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Michael F - Double Bass Teacher in Ipswich/ Norwich/ Suffolk/Norfolk

Michael F Gold Member

Ipswich & Norwich (IP19) View on map
Last Logged In: 19 May 2012
Sex: Male
Can Travel To: NR

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AGSM
BA(Hons), DPSM

Subjects

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Classical Double Bass £25.00/hr

Music Theory Exams £10.00/hr

Personal Message: Hi! I have been playing and teaching the Double Bass for a great number of years, regularly playing with some of the top London Orchestras and teaching at establishments like the Purcell School and the Guildhall Junior Department as well as being coach to the bass sections of the National Children's Orchestra for more than ten years. When teaching I like to encourage a full understanding of the instrument and the playing of it, (see my article 'Playing a Stringed Instrument') so I always welcome questions from my pupils, which I believe greatly enhances their awareness and musical progress. The Double Bass is a very satisfying and rewarding instrument to play with a rich and mellow tone and the versatility to play anything from classical to jazz, folk to pop. If you think you might like to learn this instrument (see my article on 'Why Learn the Double Bass?) or would just like an initial lesson to experience the Double Bass for yourself, please contact me - I welcome all ages and all ablilities!
Which subject(s) do you teach?: I teach the double bass from beginners up to Grade 8 and Diploma Level. I also teach Theory of Music up to and including Grade 5.
Tell me about your qualifications.: My qualifications are AGSM, BA (Hons) and I am a fully qualified teacher. I also have a Diploma in Primary School Music from Coventry Centre for Performing Arts.
What kind of experience do you have?: I have taught at the Guildhall Junior Exhibition Department, at the Purcell school, and for various London Borough Music Centres. I have been Head of Music at an Inner London Independent school as well as teaching many private pupils, some of whom have gone on to become professional musicians. I have coached the National Children’s Orchestra double bass section for over ten years and several County Youth Orchestras.

As a performer I have played regularly with many of the London Orchestras on Double Bass (including the LSO, RPO and Philharmonia), various chamber orchestras (including the London Bach Orchestra and the Mozart Players) and several of the provincial orchestras too.
How much do you charge?: I charge £25 an hour for Double Bass lessons (£20 for an initial introductory lesson) and sometimes a travel fee if it is more than 35 miles. My fee for Theory is £10 per hour and pro rata for marking papers (i.e. if a paper takes me half an hour to mark that would be £5).
Where do you teach?: I teach Double Bass from my home in Suffolk but can travel to teach in students' homes or in a school if that is more convenient. I am prepared to travel up to 35 miles from my home in Halesworth - this includes Norwich and Ipswich, Diss and Great Yarmouth as well of course nearer towns like Lowestoft, Harlesdon, Southwold and Woodbridge.
When are you available?: I am available daytimes, evenings and weekends.
Which ages and levels do you teach?: I teach all ages from 8 to 108! (It's never too late to start..!)
Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?: I prepare students for all Associated Board Grade Exams up to Grade 8 and Diploma level. I teach Theory of Music up to Grade 5.
Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?: Yes - obtained by the National Children's Orchestra. Parents may also sit in on lessons if they wish.
Do you belong to any professional organisations?: No.
Where and with whom did you train?: I learnt Double Bass at Guildhall School of Music with James Merrit (at the time, the principal bass with the Philharmonia Orchestra.) I subsequently studied with Tom Martin (previously principal bassist with the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Chamber Orchestra)
Do you have a personal message for students?: One of the principal things I have learnt during my years of teaching Double Bass is the importance of students feeling at ease and relaxed with their tutor, rather than nervous, as if they are about to take a driving test!! Remember: you are the customer and your tutor is there to help and guide you. The feedback I have always received is that pupils find me friendly, patient and ‘tuned-in’ to where they are at.

Also, remember that learning ‘classically’, i.e. learning to read music and the classical technique, is the foundation for playing every type of music – from jazz to pop to folk. As an example, the great jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, is reputed to have warmed up before gigs by playing Mozart! In fact, all the great jazz bass players in the past have had a classical technique even though they may not have played classical music.

My Articles

The Metronome cannot Teach Pulse!

What is Pulse? It’s the steady beat that underpins a piece of music. It’s what you tap your foot to. It’s the regular bass drum throb in a jazz band or pop group. It’s what the conductor of an orchestra beats. I would maintain that without it there would be no rhythm – the song: “I’ve got Rhythm, I’ve got Music”, I...

Playing a Stringed Instrument

Playing a Stringed Instrument To play a stringed Instrument well is dependent on one very important factor - the quality of sound. Actually this probably applies to every instrument. But the process of achieving this quality is different for stringed instruments because of the nature of the bow and the way it interacts with the string. Let me...

Why Learn the Double Bass?

Why Learn the Double Bass? I have been teaching the double bass for many years and this is the first question I usually ask my pupils: “Why do you want to learn the double bass?” The answers are many and varied and sometimes surprising. The most common are things like “I just love low sounds” or “It’s different, isn’t it?” or...