Seeking private lessons in L.A. or Bay Area

[djero44]

I am planning a trip out to Cali this winter for a week or two, and would love to take a couple/few bass lessons while I am out there. I live in a very rural part of western Colorado, and do not have any access to accomplished players and teachers, so this element of my trip is a significant part of why I am going, as well as an excuse to get some urban time in and visit my other favorite state.

I've done some research online and am working on some connections, but I thought it would be worth asking the community here. I play fretted and fretless bass, and i'm interested in many styles of music, especially world music (my favorite bass players are often African), although my experience is mostly with rock and funk.

So if anyone has any suggestions of an inspirational player and teacher who I might be able to connect with this winter in the Bay Area or SoCal, that would be fabulous. Thanks for your time!

Daniel B.

[Roy Vogt]

I'd schedule one with Bunny Brunel at The Carvin Store in Hollywood. For World Beat, I'd check out Hussain Jiffry. Also, check with MI (BIT) and LAMA (the L A Music Academy) and see if you can drop in for a lesson with someone.
Also, Reggie Hamilton, Tim Landers, Ric Fierabracci, etc. A surprising amount of pros are accessible for private lessons as a one-off. The bigger the name, the bigger the price generally.
In the Bay Area I might try to contact Bobby Vega and see if he's teaching.
You're going to two of the highest concentrations of the best bassists on the planet. It's like a candy store. Enjoy!

[brndn123]

Not exactly in the bay area but if you can make it out to Sacramento, check out Paul Relvas.

Bass And Beyond (scroll down)

I briefly studied with this guy to work on some fretboard familiarities. The guy can do just about anything, but can really help in the jazz and improv departments.

side note: He gives lessons (along with Mike Kelly) at a boutique bass store called Bass and Beyond. A LOT of cool stuff in there so bring money...or better yet, don't.

[sunnycal]

I am taking with a top notch teacher in LA. He's one of the top studio musicians in the area and is excellent even if for just a few lessons. He is also on the staff at The Musicians Institute on Hollywood. I love his focus on technique and the minutia. His name is Mike Mennell if you are interested I can send you his number in a pm.

[canshaker]

You can't get better than Rufus Philpot, in LA.
His email is rufusbass@gmail.com

[djero44]

You guys are awesome, thanks so much for the leads. I'll get on it!

[djero44]

Well, what started out yesterday morning as the thought 'it would be really cool to do a bass workshop or something this winter....' has became a full fledged plan to take a two to three week educational vacation in January. With any luck and a bit of timing I should be able to line up a good number of lessons with a variety of instructors in that period, which will be fantastic. I have some connections in Sac. and the Bay too which should help me with places to stay (and save some money). I might have some leads in L.A. too. Plus I can soak in some fun while i'm not studying. =)

The very coolest part of this all is I have never had a bass lesson in my life. I am an active player and performer, however, and expect i'll be well poised to receive a lot of information and juice my practice and playing this winter.

I've sent out a number of mails to set this all in motion. It's my custom bass winter adventure! It's pretty much a stroke of inspiration, i'm so excited.

[Ukiah Bass]

Similar to you, I live in a remote part of No. Cal. where good instructors are hard to come by. For ongoing help upon your return, you might look into digital instructional media. I'm having very good results with a DVD program by Roy Vogt. I've been playing and performing for about 14 years, and the level of his instruction is perfect for me. The A-to-Z training I never got. Check it out here.

[BassmanSBK]

If you are into blues and roots music, you won't do any better then Denny Croy at Mccabe's Guitar Shop. He's played with everyone (examples: Keb 'Mo, Brian Setzer), is a good instructor and, icing on the cake, a lesson at Mccabe's gets you into their upstairs area, with a jaw-dropping collection of photos of the greats who have played there over the decades.

[henry2513]

I would consider taking lessons from Baba Elefante, he's an incredible bassist and a great teacher.

Here's a link to a youtube vid:
Baba Elefante Goodbye Pork Pie Hat - YouTube

I can put you into contact with him if you'd like.

[Queg]

Kai Eckhardt in the East Bay.
Kai Eckhardt : bassist / composer

[chicago_mike]

I will throw my good friend Jay Terrien into the teaching mix too. He's in LA just east of the hollywood strip or whatever they call it..

Good cat, great player, good teacher

[Kobaia]

Todd Johnson. Janek Gwizdala. Alex Al.