Bass Guitar with Victoria W.

My name is Victoria. I'm originally from beautiful San Diego, California, but I am now a full time professional musician based out of Philadelphia. I've instructed students (of varying ages and backgrounds) from all over the country on bass, guitar, live performance, and song writing. This includes one-on-one instruction and group lessons. I received a certification in live performance, studio work, and songwriting through The Contemporary Music Center, now located in Nashville, TN. And I I Finished my Bachelor's degree at Eastern University I've toured all over the country with acts such as Talain Rayne and played bass on his album "Attic Lights." I also completed an internship in Nashville, TN with hit songwriter, Kate York. For the past five years, I've played with the band Element K (under Shore Bets booking agency) as the lead singer and guitarist. I've played shows all over the Northeast including (but not limited to) Xfinity Live, Wells Fargo Center, Hard Rock Cafe, The Tin Angel, Borgata AC, Ballys, Tropicana, and Seacrets in OCMD. I love music and the role it has played in shaping my life. I value the experiences and wisdom passed on to me by my music mentors and instructors, who not only had a meaningful impact on my music career but also immensely influenced my development as a person. I look forward to having that same positive impact on any student I instruct :) *** Lesson Details *** I like lessons to be, first and foremost, an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. I try to create a laid back and comfortable learning environment for all my students. Music is fun, and I guarantee that there will be plenty of good times while taking lessons! Now, let me also clarify that my positive attitude and laid back demeanor are not excuses for students to be undisciplined and uncommitted. I promise to work hard toward your development as a musician to make you the best you can be, and I appreciate the same commitment from all of my students. Music should be enjoyable, but also rewarding and enriching to your life! I don’t want to sell that short! Below is a basic rundown of what a student can expect to learn while under my instruction. I would first like to preface this information by saying that I fully recognize that every student is different; therefore, I tailor lessons to fit an individual’s needs and goals. Because of this, the priority of certain skills tends to vary from one student to another, as does the order in which this skills are taught. I also want to note that I tend to use some self-made resources (charts, explanations, etc) in addition to published books. Taking into consideration the aforementioned variables, here is the basic rundown of the material I try to cover with students, in the general order it is taught: -Understanding of guitar parts (anatomy of the instrument) and basic terms (ie note, chord, etc). -Names of strings (E-string, B-string, etc.) and corresponding numbers for strings (1-6), and which fingers are given what numbers. -Tuning of the instrument -Basic technique (how to finger a fret board, hold guitar, hold pick, etc). -How to find notes on the fret board/chromatic -Basic rhythm concepts and counting (whole notes, quarter notes, time signatures, etc)—usually involves clapping exercise, single note playing exercises, reading rhythm charts, and learning what different note values look like. -Basic concepts of “keys” -Basic major and minor scales (especially for “warming up”) -Chords (mostly basic open chords) -Strumming -Learning songs to put concepts together For more advanced students, we will likely get into the following: -Power chords, bar chords, and complex chords beyond majors and minors. -Scales beyond basic majors and minors -Music theory (chord construction, modes, etc). -Knowledge of gear (for those guitarist who wish to branch out to electric guitar)—bass players will already have to know some of this before moving to more advanced work since they already require an amp. -How to play with other musicians and instruments (collaboration, listening, understanding each instrument’s part, etc). [To give students a basic timeline for these skills, one can expect to be playing open chords within three months and probably their favorite songs within 6 months] SONGWRITING TEACHING METHODS: -Review slides about basic song structure and anatomy of songs (verse, hook, etc) -lyric and vocal phrasing -finding your voice as a writer -exploring environments and conditions that foster one’s creativity for writing songs (preference for outdoors, quite secluded spaces, etc). LIVE PERFORMANCE: -Breathing/relaxation exercises -Movement/watching footage of self -Watching footage of others -Acting/stage exercises to get out of your head and into your body -learning common problems with live performances and becoming comfortable with fast, on-the-spot trouble shooting (and how to avoid some problems before they begin). -Finding your stage voice, both in singing and speaking. -Developing your stage persona *** Studio Equipment *** Lessons in the living room Equipped with guitars, bass amp, guitar amp, guitar cables, and tuner. *** Travel Equipment *** Student should provide his or her own guitar (and amps when applicable) *** Specialties *** I'm currently a professional musician that sings and plays guitar and bass for pop and rock music. We perform in front of thousands of people each week so I'm very comfortable giving live performance instruction as well.