Bass Guitar Lessons with Jerry Mark

Around a year ago, I entertained a hair-brained idea of pursuing a new hobby – playing the electric bass. Given my complete lack of experience with the instrument, I knew that taking up the challenge would be both daunting and thrilling in equal measure. The ultimate goal was to be able to play in an ensemble, and I relished the prospect of building my skills from scratch and mastering the art of song construction. Jerry's advert online caught my eye, and I reached out to him, informing him of my complete novice status, coupled with my lack of a bass guitar. He was incredibly thoughtful in his response, and his conscientiousness has continued throughout the 10 months during which I've taken weekly lessons from him. My initial free lesson involved Jerry hanging a bass guitar on me, allowing me to produce some rudimentary notes and familiarize myself with the instrument. We then perused my options, and he helped me decide on purchasing a right-handed bass, despite the fact that I'm left-handed. He also provided invaluable guidance on purchasing the right accessories for my new instrument. There are several key lessons that I've learned and continue to learn from Jerry. Firstly, he emphasized the need for strong technique and exercises, but also incorporated real songs early on, so I was able to begin playing music rather than simply going through the motions. As a result, the experience has been highly fulfilling thus far. He also stresses the importance of theory, which I've come to realize is an essential weapon in a musician's arsenal. What I appreciate the most about Jerry is his fairness and honesty in his evaluations. He doesn't teach down to me, nor does he provide me with material that is too easy. Instead, he challenges me and encourages me to go beyond my comfort zone, never once losing patience even when the going gets tough. Playing the bass guitar is a marathon, not a sprint, and it's impossible to consider mastering it in just under a year. However, thanks to Jerry's tutelage, I've already made significant progress, and it's a joy to be able to play songs I love. Who knows, with a bit of luck, I might end up playing in a band, which would be an incredible accomplishment.

Jerry is an expert in bass, possessing knowledge in technique, theory, gear, and music history. Additionally, he possesses a deep understanding of how students learn bass, enabling him to provide tailored guidance on what to practice and improve upon. In regards to my experience with Jerry, he quickly identified areas where my bass technique had gaps and educated me in bass theory that I had yet to fully understand. He provided me with exercises to refine my skills and expand my technical ability. He also taught me about the nuances and equipment involved in crafting bass tone, imparted knowledge on songs and bass players to study, and immersed me in the culture of bass by exploring its rich history and evolution. As for myself, I had played bass casually for ten years and for six months in an americana band, while also being well-versed as a keys player and with solid music theory knowledge. However, when I joined a funk/soul band with more seasoned players, I realized my skills needed improvement and sought out Jerry as a specialist in bass, not just a guitar player teaching basic theory.

With his charisma and extensive knowledge on bass guitar, Jerry proved to be an excellent mentor for me. Despite playing guitar for several years, I experienced some difficulties in my transition to the bass and sought Jerry's guidance. Throughout our lessons, he swiftly identified areas where my guitar-playing techniques were hindering my bass playing. He encouraged me to make necessary improvements not only to enhance my performance but also to prevent any potential injuries. Jerry also assisted me in enhancing the quality of my bass playing, an elusive aspect that distinguishes a skilled player from a mediocre one. Thanks to his guidance, I have taken significant steps in the right direction and feel fortunate to have found such an excellent mentor.

With his immense expertise in music theory, bass technical skills, and deep understanding of its history, Jerry offers the ideal lessons to kickstart your bass guitar journey.

Our first two lessons have been delightful. Jerry's expertise and engaging teaching style make the entire experience enjoyable and captivating. My 8-year-old son, who is new to the subject, remains focused during the entire hour. Additionally, I am benefiting significantly from the lessons too.