Piano with Alex G.

Music is therapeutic to my soul and essential to my everyday existence. Absorbed by it, I dedicate most of my energy toward creating, writing, and playing music. I am here to help you to do the same. I am fortunate and grateful to have worked with many of the world's most amazing and creative performers, artists, composers, and producers.  Because of this, I've learned to appreciate a diverse range of musical genres, while showing no bias toward any one musical form. After all, at the end of a piece of music, it's the listener's personal feeling that will truly reflect their opinion. Alex started his formal music education in the fourth grade where he first played trumpet in elementary school. After dabbling with the piano and drums, he finally settled on bass just before his 20th birthday, while attending the University of New Hampshire. In less than two years, he earned a spot on the bass chair for the UNH Orchestra. After graduating in 2000 from UNH with a B.A. in Economics, he got a job playing bass for a national touring act, CHAD, with former members of teh Jerry Barcia Band. On the tour he opened for such bands as Blues Traveler, G Love and Special Sauce, and SevenMaryThree.   At age 23, Alex applied to the prestigious Berklee College of Music, auditioned, and won a half scholarship from the Berklee World Tour Scholarship.  At Berklee he was fortunate to study privately under world-renowned bassists John Lockwood (Joe Henderson, George Garzone), Bruce Gertz (Mike Stern, Jerry Bergonzi), Oscar Stagnaro (Paquito D' Rivera, Chucho Valdez), and Anthony Vitti (Liberace, The Platters). While attending Berklee he did a brief tour through Scotland and Paris including the Dundee Jazz Festival with the Konrad Wiszniewski Quartet. He finished Berklee in December of 2005 with a degree in Contemporary Writing and Production. Alex currently resides in New York City and is now a member of the popular upcoming alternative rock quartet Man on Earth. In October 2008, Man On Earth released their latest album, "The Time Spent Wondering" which was produced and mixed by 6-Time Grammy winner Ken Lewis (Lenny Kravitz, Beastie Boys, Fall Out Boy, Kayne West). The record features a guest appearance by Dr. Fink (of Prince and the Revolution). Aside from Man On Earth, Alex plays regular gigs as a first call freelance bassist on the New York City music scene as well for national touring. Other projects include playing with a diverse array of musical acts including the modern Jewish Rock group Josh Nelson Project, singer-songwriter Jessica Labus, and jazz vocalist Julie Lavender Quintet to name a few.         *** Lesson Details *** My teaching style is geared towards customizing the lesson to each individual student's interests and goals. I teach Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced bass lessons, and Beginner piano lessons. I am patient, thorough, flexible, and creative. I combine the basic teaching methods along with a more hands-on, intuitive approach that involves actually playing music. The formal basic method is where you learn the proper technique and fluidity to play instrument. You learn how to read and write music notation. You will come to understand Music Theory, i.e. what melody does, what the harmonic structure in a piece of music is, and how to interpret different rhythms. Lastly, I will also help you develop your ear with modern ear training exercises. The hands-on approach will consist of incorporating the formal basic methods into a more real-world setting of actually playing a piece of music with me. You can bring a tune in you're working on or want to learn, and we will analyze, transcribe, and play it together. If you play bass, I will play piano so you can hear the harmony against it. If you play piano, I will play bass so you can hear the root motion of the harmony. Most students find this very rewarding, and it gives you a chance to hear yourself and be comfortable playing in a group setting. *** Studio Equipment *** HOME: Dedicated music room; 88-key keyboard w/ amp; bass and guitar amplifers; upright bass; music recording equipment. *** Travel Equipment *** Lesson sheets, staff paper. *** Specialties *** My specialty is Electric Bass and Upright Bass. I teach and have performed professionally, a variety musical styles with special interests in Jazz, Funk, R&B, Pop, Rock, Latin, and Classical. I work out of the Simandl Method For The Double Bass Books 1&2. For electric bass i use a variety of Berklee Press Bass books. Aside from bass, I play piano very well and teach out of the Berklee Press Basic Keyboard 1&2 Books. For music production I have hands on digital audio workstation assignments for using Protools, Digital Performer, Reason, and Garritan Personal Orchestral.