Guitar and Bass Lessons with Andrew Wright
Hello, my name is Andrew Wright. I am a professional musician and educator offering private guitar lessons and bass lessons, online and in person, from my teaching studio in Beaverton, Oregon. I enjoy working with students of all levels, from absolute beginner to professional players, ages 8 and up.
My musical journey began with piano lessons at age five. At age eleven I dusted off my dads old trombone and joined my middle school band. My first guitar lessons were at age twelve and I began playing bass in high school. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Music from California State University, Fullerton.
Over the years I have had the pleasure to study with many of Southern California’s top musicians, including Adam Speth, Dave Murdy and Luther Hughes, but the most influential of my instructors was renowned 7-string guitarist, Ron Eschete. I had the privilege of studying privately with Ron for two-and-a-half years while attending CSU, Fullerton. Ron is truly a harmonic mastermind whose knowledge of the guitar is unparalleled. He is commonly referred to as the “Yoda of Jazz Guitar.”
While I have had the opportunity to study with many great guitar teachers and bass teachers alike, I believe my greatest education has come from my wealth of performance experience. Since my first concerts in middle school, I have played hundreds of shows in a wide variety of settings including rock bands, funk groups, large and small jazz ensembles, symphonic bands and as a solo guitarist.
As an educator, I held positions as a guitar teacher and a bass teacher at Yamaha Music Academy and Music Maker Academy before opening my private teaching studio in 2012. All told, I now have over 25 years of professional experience as a performer and as an educator.
It takes a great deal of strength and endurance to play the guitar or bass, let alone to play a four hour gig. Proper technique allows a musician to get the most from their instrument with the least effort.
Dynamics, Articulation, Interpretation, etc. are often referred to as "the intangibles." These are the elements that turn a series of notes into a work of art and they are lifelong pursuits for any musician.
Answers to most of your musical questions lie here. As Beethoven said, "Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets." Or as I like to say. "Curiosity didn't kill the cat... curiosity made the cat hip!" (I know, I'm a nerd!)
The most common request a music teacher hears is, “will you teach me how to play my favorite song?” My answer is usually, “Sure, but how about I help you figure it out instead?” Getting ideas from our ears to our fingers is what this journey is all about!
It is seen as a tragedy when a child graduates without the ability to read, yet the majority of guitar and bass players can’t read or write music. The fact is that when auditioning for a high school or college band, studio work or a touring band, the best sight-reader often gets the gig.
Composition is the pinnacle of musical self expression, and just like every other aspect of music, it requires practice. Improvisation is the art of spontaneous composition, and when it's good... it's the best!
It is my privilege to spread the joy, wonder and excitement of making music; to turn curiosity into knowledge; effort into ability; enthusiasm into smiles!