Photo at left:
“Basschool is a great school, filled with great people!”
—Roger Noonan, bassist with the Teen Angels rock band

“I have been taking lessons at Basschool for several years and have learned a tremendous amount. I started out with a rock background and have since moved on to blues, jazz and classical, and have learned to read music as well as chord charts.”
—Norm Andresen, 4-string electric bass guitar, SRB Band

“What to say about Rich K? A lot: experience, knowledge, professionalism, and did I say experience?

“Rich helped me tap into the bass not only intellectually but creatively as well. When my band, Tiles, went into the studio recently to record our fourth album, “Window Dressing” with our producer Terry Brown (Rush, Fates Warning, IQ and Tony Levin), I used a lot of what I had learned from Rich. I am eternally grateful for what he has given me. Thanks again, Rich.”
—Jeff Whittle, bassist, progressive rock group Tiles

“I came to Rich with creativity and skills on the bass guitar and some past experience on acoustic bass, but without much of an organized approach to playing and with few professional gigs. Within two years Rich helped me find an acoustic bass for a good price (not an easy task) and had me playing bass guitar and acoustic at an advanced level.

“I was reading well on both instruments and transcribing classic bass lines and solos from the recordings, as well as creating more musical bass lines and solos. At the same time I was playing professional gigs with big bands and small jazz bands and improving constantly. Since then I've found his lessons stressing knowledge of both instruments, music fundamentals, ear training, and versatility have proven invaluable in the ‘real’ music world.

“Rich is probably the most versatile and technically accomplished bassist and teacher in Southeast Michigan.”

—Lou Smoltz, bassist with Tropidelic, a Latin/World/jazz band; active freelance bassist and composer

“Rich has taught me an incredible amount, not only about bass but about music in general. He teaches in a way that makes everything I learn easy to apply to playing both jazz and rock with other people.”

—Pete Steffy, electric bass, double bass, piano, banjo; groups played in: the yarbles, the skinny fists, steffy bros. quartet

“To me, Basschool is the most comprehensive school for bass in the Detroit area. Any style, any skill level, Rich has got it covered.”

—Steve Joachim, 76" Fender P-bass, 94" Fender jazz bass, 81" Turner Model 1, 98" Alembic Epic 6-string; group playing in: Macomb College Jazz Band.

“Being a student at the Basschool has been an outstanding experience. I have learned so much about what it takes to be a good/great acoustic bass player. Rich K. is absolutely the man when it comes to the bass. I couldn't ask for a better instructor.”

—Lateef Kareem, acoustic bass, drums, vibraphone, marimba; groups playing in: Roots Vibration, The Basik's Reggae Band, Akoben Reggae Band, The Arnell Carmicheal Project, Crystal Blue Jazz Group

“Studying at Basschool helped me a lot with my bass technique and my sight reading. It also helped with my overall sound quality. It has exposed me to other types of music.”

—James A. Koczynski, double bass; groups playing in: Stevenson High School Orchestra; jamming with my friends

“Through Basschool I have learned an incredible amount about jazz and music and met many other musicians. I could not imagine a better learning situation. Rich has an amazing wealth of knowledge and passion for teaching.”

—Dan Steffy, electric bass, double bass; groups played in: no bbq bbq, steffy bros. quartet, avanti

“I could always hear songs and play, but Rich took me inside the music when he taught me to read!!!!! He broke it down and made it simple and taught me how to apply my street schooling with his perfection. Now I can play with ANYBODY!!! His school has a very comfortable, easy atmosphere that’s friendly and professional. Thank you, Rich, and God bless you.”

—Tipp Hayes, Sunmessengers bass player since 1996