Music Theory with Mike R.

Having started my performance career playing drums and guitar for Bay Area organization, Bandworks, I made a permanent switch to bass in my early teenage years. I studied drama at Interlochen Center For the Arts and was in Piedmont High School’s advanced theater program before pursuing music full-time. I've lived in Chicago for the better part of six years now, originally having moved out here to attend Columbia College's music program. During my academic career , I was affiliated with a slew of collegiate jazz ensembles and had the opportunity to study under musicians the likes of Christian McBride, Kevin Eubanks, Joan Osborne, Charlie Sexton, Peter Erskine, Fernando Jones, Chuck Webb, New York Voices, and many more. I also got to play the Chicago Blues Festival twice and open for BB King in Mississippi. I received my BA in Instrumental Performance last year. Since graduation, I've gotten to play the CMJ festival in New York City and tour cities like Nashville and San Francisco. Currently, my affiliated musical projects include hip-hop trio Treehouse and indie rock band Lee. Essentially, music is my life. It's what I do. I couldn't be more thrilled to pass on this skill set and help create more musicians. Each lesson is a learning experience for both teacher and student. I think it's important to recognize the mutual benefit. I'm a friendly, patient, and empathetic person and I don't intend on making you learn things that you don't want to learn. However, I like to push my students slightly out of their comfort zone. That's how we make progress! *** Lesson Details *** The structure of each lesson will be contingent upon the type of music that you like, the style of learning best suited to you, and your personal goals for learning an instrument. In general, I don't teach out of a book, and the "curriculum" will be established as we go along. Elements of basic music theory will be incorporated as tools for understanding what you're playing, but the primary focus will be applying the instrument to real songs. Rhythm, groove, and feel are elements of music that are extremely important, and will definitely be integrated into each lesson. Ideally, after a few months, you'll have an arsenal of songs under your belt, and have a good enough understanding of your instrument to be able to improvise and maybe even learn songs by ear. However, this is not a race! Playing an instrument is a skill/craft/art that will benefit your mind and body for the rest of your life, and I would be honored to help make that happen. *** Studio Equipment *** The In-Studio lessons are taught in the living room which includes speakers, amps, teachers own guitar, bass guitars, and seating. No pets. Parking on any street except Crystal St. after 6pm. *** Travel Equipment *** The student is expected to provide the instrument for lessons. *** Specialties *** I specialize in electric bass guitar. I'm based in rock n' roll, although I can do hip-hop, funk, soul, r&b, and just about any style of music with a bass line. I make sure the student understands the functionality of the bass within music, and how it relates to the other instruments in the band. Depending on the level of musicianship, I delve into both chordal structure and groove. This ensures that the student understands bass on a harmonic and rhythmic level.