Steve Boniello
About
An Alumni of Berklee College of Music with over 20 years experience playing live, recording, and studying music.
**New Students Please feel free to send me a message about your musical experience and any goals or influences you may have.
**My current calendar is my general availability. If you don't see a time slot available on there that works for you, please send me a message and we'll work something out. I have flexibility with lesson times.
Areas of Study:
Upright Bass - Beginner to Advanced
Bass Guitar - Beginner to Advanced
Music Theory - Beginner to Advanced
Recording and Production (Garageband, Logic Pro) - Beginner to Advanced
Other services/Areas of Focus:
Audition Preparation (ie Preparing for Music College Auditions)
Home Studio Setup
Gear Related Questions
Transcription (Writing out & Organizing music for artists/groups)
Musical Direction
Improvisation
Topics Include (but not limited to): Fundamentals, Technique, Rhythm/Time, Tone, Tunes, Scales, Chords and Arpeggios, Recording (Garageband, Logic Pro), Music Theory, Walking Basslines, Harmony, Reading Music, Fretboard/Fingerboard Knowledge, Using the Bow (Upright Bass), Improvisation, Groove Playing, Soloing and more.
Lessons consist of a combination of learning proper technique and fundamentals in order to build a solid foundation on the instrument. Any great musician is always going back to the fundamentals. Some players may need less of them and we can focus on more "advanced" stuff, but being well rooted in fundamentals is key. I like to keep a balance in areas such as technique, scales, chords/arpeggios, groove playing, improvising, playing tunes in a variety of styles and genres, and some reading. Timing and rhythm is essential for any great musician so I emphasize rhythm and help students build from there. My goal is to get students to become working players and to provide them with the tools needed to be well rounded and possess great overall musicianship.
Bass Studies:
Damon Brown (Current @ NCCU)
John Lockwood
Ken Walker
Jim Stinnett
Danny Morris
Lenny Finkelshteyn
Phil Helm
My approach also consists of spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation, and dharma studies. Spiritual practice is the foundation that allows me to live creatively and continue working on music. I'd like to thank my teacher Bhapuji Tisziji Muñoz for his ongoing support and guidance. It is one of the blessings of my life to work with a spiritual and musical master and I'm eternally grateful for his wisdom and guidance. Tisziji has led bands and has shared the stage with musical greats like McCoy Tyner, Pharaoh Sanders, Rashied Ali, John Medeski, Paul Shaffer, Ra Kalam Bob Moses, Dave Liebman and many more. I am grateful to be a student of Tisziji's and am dedicated to spiritual practice as well as playing creative music. Love Always, HU
Teaching Style
**For New Students: Feel free to contact me prior to booking a lesson and let me know what you're looking to work on or improve, and any goals you may have with our lessons. Thanks.
**Cancellation policy. Please give at least 24 hours notice for all canceled lessons. Lessons canceled within 24 hours and No Shows to lessons will be dealt with on a case by case basis.**
Curriculum
Curriculum is always on a case by case basis and depends on the students goals and needs. I always try and keep a good balance of the important things such as technique, rhythm/timing, sound and musical vocabulary. It's also very important to learn songs, grooves and stay close to one's inspirations when learning an instrument.
I have many PDF's that I've accumulated over the years of songs, transcriptions, charts, exercises and other materials that are provided for lessons when relevant. I may also ask students to purchase certain books to work out of based on where they're at and what will help them progress.
Credentials & Affiliations
Masters Degree in Jazz Performance (In-Progress) - North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC)
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music - Naropa University (Boulder, CO)
Alumni of Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA)