS cartoon "Peg and Cat"

- Current adjunct professor at Essex College

-Guest lecturing professor at Manhattanville College

-Substitute adjunct professor at Queens College

-Winning participant: I.A.J.E. with Miles Griffith's New Ting 2007. Performance and educational certificate granted.

-Winning participant; part-scholarship award: 2004 International Jazz Workshop at BANFF Centre, Canada (dir, Dave Douglas)

-Winning participant; full-scholarship award of the 2001 JAS academy in Aspen Colorado (dir, Christian McBride (Down Beat Dec. 2001)

-Studying Bol (Indian rhythmic system) with tabla player, Pandit Samir Chatterjee 2006-2007; 2013-current

-Studied with Pat Martino, Billy Bauer, Ben Monder, Tony Purrone, Pete Bernstein, Dr. Stephen Salerno, Dr. David Belser

-Studying African Rhythms with drummer, Harvey Wirht

*** Lesson Details ***
With over 20 years teaching experience, Nick is patient with children & adults. He has a creative, unique pedagogy emphasizing hearing through singing, ear-training & natural, organic listening. Nick instills healthy absorption of music while students have fun learning their music, sight reading, internalizing with focus on rhythm and time.
As a student, you will get to work on music that you, the student select as well as work on sight-reading, technique, ear-training. We will also work out of method books and use other sources of information.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Chairs, music stands, instrument stands, classical foot pedals, classical guitar pillows, guitar amps, guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, drum set. Students usually provide their own instruments but it's possible to borrow an instrument during the lesson at the studio on the first lesson. (free street parking right in front!)

*** Specialties ***
Nick's pedagogy emphasizes ear-training, singing, reading and truly hearing the music we are working on. Rather than rote teaching and guitar tablature, he instills natural listening, transcribing, sight-reading and proper technique. Lessons are always enjoyable as Nick observes each student's unique needs and listen's to their song preferences and musical goals. Students have the opportunity to learn pieces and genres they select and they are trained to figure out tunes by ear (ear-training) and transcribe.

Nick teaches:

-classical guitar and Brazilian guitar (nylon 6 string and nylon 7 string guitar)
-acoustic steel string guitar, electric 6 string and electric 7 string guitar
- jazz guitar + an eclectic mix of styles: blues, Brazilian music, Latin Jazz, Afro-Peruvian, Indian music, rock, heavy metal, funk, R & B, Motown, reggae + other genres.
- tenor banjo (traditional jazz, jazz from New Orleans, Dixieland and world music)
-5 string banjo (Earl Scruggs finger picking [bluegrass and country])
-tenor guitar
-ukulele
-mandolin
-resonator slide/dobro.
-lap steel
-baritone resonator (slide)

stead of above them.I have help students to get into bands and become songwriters. I show students how to practice within 15 minutes and become productive in ideas and have fun in the process all ages could have fun. I am one of those individuals who love to teach music and my reward is when you learn and feel good about your studies in the instrument so my last words to conclude in all of this is “have fun and enjoy the beauty of music.”

I am emphatic about learning music I cover all the grounds in music such as theory the basics to harmony and my favorite songwriting and get you to play what you like
I have worked with all ages and the one thing I know in the beginning is to make that student feel comfortable and to get the attention from that student so they can learn, play, and most importantly have fun with it.
I show students time management in their studies how to practice in such a little time I plan each lesson and if the lesson is not right for that day I quickly go into a second plan. I can always detect if the plan does not go well because there is one thing a teacher must know and that is to teach in the level of the student and not beyond so they can succeed properly and move on to the next level.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Private teaching studio in a finished basement a whole drum kit, 3 keyboards, has several guitars and a bass for students to use at his home, microphones for voice and plenty of music stands

*** Specialties ***
Teaching bands how to write songs and record as well as instructions on instruments

songs as well. In addition to lessons for Acoustic and Electric Guitars, I also offer lessons on Bass Guitar, Saxophone, Clarinet and Piano.

Education and Experience: B.A. & M.A.in Guitar and Music Education from Brooklyn College. Music school training from early age on Guitar, Piano, Saxophone and Clarinet. Performed with various ensembles, groups and bands in musical genres ranging from Classical music to Rock. Taught private music lessons in New York Tri-state area for over 25 years to students of various ages and levels. For the last 10 years teaching music at a public school in Staten Island. Classes ranging from 4th through 8th Grade and including: Guitar Ensemble, Band, Chorus, General Music & a modern after-school Rock Band.

*** Lesson Details ***
The atmosphere of my lessons is quite laid-back, helping students progress naturally and achieve the best result. Having many years of experience in both teaching theory and practice allows me to make every lesson educational yet fun.
I love teaching, and tailor the lessons to the individual - working through the fundamentals, new techniques, and of course, having a blast learning how to play your favorite music. After 3 to 6 months, my students are able to play songs with various chords, be able to read simple music and start learning how to improvise.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room: Amps, guitars, full keyboard.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I would provide the book for the student on the first lesson, however after that the student would have to purchase the book. I will have my own instrument, but the student must have their own instrument in order to be ready for the lesson. I do have a number of guitars and if its a guitar student - I would be able to let the student use one of my guitars on the first lesson.

*** Specialties ***
I teach many various styles and incorporate the reading and music literacy in all of the styles. I specialize in teaching Classical and Rock genres of music. However I have taught: Metal, Bossa Nova, Pop, Punk, Flamenco, Progressive. Teaching classical genre - I incorporate a lot of various techniques that are very broad in spectrum to help the student learn to perform the music, read, improvise and compose. Teaching Rock genre - I teach my students to read music as well and concentrate on improvising and soloing techniques as well.

c at the Larchmont Music Academy in Westchester.