Make Great Music

ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR LESSONS. IN DENVER, COLORADO.

LEARN WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN ON BASS

Bass is one of the easiest instruments to get started on, as you can make a significant contribution to the music by simply playing one note at time. For the same reason, it's also great way to begin playing music with others.

I offer electric bass guitar lessons to never-ever, beginners, intermediate and advanced players. I teach standard 4 string electric bass, as well as 5 string, acoustic and fretless bass. I do not teach upright/double bass.

If you are a beginner, we will get you playing bass with a song in a basic way at your first lesson. As we progress, I'll show you helpful bass tips and tricks to help you move efficiently from a simple understanding to more diverse playing. We'll cover useful bass specific music theory/mechanics and relate them back to other instruments you'll often be playing with. And if you are an intermediate or advanced player, we can focus on any gaps in your knowledge, improvisation, deeper music theory, bass related technology, songwriting, recording and generally ensuring you have a clear, wholistic understanding of your instrument and its place in your music endeavors.

I added bass to my instrument repertoire soon after I started playing, writing and recording music in high school (more at: My Bio). I've enjoyed playing it in some of my past bands. And I continue to play bass for fun and on my original recordings.

Whether you are just getting started or looking to progress from your current level, my intention is to your bass lessons satisfying, interesting and fun. Read more about how I teach on the Lessons Overview & Teaching Philosophy page.

LESSON SPECIFICS FOR BASS

• BASIC BASS TECHNIQUE: Learn the ins and outs.
• BASS LINES: Simple bass lines, converting chords to bass lines & advanced bass line technique
• BASS GROOVE: Since bass is part of the rhythm section, being "in the pocket" is key
• BASS PICK & FINGER TECHNIQUES: Depending on what you're playing
• BASS TAB: Tablature is an easier-to-learn form of music notation
• BASS IMPROV: Bass improvising for jamming, writing and soloing.

LESSON SPECIFICS FOR ALL INSTRUMENTS

Instruments I teach: acoustic & electric guitar | piano & keyboard | bass guitar | ukulele + singing~voice~vocal

• YOU PICK THE SONGS: We learn the songs you want with guidance from me to help you learn progressively.
• YOU PICK THE STYLES: We learn the styles you like. Folk, rock, blues, pop, country, soul, heavy, singer-songwriter, bluegrass, world, starter jazz, starter classical and anything else.
• EASY, ACCESSIBLE MUSIC READING: We use simple, low-learning-curve forms of written music, instrument technique and memory-based learning. You'll be playing music you like right away.
• MUSICIANSHIP SKILLS: We learn the ins and outs of "musical intelligence" and playing with clear intention.
• CREATIVE PLAYING: We learn various tips and tricks to bring creativity, connection and semi-improvisational skills to your playing.
• SINGING & PLAYING: It's much easier than you think. And even if voice isn't your focus, though it's not required, I encourage everyone to sing as makes your practice and playing experience more engaging.
• USEFUL PRACTICE EXERCISES: Rather than focus on busy-work and unhelpful systems, we use only practical, directly applicable practice exercises and methods to improve musicianship skills and dexterity.
• USEFUL MUSIC THEORY: We explore practical, relevant-to-you music theory/mechanics that will expand your skills and musicianship.
• COACHING & PRACTICE STRATEGIES: We make sure you are on a clear path to reach your goals and have effective strategies to get there.
• BLUES (OPTIONAL): Blues is the foundation of a lot of modern music, and we can explore the ins and outs of soloing and/or accompanying.
• IMPROVISATION (OPTIONAL): We can more deeply delve into improv for both soloing and accompaniment.
• JAMMING (OPTIONAL): We can focus tips, strategies and theory to play confidently, creatively and improvisationally with other people.
• SONGWRITING (OPTIONAL): We can work one-to-one to give you the tools, tips and theory to write your own songs. I also teaching songwriting in small groups: songwriting (in person & online) You can also check out the compilation albums from former students: Transformusical
• RECORDING (OPTIONAL): We can work one-to-one to give you techniques and practices to start or improve your home recordings. I also teaching recording in small groups: home studio recording (online) You can also check out the compilation albums from former students: Transformusical
• OPEN MIC & PERFORMANCE (OPTIONAL): I can help you with your goal to do open mics as well as enhancing your live performance abilities.
• AUDITION PREP (OPTIONAL): We can greatly improv your chances of a successful audition for a musical, a band or a music school. I've helped several students reach those goals.
• VOICE TIPS (OPTIONAL): I also teach robust, practical singing~voice~vocal technique, and if you want to improve your voice along with your instrument, we can go whatever depth works for you.
• COMPLEX MUSIC READING (OPTIONAL): We can learn to read standard staff notation and sight reading.
• WHATEVER ELSE YOU WANT TO LEARN: I can help you learn whatever else you'd like to learn.

DID YOU KNOW...?

• Bass is low four notes of guitar tuned down one octave.
• Folks don't often notice the bass in songs. And you often can't hear it on a lot of devices because they don't produce those frequencies.
• From a physics perspective, it takes more physical energy to get the same volume of bass frequencies than high frequencies. And the more physical energy something has, the more it radiates. That's why, when approaching a concert, you can hear the bass guitar and kick drum first.

SOME BASS STUFF TO TRY & LISTEN TO

• UNDER PRESSURE - Queen/David Bowie (bass riff to try: easy) Youtube
• SEVEN NATION ARMY - White Stripes (bass riff to try: a bit harder) Youtube
• COME AS YOU ARE - Nirvana (bass riff to try: even harder) Youtube
• I WANT YOU BACK - Jackson 5 (bass riff to try: definitely harder) Youtube
• MONEY - Pink Floyd (bass riff to try: in odd 7/4 time) Youtube
• YOU CAN CALL ME ALL - Paul Simon (Bakithi Kumalo bass solo at 3:43) Youtube

» MORE ABOUT LESSONS & TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

» REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS

» LESSON PRICES, STUDIO LOCATION & TEACHING HOURS

» SCHEDULE A FREE INTRO LESSON

John is a great teacher, who is willing to teach you at your skill level. He is encouraging, yet at the same time willing to give constructive criticism, I have enjoyed being taught by John.

~ Sherry R. - Social Work ~

A student, Tami, playing the bass.