Tutor - BIMM
Bass Tutor
Live Performance Workshop Tutor
Music Journalism Tutor
Research Methods Tutor
Since 2005, I've been part of the Bass Department at BIMM in Brighton. As well as bass and upright bass, and I also teach on the Music Journalism and the BA Undergraduate Research Methods modules. Here's a question and answer I did for the BIMM website.
FEATURED TUTOR: EDDIE MYER
BASS
What do you enjoy about teaching at BIMM?
I enjoy the interaction with each new cohort of students – they always bring a different perspective to discover, new artists to check out, or new techniques to try and get under my belt!
Can you please briefly discuss your experience as a musician and teacher?
I’ve been playing professionally for over 20 years, in all kinds of styles – from rock to jazz to funk to folk to latin… I don’t believe in musical segregation! I’ve been teaching at BIMM since 2005 and it’s been amazing to see how the college has grown.
How/when did you learn to play bass?
I played in a band called Ozric Tentacles for six months when I was 18, because their regular player went AWOL, but then I didn’t take it up again until much later. I think I bought my first bass guitar when I was about 25 and my first upright about five years later – I’m self-taught on both instruments, although I got some invaluable lessons from BIMM’s own Franc O’Shea early on.
What was the first bass guitar you owned?
It was a Squier Jazz and it cost £100 including the case!
What can students expect from studying bass at BIMM?
Great tutors! And a real range of playing experience and different types of musical input – there’s a lot on offer if you engage with it.
What’s the best gig you’ve seen?
Too many to mention! Recently, it’d have to be cosmic jazz supremo, Kamasi Washington.
What’s the best gig you’ve performed at?
Our Turin Brakes show two days ago at the Concorde in Brighton was a sold-out blinder!
What are you listening to at the moment?
Right now I’m switching between Julia Holter, and the latest album by an amazing jazz bassist called Matt Ridley.
What’s your most memorable moment as a musician?
Big question! I guess playing the main stage at Glastonbury with Turin Brakes was a dream come true, but I don’t like to dwell in the past. It’s all part of the same long, strange trip, and even the down moments have something to teach you.
What have you got coming up?
I’m writing this pre-soundcheck for a Turin Brakes gig in the Brudenell Social in Leeds – great club! We’re midway through a UK tour, then we’re off to Europe, then summer festivals and another UK tour in the Autumn – see the website for details! Then I’ve also just completed my second album with my jazz outfit, the Eddie Myer 5tet, so there’ll be some gigs with that. And I’m promoting a stage at the Love Supreme Festival this summer, and also working on a programme of jazz gigs in Brighton called New Generation Jazz… and getting ready to return to BIMM next term. It’s all about the diversification these days.
