Conshohocken, PA Upright Bass Lessons

Education

Ian's musical training began with piano at 7, saxophone at 9, self-taught guitar at 11, and finally electric and acoustic bass in high school. He was awarded scholarships to Philadelphia's Settlement Music School and the Berklee College of Music. Finally settling in NYC, Ian completed his B.F.A. in Jazz and Contemporary Music at the New School School for Social Research in 2000. Ian has recently completed his PA Teacher Certification K-12 from Temple University 2011.

Why study music with Ian?

Quite simply Ian is a fun, creative, open-minded, and experienced teacher/musician who teaches a wide genre of music styles. He simply loves all music. Jazz, Classical, Funk/R&B, Rock, Metal, and Country are all within the expertise of Ian's vocabulary. Ian teaches with the same intensity and passion that he performs with. Ian truly cares about teaching each and every student the best way he knows.

*** Lesson Details ***
Ian's lessons are a combination of goals set by himself and the student. Whether you aspire to be the next rock god in 3 months or to just play casually with your friends at the next barbecue, Ian is there to understand your musical goals. Every student is different therefore Ian accommodates his style and methods to each the individual. Old-school rigidity are not what Ian is about. Rather, Ian dips from both the traditions of the past and new techniques of today.

Topics Covered

Technique, Song Performance, Harmony, Rhythm, and Music Theory are all important components covered in the lesson plan. Sight reading standard music notation is encouraged but not necessary. Rhythm notation is a mandatory skill every musician must know and is taught from the beginning. Song choices can be tailored to the students tastes however Ian seems fit. Ian has no problem teaching anything from the Jonas Brothers to Jimi Hendrix.

Improvisation, Groove, and Ear Training are areas of special interest and study which can also be taught to enhance a students studies.

Students skills and goals are assessed every few months to ensure student and teacher are on a clear and steady path. Everything from major and minor scales to song retention is logged down to provide a means of assessment.

Practice

As both a teacher and playing musician, Ian honestly believes that it
takes a combination of 20% talent and 80% sweat/hard work to be a successful and
competent musician. Therefore a set practice time length is agreed upon
between Ian and the student to which the student must stick to a practice schedule as
best as he or she can. Learning not just "what to practice" but "how to practice" is an important skill that is acquired through patience, hard work, and repetition. Ian can show you the skills it takes to master the "Art Of Practice".

Lesson Length

Lesson times of 30 minutes and 45 minutes are recommended for beginning students.

60 minutes for intermediate to more advanced students

*** Studio Equipment ***
Casio 88-key weighted keyboard
Fender Telecaster Guitar
Fender Precision Bass
Kolstein Upright Bass
Vintage Ampeg Bass and Guitar Amplifiers
Fostex 8-track Digital Recorder

*** Travel Equipment ***
I always have a bass or guitar on hand , a metronome, CDs, iPod, and music manuscript.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in Classical, Jazz, Rock, R&B, and Funk on Upright Bass and Electric Bass.
I teach Beginning and Intermediate Level Piano and Guitar in Classical, Rock, and Popular Music Styles.

provide sheet music. I expect students to have their own instrument and for electric instruments their own amp.

*** Specialties ***
Classical, avant-garde, modern

der Paul Finkbeiner, the lead trumpet player for the Paul Keller Ensemble.

Then at the age of 11, with the help of his grandfather he discovered the guitar. He learned quickly on his old SR guitar. He quickly discovered that he had a natural taste for blues phrasing, and his soloing abilities quickly blossomed. 2 years later, he had formed his first band, Spherical. It was through this band that he found the bass.

His journey into the realm of bass, began out of necessity and progressed into love of the bottom end. Since then, he has been collecting basses, playing, living and breathing bass. He now realizes the importance of a funky beat, a subtle line and most important of all A Tight Groove!!!

The benefit of studying under someone with a vast array of both talent and experience is clear.

*** Lesson Details ***
During his musical career Nicholas has played almost every style of music; from folk to experimental from jazz to rock. One thread holds true through all music, it has to groove.
During the course of a lesson he will cover a broad range of topics starting from the basics, and moving into ear training, sight-reading, theoretical knowledge and most important for bass players, groove. Just as every player has their own musical personality and voice, so to does every lesson that Nicholas gives.
In a supportive, patient environment, every lesson is custom tailored to the student.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home: lessons in dedicated music room with piano and stereo, guitars/basses, cables/amps

*** Specialties ***
Jazz Studies major at Wayne State University. Has a firm understanding of music across both the classical and jazz idioms spanning multiple instruments.

and New Jersey and has taught at the secondary level in both states. In addition to both instrumental and choral ensembles at Penn State, Thomas was a student leader in the Penn State Blue Band and a member of the brass section of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993 and 1994. He served as an Associate Director of the Warren Junior Military Band of Youngstown, Ohio from 1995 to 2005. He also served as a visual staff member for the renowned North Penn Marching Knights of Lansdale, PA for one season in 2004.

