Tuition
Nick only takes on a handful of students at a time and currently has a limited number of tuition slots available. Enquire below to check availability.
My Ethos
Music is available to anyone, it’s never too late to start and there is always somewhere further to explore on your instrument. We often forget, when learning, that our experience of music is the most important. We very easily get caught up in the stresses of learning to play the ‘correct’ notes at the ‘correct time’ and in the ‘correct’ way. In reality, whilst this can be important, I believe that mastering all of this isn’t necessary for us to enjoy making music right now.
Wherever you’re at right now, I can get you to the next level, get in touch to find out how! Or scroll down to read on about my approach…
Tuition Fees & Info
- £40 ($50) for a single one to one lesson
- £27 ($34) for short one to one lesson
- Book four lessons for £128 ($160)
- Block bookings discounted to £32 ($40) per lesson
- Lessons are also offered via Skype/Facetime/Google Hangouts
I don’t charge per hour!
Lessons are as long as they need to be until you feel you fully get the content. Typically lessons will last between 45 and 90 minutes but can exceed this if necessary. Full understanding of the content and how to apply it to your practice is what is most important.
It is my responsibility to make sure you gain the most out of your lesson in order to make the biggest impact on your playing
Improvisation Skills
Not all musicians can improvise, and that’s ok, not all of us need to. But anyone can learn to improvise. It doesn’t matter what stage you are at on your musical journey. Music is a language, we learn how to express ourselves through language from an early age and continue to do so well into our twilight years.
You can learn…
- Proficient stylistic improvisation coming from a solid understanding of the language and theory of melody, harmony, and rhythm of different styles of music. Pop, Rock, Jazz, South American (Latin), African, Reggae, you name it. Improvising in these styles is all based around the same principles
- Note choice, scales/arpeggios, form, melodic phrasing, using licks/patterns, improvising grooves
- Also about learning how to, in the words of the famous Be-Bop pioneer Charlie Parker, “forget all that stuff and just play!”
Music Theory
Music theory isn’t essential to creating and enjoying music. But it is useful for helping us to understand why what we play sounds good or bad. Understanding the theory behind your performance can increase your level of satisfaction and help take your understanding of your instrument to the next level.
We can study…
- Notation and sight reading
- Chord/scales relationships and construction
- Mathematics of rhythm and intervals
- Composition and song writing
- Graded ABRSM exams also taught
Technique
Having correct technique and posture is important for your well-being when playing and practicing, especially as basses tend to be heavier, more awkward and require more physical energy to play. Poor technique can get you by in the short-term but you could be putting yourself at risk of RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) or tendonitis. At the very least, you may just want to find a new technical insight that could help you play faster, smoother, help you to dig in more and avoid blisters or play longer!
We can assess your playing posture and technique and work out a practice program unique to you.
We’ll look at…
- The way you stand/sit when playing
- Arms, back and shoulder positioning
- Specific left & right-hand techniques for various tone production, plucking, fingering, fretting, SLAP, picks, articulation etc
- Relaxation techniques
- Body and tension awareness
Other Topics
- Stylistic performance
- Groove playing and construction
- Extended techniques
- Effective practicing and approaches
- Performance Anxiety
- Recording techniques
- Transcription
- Learning songs
- Memorization techniques
- Band coaching
- Coaching on other instruments
- ABRSM and Rockschool syllabuses
- College or University music studying assistance, i.e. researching, essay writing, learning/studying strategies, surviving music college advice (I won’t do the work for you! But I can help guide you through the process)