Gage W.

I have a very, very organic approach to songwriting. For years, I struggled to create anything that had emotional meaning to me, but by the time I was about 17, I discovered how to let emotions flow freely. Much in the way that flowing waters can carve a canyon, I believe that emotional out-pour creates the most wonderful music. I'm very, very much into progressive and free-form methods of songwriting, but will in no way enforce “my style" of creating music on my students. My duty as an instructor is to help provide the student with what he/she needs to find their style. There is no right or wrong way to do something as subjectively valuable as creating music, and if a student walks away feeling like they left their own little imprint on the universe with what they managed to create, then I have done my job successfully.

They can expect exactly the same kind of environment that I offer with my guitar lessons, but with much more emphasis on rhythm and feel. I've always had the mentality that when you pick up a bass, you're becoming a guitarist and a drummer at the same time. I will completely abolish the uninspiring idea that the bass guitar always has to sit in the background and be reserved, because it is an instrument of endless possibilities just as much as a regular guitar is.

They can fully expect to learn exactly what they want to learn and have enough fun to feel inspired to learn more. I always make room for technical, mechanical, and theoretical learning as it arises in what they desire to learn. I have always been very technically and mechanically mindful of my students, as developing the muscles to the point of calm, controllable relaxation when playing is arguably the most important factor in one's musical development in my opinion. They can expect patience, persistence, and only the appropriate amount of assertion on my part. I value a calm, relaxed student/instructor relationship as much as I value calm and relaxed performance techniques, but-much like a personal trainer-I will push them to do their best in any situation so that they can feel inspired by their growth.