Chester, PA Upright Bass Lessons

Bass is my primary instrument. Upright is a great new challenge for any electric player.

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.

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 ...

14 years experience on the Double Bass in both Classical and Jazz styles.

As an experienced teacher with a Master's Degree in Bass Performance, you can expect instruction in either French or German bow, left hand technique, and musical concepts that apply to many different styles of music. Additionally, I have studied jazz and can help with sound production within that genre.

I specialize in playing the upright bass, and I have a great time teaching it. I enjoy giving the student perspective on the instrument, explaining the entire double bass and the intricate methods I've used to master it, from Simandl to Rabbath.

I studied upright bass at two Midwest Universities, Northern Kentucky University and University of Cincinnati CCM. I have been playing the bass professionally in ensembles for years. I have experience playing jazz, blues, bluegrass, rock, folk, musical theatre and classical 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 ...

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.

I have a long track record of teaching in the realm of acoustic music. Beginning in 2010 (while living in Rhode Island) I decided to share my knowledge of stringed instruments as a traveling music teacher. Through the years of performing in various bluegrass outfits, I have always had students eager to learn how to begin or advance their skills in stringed instruments through one on one lessons, coaching, and jamming with others. During the 2015-2016 school year I held the position of Music Therapist In Residence at the CITE School in Providence, RI working with developmentally challenged and disabled students, which allowed me greater insight into different coaching and music education techniques. I am currently endorsed by Ear Trumpet Labs of Portland, OR and The Deering Banjo Company.
If you're looking to start fresh, brush up, or get some coaching/advice on advanced improvisation techniques on the banjo, we can get it done together! If you're ready to start down the road and ...

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.