Looking for jazz bass lessons, Boston area.

[Jaycat]

Hi group. I'm an intermediate player looking to expand my jazz playing. Can anyone recommend an in-person teacher in the Boston area?

(Contrary to my avatar, I am playing electric bass guitar).

I see that Groton Hill Music School offers half-hour lessons for $54 and 45 minutes for $75. Is that the going rate, or a tad high?

Thanks all!

 

[enricogaletta]

Hey Jaycat,
sounds like you’re at a great spot to expand your vocabulary on the instrument. I teach electric bass with a strong focus on jazz concepts — walking lines, phrasing, targeting chord tones, etc. and have worked with several players at your same level.
I’m not in Boston, but I’ve had great results doing tailored Zoom lessons, especially for intermediate players looking to deepen their groove and harmonic awareness.
If you’re curious, feel free to join my Patreon — even the free tier gives you access to a bunch of materials and ideas that might give you a sense of my vibe and approach.
And of course, happy to set up a trial session if you’d like to see if it clicks. Either way, enjoy the process, jazz is a lifelong groove

 

[dougjwray]

I'm a little late responding, but...

I would get in touch with the bass department at Berklee College of Music. If none of the instructors currently give personal lessons, I'll bet they could recommend someone.

 

[turf3]

Call Rusty Chandler. I don't have his phone number but I bet you can find him without too much difficulty.

 

[shirojiro]

I liked playing in jazz ensembles at the John Payne Center.

The John Payne Music Center | Brookline Music Lessons

Since 1979, the John Payne Music Center has been serving Brookline music students of all ages and skill levels with private music lessons, ensembles, and their new preschool music theory program. The JPMC offers lessons in piano, guitar, saxophone, flute, clarinet, recorder, ukulele, bass, trumpet,

www.jpmc.us

 

[Jaycat]

Call Rusty Chandler. I don't have his phone number but I bet you can find him without too much difficulty.

I'm in touch with Rusty. Thanks!

 

[Pep]

You don’t need any stinkin’ bass lessons to play jazz. Play whatever the hell you want.

 

[turf3]

You don’t need any stinkin’ bass lessons to play jazz. Play whatever the hell you want.

Oh for crying out loud, give it a rest.

I'll call "Joy Spring" in Db and we'll see how you come out, with that basis.

 

[Pep]

Oh for crying out loud, give it a rest.

I'll call "Joy Spring" in Db and we'll see how you come out, with that basis.

 

[JohnBrown13]

Hi group. I'm an intermediate player looking to expand my jazz playing. Can anyone recommend an in-person teacher in the Boston area?

(Contrary to my avatar, I am playing electric bass guitar).

I see that Groton Hill Music School offers half-hour lessons for $54 and 45 minutes for $75. Is that the going rate, or a tad high?

Thanks all!

wincasino

In the Boston area, lesson rates around $50–$75 for a half-hour to 45-minute jazz bass lesson are pretty typical, especially if the instructor is experienced in jazz theory, walking bass, and ensemble playing. Groton Hill’s pricing is in the normal range; you might find private teachers charging a bit more depending on their background, but many also offer sliding scales or package discounts.
For jazz, it’s worth prioritizing someone who can play at the level you want to reach and who understands jazz harmony, improvisation, and walking bass lines well — not just general bass technique. Local music schools, university faculty, and active gigging bassists are often great teachers because they can connect theory with real playing situations.