Hey everyone this is my first post on tb although I have been on here many times before. I am at a point with my playing where I am in a rock band and I have solid technique and can play anything I want thats not some crazy john pattituci fusion line or tech death. However I am very interested in jazz fusion and bebop and I feel like I need guidance to get to the level I want to be at. If anyone knows any good fusion bassists that do lessons for about 50 cad an hour I would be very interested. Either in person or over zoom would be fine with me and I live near Toronto
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Jazz fusion bass teacher recommendations?
- Thread starter BassNinjaConnor
- Start date
Dave La Rue comes immediately to mind, though I have no idea if he's still teaching.
Dave LaRue - Wikipedia
Dave LaRue - Wikipedia
Hey Man, I would be happy to help you on developing your skills, if you get a chance give a check to my website and feel free to email me about any questions.
Let's groove!
Let's groove!
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Online could be a good option but in-person would, no doubt, be ideal. I'm not too clued into the Toronto scene but there are bound to be some great teachers in the area. Maybe post another thread asking specifically about teachers in or around Toronto?
Isn't Rich Brown somewhere in that vicinity? However, there are several good teachers in Toronto area who would fit the description well, such as Jason Raso and Chris Tarry...although, Tarry might have moved to New York maybe
I am a big fan of Rich brown and I tried messaging him on instagram but never got a response. If anyone knows him or has is email that would be a big help.
Anthony Wellington teaches via video chat. I'm not sure about his rates but you won't find a more knowledgeable teacher, or one with more chops! Even if you have to take sessions less frequently to fit your budget, you'll get far more out of an hour with a world-class musician.
Gary Willis. His chops are firmly rooted in Bebop. Not sure of his in-person rates, but he holds excellent master classes over on SBL.
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You might want to check out Phil Mann. He is a very thorough and passionate teacher.
The Lessons | With Bass In Mind
He is in the UK, but that's only a 5 hour time difference, so it should be possible to find convenient times.
The Lessons | With Bass In Mind
He is in the UK, but that's only a 5 hour time difference, so it should be possible to find convenient times.
Alot of teachers to get you started -
In my experience as a bassist who enjoys both playing fusion and who continues to take lessons as a professional - 'Fusion' and Jazz' - Fundamental music ideas. Theory and ideas/approach to progressions, fingerings, sales, arpeggios, chordal studies etc. It's music after all. There is very little that is different between standard jazz studies although 'fusion' can cover alot of ground between rock and jazz. And in truth, even that is an incomplete idea. The crossover is massive and the genre is massive.
This may sound super obvious and forgive me if this is your practice already, but listening to fusion bass players and fusion artists regularly/daily/consistently is going to be the biggest advantage in applying anything you are taught. A great deal of fusion/jazz bassists have played with the same artists. It's worth noting - being a big fan of the genre and listening is the fastest way to improve.
One example to get you started is one of my favorite guitar players/writers/session men Lee Ritenour
Bassists playing with Lee: I likley missed a few.
Anthony Jackson
Marcus Miller
Abraham Laboriel
Chuck Rainey
Alphonso Johnson
Jimmy Haslip
Jimmy Johnson
Mike Porcaro
Bill Dickenson
David Hungate
Melvin Davis
Lee Sklar
Tim Landers
Louis Johnson
John Pattitucci
Nathan East
That is just one artist.
Tetsuo Sakurai (Casiopea) is my personal favorite but as you delve into the genre you will uncover a massive gold mine of unsung brilliant and inspiring bassists to keep you inspired and learning.
All the best and best of luck, I always love hearing people getting deeper in the genre.
In my experience as a bassist who enjoys both playing fusion and who continues to take lessons as a professional - 'Fusion' and Jazz' - Fundamental music ideas. Theory and ideas/approach to progressions, fingerings, sales, arpeggios, chordal studies etc. It's music after all. There is very little that is different between standard jazz studies although 'fusion' can cover alot of ground between rock and jazz. And in truth, even that is an incomplete idea. The crossover is massive and the genre is massive.
This may sound super obvious and forgive me if this is your practice already, but listening to fusion bass players and fusion artists regularly/daily/consistently is going to be the biggest advantage in applying anything you are taught. A great deal of fusion/jazz bassists have played with the same artists. It's worth noting - being a big fan of the genre and listening is the fastest way to improve.
One example to get you started is one of my favorite guitar players/writers/session men Lee Ritenour
Bassists playing with Lee: I likley missed a few.
Anthony Jackson
Marcus Miller
Abraham Laboriel
Chuck Rainey
Alphonso Johnson
Jimmy Haslip
Jimmy Johnson
Mike Porcaro
Bill Dickenson
David Hungate
Melvin Davis
Lee Sklar
Tim Landers
Louis Johnson
John Pattitucci
Nathan East
That is just one artist.
Tetsuo Sakurai (Casiopea) is my personal favorite but as you delve into the genre you will uncover a massive gold mine of unsung brilliant and inspiring bassists to keep you inspired and learning.
All the best and best of luck, I always love hearing people getting deeper in the genre.
Thanks for the advice, I do listen to fusion and jazz nonstop and Tetsuo sakurai is my personal favorite as well.
Are you on the ABI (All Buttons In) Facebook group for Toronto? I would ask there as you will surely get a bunch of great recommendations from pros in the TO area.
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You might not need a bass teacher. If you already have a working technique on bass, your point of learning might be understanding the style.
Perhaps it would be interesting to find a musician who creates jazz fusion music and work with them to come to an understanding of 'what to do when the page is blank'. Working with a composer to see workable (and unworkable) options would be a way of understanding the job of bass player in a fusion ensemble.
Of course the other answer is: you already have two teachers, one on each side of your head. Start digging into bass line from the fusion music you like.
At some point in the journey to be a bass player, we all reach a point where we have to reach the next level on our own.
Perhaps it would be interesting to find a musician who creates jazz fusion music and work with them to come to an understanding of 'what to do when the page is blank'. Working with a composer to see workable (and unworkable) options would be a way of understanding the job of bass player in a fusion ensemble.
Of course the other answer is: you already have two teachers, one on each side of your head. Start digging into bass line from the fusion music you like.
At some point in the journey to be a bass player, we all reach a point where we have to reach the next level on our own.
+1 For Joe Hubbard and Rufus Philpot.
Most of Joe's stuff is for the long term so it may take a year or two for it to have real benefits. Still great instruction.
I think Rufus is a bit more practical with things you can apply right away.
Most of Joe's stuff is for the long term so it may take a year or two for it to have real benefits. Still great instruction.
I think Rufus is a bit more practical with things you can apply right away.
I'm also looking for a good teacher to advise on Jazz Fusion style bass playing. I'd really like face to face in the U.K. Midlands preferrably. Any thoughts?
check out local music university bass professors and contact them for lessons. you could also find professional bass players in your area that you like and ask them for lessons or a recommendation.
