So, how did I get into playing bass guitar? Well, my bass journey actually started with piano lessons at the age seven. I stuck with it until I was thirteen but couldn’t stand my teacher. Maybe that’s why I’m passionate about making my bass lessons fun and student-centred. Learning an instrument should never be dull or frustrating; it should inspire you! I lost all desire to play music and thought I was done with instruments.

But that all changed thanks to a school talent show.

I was fifteen, sitting in the school hall, bored and ears twinging – it was an hour of off-key singing- I was ready to escape. When four boys took the stage and played Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze”. I’d never heard music like that before – I was hooked. I bought all his albums and spent hours head banging to the rhythm in my room, and suddenly, I had a fire for music again. I wanted to play like Jimi.

At first, I tried the guitar, pinching my mum’s old classical, but I found it impossible to fret with its rusted strings. So, being a naive teenager, I thought, “Bass must be the easier option”.

Using my savings, I bought my first bass guitar (Stagg Fusion) with an amp starter pack and the Absolute Beginners Bass Guitar book. I spent every afternoon after school and the summer holidays working through it. After hours of sore fingertips, I finally nailed the bassline to Purple Haze.

I went on to study Music Theatre and Drama at university, spending most of my free time playing bass in live performances. I learned how to read music, how a band truly functions, and how the bass player is the glue that holds it all together.

A rocker housemate exposed me to heavy metal and thrash metal, and once again, I was hooked. We started a band to play Thin Lizzy-style hard rock originals.

Fast forward twenty years, and I might not play as many rock songs, but I’m still jamming on the bass guitar, in a band or during bass lessons with my students.

I love helping my students overcome barriers such as procrastination, lack of direction, and the fear of making mistakes.

Playing the bass guitar isn’t just about music. It’s a great way to boost mental well-being, escape the daily grind, and feel a real sense of achievement. My goal is to make learning fun, inspiring, and rewarding for every student, no matter your level or musical background.