Professional Bass Player BA Honours (Music) First Class with over 40 years of playing experience teaching Bass Guitar for beginner to advanced and Double Bass for beginners. Lessons tailored to suit.

Learn more about Patrick

• 1) When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  My parents bought me my first bass guitar at the age of 11 after I watched 'Ian Dury And The Blockheads' playing 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick' on Top Of The Pops. Ian Dury was amazing but there was something extra special about that moment, the amazing and prominent driving bass line by Norman Watt-Roy. This was a pivotal moment for my musical direction and I took great pleasure in telling Norman this when my band supported him playing with Wilco a few years later.

• 2) Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  I like all music that is done well, there is a place and time for every genre. I play in several bands and listen to selected playlists before each gig. A typical week for me may include woking on my Gypsy Jazz Double Bass, Pop/Rock covers function set, Swing Jazz Double Bass and exploration of theory through exercises which I share with my students.

• 3) Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  This is tricky to answer as I look to support a student in achieving their goals rather than having a difficult path to get there. Having said that, I believe that an extensive knowledge of the major scale is riveting and will go a long way in simplifying theory. For instance: the major scale contains 7 modes, four of these will achieve a great deal. There are 7 chords in the major scale which all have 4 chord tones, these chords have their own series of triads and associated pentatonic scales. This knowledge under your fingers will make it easier to learn songs, retain that information and re-use it in performing different songs.

• 4) What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  For me personally it is the Double Bass because it is more physical to play than an electric bass but also the fretless fingerboard requires good technique to keep in tune.

• 5) What are your keys to success?

  Enjoy what you do, practice well and apply what you are learning to relevant songs. Re-use what you have learnt in one song to another song. Be nice and fun to be around, enthusiasm and a smile go a long way.

• 6) Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Jaco Pastorius, Phil Lynott, Paul Chambers. I never get tired of listening to these guys who all left a massive impression on me and the bass world in their own way. The charismatic swagger of Phil Lynott, the crazy virtuosity of Jaco and the driving Double Bass of Paul Chambers who plays on my all time favourite album 'Kind Of Blue'. What a thrill it would be just to be in the company of these guys.

• 7) Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  'Fully arrive before playing, touch the note'. This comes from a piano teacher when I was studying at Trinity Laban in London for my music degree. I have found this translates very well to the bass.

• 8) What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I pay attention to what my students want to achieve and draw on my experiences of over 35 years of being a professional musician to help them achieve their goals. Music is a wonderful thing to have in your life and I encourage everyone to explore this. All lessons evolve in real time which is followed up with an email detailing what we have covered in the session.