Need Bass Instructor-Phoenix Arizona

faulknersj · #1 11-04-2010, 11:23 AM

Any Zoners know of a great advanced bass instructor for Jazz, R & B , Funk, Soul

**lowfreqgeek** · #2 12-14-2010, 09:58 AM

Is Mel Brown taking students? I'm sure there are other great teachers there, but who better than Mel for what you're looking for?

faulknersj · #3 12-14-2010, 10:01 AM

Wow! Great call! I wish! Mel is pretty much my hero! The last time I chatted with him he was not excepting students but he is exactly the caliber of player I seek to learn from.

**lowfreqgeek** · #4 12-14-2010, 10:19 AM

Well, you could always rent an RV.

I know exactly how you feel! The guy I want most to study with (and did for a while) is too busy touring the world to have regular students. He felt so bad with his inconsistent schedule that he quit teaching all together.

My goals are a little different, but I've had some really good success studying jazz with the one of the best guitarists in my area. I spent a few years with him and now we're starting to play together.

I've come to realize that while I can ALWAYS use lessons from an advanced instructor, finding that instructor outside of my area is like finding a needle in a haystack. You can still get great info from other players, even if they aren't the "whole enchilada" (as we say in NM). For me, studying jazz with a guitarist is a great way to get the bigger picture, but it doesn't do much for my R&B or funk feel... So it's kinda piece-mill - some here, some there...

faulknersj · #5 12-14-2010, 11:29 AM

I also studied with a jazz guitar player for a while and it was a very valuable experience, but I want to study with an exceptional bass player. Mel Brown swears by the 'Bergonzi Method', developed by a sax player who's last name is Bergonzi. I'll prob ably start there on my own

David Studenick · #6 12-14-2010, 12:04 PM

Have you considered Ray Riendeau?

He's teaching in the West Valley (Glendale, at the Bass Plass I think).

He's plenty good of a teacher.

Mike Dimin · #7 12-14-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faulknersj

I also studied with a jazz guitar player for a while and it was a very valuable experience, but I want to study with an exceptional bass player. Mel Brown swears by the 'Bergonzi Method', developed by a sax player who's last name is Bergonzi. I'll prob ably start there on my own

Jerry Bergonzi - a Berklee guy

robwren · #8 12-14-2010, 12:14 PM

Ray's a good teacher. Also, Todd Johnson, while in L.A., is a great teacher, esp for jazz-ish stuff, chords, etc. He'll do Skype/iChat lessons and he comes out to AZ about once a month, so you could get some "face time" every once in awhile.

faulknersj · #9 12-14-2010, 12:23 PM

Great suggestions! Thanks guys! I might give Ray a try...not sure he is the best fit stylistically, but there is only one way to find out!

Green1 · #10 12-14-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faulknersj

Great suggestions! Thanks guys! I might give Ray a try...not sure he is the best fit stylistically, but there is only one way to find out!

+1 on Ray. I studied with him about 10 years ago, and while he is known for his slap bass, he definately knows his music as well. Another option, give Lee Miller a call out at the Bass Place, hes bound to know who is teaching in the area. Good Luck.