Tuition

Take your playing to the next level

Throughout the 25 years I have been playing bass, whenever I have wanted to take lessons or find a private tutor, the only people I could find were guitarists who taught bass on the side. I’d have a couple of lessons and then feel disheartened that they were primarily teaching me from the guitarists perspective.

I didn’t want to learn guitar.

I wanted to learn BASS.

Whether you’re playing for fun, wanting to learn theory or take graded exams with syllabuses such as Rockschool or Registry of Guitar Tutors, having a knowledgeable tutor can be the difference between a struggle and success.

I’ll help you learn at your pace with fun, engaging material based on your favourite styles of music to help you love and make the most of your musical ability. Most importantly, I’ll teach you how to play from a fellow bassist’s perspective and how your role fits within the band context.

Online and in person lessons available from £30 p/h including learning materials.

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Music Theory


Learning music theory is crucial for any aspiring musician, providing a solid foundation for understanding and creating music by enhancing your musical language and expression. Music theory is more than just scales, chords, and arpeggios, with it helping build critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, as musicians learn to make informed choices regarding rhythm, melody, and structure.

You’ll learn:

  • Scales, modes, arpeggios and their use in playing and improvisation
  • Rhythm, feel and ‘groove’, and how different genres are driven by the rhythm section (such as shuffle and swing grooves).
  • Harmony and how chord progressions can shape the music we hear
  • Reading and writing music notation in bass clef and guitar tablature, as well as how to write chord charts and lead sheets.
  • Ear training, including identifying rhythm, intervals and major/minor scales.
  • How the bass guitar’s role fits within a band setting, and how it can entirely change the feel of a song.
  • How to create your own basslines, including songwriting and improvisation such as solos

Instrument and Technical skills


Technical skills encompass proficiency in playing an instrument, and mastering techniques specific to different musical styles such as finger-style, plectrum, slap/pop, and tapping. Technical competence allows musicians to perform with precision, accuracy, and expressiveness, enabling them to effectively convey their musical ideas.

You’ll learn:

  • The bassist’s role as a rhythm section member, and how to work within a band.
  • Posture (Seated and standing), warm ups/cool downs and injury prevention.
  • Efficiency of playing and how to get the best sound out of your instrument in any genre.
  • Left/right hand playing techniques including: Finger-style, plectrum, slap/pop and tapping
  • Tonal control, including EQ setting and exploring the full range of sounds that you can make with your instrument
  • Stagecraft and performance, including dealing with anxiety/stagefright and how to become a performer, not just a bass player.
  • Instrument care, maintenance including string changing and minor repairs.