You’re Not Seeing Backwards, I’m A Lefty!

Of course my bio’s on JerryMark.com, but here’s a little bit for the blog. I’m a San Francisco native and lifelong resident and I’ve been playing the bass guitar for more than forty years. I was not one of those who had a lot of musical training as a child, although I did some singing. It was going to shows in the late 1960’s and early ’70’s that inspired my deep love of the bass guitar and I felt that if I didn’t take it up at the time I might never get around to learning how to play the bass or any other instrument. Something about that San Francisco sound…

I learned to play at a relatively new outfit at the time which then had the unlikely name of “The Blue Bear Waltzes School of American Music.” Now of course, it’s just “Blue Bear,” and they’re happily housed at the Fort Mason Center. I had my first recital in a Beatles cover band within six months. I guess the instrument took quickly. Within two years I was teaching beginners on the bass.

I’ve split my interest since then between music and my other favorite performing art, acting. I started teaching the bass privately in about 1995. And needless to say, I’ve been in a zillion bands and played all sorts of stuff over the last four decades.

Many musicians turn to teaching because it’s often the only regular source of income a musician can depend on. I’m sorry to say that many teachers seem not to like teaching for a variety of reasons, but that’s not me, it turns out that I love it! Although I teach up to the semi-pro level, I really enjoy teaching beginners, it’s like I get to give them the key to a door that opens up a whole new world of joy, discovery, and passion.

I welcome everyone to the Jerry Mark Blog, and I hope to hear from many of you as we explore the world of the Deep End. I know I’ve learned at least as much from my students as I’ve taught them, and I’m sure I’ll be saying the same about all you folks out there in cyberland. And not to worry if you’re not a bass player or even a musician, who knows what paths we’ll find ourselves walking down together…