I’ve been taking lessons from Russ for about a year and a half. He has an excellent system, well organized, and suitable from beginner to advanced — you always feel like you’re moving in a logical progression. I’ve had a number of teachers, but I’ll be sticking with Russ.
Bass lessons built around what you actually want to play.
Live, 1 on 1 lessons over Zoom with a teacher who has played bass for over 50 years. Every lesson starts with where you are and where you want to go.
Getting ready for a lesson? See the Zoom setup
50+ years playing bass
40 years teaching
130+ video lessons on YouTube
1 on 1 live on Zoom, and recorded
Kids to retirees.First-timers to working pros.Rock and Blues to Jazz.
Funk, gospel, R&B, Latin, and the rest, on 4 to 6 strings: fingerstyle, slap, or tap. Bring a song you love, or no idea where to start. You will leave every lesson with a plan and something to practice.
Your online bass teacher: fifty years on the bass, forty of them teaching
Russ has played bass for over 50 years. He studied with some of the best bass players in the world, including John Patitucci, Oteil Burbridge, Anthony Wellington, and Jimi Haslip.
He has toured the U.S. and overseas, played eight years at Atlanta’s Ritz-Carlton, and worked the Washington, D.C. scene. Today he plays shows around South Florida and teaches students all over the world.
Russell is an amazing bass instructor! I’d recommend him to anybody.
Five foundations, shaped by what you want to play
Every student works on these five. How much time we spend on each depends on the music you want to play. See everything I
Technique & application
How both hands work, building bass lines, soloing, and locking in with the drums.
Note mapping
Scales and arpeggios, and what each note does over the chord.
Styles
Rock, pop, R&B, funk, blues, jazz, gospel, country, reggae, and Latin.
Ear development
Learning songs by ear, so you can play what you hear.
Reading
Notes on the neck, rhythms, and real bass charts.
How online lessons work
We meet live on Zoom for 1 or 2 hours and work toward your musical goals.
Play with real music
From groove exercises to full songs and records with the bass removed.
Technique, up close
You see my hands, I see yours, and we fix technique as you play.
Built around your goals
We work on the music and skills that get you where you want to go.
A recording you keep
Watch your lesson again any time.
Why a live teacher instead of a subscription
I have made more than 130 video lessons (opens in new tab), and I have tried the big lesson sites. Videos are great. They also have limits.
A video lesson
- Not included: Can’t give you feedback.
- Not included: Can’t answer your questions.
- Not included: Can’t build a plan around your goals.
A live lesson with me
- Included: We work on what gets you to your goals.
- Included: When something isn’t working, we fix it right then.
- Included: Stuck on something? We work through it together.
I have taught for over 40 years, and I know a live lesson works. Read more in self-taught vs. bass lessons.
Payment options and scheduling
Lessons are 1 or 2 hours, on Zoom, from anywhere.
- Hourly rate
$55/ hour
Good for one lesson, or a lesson now and then.
- Prepaid rate
$50/ hourSave $5/hr
Good for regular lessons. Requires buying 4 or more hours up front.
Payment methods
- Venmo
- Zelle
- PayPal
Three ways to schedule
- Weekly
- A 1 or 2 hour lesson every week
- Every 2 weeks
- A 1 or 2 hour lesson every other week
- When needed
- Book a lesson whenever you want one
Want to compare? See how much bass lessons cost.
Cancellations and reschedules
Get in touch as soon as you can before the lesson: 404-386-0983 (voice or text) or russrodgers@gmail.com.
Make-ups
All lessons can be made up. A lesson cannot be pushed back; it is held at its scheduled time. Make-ups will be scheduled between Russ and student for convenient times.
Refund policy
No refunds are offered on paid lessons; however, all missed lessons can be made up.
Payment timing
Payment is due on or by the day of the original scheduled lesson.
Hear from real students
Russ is the real deal when it comes to both playing and teaching. I took lessons from him back in the late ’90s, and what he taught me still impacts my playing daily.
Thank you for all you’ve taught me this past year and a half. Your lessons and methods have reconditioned my playing for the better — I know I’ll have plenty to practice for years.
Russ Rodgers is a true master of his instrument and a remarkably gifted teacher.
Questions people ask before they book
Have other questions? Call 404-386-0983 or send an email.
How much do online bass lessons cost?
$55/hour, or $50/hour when you buy 4 or more hours in advance. Full details are in Payment options and scheduling above. For context on how this compares to other private teachers and online platforms, see how much bass lessons cost.
What does my setup need to be?
You'll need a computer with solid internet, headphones, a mic, and a small audio interface or mixer to get your bass into the call. A headset can stand in for the mic and headphones, but the interface or mixer is not optional. The Zoom setup page walks through what to buy and how it all hooks up.
How often do lessons happen?
Weekly, biweekly, or as-needed. Three ways to schedule are above.
Can I take a single lesson before committing?
Yes. The hourly rate is per-lesson, so there's no package required. Book one, see how it goes, and decide from there. Details are in Payment options and scheduling above.
What if I'm a complete beginner?
Beginners are welcome. It's a great place to start. We build from the fundamentals: how to hold the bass, right-hand and left-hand technique, reading the fingerboard, and playing in time with simple grooves. See what I teach for how the foundations fit together.
What if I'm already pretty advanced?
Advanced players are welcome too. I work with a lot of gigging and working pros on improvisation, jazz vocabulary, harmony, reading, and whatever specific area they want to push. Over fifty years of professional playing and over forty teaching means I have material at every level.
How long until I see progress?
It depends on your goals and how much you practice between lessons. Most students who put in consistent time notice real improvement within a few weeks. I'm not going to promise you'll be gigging in a month, but steady work pays off.
Do you teach kids?
Yes. I teach kids who are old enough to handle a bass and stay focused for a full lesson. If you're a parent and you're not sure whether your child is ready, give me a call and we can talk it through.
Russ, the player
Russ has played in studios, house bands, and touring groups for over 50 years. These days he plays most weeks around South Florida. Want to hear him? Come to a show.
Your first lesson is one call away
Call or email and tell me where you are with the bass. We’ll pick a time. You’ll leave the first hour with the recording, the tracks, and a plan.