Sprache Wechseln [DE – Deutsch: Bassunterricht in Berlin]

Lessons (in person in Berlin / online)

Professional bass lessons and courses in Berlin with experienced bassist James Banner.

I offer one-to-one teaching in Neukölln and Tempelhof, as well as online lessons worldwide for all levels. Lessons for beginners as well as bassists who already play, as a hobby or professionally, and want to go further: a better sound, a healthier and more relaxed technique, confidence with jazz standards, a clearer understanding of harmony, improvising, reading, or preparing for gigs and auditions.

Between lessons, you are welcome to send me audio or video recordings for feedback, free of charge and optional.

Study areas:

• double bass / electric upright bass (EUB)
• electric bass
• western European / classical music theory (including for UK graded exams such as ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, Rockschool)
• jazz theory and harmony
• composition
• improvisation

I’m currently accepting new students of all ages and levels of experience, and every lesson is tailored to the areas you want to develop, with concrete ways to get there.

I also specialise in:

• double bass technique: relaxed and healthy posture, physicality, sound production (creating a bigger or more open sound), arco (bow) technique, set-up, extended techniques
• electronic music production / composition: Ableton Live as a recording, production and composition tool; concepts of post-production and post/re-composition of recorded material through (experimental) editing and post-processing
• instrument advice: purchase, rental and appraisal of double basses and other string instruments, covering set-up, what to look for, general advice on acquiring an instrument
• creative development: using creative limitations to develop improvisation and composition practice, ideas and confidence
• improvisation / experimental music: free improvisation as a soloist and in group contexts; interpretation and development of written material; conceptual and practical approaches
• repertoire: learning, memorising, understanding and improvising on jazz standards (the Great American Songbook)
• career development: self-releasing, freelancing, performance practice, collaboration best practice

Lesson formats: available as regular (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly), irregular, or as one-offs, for beginners to advanced or professional musicians. The standard lesson lengths are 30, 45 or 60 minutes (most popular for adult students) – shorter lesson lengths are recommended for students aged under 10-12 years.

Logistics: My timezone is CET – I generally have availability from 08:00-21:00 CET every day. Teaching is delivered in English (native) or German. Rates start at 30€. I also offer a sliding scale in solidarity with working-class musicians, please mention this in your message if you require a reduced rate.

Lessons with James are inspiring and productive, all in a relaxed and informal atmosphere! James addresses my questions and problems and, thanks to his keen observations, guides my focus to other areas without being judgmental or preachy.

We work on technical aspects, repertoire and vocabulary, sound, improvisational concepts, and occasionally some meta-thoughts. Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Student (source: Google review)

Book a lesson

Interested in lessons? We can do a free 15 minute consultation (phone/Skype/Zoom) to discuss your current experience and what you’d like to work on – get in touch using the form below or email me at info[AT]jamesbanner.com and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Please note, if you come to this page via another teaching service, listing website or agent, please enquire directly via this page – by doing so I will be able to offer the best price and you will not pay any commission for any services provided by anyone else.

My teaching experience is as follows:

• 15 years private tuition of double bass, electric bass, electric upright bass, theory, composition, harmony
• Senior Lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire (view faculty profile), teaching contemporary improvisation, double bass / electric bass, ensembles, theory and coordinating/teaching collaborative composition, as well as work in the Junior Department and with Actor Musicians
• Workshop leader for Jazzlines (Town Hall Symphony Hall Birmingham) and Make The Paint Dance (Leeds), freelance teacher with Harrogate Music School

I have a DBS check (Führungszeugnis in Germany) and am available in person in Neukölln and Tempelhof, Berlin, or online with a professional standard audio/video set up. My studio is equipped with studio quality RME interface and Focal Alpha 80 Evo monitors, full band set-up and is acoustically treated. I hold Recognised Teacher Status from the University of Hull, Bachelor of Music (Jazz) from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and Master of Music from Jazz Institut Berlin (UdK/HfM Hanns Eisler Berlin).