My StudyBass
Private Bass Lessons
About My Private Lessons
Hello and thanks for your interest in my private lessons.
Although you can learn a lot on your own, nothing beats one-on-one private instruction. Someone guiding you and correcting mistakes you don’t know you’re making makes the whole learning process go much faster.
I’ve been teaching music one-on-one for 30+ years. I’ve taught several thousand students over the years, and I love teaching and seeing students progress. I know how music can improve one’s life, and I want as many people to have that as possible. That’s why I teach; that’s why I have created StudyBass.
Bass or Other Instruments
Even if you don’t play bass, I’m happy to teach you music theory and its application. I also have experience with guitar, piano, synths and drums. I am all about helping you develop into a complete musician, not just an instrument player. So, if you’re looking to understand harmony on guitar, songwriting and arranging, or synth bassline composition, we may be a good fit.
What We Study
After 30 years of teaching, there is little I haven’t been asked about or taught. I have curricula for just about everything regarding bass and music. I’m slowly adding it all to StudyBass, but it is a lot of work to format for the site. What is online is only a tiny fraction of what we learn in lessons.
Here are some common topics in my lessons:
- The role of the bass
- Bass technique
- Rhythm
- Harmony: arpeggios, chords, scales and their application
- Music reading
- Songs chosen to teach you specific bass-playing/music theory concepts
- Classic basslines and song repertoire
- Deep look into specific bassists
- The elements of basslines in different music styles
- Walking bass
- Soloing
- Improvisation
- Fretboard knowledge
- Songwriting, bassline composition and arranging
- Working with your band and other musicians
- Creative concepts, aesthetics and philosophy
- Fretless bass
- Basic piano skills
- Ear-training
- Gear topics
- Music history
Discovering You
Ultimately, as teacher and student we are working to discover who you are in music. Everyone is unique and so is their path. We will work on things which uncover your strengths and challenge your weaknesses. I love helping you discover yourself in music.
How Are Lessons Given?
Lessons are conducted remotely through the video meeting app Zoom (similar to Skype). Zoom is free to download. I will provide you with links and tips on setting it up.
For the best audio, a desktop or laptop is recommended. Zoom's phone/tablet app lacks some audio settings making it hard for me to hear your bass. The mobile app still works, but is not optimal.
Lesson Rates
Rates are on a sliding scale meaning you choose what you can afford within the price range.
Weekly Lesson Rate
Recurring weekly lessons are on a sliding scale from $200-$300 USD per month. This is for four 30-minute lessons scheduled at the same time each week.
Occasionally, there will be a holiday in the month where the fees are $150-$225 USD for 3 lessons.
Single Lesson Rate
For a single scheduled lesson, the rate is a sliding scale of $55-$95 for a 30-minute lesson.
How Do I Pay?
I will send you a PayPal or Stripe invoice which you can securely pay with your bank account or credit card. To reserve your time, all payments must be completed one week before your lessons.
Policies
Please do not reserve times you cannot make. There are no cancellations or credits for missed lessons. If you must miss a lesson due to an emergency, let me know as soon as possible, and I can send you things to work on for the week.
How Do I Schedule a Lesson?
Contact me and include:
1) Your musical background and aspirations.
2) Whether you want weekly lessons, a single lesson, or first available.
3) Your possible days and times (include your timezone; I am on North American Central Time). The more flexible your times are, the sooner we’ll find a spot for you.
I look forward to working with you. Thank you!
Andrew Pouska