Bass Lessons With Dave DeMarco

If the student is a beginner I will outline the process of learning to become a bassist. This includes the fundamentals like instrument familiarity, the role of bass in music and learning how to practice. For intermediate students I'll let them tell me specifically where they feel they need improvement and then I'll do a skill set assessment to make sure that no crucial areas are overlooked. Advanced students typically want to work on a few very specific areas so I'll still do a brief assessment and then we dig right in!

I began private lessons at age 10 and then enrolled at the Peabody Institute where I took a full day of music classes on Saturdays during my high school years. Upon graduation I moved to Boston and studied at Berklee College of Music. Every day I use something I learned during my formal education. Peabody and Berklee have somewhat different approaches to music education so I have distilled what I feel are the best aspects of both schools into my teaching practice. In the interest of continuing education, I attend music business seminars both in person and online and keep abreast of new and emerging technologies pertaining to recording.

I was very lucky to have had some exceptional private instructors at Peabody and Berklee and somehow, I always knew I would follow in their footsteps. It took me a few years to settle into my own teaching style but I still remain just as influenced by my teachers as I am by any of my favorite players.

The majority of my students are adults between the ages of 35 to 60. Many are beginners whose primary goal is to be able to play bass along with their favorite songs and perhaps someday get into a fun little basement band. Others are day-job guys who gig on the weekends with local cover bands and are looking to step up their skills. For that group, we create a list of obstacles which they feel are holding them back and then we devise a lesson plan to help get past those issues. Other common requests are help with equipment issues, defining one's sound, general musician's career counseling such as help with resolving interpersonal band conflicts, maximizing new and emerging technologies and assistance with creating an upwardly mobile career path.

Erik K came to me with the goal of getting proficient enough that he could get into a good classic rock cover band. After about a year of lessons he felt confident that he could begin auditioning for bands. He followed the typical path through some bands that weren't ideal but which gave him the necessary stage experience. Recently he joined an established band that performed at a large festival opening up for...ME! He was very excited to be sharing the stage with his bass sherpa and it was great fun for me to watch him and see how far he has come.

Hiring a music instructor is just like hiring a lawyer, accountant, interior decorator or financial planner. It's got to be a good fit. Do your research and make sure that the person you are interested in studying with is able to take you even further than you plan to go.

When considering a teacher, make sure bass guitar is their primary instrument. While there are some fine guitar teachers who offer bass lessons in order to make a little extra dough, you'll be better served if your teacher is actually a bassist! Sure, your eyes and your mouth are pretty close, but you wouldn't go to an optometrist to have a tooth pulled!