Bass Guitar, Violin & Music Theory Lessons

For new and beginner players of all ages!!

Now offering bass guitar lessons, via Skype or My Blue Skies Music  for beginner level and new players. Currently 4-string bass guitar and violin, only.

Improve your technique and music theory knowledge for only $50/hr

Become a well-rounded musician. We start at your level and adapt to your skills, goals, and interests.

Lesson subjects include: (section needs revising to include bullet point for beginner violinists, as I JUST started opening lesson slots for violinists)

• reading both tablature and standard notation
• proper mechanics & posture
• scales, intervals and chords of all kinds!
• playing with chord changes
• learn excellent rhythm reading, groove, and sight-reading
• use both fingerpicking, and picks as well as (eventually) slap techniques
• play within rock, metal, pop, jazz, blues, and classical paradigms
• improve your ear, as well as finger dexterity, strength, and speed, and endurance
• write your own riffs and chord progressions
• play along with custom made "jam tracks" (composed on StaffPad, for high quality sound, and made available for you) ..as well as ones which come with some of the books we use.
• Learn to play bass parts from your favorite songs

and more!!!!

I am not a guitarist who picked up a bass, played easy peasy root notes on one string
and said "bass is easy!"

     (take it easy, shredders, I'm only poking fun and pointing out what the majority
of bass teachers seem to be)

I have played 4-string instruments since elementary school, starting with violin & cello,
have performed in high school & college level orchestra & jazz ensemble, as well as performed with several choirs, and various ensembles, and solo performances. I have previously worked at places like Bach 2 Rock, worked as a music theory tutor for TCC's Music Dept. , have worked as a choral intern for Robert Shoup (Virginia Symphony Chorusmaster), as well as previously working as Chorus Personnel Manager (and Soprano section singer) for Virginia Beach's own Symphonicity.

I have 5yrs teaching experience so far, and a lifetime to go!!

Though I love to perform, my current focus is now on education & theory/composition.

You will need: (this section also needs editing now, to include items for violinists)

• Your own bass guitar, cord, amp, metronome, music stand, etc. etc. (duh)
• Internet access and devices with quality audio/video capabilities. Some built in cameras and microphones work well enough, but better is, well, better. (also, duh)
• A Skype account (I am also willing to use Microsoft Teams or My Blue Skies Music, I just currently don't)
• blank staff paper (I can provide a variety of downloads for you to print), and pencil
• Books: 
• Hal Leonard Bass Method book 1-3 (sold separately or together)
• Bass Fitness, by Josquin des Pres
• Berklee Press Music Theory books 1 & 2
• Any songbooks containing bass music that interests you
• an eagerness to learn and willingness to put in good, focused practice time 
• fluency in the English language (ich kann etwas Deutsch verstehen und sprechen)

For more information or to schedule your first lesson, please email me at diaryofdissonance@gmail.com and please use the heading "bass lessons" or "violin lessons"