Brookhaven, PA Upright Bass Lessons

The method systematically approaches bass technique from the first note - open strings through Major and minor scales arpeggios fingerings, bow exercises, up to VIIth position

College Performance Degree in Bass
Diploma from Grove School of Music in Bass
20 years professional experience of Bass Playing

I have 7 years experience as an orchestra director, beg.-advanced upright bass lessons, 10 years experience.

Using your favorite bass lines, we will explore music theory on the bass. Learn to create your own bass part for songs. Be able to demonstrate proper technique and tonal production on the instrument. Learn musical vocabulary and alternate techniques necessary to perform songs on the bass.

My classes are very flexible when it comes to what the student wants. I can go from just teaching very basic bass playing to advanced harmonic concepts and jazz improvisation. On the first class, I give the student the choice of controlling our lessons materials about what they want to learn. Or the student can choose to let me control our classes, in which I will bring my own materials and ideas in which we should work and will go through the whole academic process of learning music.

I was lucky enough to study with some of the greatest jazz and classical bassists during my time in music academia. With their guidance and my knowledge of body mechanics (via my studies in exercise science) I was able to create a practice routine that helped me advance my own abilities efficiently, without spending hours upon hours in the practice room.

While practicing and self improvement is part of the journey and the joy of becoming a musician, a student shouldn't have to submit themselves to hours of boring repetition that could lead to injury or loss of interest in that instrument.

I aim to create fun, creative challenges which the student must rise to meet in order to improve and succeed. I hope to instill the ability to analyze and tackle problems through smart and efficient programming that can be applied to all aspects of life.

The double bass is one of the most difficult and rewarding instruments to master and I want to pass the skill and knowledge of my craft to ...

Extensive experience in Jazz and Classical ensembles. Sound production, technique, bass lines and soloing are emphasized.

Since graduating from Chestnut Hill College, Hans has worked as an Orchestra teacher for Mastery Charter Schools, Philadelphia School District, Neshaminy School District, and Foundation Academies. During his tenure at Neshaminy, Hans taught a large middle school double bass section that earned an Excellent Rating and Best Overall Double Bass Section at The Music Showcase Competition in 2015. Students in Hans’ studio have earned placements in PMEA District Orchestra, and Youth Orchestra of Bucks County.

In our lessons students can expect to learn the ergonomics of playing comfortably and healthily as a foundation while starting out with reading music, basic music theory, and melodies. From there we learn how to embellish those melodies with other notes and start our way into harmony where we learn how and why music is structured the way that it is in real-world terms. This leads us into the history of how songs and pieces were written and we explore all of the possibilities of the instrument as we gradually get into more and more challenging pieces. Students then begin to write their own songs based on the concepts that they've learned. All of this happens at the students' own pace until they're comfortable enough to move on to the next challenge. Your musical journey is your own and will be done on your terms with a little friendly guidance.

My number one priority is for you to have a great time playing upright bass. That means developing strong technique that makes playing easier, learning how to make practice fun and effective, and exploring the music that interests you most. I’ve been playing and loving bass for 20 years and am currently studying music education at the University of Maryland.