Mike C. TakeLessons Instructor Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Beginner Guitar, Music Theory Vanderbilt St., Brooklyn, NY

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: The reason that I teach is simple. I love music more than anything in the world and I want to share that passion with others. I feel that I have been extremely blessed with great teachers all of my life and I want nothing more than to show my students how powerful music can be.

Now my credentials.

EDUCATION:

1. I started playing the bass when I was 10 years old. It became clear to me early on that middle school orchestra wasn't enough, so I started taking private lessons. From the age of 12 to 18 I studied electric bass with Johnny Mac, Matt Zebrowski, Alan Katz, Mike Frost, and John Patitucci. In my senior year of High School I was accepted into New York's All State Jazz Band.

2. At the age of 18 I went on to study upright bass at the Eastman School of Music with Professor Jeff Campbell. While I was there I also had the privilege of taking lessons with Ron Carter (Miles Davis) and Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon). In 2005 I graduated with a B.M. in Jazz Performance.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

After graduating I moved to New York City and began playing music full time. In the three years that I have lived in New York I have played/recorded with:

Knights on Earth, Bell, Jerseyband, Lenka Dusilova, Bob America, The Exit, Burlap to Cashmere, Christine Hagan, Rude Jackson, Dave Crowell's Naked Brunch, Princeton Pro Musica, James Harries, Courtney Drummey, Spencer Day, Dave Truet's Clarify, Keith Ward Group, Nell Bryden, Rose Falcon, Paul Cox Project, Neos Ensemble, Rachel Efron, Eric Biondo, Jake Saslow trio, Chad Lawson Trio, Johnny Mac and Mohair Sam, Spin, Bill Malchow, The Pizzas, Bacci, Pepper Spray (Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band), The Appletrees, Ethan Meixsell Trio, Sarah McCaffrey, Basement Band, Error 99, Murder for Hire, Peter Bagale, and Danielle Evin.

I have also been extremely lucky to have worked as a session musician for these legendary producers:

Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, John Lennon), Phil Ramone (Paul Simon, Billy Joel), Jay Messina (Miles Davis, The Rolling Stones), Brian Harding (Dream Theater, Jennifer Lopez), Randy Crafton (Richie Havens), David Rosenthal (Billy Joel, Elton John), Anthony Winters (50 cent, Rose Falcon), Anthony J. Resta (Collective Soul, Duran Duran), Ross Peterson (Bjork), Ben Yonas (Lenka Dusilova, Shotgun Wedding Quintet), Jason LaFarge, and John Hill.

TOURING:

Sept- Oct 2008: Toured the Czech Republic with Czech Grammy Winner Lenka Dusilova

Aug 2008: Played the Saalfelden Jazz Festival in Austria with Jerseyband

Sept-Oct 2007: National Tour with Czech Grammy Winner Lenka Dusilova

August 2007: National Tour with James Harries (Dekkor Records)

June 2007: National Tour with Czech Grammy winner Lenka Dusilova *Also played bass with both opening acts: Bob America and Peter Bagale

April 2007: East Coast Tour with Jerseyband

FILM:

In addition to performing, I have composed music for two independent films:

“A Taste of Heaven” directed by Mike Choi

“Standing in the Current” directed by Karl Bauer

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

In the fall of 2007 I was commissioned by Cengage Learning to write an electric bass method book titled, Picture Yourself Playing Bass. Release date is set for October 28th 2008.

I have also been teaching guitar and bass lessons both privately and through Woodside Music, since 2001.

ENDORSEMENTS:

I am also proud to say that I have equipment endorsements with Ashdown Amplification and Clifford Roi basses.

HOW I CAN HELP YOU:

I'm ready to help you learn whatever style of music interests you, whether it be jazz, rock, classical, metal, latin, blues or anything else. All I ask is that in return is that you come to lessons with an open mind.

Some things that will be covered and applied to whatever style(s) of music you choose:

Theory

Harmony

Rhythm

Reading Music

Composition

The Role of a Bass Player

Equipment Setup/Maintenance

Recording

Playing with a Band

Locking Up with a Drummer

Jazz, Classical, Rock, Pop, Blues, Improvisation, Specialty Bass Techniques (slap, tapping, finger picking), Music Recording (Pro Tools, Logic).

Northport High School - - 1997-2001
Eastman School of Music - Jazz Performance - 2001-2005

Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Beginner Guitar, Music Theory