Meet Steve Combs

Owner of Littleton Bass School

What inspired you to start Littleton Bass School?

After playing for nearly 40 years & teaching on the side, I retired from engineering to teach full time.  I wanted to share all I knew & give back to the next generation of players.

What instruments do you teach?

We specialize in Electric Bass & Upright Bass, and also teach Guitar, Ukulele, Percussion, and Music Theory.

What ages do you teach?

All ages!  I've had students from 6 to 76.

Who’s a favourite musician/band that’s inspired you?

Too many. Frank Sinatra to Muddy Waters. Louis Armstrong to Frank Zappa. Hank Williams to Jack White. I've learned something from everyone I've encountered.

How is Littleton Bass School different to how you learned as a beginner?

The technology that can be used now is incredible. A far cry from lifting the needle off the record and trying to set it down to replay a phrase.

What’s something about your music school you’re really proud of?

The focus of my school, no matter what instrument you're playing, is on Rhythm & Groove. Beyond notes, tab & technique, I'm teaching people to FEEL what they're doing.

What advice do you give to parents looking for a great teacher for their child?

Find someone who gets your child really fired up about playing. Someone who makes them laugh every lesson, and gets them excited to come back, and makes them want to practice.

What’s something you see successful students doing that new students need to know? (E.g practicing, recording themselves, etc)

Successful students immerse themselves. It's more than practicing, it's becoming obsessed with the gear, the history, the people, the cultural importance of the music they like.

What opportunities does Littleton Bass School offer students beyond lessons? (e.g concerts, videos, workshops, bands, group classes, tutor jams with students etc)

As a very new school, there were a lot of plans for these sorts of things to begin this summer. Then COVID hit. So, there will be many opportunities like these, eventually.

What’s the big vision for Littleton Bass School? Where are you headed in the next few years?

I intend to expand the instruments offered, group and band classes, and launch the foundation arm of the school to provide lessons & instruments to kids who might not ever have the opportunity. I want to expand my luthiery business as well. Onward & upward.