Bass Guitar Lessons: Some Notes On My Approach & Methodology

jack6035
Jan 25
4 min read

Individually tailored lessons, solid foundations "we're musicians, not just bassists!"

There are lots of teachers out there - to help you to decide whether I am a good fit, I thought it might be helpful to share more details about my approach and methods for beginners, intermediate players, and experienced students, as well as considerations for different age groups.

Everything proceeds from the understanding that every student is unique. My approach adapts to every student's experience, age, and learning style, as well as their broader goals, life circumstances and musical preferences. I create learning plans with each student (and/ or parent), to establish our goals and how we will reach them.

Beginners

Goals: Build foundational skills, foster curiosity, and create a sense of joy and accomplishment.

Technical Basics:
- Posture and instrument handling: How to sit, hold, or stand with the instrument in a relaxed and ergonomic manner.
- Simple exercises for dexterity: Basic finger movement, scales, and patterns. The bass is a physically challenging instrument and there is a need to manage this so that playing is fun and comfortable from the start.
- Introduction to rhythm: Clapping and tapping simple rhythms before playing.
Developing the Ear:
- Play simple melodies by ear.
- Teach listening as an active skill—“Can you hear the difference between these two notes?”
Repertoire:
- Start with short, enjoyable pieces tailored to the student’s taste.
- Use songs with clear structures to build a sense of phrasing and timing.
Mindset:
- Focus on patience and consistent practice.
- Celebrate small wins—playing a single note well is an achievement.

Intermediate Students

Goals: Deepen technical skill, expand repertoire, and build independence in practice.

Technical Development:
- More advanced scales, arpeggios, and finger exercises.
- Introduce dynamics, articulation, and tone shaping.
- Work on efficiency and relaxation to prevent tension.
Musicality:
- Encourage expression—“What story is the piece telling?”
- Develop phrasing and awareness of nuance.
Repertoire:
- Explore diverse styles (classical, folk, jazz, etc.) to expand musical vocabulary and range of taste.
- Choose pieces slightly above their current level to encourage growth.
Practical Theory:
- Let's focus on understanding why we are playing what we are playing! Here we will learn chords and scales (always by reference to a musical goal).
- Encourage improvisation and simple composition to build creativity.
Self-Guided Learning:
- Teach how to structure practice sessions.
- Introduce problem-solving techniques for tackling challenging sections of music.

Experienced Students

Goals: Cultivate artistry, refine technique, and develop personal style.

Technical Mastery:
- Refine difficult techniques and address physical boundaries. Can we increase your efficiency or make playing more comfortable?
- Guide the student towards really listening to what they play and increasing awareness. Are there micro-adjustments in tone, vibrato, and dynamics to address?
Interpretation:
- Dive deep into the emotional and historical context of pieces.
- Encourage the student to make interpretive decisions and express themselves.
Repertoire:
- How does your repertoire function as an expression of your individual musicianship?
- Challenge the student with highly technical or interpretively demanding pieces, including from beyond "bass guitar" repertoire.
Performance Skills:
- Focus on developing a "performance mindset", using a holistic approach informed by sports science, philosophy and music.
- Prepare for specific recitals, auditions, or recordings.
Self-Expression:
- Emphasise individuality—how does the music reflect who you are?
- Explore original compositions and arrangements.

Teaching Different Age Groups

Children

There is a wealth of evidence to support the range of benefits that children and young people get from learning music. I keep this in mind and take a holistic approach to music with younger students.
Lessons should be fun and rewarding - I use games, storytelling, and imagination to make learning fun. My hope is that lessons with me are a highlight of the week for all my students but for none more than the young ones!
I keep lessons short and varied to match attention span, recognising that enjoyment of music and fascination are a goal in themselves.
I celebrate effort over outcome - music is a great way to introduce children to the balance of discipline & application on one side and joy/ creativity on the other.
Physical considerations: where a full size bass is too large or unwieldy, we will find a solution that is fun and comfortable, whether this is a smaller bass (half or three-quarter size) or even a modified "classical" guitar. (I myself started out on a nylon-strung classical guitar with the two highest strings cut off and this was, in some ways, an ideal start!

Teenagers

The teenage years are a unique and exciting time to dive into music. I take a student-led approach for all age groups, with the approach guided by each student's individual and preferences.

The teenager years are a period of efficient memory consolidation, neuroplasticity and personal development, making this an ideal time to build skills and explore self-expression. Music can also be a crucial part of mental well-being, and I honor its role in students’ lives, while also recognising that music is a great access point for broader skills and interests.

I emphasise social music-making, such as playing in bands, school ensembles, or orchestras. I am connected with other teachers in the local area (drums, guitar, etc.) and so I can help students form groups or build confidence in collaborative settings.

While I support academic goals like music exams or qualifications, our lessons are driven by the student’s own interests, allowing them to progress beyond standard benchmarks if they’re passionate and engaged—just as I did with my bandmates in high school!

Adults

For beginners, I would emphasise that “it’s too late to learn” is a myth! At the same time, I recognise that it is important that we tailor our learning plan to fit busy your adult life. Drawing from my own experience learning piano as an adult, I structure lessons to provide practical, achievable goals that lead to real progress and enjoyment.

For more experienced players, I can act as a critical friend to help you refine your skills, explore new techniques and repertoire, or tackle specific challenges. Whether you’re mastering technique, improving your improvisation, or recording and arranging your own music, I’ll work with you to deepen your practice and bring our artistry to the next level.

Ultimately, I prioritise learning that enriches life, ensuring music becomes a source of joy, growth, and personal fulfilment—whether you're just starting out or honing years of experience.