What Students Say
Reviews and notes from students I've taught. The short version is that the system works and the teaching is personal.
Verified on Google
Google reviews
5 from 28 reviews on Google
If you're reading this and are thinking about taking lessons, just stop looking and take the lessons. Russ is your guy. A little over ten years ago I bought a five-string fretless bass to use playing jazz. Shortly after that I ran into Russ at a jazz jam, and heard he gave lessons at a local store. He said he could help me out with the fifth string, lack of frets, and (oh, by the way) jazz. It's ten years later and I'm still taking lessons. First off, Russ is a fountain of information-improvisation, walking, right hand, left hand, posture, theory, gear, tone. I have never had a lesson where I didn't learn something important. Second, he's a ridiculously excellent player; you're learning from the best. Just a side note, the Zoom lessons are excellent. In-person is fine and all, but I've done them both and you get a lot more bang for the buck with the online lessons. An hour lesson is an hour lesson--no driving back and forth, unpacking, tuning, and packing up, etc.
Read on Google ↗I'm new to the bass and Russ has been very helpful in getting me up to speed.
Read on Google ↗Russ is a fantastic musician and a patient, thoughtful teacher. We're so lucky to have him in the DC area (though he has a sophisticated set-up for online lessons too!) It's so rare to find a dedicated bass teacher who has decades of experience in both teaching and playing professionally. I picked up the bass as an adult, and have been taking lessons with him for 3+ years now. I've progressed so much both technically and musically. I highly recommend him!
Read on Google ↗Easy to schedule with, great person to learn from. Grateful for sticking with lessons with Russ.
Read on Google ↗This is my third year of taking lessons with Russ, and he's incredible. I've learned so much since I've started, and even still he finds new ways to keep pushing me forwards. One of the things I find so valuable about his teaching is not only how specific his feedback is, but also how your lesson experience can be very personalized yet amazingly effective. I again cannot recommend a teacher more highly-- it's been a great experience.
Read on Google ↗Russ is a great bass guitar teacher. I’ve been working with him weekly for about 6 months now. I was a complete beginner when we started and I’m really starting to get the hang of things now. He’s very knowledgeable about the instrument as well as music theory, and tailors your lessons to meet your needs. Highly recommend!
Read on Google ↗(rating only, no written review)
Read on Google ↗(rating only, no written review)
Read on Google ↗
See & hear it
Video testimonials
In their own words
Written testimonials
The knowledge of the bass and music that Russ Possesses could not be contained in a dozen books and or videos. It was my pleasure to have been a part of this clinic with Russ. His willingness to teach anyone who wants to know the many facets of the bass is truly a G- dsend. Teachers can't always play live or even improvise, then there are live players that can't always teach. Russ is the whole package.
For anyone on the fence let me tell you that Russ is the REAL DEAL when it comes to both playing and teaching! I took lessons from Russ back inn the late 90s and what he taught me still impacts my playing daily.
He is the very best bass teacher I have ever taken a lesson from. It's get down to it hard work, fun but direct bass study. It really gets the job done. I have taken lessons from a lot of other players but they don't get the teaching done like that. I think he is also an awesome player.
"This is completely unsolicited, but Russ Rodgers has got to be one of the greatest bass guitar teachers around. Many of the great bass players from ATL studied under Russ. Incredibly knowledgeable and one of the most professional people I've ever met. If you need to go "there", he will take you!"
Russell is a an amazing bass instructor! I'd recommend him to anybody. Incredible person too!!!
I'd like to take a minute and just endorse Russell Rodgers as THE BEST bass guitar teacher out there! He literally took me through his diverse, fun, and comprehensive curriculum and provided me with both the building blocks and technical abilities to play just about any kind of music.