Bassist performing on electric bass

Bass Lessons in East Harlem

Personalized bass instruction from professional bassists, right in East Harlem.

Kids & adults. All levels. All styles.

Locking in with the drummer Walking bass & grooves Slap & modern techniques Reading charts Bass near East Harlem Rock in your East Harlem home
Explore lessons

Kalman Music Lessons — a music school designed for the busy New Yorker.

Kalman Music Lessons is a New York City music school whose teachers come to your apartment in East Harlem. We teach piano, guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, violin, cello, ukulele, voice and music theory to children and adults, including complete beginners. Lessons happen at your home, at one of our NYC studios, or online. Your first lesson is $15 in our studio or $50 at your home. After that, studio lessons start at $50 and at-home lessons at $60 per 30-minute lesson, both on a 10-lesson package. Call or text (917) 525-3374.

What you'll learn

A complete bassist,
your way.

Every lesson combines technique, groove, and the music you want to play.

Your teacher

Professional performers,
world-class teachers.

All of our teachers hold advanced degrees in music and bring years of performance experience to every lesson. No textbook teachers.

50+
Active teachers
13
Instruments
10+
Years teaching
9
NYC studios
Neal Perrine
Neal Perrine
Bass
9 Years
BassGuitarPianoMusic Theory
James Madison University
Ethan Cohn
Ethan Cohn
Guitar
11 years
GuitarBass
B.M. McGill University, M.M. the New School
Dan Montgomery
Dan Montgomery
Bass
16 years
Bass
B.M. University of Miami
Tal Kalman
Tal Kalman
Saxophone
10 Years
SaxophoneFluteClarinetPiano
B.M. University of the Pacific & M.M. Manhattan School of Music
Joey Curreri
Joey Curreri
Trumpet
8 Years
TrumpetPianoMusic TheoryImprovisation
B.M. University of Miami & M.M. Manhattan School of Music
Gabriel Schillinger-Hyman
Gabriel Schillinger-Hyman
Jazz Piano
11 Years
Jazz PianoMusic TheoryCompositionImprovisation
B.A. Brown University & M.M. Manhattan School of Music
Miles Mindlin
Miles Mindlin
Guitar
7 years
Guitar
B.M. Royal Academy & M.M. Manhattan School of Music
Markiian Krysa
Markiian Krysa
Drums
8 years
Drums
Municipal Academy of Music
Sasha Ripley
Sasha Ripley
Saxophone
8 years
SaxophoneFluteClarinetGuitar
B.M. Berklee College of Music, M.M. UCLA
Angelina Kolobukhova
Angelina Kolobukhova
Voice
8 years
VoicePiano
B.M. Adelphi University
Yuval Amihai
Yuval Amihai
Guitar
21 years
GuitarPianoMusic TheoryImprovisation
Jerusalem Academy of Music, Rimon School of Music
Jackson Potter
Jackson Potter
Guitar
12 years
GuitarPiano
B.M. University of Miami, M.M. Manhattan School of Music
Alexandra Ridout
Alexandra Ridout
Trumpet
12 Years
TrumpetFlugelhornHorn in FBugel
B.M. Royal Academy & M.M. Manhattan School of Music
Peru Eizagirre
Peru Eizagirre
Drums
13 years
Drums
M.M. Manhattan School of Music
Alden Hellmuth
Alden Hellmuth
Saxophone
15 years
SaxophoneFluteClarinetOboe
B.M. University of Hartford, M.M. UCLA
Julian Brezon
Julian Brezon
Saxophone
15 years
SaxophoneFluteClarinetPiano
M.M. City College of New York
Noa Chait
Noa Chait
Voice
10 years
VoicePiano
B.M. New School
Raphael Silverman
Raphael Silverman
Guitar
Experienced
Guitar
B.A. Columbia University
Ilhan Saferali
Ilhan Saferali
Piano
Experienced
PianoTrumpet
The New School
Alex Heffron
Alex Heffron
Guitar
Experienced
GuitarPiano
B.M. University of Colorado Boulder
Quinton Cain
Quinton Cain
Drums
Experienced
Drums
B.M. Manhattan School of Music
Finn Wiest
Finn Wiest
Drums
Experienced
DrumsPercussionPiano
Marcello Cardillo
Marcello Cardillo
Drums
Experienced
DrumsComposition
B.M. & M.M. Conservatory of Amsterdam, M.M. Manhattan School of Music
Michael Hilgendorf
Michael Hilgendorf
Guitar
Experienced
GuitarCompositionImprovisation
B.M. Columbia College Chicago, M.M. Manhattan School of Music
Your path

From first grooves to
locked-in pockets.

Pick your style. We'll build the technique to match.

Root-note mastery, melodic bass lines, and the songs people know.

