Samuel Kiel

Double Bass Lessons Amsterdam

Hello, I'm Samuel Kiel, a professional bass player and motivating music teacher in Amsterdam. Are you starting with bass lessons for the first time and looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher? Bass guitar player and wish to add the double bass to your toolkit?

Beginners

The double bass is a very rewarding yet demanding instrument. You don't have to spend years to get your first grooves ready, but it will take some effort before you'll be able to produce a good sound, a proper intonation and a steady beat! My classes offer exactly the fun and instructions you are looking for to achieve your goals!

Get inspired!

To get an idea of my inspirations, or maybe to introduce you to some bass players, here are some of my heroes: Ray Brown, Charlie Haden, Thomas Morgan, Ron Carter, Doug Watkins, Paul Chambers and Christian McBride.

Bowing

The double bass is originally an instrument made to play classical music. Therefore, learning to play with a bow is incredibly useful for your intonation and general understanding of the instrument. There are two different types of bows: German and French. It's difficult to say what's the easiest or the best. In the end it's a matter of what works for you. I myself, play with a German bow, but no problem If you already use a French bow, I definitely can help you to improve your sound and help you develop advanced bowing techniques.

Thumb Position

The double bass is known for its dark sound and forms the basis of the orchestra or your band, but you can also play high notes on it, in a solo for example. Playing in thumb position can be difficult at first, but is essential if you want to play high notes. We will use the knowledge we have of scales to unlock the area in thumb position.

Scales - Chords - Improvisation

If jazz and other improvised music is your stuff, the pentatonic scale is a wonderful tool to develop your improvisation skills! Reading chord charts, jazz harmony and sheet music is part of the lessons. I'll make sure you'll apply music theory in a musical way, so it goes from theory into practice. 

Walking Bass

You will learn how to play a walking bass line, like they did in the 50's. First step is playing a blues. Keep walking, and you'll soon be able to play an awesome bass line over any given song! Discover the fun of playing 'ahead of the 'beat' and 'on the beat'. My lessons offer all advanced techniques you may be looking for!

About me

I am from Denmark and have my bachelor's degree from the Royal Academy of Music in Denmark and my master's degree from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Besides performing regularly with different bands, I am the leader of my own group Sonic Choir of Love, where we combine jazz and indie rock. Our debut album is coming out this fall!