He is a current adjudicator with Drum Corps International and Cavalcade of Bands. He is a member of MENC, PMEA, NJMEA, ASCAP, CASA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the National Band Association. He appeared in the Marquis Who's Who Among American Educators in 2004 and 2005, an honor rarely bestowed upon teachers, as students who appear in the Who's Who Among American High School Students must nominate them. He currently is a music teacher at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts of the PA Leadership Charter School in West Chester, PA and resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife and two sons.

Thomas will happily work with students on the autism spectrum or students with ADD.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are tailored to the needs and interests of each student. If a student is involved in school music ensembles, we will work with their lesson books from school in addition to material outside of the books, including SmartMusic, Noteflight, and teacher-created materials. We will focus on building proper tone production and individual technique - something that often is difficult to learn in a large ensemble setting.

I am capable of starting a beginner student on any band instrument including percussion, any classical string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass), and piano. I can begin a student on drum set and work with them through their first method book, but I would then recommend they find a specialized drum set teacher after a period of six to twelve months.

For advanced students, I work from selected conservatory etude books on developing advanced skills and can work with students on audition pieces for honors bands/orchestras or college auditions.

My lessons are a half-hour once a week, with the option of working for 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

*** Specialties ***
music, band, orchestra, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, viola, cello, string bass, piano, Percussion
classical, jazz improvisation

had shared stages with guitarist John Scofield, Singer Ike Willis (Frank Zappa Band), Medeski Martin and Wood and The Disco Biscuits among countless others.

C. has completed a Master of Arts in music education as well as Bachelor of Music in bass performance. Michael is qualified to teach on bass, upright bass, guitar, drums, piano, voice and a rare instrument called steel pan (steel drum) among others. Michael performs as a freelance musician. He can be found performing regularly at private parties and events around the greater Philadelphia area. He has performed playing most styles and genres of music. Among these styles are Pop, R & B, Blues, Hip Hop, Jazz, Calypso, Flamenco, Latin, Pop, Musical Theater and Rock & Roll.

C. is a trained professional and prefers to cater his lessons to the individual need of each student. He believes that each student is unique and will encounter challenges in their own manner. Michael likes to supplement his lessons using musical interests of the student. C. has been known to arrange popular pieces for recital performances for his students. Some of the pieces he has arranged for his students include Something in the Way She Moves (Beetles), Long distance Run Around (The Who), Iron Man (Black Sabbath), That' €™s What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction), Hall of Fame (The Script) among many more. Michael encourages his students to use the music they love to challenge their ability and cognitive processes. Michael has the experience and training required to inspire and motivate you to become successful not only in music but in your daily endeavors.

*** Lesson Details ***
Michael has over twelve years experience teaching music and chooses to cater his lessons to the goals of his clients. He does not follow a set curriculum because different students tend to have different goals and expectations.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Logic Pro X, Reason, Fast Track pro audio, Double Bass, Piano, Rhodes Electric Piano, Acoustic guitar, Electric Guitar, Flute, Sax, Clarinet, trumpet, Electric basses, Steel Pans (drums), etc.

Audio recordings of each lesson are free of charge and available upon request. C. is capable of creating demos and audio recordings as well as audio production of original material.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Laptop, Guitars, PA system, Basses, Metronome, Method Books, etc.

*** Specialties ***
Steel Pan lessons are available. Access to a steel pan(drum) is a requirement for this specialty.

ant Park, The Jazz Showcase, House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe, Cubby Bear, Schubas Tavern, Beat Kitchen, Reggies, Subterranean, Bottom Lounge, and many others, as well as performances all over the United States, Ireland, and England. He has also contributed to some half-dozen albums by various artists. For much of the year he keeps busy playing both on stage and in the orchestra pits of musical theater productions for companies such as Porchlight Music Theater, NightBlue Performing Arts Company, and The Royal George Theater.

He loves helping students to become the best musicians they can be, and tailors his teaching style and material to suit each individual.

’t recognize it right away, they are so fortunate to have your support. As the founder and owner of NOVA Music Academy, I believe that children always win when parents and teachers unite to provide support. We hope that by inviting you into the NOVA Music Academy family, your unique child will find joy in learning music and grow to appreciate the deeply expressive power of art for a lifetime.

I can personally attest to the joy that music has brought my life, including full scholarships for a bachelors, master's and doctoral degree and I could never have done it without my amazing flute teachers. I'm looking forward to repaying their investment into the next generation of musicians, I sincerely hope your child is one of them! My website contains a full bio, resume, and recordings of my playing and testimonials from parents and students.

https://sites.google.com/su.edu/novamusicacademy/meet-our-teachers/julianna-sabo-de-figueroa

I am available to chat anytime 540.686.1968 and look forward to your call!