Music Theory with Tyler S.

I have been in a music student for most of my life having begun playing the piano at an early age. I began playing bass guitar at the age of 10 and the double bass and studying orchestral music at the age of 12. Bass guitar is the instrument that I feel most comfortable playing in a variety of styles and genres. This comfort on the bass guitar has been supplemented by training on the double bass through a better understanding fingering technique and how notes on the instrument are arranged and organized. I continued with both instruments throughout my time at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas. While at Arizona State University I was able to focus on the double bass and become more knowledgeable about music theory, history and composition. I used this knowledge to increase my abilities to train my hands on the bass but also the piano and guitar as well. I have been fortunate enough to be able study and perform in an eclectic variety of musical genres and styles during the majority of my musical development. This diversity of experience has allowed me to understand multiple ways of explaining a concept: use of solfege improvisation and using rhythmic patterns to name a few. I employ this diversity to help students develop their instrumental, aural and reading abilities. Through my experiences with music I have been able to perform in Orchestral Ensembles, Jazz Quartets and Big Bands, Latin Jazz Bands, Rock Bands, Funk and Blues groups, Pop groups as well as compose original music. To me music is multifaceted and so are good musicians. In addition to learning an instrument I hope my students learn problem-solving skills for their own benefit. While working with students my goal is to show that investing in quality practice only builds confidence and refines the ability express and articulate their creativity.