Bass Lessons

Javier Moreno was born in Madrid. Currently he is living in NYC, where, he is spreading all his sensibilty into Jazz music. In December of the past year, recorded his first CD as a leader with the label Fresh Sound, which is featured for a very open range of textures and ambients leaded by a strong rhytmic presence into a picture of mediterranean colors .

Along his career, Javier had the opportunity to play as a sideman as well than as a leader, with internationally recognized jazz artists like: George Garzone, Gerald Cleaver, Rez Abassi, Tony Moreno or Jerry Gonzalez.

During the past years he had the opportunity to reside and perform in several countries of Europe like the Netherlands, France or Spain; playing in international jazz festivals as well as other musical venues creating different projects like the duo with the acordeon player Didier Ithursarry in Paris .

In the Musical Spanish scene, he played with relevant artists like Federico Lechner, Marta Sanchez Blazquez, or Justin Tchatchoua and from the flamenco scene he collaborated with Carmen Linares, or Agustín Carbonell "El Bola ".

He started his musical studies in Spain at the Classical Conservatory from Madrid . To continue his studies , he asisted to The Royal Conservatory from The Hague for four years (Netherlands) to get the Bachelor Degree in Jazz , and later, he searched for the New York University to study the Master in Jazz Performance .

He studied with Masters like: Ralph Alessi, Kenny Werner, Ron Mc Clure, Hein Van de Geyn or Ben Street. He attended to seminaries like the " Banff Centre of Creative Arts " from Canada , conducted by Dave Douglas.

As educator, he had the oportunity to teach in different schools in Spain as well as in France, giving also a bounce of Master Classes during the summertime.

He received Scholarships and got awards such the full scholarship from the " Fundación Cajamadrid ", " Tete Montoliú " Scholarship from the AIE , the first prize of international jazz concours "Jazzargia ", or the or the grant of the Jazz improvisation Workshop from the Banff Centre .

During the next summer, we will record the second project of this year as a coleader in Spain, with the label New Mood Jazz.

About the lessons:

The lessons are 60 minutes long unless requested different. During the initial lesson, I assess the level of the student so that I can design a plan of study that best suits his/her needs. I do not believe in the ''cookie cutter'' way of teaching.

Some of the topics we cover during the lessons are: basic rhythms, clappling, simple bass lines, technique, songs, reading music and writing music, improvising, how to practice, hoe to feel the bass, what to practice, preparation and playing different musical styles ranging from classical to jazz to rock and roll and everything in between.

Every month, I will give my student a new practice log sheet so that we can keep track of what we learn. I bring my iPod touch with me to every lesson so that we can learn the bass lines from any song that the student likes.

I do not require my students to buy any intructional books. I bring every teaching material incluiding exercize sheets and such.

I do require my students to have their own bass or upright bass, a music notebook, pencils and erasers. The music notebook can be bought at most bookstores, music stores or it can be printed online from: If you choose so, I can pick up any of these materials for you and you can refund me at no additional cost.

About practicing:

Spending time practicing the instrument throughout the week is very important. I would say that after having fun while playing the bass, practicing everyday or most days, is the single most important thing when it comes to mastering a musical instrument.

The thought of practicing everyday is very scary to most kids and parents and it is no different to me! I start by saying that practicing 5 minutes every day is better than practicing 0 minutes a day or 3 hours 1 day and nothing the others.

Based on that philosphy, during the first lesson and while I get to know more about the child's schedule, I will tell how long I expect him/her to practice. I have a practice log sheet that I give my students every month so that we may keep track of how long and what we pratcice.

The of the parents regarding this matter is crucial. With a little bit of help at the beginning reminding him/her to practice, the chid will make huge strides. Parents will notice that soon after, practicing will become second nature.

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