Charles Beach
About
My name is Charles Beach, and I have been a working upright and electric bassist hailing from the greater Los Angeles area of California USA, where I graduated with a Bachelors in Jazz Music from the California State University of Northridge in 2013 studying with Gary Pratt, Matt Harris, and Jerry Steinholtz and Darek Oles. From 2015-2020 I was Musical Director and Bassist on Broadway's hit, “After Midnight: Cotton Club Parade” on Norwegians Cruise Lines Escape, which featured the music of Duke Ellington, featuring Broadway greats such as Melba Moore, Sharron Wilkins, Brenda Braxton, & Darryl Williams. Since then I have moved out of the country to Colombia doing my masters in Colombian Folkloric Music at University El Bosque studying with Juan Carlos Contreras.
Since 2020 I have been teaching the upright and electric bass virtually, with various students weekly, with a strong emphasis on reading, theory and playing by ear. I teach all ages, and all learning styles, whether you are a complete beginner, preparing for an audition, retired, or a working professional wanting to brush up on theory or exercises.
I am available to help you with whatever course you would like to take. I am very patient, flexible and ready to help you achieve your dreams or goals you would like to accomplish in the world of music, style, and bass. Please join me!
Things we will go over...
Learn the Fingerboard.
Learn the Theory.
Learn the Feeling, Groove, & Time.
Learn Styles like Jazz, Funk, & Rock.
Learn Other Styles like Salsa, Cumbia, Joropo, Soukous & Corridos.
Learn Slap, Fingerstyle, Arco & Pick.
Learn Proper Muting.
Learn to Read.
Lets Go!
Education:
Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá Colombia - Maestría en Músicas Colombianas 2022-2024
California State University of Northridge - Bachelors in Jazz Studies 2006-2012
Competitions:
Festival Hatoviejo Cotrafa, Medellín Colombia with Grupo Herencias 2023
TEFL:
Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language 2020
Performed with:
Chad Smith (The Red Hot Chili Peppers), Melba Moore, Marva Hicks, Barbara Morrison,
Jay Jackson (Perd de “Parks and Rec”), Chris Potter, Gina Eckstine, Michelle Coltrane,
Brenda Braxton, Sharron Wilkins.
Colombian Artists:
Crew Peligroso, Nikolas Sergio Aguirre, Tatta Aguirre, Juan Carlos Contreras, William Pérez, Chongo Tronik.
Work History:
Grupo Herencias- Bassist (2023-)
Las Arpas De Colombia (Bogotá Colombia) - Bassist (2023-)
El Bosque (Bogotá Colombia) Ensamble Llanero with Juan Carlos Contreras (2022-2024)
Crew Peligrosos (Medellín Colombia) - Bassist (2019)
Melba Moore - Musical Director/Bassist ( 2018-2020)
Mind of a Tenor, Darryl Williams - Musical Director/Bassist (2017-2018)
Sharron Wilkins - Musical Director/Bassist (2016-2018)
Brenda Braxton - Musical Director/Bassist ( 2015-2018)
The Celebrity Jazz Band, Jay Jackson - Musical Director/Upright Bass (2014-2018)
The Walking Phoenixes, Drew Young - Bassist/Voice (2012-2018)
Moorpark College Symphony Orchestra, James Song - Upright Bass (2012-2014)
Glendale College Big Band, Craig Kupka - Upright Bass ( 2010-2012)
CSUN Master Chorale, Paul Smith - Voice (2010-2011)
CSUN Latin Jazz Band, Jerry Steinholtz - Upright Bass (2007-2010)
CSUN Jazz “A” Band, Matt Harris -Upright Bass (2008-2010)
I use various book that I have available on PDF. As well, I make a lot of my own exercises and homework from Sibelius 6. "F. Simandl New Bass Method For The Double Bass," "Ray Browns Bass Method," "The Evolving Bassist" By Rufus Reid," "Mark Levine Jazz Theory Book," "Charlie Parker OmniBook'" "The Realbook."