Bass Guitar Lessons

The bass guitar is a wonderful instrument that is the backbone to any good band and is heard across all musical genres and styles. Whether it’s funk, rock, pop, motown, folk, metal or blues that you want to learn, I will tailor my lessons to accommodate these interests.

Bass guitar lessons with me come in two forms, depending on the type of goals you want to achieve as a player. Lessons can be informal, student-led lessons, where the student knows what they want to learn beforehand and know what repertoire and skills they want to learn. This type of lesson is usually for players who have a bit of experience and know what they want to get out of the lessons. Lessons can also be formal, teacher-led lessons, where the student follows a syllabus of material I have collected. This is best for beginners and also for learners who want more structure in their lessons. Content is but not limited to rhythm and groove, scales and arpeggios, sight reading, bass line construction and walking bass, and slap bass. Despite this structure, I am a firm believer that students learn best through learning songs that use the skills and theory that they have acquired, so this is always a key component to my lessons.

Grades

As a player who has completed grades 1-8 in both electric and bass guitar, I know how much grades can improve a guitarist’s skill set. They test a variety of skills such as improvisation, aural training, sight reading and general knowledge of the guitar and completing them shows a clear sign of progression for the student. They are however not for everyone, and I realise that a lot of people want to play simply for the enjoyment of playing, so this is something I completely understand. If grades are something you are interested in, I would usually recommend entering for one exam per year. As your teacher I would help you prepare for this exam thoroughly and ensure you get the results that you desire.

Where do lessons take place?

Lessons take place at my office in Ascot. Here I have a dedicated music room with all the equipment and resources needed to deliver lessons. I also teach online via Zoom - this is preferred by students who are not able to get to my office but would still like to learn the bass.

What do I need?

I would always advise that you have your own instrument so that you can practice outside of lesson time. Before buying an instrument though, ask me for advice on what instruments I would recommend; the expensive option isn’t always the best option! As well as the instrument itself, you will need a guitar tuner, an instrument cable and an amp. All of this equipment can be provided by me in the lesson if you have forgotten to bring it or if you are unsure as to whether you want to invest at this moment. If you are completing grades, you will need the relevant grade book for the exam you are taking.