HI! I'm NEW to Takelessons and am excited to be here! I just signed up in March 2023. However, I've been teaching for over 20 years. What about your music education are you looking to improve? • Performance: Learn to play or improve your skills on Double Bass, Electric Bass or Guitar. Develop skills that will allow you to comfortably play songs, riffs, and ideas on your instrument. As well as learning to play with others thru the use of a drum machine, tracks, a metronome or by playing with your teacher! • Theory: Learn about music notation, rhythm, melody, harmony, and form. Music theory is easy, there’s no secret and you don’t have to be a math wise to understand it. • Composition: Learn to write music. Unlock your own creative potential by writing songs. You don’t have to wait until you are a master at your instrument to have ideas and write them down! • Improvisation: Create music spontaneously! A background in music theory is helpful. • Aural Skills: Active vs passive listening. Learn to focus on and identify what you are hearing. • History: Learn about the different periods of music and how it has evolved. • Culture: Learn about the role of music in different cultures. • Technology: These days the list goes on. Though I am not an expert in this field, I know quite a bit and can show you how to get more out of the technology you have as well as what software or hardware will take you in the right direction! • Production: Learn how to record, mix, and master music. Using Studio One or Logic Pro. For beginners. • Music Business: Learn how to create a product, brand it, market it and go play PAYING gigs! • Leadership: Develop the skills to lead and manage bands, music programs and organizations. • Collaboration: Work with others to create and perform music. Learn how to navigate diverse musical personalities! • Quality Control: Learn to evaluate your work, compare it with other successful sources and make changes if needed. • Creativity: Express yourself through music. • Enjoyment: Enjoy the experience of making and listening to music. Music education is a valuable experience for people of all ages and backgrounds. It can help develop creativity, critical thinking skills, and self-discipline. It can also provide a sense of community and belonging. It is my goal to help you improve your skills and knowledge in music and to motivate you to continue studying and learning so that you can benefit from everything that your music education has to offer. A little bit about me: Sam Johnson is a patient and caring instructor with over 20 years of performing and teaching experience and is always trying to find better ways to motivate and encourage his students to continue improving their musical skills and musical enjoyment! Many of his students have earned the 1st or 2nd chair in their school orchestra as well as SDYS and CYO. Lessons are catered toward each student’s interests and goals. While making sure that every student learns the core knowledge required for their instrument and general music, Sam guides his students toward learning their favorite songs and styles. Every lesson is different because every student is different even though the core material is the same. Sam has a Bachelor's of Music in Jazz and Studio Music from the University of Miami. In addition to his teaching career, Sam works with many professional bands in San Diego; performing many styles of music including Jazz, Rock, Blues, Pop, Flamenco, and Classical. He is highly sought after as a freelance bass player, working with 5 - 10 musical groups at any given time, sometimes traveling for performances throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Currently Sam is teaching at Del Norte and Rancho Bernardo High Schools as the Orchestral Bass Coach. He Teaches Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Guitar, Piano, and Music Theory and Composition. He is a member of the Music Teachers' Association of California and has been a member of the San Diego Chapter of the Musician's Union.