“Chris helped me not only to improve my playing, but to become a more well-rounded musician.”
P Long – Long Term Student
Enquiries or Bookings - 617-276-2695 Useful Resources
Blog Posts and Useful Resources to Help Improve Your Playing
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On Teaching
I’ve been fortunate that for for most of my adult life folks have sought me out to help them learn music. Not only is it tremendously enjoyable and has lead to many friendships as I’ve seen musicians grow over years but it’s also led to me being a part of the musical and teaching communities of Levine Music (Washington DC), the Academy of Contemporary Music (United Kingdom) and Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Since teaching my first bass lesson in 1996 I’ve been constantly involved in education, even when my musical career has taken me to far flung places like China, South America and Thailand people continue to seek me out for help. For this I am blessed.
Subjects and instruments covered? Bass guitar, guitar, piano, drums, laptop, studio recording, harmony, theory, ear training, ensembles and bands paying music ranging from pop and rock, country, jazz, electronica in addition to coaching in music styles from other parts of the world like India and South America. The beautiful thing is that it the study, on my part and that of my students, never ends. For every peak climbed there is a new horizon, new vistas of possibility and exploration.
I’m also fortunate at this point in my life to work exclusively with a small group of dedicated, motivated students who’s curiosity drives them forward in their love and study of this wonderful art. Some have been with me for years and years, some entire families have studied with me! It’s been great to see many of my students go on to study music at college, some have gone on to have careers of their own as musicians (yes it is still very possible) playing major festivals and tours as well as recording albums of their own.
Having a place in the continuum of music as it develops over the generations is something I will always be grateful for and give my best self to.
If you would like to discuss your progress with a no-obligation call then please phone 617-276-2695
On Rhythm and Time
Rhythm, the relationship of musical events to each other through time, or more specifically our ability to execute rhythm accurately, is often what makes the difference between a performance being amazing, compelling, so so or just plain bad!
When teachers work with students we can focus on learning, notes, riffs or songs, theory or technique without paying this essential element the attention it deserves. Why is that?
Is it because it’s the hardest element of music? Is it that many musicians and teachers are dissatisfied with their own rhythmic abilities? Because it is definitely measurably right or wrong, good or bad?
Whatever the reason (I’ve seen examples of those three and many more) I have found without exception that good rhythm is a reward of sustained effort and hard work. When music students inevitably begin to focus upon playing in time everything else starts to improve along with their time sense. Tone, technique and musicality all begin to coalesce into a “sound”, we begin to speak music through our instrument more fluently. I’ve observed this without exception, regardless of instrument over twenty years of teaching.
So how? How do we improve our sense of time, feel, rhythm? Two ideas to start you off.
1) When you have learned the notes for a piece of music try playing it along to a recording, drum loop or metronome. If it’s hard, slow it down and break the piece into short sections and play each until comfortable. If if I had a dollar for every student who had practiced a piece but couldn’t execute it in time I’d be a very rich man! If you think you can play it, try it alongside an external rhythm source, you’ll soon find out where any tricky parts are, meaning that you can zero in on trouble spots and make the necessary adjustments.
2) Become familiar with the subdivisions of the beat and how to count them aloud. Quarter notes get 1, 2, 3, 4. Eighth notes are counted 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Sixteenth’s, triplets, quintuplets all have their own solfege syllables that help us to internalize rhythms and feels. Any good teacher of music can help you with this and if you are truly, honestly looking to sound better on your instrument working on playing the correct notes AT THE RIGHT TIME will undoubtedly help.
If you would like to discuss your progress with a no-obligation call then please phone 617-276-2695
On Practice
When we study music, whatever the instrument or style, we inevitable will practice. Early in our study this can take the form of learning songs or etudes given from our teacher, scales and arpeggios, rhythms or other musical “ingredients” or it could take the form of picking out songs, melodies or bass lines by ear as we listen. Later in our development we practice these fundamentals and also note (or chart) reading, improvisation, composition or any other aspect we are seeking to master. Here are some principals that I’ve discovered which should help you, wherever you are on your musical journey.
