Music has always been a part of my life.

That’s why, after years of playing gigs, working in education, and playing with legends, I knew it was time to create something for everyday people who just want to play music and feel good doing it.

So I built a program that strips away the fluff and focuses on what actually helps adults enjoy playing bass—groove, confidence, and real-world musicality.

No pressure. No perfection. Just progress and joy in the groove.

 

My Story isn't that much different than yours! 

I picked up the bass as a teenager and started playing semi-professionally at 18. But here’s the thing... it wasn’t all smooth. Although I earned a degree in music much later in life (41...geez) I didn’t come up through fancy music schools. I played because I loved it—and I learned the hard way: through trial, error, and more than a few questionable gigs.

Back then, there was no YouTube. No fancy apps. Just real records, borrowed gear, and a whole lot of rewinding. I played every kind of gig you can imagine—weddings, showcases, theater pits, and more bars and corner joints than I can count. I held down the low end with funk legend Zigaboo Modeliste. I shared the stage with pros. And I still had to figure out a ton of stuff on my own.

Eventually, I realized something:
Most people aren’t learning bass wrong—they’re just being taught in a way that doesn’t connect.

That’s why I built this program—for folks who want to actually enjoy playing music. I don’t teach to impress people. I teach so you can feel the groove, learn at your own pace, and finally have fun with the bass.

You just need a bass, a little time, and a guide who’s been where you are—and knows how to help you move forward without the overwhelm.

From the Trenches to the Groove

You won’t find textbook theory or cookie-cutter routines here—because that’s not how I learned. My  “street” education came from the trenches:

Bars, wedding bands, church gigs, theater pits, showcases, jam sessions—and more than a few (okay, hundreds) of gigs with no soundcheck or setlist.

I also earned a formal music degree from Cal State East Bay and spent over a decade teaching music and music technology in schools across California and New Orleans.

I’ve played with weekend warriors and world-class artists, served as a musical director on two continents, and held down the low end for both rising stars and legends. Every stage, every setlist, every mistake and breakthrough—it all shaped how I teach today.

This isn’t about showing off chops.

It’s about knowing what actually works when the groove has to feel good—because the crowd’s dancing, the band is listening, and the music matters.

 

I was a late bloomer!

I didn’t read music until I was 35.
Even though I’d been playing bass and gigging around town, I knew there was something more I wanted—but I wasn’t sure what.

So I quit my call center job and started washing windows—just to give myself the flexibility to attend community college. That’s when things really started to change. I picked up the upright bass, joined jazz ensembles and wind symphonies, and started learning to read music—slowly, clumsily, but with heart.

At 41, I earned my B.A. in Music.
I became a teacher that same year and spent 11 years helping students in schools across California and New Orleans. For six years, I was the only African American bass player in the Bay Area musical theater scene—holding it down, night after night.

Eventually, I created an online bass education channel so I could reach even more players who needed guidance and encouragement—especially those who thought it was too late to start.

I’m still growing. Still playing. Still reminding myself where I’ve been—and why I teach the way I do.

 

Ready to Groove? 

If you’ve been thinking about picking up the bass—or picking it back up—it’s time to stop waiting and start playing. Groove School is where adult beginners and returning players build real-world skills, one fun and funky lesson at a time. No stuffy theory. No endless drills. Just grooves, confidence, and good vibes.

Join Groove School today

I am an artist. 

Brother Theodore – St. Ann

Support independent music and grab the album here:
🎧 St. Ann on Bandcamp

St. Ann is the debut album from Brother Theodore, the brainchild of New Orleans native and seasoned bassist Ted Gould III. It’s a funky, soulful mix of jazz, rock, and groove-heavy goodness that feels like a love letter to the Crescent City.

With guest appearances from Prince alumni Dr. Fink and Levi Seacer Jr., the album brings serious musical depth. Tracks like “.IMG” showcase Ted’s signature bass style, while “The 504” is a heartfelt nod to New Orleans’ rich musical roots.