Skills
  • Root-note playing
  • Basic plucking
  • Major/minor scales
  • Reading tab
Repertoire
  • With or Without You
  • Come As You Are
  • Seven Nation Army
  • Under Pressure
Skills
  • Scale-based fills
  • Chord tones
  • Octaves & arpeggios
  • Band section work
Repertoire
  • Money (Pink Floyd)
  • Another One Bites the Dust
  • Hysteria (Muse)
  • Good Times
Skills
  • Complex fills
  • Lead bass playing
  • Advanced pick technique
  • Band leadership
Repertoire
  • Yes / Geddy Lee repertoire
  • Rush bass features
  • Complex prog
  • Original bass arrangements

Not sure which route is right for you?

Book a free consultation call
Pricing

Pick the plan that fits.

Payments processed through Stripe. Review package expiry and cancellation terms before purchasing. Compare studio memberships and lesson packages below.

Membership
Starting at
$149 / month

The ClassPass-style membership for music.

Private lessons at NYC studios. Pro and Elite include free group classes; Hobby does not. Monthly and annual payment options have different commitments.

Hobby
Two 45-min lessons / month
$99/mo annual
$149/mo monthly
Pro Best value
Four 45-min lessons / month + groups
$199/mo annual
$249/mo monthly
Elite
Four 60-min lessons / month + rental
$249/mo annual
$299/mo monthly

Annual prices are monthly equivalents, paid up front: Hobby $1,188, Pro $2,388, Elite $2,988. Monthly billing starts at $149.

Explore memberships
Packages
Starting at
$50 / lesson

Private 1-on-1 lessons.

Buy four or ten credits at a time. Four-lesson credits expire after 90 days; ten-lesson credits after 120 days.

Studio pricing · per lesson
30 minutes
Great for kids & quick lessons
from $50
$65 single · $50 w/ 10-pack
45 minutes Popular
Most students start here
from $65
$80 single · $65 w/ 10-pack
60 minutes
Deep practice & prep
from $80
$95 single · $80 w/ 10-pack
At-home lessons from $60/30 min on a 10-lesson package. Full price list
See full package pricing

Not sure which fits? Book a first lesson and we'll help you choose.

Prices shown are for NYC studio lessons and are subject to our terms of service.

For families

Two or three kids on different instruments? One teacher, one visit.

A 60-minute lesson is shared between siblings — bass for one, guitar or drums for another — and priced as one lesson. 50+ teachers, most of whom play two or more instruments.

See the household planner →
Bundle offer

Need a bass? Rent one from us.

Rent an electric or upright bass from our studio. Try before you buy.

From $50/month, month to month.

The reviews are
in.

Don't take our word for it — look us up on Google and Yelp.

"Marcello is an amazing drum instructor! We look forward to his lesson every week!"
Zoe S. · Bass · Drums
"amazing teacher learned to play some songs on the piano right away highly recommended"
AMPM L. · Bass · Piano
"Alden is a wonderful teacher (sax for our elder and recorder for our younger). Highly recommend! And Tal runs a great ship. Really easy to deal with, price is right and incredible musicians."
Andy K. · Bass · Saxophone
"Great teacher! helped me learning the clarinet in less than a month. I’m already playing my favorite disney songs"
עדן ל. · Bass · Clarinet
"I’ve been Erika’s student now for several months. I love learning guitar from her. She is so knowledgeable and friendly. I look forward to my lesson every week. Highly recommend."
tessa F. · Bass · Guitar
"Quick & friendly service! Saved us with a last minute rental!!! Will be back forsure"
Mark G. · Bass · Music
Common questions

Bass — what students ask.

Do I need my own bass?

Yes — consistent practice needs your own instrument. A decent starter electric bass is affordable; uprights are often rented.

Electric or upright — which should I start with?

Electric is easier to start and covers rock/pop/funk/R&B. Upright is required for classical and most traditional jazz.

Do I need an amp?

Yes for electric bass — a small practice amp (15-30 watts) is perfect at home.

How much are bass lessons in East Harlem?

In-home bass lessons in East Harlem start at $60 for 30 minutes on a 10-lesson package ($75 for a single lesson). Studio and online lessons start at $50 on a 10-lesson package ($65 single). Hobby studio membership includes two 45-minute lessons per month for $149 billed monthly, or $99/month equivalent with $1,188 paid annually. Pro and Elite include four lessons per month.

Do your teachers travel to East Harlem?

Yes! Our bass teachers travel directly to your East Harlem home for every lesson. You can also choose online lessons if that's more convenient. Same teacher, same time each week.

Can I start bass as a complete beginner in East Harlem?

Absolutely. Many of our East Harlem students start with zero experience. Your teacher will build a custom plan starting with the basics, and you'll be playing music you enjoy within the first few weeks.