1) Have a stated goal. Whether it’s to play C Major in quarter notes at 60 bpm (beats a minute for the uninitiated) or to perfect a part of a song, whatever your goal, have it in mind when you start. Keep focused upon executing it to the best of your ability and if your mind wanders or you begin to noodle and play something unrelated gently bring yourself back.
2) Allot a specific amount of time. Humans tend to have an attention span of around twenty minutes after which our minds can begin to wander. Rather than aim for an hour or two try setting a 10, 15 or 20 minute time span to work on one thing. Science and experience have shown me that it’s very effective to practice for a short period, multiple times. At very busy periods of my musical life I will work 25 minute bursts with 5 minute breaks for 4/5 hours or more. Within that I may revisit something I was working on two hours ago and I always find that this method works really well, especially for absorbing or memorizing new music.
3) Be kind to yourself. Often we expect results very quickly or instantly and while music’s rewards are directly in relation to how hard we work we should always strive to work slowly and diligently. Over time these methodical and patient acts will pay off as we “level up” into new forms of expression so do remember that all the best things come to those who wait.
4) When you are comfortable with the material you are practising play it to a metronome, rhythm loop or backing track / play along. Start slow. If you have trouble, slow down, if you nail it, speed it up a little. I use the DM1 drum machine app, iRealPro is fantastic for jazz and pop song play along also. Start slow and stay in time best you can!
If you would like to discuss your progress with a no-obligation call then please phone 617-276-2695
On Studying Music
As with any other new skill, developing our musical abilities is a reward of continued sustained effort. Sports science has shown us that our brain actually rewires its neurons BETWEEN practice sessions, especially when we practice slowly and mindfully.
With this in mind I always encourage students to pick up their instrument every day and to spend time repeating slowly whatever we are working on. Those bursts of practice add up very quickly into hours and hours of mindful practicing and we also get the benefit of our brains and fingers absorbing the material BETWEEN sessions.
10 minutes practice 6 times a week adds up to much more than 1 hour once a week. Pick up and play as often as you can!
Here are some practical tips that have helped students in the past.
1) Keep your instrument out of its case nearby or within easy reach of where you find yourself. If the guitar is in the car in its case there are so many steps involved in going out to get it that many people reach for Netflix instead. If it’s right next to where you are you are much more likely to reach over and pick it up. I myself place a bass next to where I eat because I know my instinct will be to reach for it after a meal and get a few minutes practice in as I digest.
2) Find pockets of time in your routine where you can practice. A few minutes in the morning while your kids are getting ready, before dinner etc. knowing when you feel creative or inspired to play can be very powerful in terms of getting the most out of your schedule and practice time.
3) Be kind to yourself. A few minutes a day will add up to be hours over weeks, months and years. The improvement will come as a result of sustained effort, the rewards are real.
If you would like to discuss your progress with a no-obligation call then please phone 617-276-2695
What Pupils & Parents Say About Chris
Read what new and long time pupils say about Chris
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Chris is AMAZING!!!!!
“If you're really serious about becoming a MONSTER bass player, you NEED Chris as a teacher.”
D Marshall - Student
My Daughter Really Enjoys Lessons
“My daughter really enjoys her piano lessons... she's practicing several times a day without any prompting from me.”
D Redd - Parent of Student
Chris is a Wonderful Teacher
“...he has a wide-ranging knowledge of music & music theory. Lessons with him are fun & enlightening. I highly recommend!
D Hightower - Student
Patient, Inspiring Mentor
“He is a dedicated, experienced teacher who is passionate about his art, and a patient, inspiring mentor.”
E Keary - Parent of Student
Recommend Him Highly
“Chris helped me not only to improve my playing, but to become a more well-rounded musician.”
P Long - Long Term Student
Recommend Him to Anyone
“I've been taking lessons with Chris for about a year now, and I'm astounded by how far I've come!”
P Leonard - Student
Totally Recommend Him
“One of the best teachers I've ever had. Very patient, and he definitely know his stuff. ”
A O’Neal- Student - recently played with Beyonce at Coachella
Chris is a fabulous teacher!
“Both our daughters have taken guitar lessons; He is engaging and inspiring.. an all-around nice guy.”
Bruce S - Parent of Students
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Select the instrument you are interested in below and then enter your email address. You will then be sent a free lesson for your choice of instrument.