Lessons: online or in person...

Contact the music departments of your local colleges.

 

You can also check the ISB directory: International Society of Bassists - Find a Teacher

 

The number of times my teacher had to take the instrument out of my hands or physically adjust my stance or make me "let go" of my bow arm so that he could drag my limp arm over the string so I could get a visceral feeling for how gravity and physics are my friend, those are innumerable and ongoing.

This is a much more physical instrument than bass guitar, the advantages gained by being in the same room with an actual person who has a deeper understanding and longevity on this instrument is not to be discounted...

 

Does Mike Ross not teach?

 

You might contact Steve Boisen here on TB. He is in the same area, I think.

 

I originally used google hangouts for a rehearsal with a modern dancer - I was impressed at how well it worked. I have maintained my students from Houston with it since my move to the Boston area. It does work well, but in person is better. Online is better than the wrong teacher or no teacher by far, though.

 

That's good advice.

Here's a few things I learned while taking lessons at the local university. One thing that university does right, at least this university, is teach people how to play in an orchestra. If you want to play classical music then you are good. If not then hope your instructor likes the same music you do. The instructors are often graduate students. That does not mean they lack talent or experience as musicians, they will be talented and experienced or they would not have been accepted as students. What it does mean is that they may not be talented or experienced instructors. I don't know how much choice you will have in instructors but it may be a good idea to have a job interview of sorts on the instructor. That's just good advice generally but with a university it might be more difficult to "fire and hire" instructors. If you take lessons for more then one year then expect to have more than one instructor, when they graduate they will move on.

Contacting the local colleges to find an instructor might not mean you are a student at the school. You may also be given a list of faculty and students that have indicated they offer lessons off campus. If you take lessons through the school then that might have some perks with things like student discounts from local businesses and at events the school sponsors.

Good luck, bmarinakjr

 

@Steve Boisen may be in the area

 

I live in the Tampa Bay area and offer lessons on a limited basis. I can also refer you to other double bass teachers as there are several in our area, both jazz and classical. Send me a private message and I'll be happy to help.

- Steve