Having trouble finding a teacher in the Balto/DC area

bwsailer79 · #1 04-11-2009, 09:39 AM

Hello all,

I am having a hard time finding a teacher, and I was hoping some of you could give me a few pointers or even recommend someone.

I live in the Washington DC/Baltimore area and I have tried contacting several teachers already with NONE of them returning my calls. After reading some of he other forums and the newbie sections, I've tried calling some of the local Universities to get recommendations. I've also contacted (via facebook since I don't have his phone number anymore) my old teacher from back when I was in high school and I've gotten a few recommendations from a friend of mine who had gotten into the music education field (she plays trumpet though).

I wouldn't think that I'd have a problem finding a good teacher living in this area. I wonder if I am not getting calls back because I always make sure that I mention that I own an EUB? Or am I just not being persistent enough (even though I don't think that I am the one who should be the persistent one, it should be the teacher who I am attempting to give business to). Or am I trying to contact the wrong kinds of teachers, as I've been calling people who specialize in jazz.

PS. If this is in the wrong forum, could one of the moderators move it for me? (I wasn't sure if this belonged in the "Wanted" forum or not since I'm not looking to buy equipment).

Thanks,
Bruce

Hammertime3 · #2 04-11-2009, 02:17 PM

There is a member on here that goes by the handle of Wineaux. I have talked to him on PM a few times and I believe I read on one post of his on another forum that he had a teacher. He lives in Gaithersburg, Md, right in the area you described. If you PM him he might be able to help. He is quite active, however, on Bluegrass Bass Place, if you want to look there also.

bwsailer79 · #3 04-11-2009, 02:30 PM

Thanks for responding! Unfortunately, Gaithersburg is a bit of a distance from where I live. I live directly between DC and Baltimore, and I wanted to find a teacher a little closer by. I'm still going to continue my search.

I just get this feeling that I'm not getting call backs from the people I've contacted because I have an EUB.

EggyToast · #4 04-13-2009, 12:15 PM

I know a guy in Towson, I'm probably going to get lessons through him if he's available this summer. If Towson's not too far, his name is Adam Hopkins. He does both jazz and classical styles, and plays some pretty avant garde stuff.

I met him through my teacher, back when I had an EUB, and he seemed cool with the idea behind one (especially for transportation purposes). He's occasionally on talkbass, too. http://www.adamhopkinsbass.com/

WalWarrior · #5 04-13-2009, 12:23 PM

http://davedemarco.homestead.com/

This guy is an excellent Bassist!

Wally Malone · #6 04-13-2009, 02:51 PM

AFM Local 161-710 D.C. 202-337-9325
AFM Local 40-543 Baltimore 410-337-7277

Wally

wineaux · #7 04-13-2009, 03:29 PM

Yeah, I was going to jump in with a suggestion, but when I saw Bruce was in Laurel, I held off. It's the other side of the county by the way the crow flies, but when it comes to roads you can't here from there!

You might call the folks at Bob's House of Basses and see if they can recommend someone.

funknasty · #8 04-13-2009, 03:45 PM

Anthony Wellington!!!!!!!!! Anthony plays bass and is the bass tech in Victor Wootens band(need I say more). Anthony has a studio in Calvert County somewhere. I studied with Anthony up here in PA for a while and he is nothing short of amazing. He is a musicians musician and one of the coolest most knowledgable guys you will ever meet. Go to www.bassology.net to find out more. I did just notice that you play upright and I am not sure if Anthony does but he can tech you a ton about theory and other stuff. Definately worth a phone call. Good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwsailer79

Hello all,

I am having a hard time finding a teacher, and I was hoping some of you could give me a few pointers or even recommend someone.

I live in the Washington DC/Baltimore area and I have tried contacting several teachers already with NONE of them returning my calls. After reading some of he other forums and the newbie sections, I've tried calling some of the local Universities to get recommendations. I've also contacted (via facebook since I don't have his phone number anymore) my old teacher from back when I was in high school and I've gotten a few recommendations from a friend of mine who had gotten into the music education field (she plays trumpet though).

I wouldn't think that I'd have a problem finding a good teacher living in this area. I wonder if I am not getting calls back because I always make sure that I mention that I own an EUB? Or am I just not being persistent enough (even though I don't think that I am the one who should be the persistent one, it should be the teacher who I am attempting to give business to). Or am I trying to contact the wrong kinds of teachers, as I've been calling people who specialize in jazz.

PS. If this is in the wrong forum, could one of the moderators move it for me? (I wasn't sure if this belonged in the "Wanted" forum or not since I'm not looking to buy equipment).

Thanks,
Bruce

PocketGroove82 · #9 04-13-2009, 03:49 PM

Amy Shook is a wonderful jazz bassist in the DC area and she teaches. http://www.amyshook.com/

Also, many of the top level military bands are located near DC (Jazz Ambassadors, The President's Own, Pershing's Own) and the bass players for those bands are excellent. You could contact any of those bands and speak to their bassist. Good Luck and get ready to pay $60+ an hour!

PocketGroove82 · #10 04-13-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funknasty

Anthony Wellington!!!!!!!!! Anthony plays bass and is the bass tech in Victor Wootens band(need I say more).

Anthony sure is great...but, as far as I know, we're not talkin' bout electric bass on this side of the house.

Brad Johnson · #11 04-13-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwsailer79

Thanks for responding! Unfortunately, Gaithersburg is a bit of a distance from where I live. I live directly between DC and Baltimore, and I wanted to find a teacher a little closer by. I'm still going to continue my search.

I just get this feeling that I'm not getting call backs from the people I've contacted because I have an EUB.

Outside of rush hour it's well under an hour away. It's closer to you than Towson. I live in Gaithersburg and frequently go to Atomic Music in Beltsville (directly south of Laurel) and usual do that trip in less than 30 minutes.

ctxbass · #12 04-13-2009, 05:16 PM

Try sending a P.M. to Tom Baldwin "T-Bal" . I believe he lives in your neck of the woods.

**Freddels** · #13 04-13-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketGroove82

Amy Shook is a wonderful jazz bassist in the DC area and she teaches. http://www.amyshook.com/

Also, many of the top level military bands are located near DC (Jazz Ambassadors, The President's Own, Pershing's Own) and the bass players for those bands are excellent. You could contact any of those bands and speak to their bassist. Good Luck and get ready to pay $60+ an hour!

My friend plays in the Jazz Ambassadors, I can have him ask the bass player if he's available for lessons if you want. They are in the middle of a tour right now but should be back in a few weeks. Some other friends play in the Airmen of Note and could also ask the bass player in that band too.

father of fires · #14 04-13-2009, 06:51 PM

I posted an add on Craigslist looking for a teacher in Baltimore and I got several responses. Don't remember their names but you could try it.

Peace,

Vice.

JAKBOUND · #15 04-13-2009, 07:10 PM

Try George Vance at Slava Publishing (Slavapub.net) Silver Springs. He sells Eminence EUBs and teaches. The web site has a ton of information on his lessons etc.

Bill Bentgen · #16 04-16-2009, 01:51 PM

I will "second" George Vance. I've played with him and I've played with his students. He has a national reputation as a teacher and author of method books.