Fill out your info and we'll be in touch shortly

Tell us your instrument, location, and any goals or questions. We usually respond within a business day.

Or schedule an appointment with us at your convenience

Pick a time that works for you—our calendar updates in real time and booking takes less than a minute.

Free 10-min consult

Book a quick call with Tal

Pick a time — we'll call you. Takes 30 seconds.

Loading availability…

Our Locations

Home lessons & studio options

📍 Soho - by Prince Street

📍 Bed-Stuy - by the J/M/Z Myrtle Ave

📍 Bushwick - by the Wilson Ave L

📍 Crown Heights - by the Utica Ave A/C

📍 Prospect Heights - by Botanic Garden

📍 Greenpoint - by Greenpoint Ave G

📍 Upper East Side - by the 96th St 6

📍 Upper West Side - by the 1/2/3 96th St

📍 Financial District - by Wall St

Get In Touch

We're here to help

Loading map…

How we teach bass in East Harlem

Every bass student learns at their own pace, and lessons are shaped around the music you actually want to play. You'll build fluency in the core techniques that define the instrument, from fingerstyle and slap to pop and pick playing, while developing the rhythmic feel, timing, and sense of harmony that hold a groove together. The goal is instruction that stays engaging and rewarding, so that progress on the bass feels as creative as it does technical.

Lessons draw on the styles that keep bass players busy today, whether that's funk, jazz, rock, blues, or pop, without losing sight of the fundamentals that underpin all of them. Alongside accuracy and clean technique, real attention goes to tone, articulation, and phrasing, the things that separate a competent player from a musical one. Students are encouraged to find their own voice on the instrument while mastering the versatility that makes a bassist genuinely useful in any band.

A structured, step-by-step approach gives dedicated players a clear path forward, with every part of a lesson, from technical exercises to playing real music, tailored to the individual. That balance of discipline and room to experiment builds both competence and confidence over time. The result is a learning experience that stays enjoyable while steadily moving each student toward the goals they set for themselves.

Kalman Music Lessons pairs personalized teaching with an environment meant to be supportive and inspiring rather than intimidating. Lessons center on real skill, musical expression, and putting what you learn to practical use, giving players the tools to grow as musicians and not just as technicians. For anyone serious about the bass, it's a place to sharpen your playing while continuing to explore what you can do with the instrument.

What sets Kalman Music Lessons apart for bass lessons in East Harlem?

Kalman Music Lessons combines personalized instruction with a supportive, inspiring environment. Lessons focus on skill mastery, musical expression, and practical application, offering students the tools needed to thrive as bass players. With focused, personalized instruction, musicians can experience focused growth while exploring their creative potential, making it the ideal destination for serious and passionate bassists.

Learning Bass in East Harlem

Bass lessons in East Harlem are shaped by the neighborhood's creative pulse. A historically Puerto Rican and now increasingly diverse neighborhood with vibrant murals, La Marqueta, and a powerful sense of cultural pride. Our bassists are active performers who bring that same artistry into your home.

Practicing at home

Housing ranges from NYCHA developments to renovated brownstones; portable instruments and headphone setups are popular for practice in smaller units.

The scene here

East Harlem — El Barrio — is the birthplace of Latin jazz and Nuyorican boogaloo. The neighborhood's music heritage runs from Tito Puente to today's hip-hop producers working out of home studios.

Nearby: La Casita de Chema / El Museo del Barrio · 6 train to 116th Street or 103rd Street

Professional Bass Lessons Coaches in East Harlem

Learn from elite NYC musicians offering bass lessons in East Harlem. Personalized instruction right in your living room.

Near El Museo del Barrio, Lexington Avenue, and the 116 St (6) and 125 St (4/5/6) subway stations in East Harlem.

Start Learning Today
★★★★★
These guys are great. I’m a musician from Dallas, TX & played a show in NYC this past weekend. Tal & Neal were nice enough to coordinate & help me out with renting a bass from them for the show! 10/10 would recommend
Jim W.bass · NYC · February 2026
★★★★★
Tal is really the best piano teacher I’ve had. I’ve tried several teacher sin NYC and it just didn’t work out. I’ve been studying with Tal now for almost 2 years and this is the first time I’ve felt motivated to practice in a long time. As a result my classical piano playing improved so much. On top of that he is also very organized and reliable. Thanks Tal!
Jonas E.piano · NYC · July 2025
★★★★★
i’ve been taking piano lessons with tal over the past 6 months and would highly recommend him to anyone looking to have a fun and engaging instructor that meets you at whatever level you are at! all the lessons i’ve had so far have been really helpful and informative, and i’m looking forward to continuing to work with him!
Katharine V.piano · December 2025
Read all reviews →