Nashville Bass Lessons Online..Music is a contact sport!

As a bass teacher in Nashville, I've observed that bass playing is a ''Contact Sport'' when it comes to learning well. I'm not a very knowledgeable guy regarding sports. My friends will testify to that, as they have to remind me who the football, basketball , Hockey teams are, as well as their star players and coaches:-)

With that limitation firmly in hand, (along with a bit of tongue in cheek-) I want to lay out what bass playing and sports have in common: A consistent reviewing of the facts and fundamentals. I seriously love the stories behind major sports figures. and that includes what they do on a regular schedule to attain a great skill level They simply review the fundamentals and never lose sight of that.

In teaching many hundreds of students over the years, I've encountered great raw talent that would have remained ''Permanent Potential'' without the discipline of daily practice on music facts that produces results.

Love these quotes:

“Most people get excited about games, but I’ve got to be excited about practice, because that’s my classroom.”

– Pat Summitt, Basketball

“First master the fundamentals.”

– Larry Bird, Basketball

The minute you get away from fundamentals – whether its proper technique, work ethic or mental preparation – the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job, whatever you’re doing.”

―Michael Jordan

These quotes are so universal! Think of great bass players and what it took to gain the ability and the edge to perform at a professional level. Each player has the unique and personal style that carries the stamp of their art and personal expression and approach on the bass guitar.. We learn by emulating our favorites. Know that this self taught period can be both positive and expressive in our first encounters with playing bass.. for the joy of it! Then comes the thrill of playing with friends/family/casual jam sessions that can really '' seal the deal'' with playing bass.. So many have begun this way.

I've taught everyone from beginners to some of the current crop of top Nashville session and touring bassists.. and also pro students/intermediate/beginners in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa via Skype and Face time.

I did a video series on Fundamentals and the how and why of the nuts and bolts of good playing and the road to solid musicianship.. and a little bit about my personal history as well:-) This was for Bass Frontiers Magazine in 2011.. Please see the link below for the first of four videos. We had fun doing them and it was very informal.. but, I managed to pack in a lot of practical info!!

Contact me to begin your own personal journey to improvement.. I love to teach and have been doing it privately since 1979 even while touring and session work ( see my credits on this site with some clips/audio samples of hits I've played on, etc.. by clicking on the '' About'' tab on the top of the page... also click on the testimonials tab for stories and personal experiences of some of my students.

****** A STUDENT TESTIMONIAL *****

"The first year I lived here in Nashville, I pursued Steve Bryant and seized every opportunity to learn from and be mentored by him. I'm eternally grateful that I did, as he equipped me with the tools and knowledge I needed to succeed as a professional musician, here in what I believe to be the biggest music producing city in the world. I can't begin to count the number of times I drew upon the wisdom and knowledge he imparted, in order for me to succeed in this line of work. If I weren't so busy these days, thanks to him, I'd still be bugging him every week for another lesson! Haha! I still intend to...

Whether it be technical, mental, or relational skills, I felt like Mr. Bryant always ensured that I was well-equipped with what I needed to address any issue in the music industry. In my opinion, his teaching and mentoring abilities are unparalleled. Steve Bryant is not only an excellent teacher and mentor, but he also employs a vast wealth of knowledge and experience that any student (at any level) can benefit from! I'm so grateful to have found such a great example of excellence, discipline, kindness and professionalism.

Steve Bryant is my hero..."

Jake Barr, Nashville Bassist for Jeremy McComb, Bone Feather, and Tiffany

*******

Wishing you solid improvement in your bass playing and the personal satisfaction of good musicianship.

Here is that link that takes you to my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwEKDw53_JE&t=332s

you'll find some other vids as well covering some uber practical stuff:- )

Regards,

Steve

Nashville Bass Lessons Online: Fundamentals part two and grooving with a metronome

What is groove if not the ability to play that note at that time! In the video I present here, I'm covering a very productive way of the basics of using the metronome.. remember, you want to use the metronome as a '' snare drum'' of 2 and 4.

I am presenting info that can really assist a beginning bassist or those revisiting the bass. Even some experienced bassists miss this. I do want to point out the importance of '' notes first'' before attempting to groove or play in time. This is a fundamental I teach my beginning students of separately finding the notes.. then get the rhythm patten together, finding the downbeats in each bar.. exploring this music fact from the get go will form good habits that builds solid musicianship.. note that this should be addressed before using a metronome on two and four.

contact me for bass lessons, as I work with students online worldwide.. from serious beginners to seasoned pro players..

Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDnbgp1la4o&t=233s

Have Fun! .. now, That IS important!

Wishing you productive practicing and constant improvement !

Steve

Nashville Online Bass Lessons from Veteran Studio Pro.

There's nothing like personalized instruction regardless of where you live. I've taught hundreds of students over the decades looking for better work by upgrading their skills.

So much has changed in our world over the last few months, with more people working at home and possibly making a permanent change in their work environment and eschewing the commute to the office and new ways of communicating remotely. I've taught students via Skype and Facetime for over 15 years on all continents and they learned well to get better gigs, recording jobs and expanded playing opportunities.

A focused 20 to 30 minutes of practicing as an everyday discipline on what I assign my students brings measurable results. and improvement that others can hear as well:-)

Learning music from a dedicated professional creates an education opportunity that is custom designed to the students needs and ability level.

In addition to being taught the craft of playing at a pro-level standard with music content learning , You'll gain insights to the business and art of music as well. I've taught some of the current crop of top bassists in the recording and touring field and they learned what it takes to compete in the Real Deal, Real World of Music..

You'll learn musicianship, Theory, reading, building your own bass lines, ear training and more.. This is also a great time for older players to update skills and to satisfy their own critique.

Here's a few stories from former students

'' Taking lessons from Steve Bryant brought major clarity to music theory. He taught me the ins and outs of working as a professional musician. Steve taught me how to practice and how to understand what I was hearing, ultimately improving the way I play today.''

Griffin Myers - Nashville Bassist

'' Studying with Steve was one of the most transformative experiences I've ever had. Beyond improving my technique, apart from improving my musical knowledge, it made me a much better creative. It's great to learn from someone with Mr. Bryant's tremendous art, music and life experience.''

Roberto Schmidt, - Porto Alegre, Brazil

'' Working with Steve was an eye-opening experience! It opened up a new concept of learning that changed the way I view music education and the bass overall. What I learned from Steve has applied well when having to learn new songs in a short time as well as coming up with creative and interesting bass lines. 

Seth A. Dearinger- Nashville Tenn

'' "Steve's method of teaching is by far the best!  He breaks things down into very easy to follow steps that set you up for success.  Steve has helped me propel my bass playing to a whole new level and, more importantly, has made me a better musician.”

-Tim McEneany - Bassist and Producer - Chicago ILL.

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Here is a vid from 2011 for Bass Frontiers magazine.. holding forth on chords and their function and especially WHY the bass player needs to know his or her chords! So very essential and important: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0-p1CwyXsc

Contact me to schedule an online session by filling out the contact form on this website.. or directly: stevebryant71bass@gmail.com

Musical Regards!!

Steve Bryant

Nashville Session Bassist/Educator