THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY SONG
Bass is commonly referred to as the “foundation instrument to every song”. Not only do drummers listen to the bass to play the perfect “groove”, but the bass leads vocalists to sing the correct pitches. The bass is an important instrument in every band and requires extensive knowledge of music theory, technique, and rhythm. At Spicer’s Music, we teach both bass guitar and double bass (upright bass).
LESSONS SPECIFIC TO YOUR GOALS
Whether you are learning bass to jam with friends, play in a band, play in church, or audition for an orchestra, our professional bass instructors will tailor the lessons to achieve your specific goals. We can get you rocking on a 4 string, 5 string, or 6 string bass, as well as classically bowed or bluegrass plucked double bass!
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR!

Chase Allen (Guitar/Bass/Ukulele/Drums)
Chase began playing drums at the age of four and, shortly after, picked up the guitar. Growing up in a musical household, he was exposed to many different types of music from an early age. Chase founded several bands and was captain of the drumline in high school, leading him to attend the Atlanta Institute of Music. He has toured with numerous pop, rock, and country groups around North America and did studio session work in Nashville and Atlanta – Chase is currently playing with the group Trotline. He resides in Auburn with his lovely wife Caitlin, their amazing son, and their beloved dog!

Ty Hartman (Guitar/Bass/Piano)
Ty simply doesn’t remember a time without music being the central focus of his life, as he started his musical journey with classical piano lessons in the first grade. Upon reaching middle and high school, an interest in guitar and bass was piqued and he began pursuing lessons with both. Hailing from the Mobile, Alabama area he also played jazz piano in a youth group called The Jazz Studio, an extension of the famous Mobile Big Band. After high school, Ty chose to attend Auburn University. He is now pursuing an electrical engineering major and a music major with a focus in piano, with the plan of having a career as an audio engineer. Ty is a creative force in two independent bands that he is very proud of: his first band, headhaze, and The Optics, a local Auburn band in which his fellow instructor Tyler Peek is the lead singer! Ty feels confident in being able to meet any student where they are at, no matter their age or skill level. He is committed to teaching students what they want to learn, and wants to pass along a love for music as a whole. Ty believes music is a beautiful lifelong journey that everyone should get to go on in their lives, and he’s thrilled to get to bring his friends, family, and students along with him.

Connor Hawthorne (Voice/Piano/Guitar/Bass/Banjo)
Connor Hawthorne began singing at age 11 when he joined his middle school choir. Connor immediately fell in love with singing and jumped in headfirst – Making the Alabama All-State Choir in 7th grade, and continuing to participate in the ensemble for the next 6 years until he graduated high school. At the encouragement of his middle school choir director (and growing up in a family of guitar players), he then began his journey of learning to play guitar and piano. Throughout junior high and high school, Connor became involved with anything he could at Auburn, including: Show choir, musicals, jazz band, and marching band! Over the past two years, Connor has been studying music and music composition at Chapman University in California. He had some incredible opportunities at Chapman, among which were music directing two musicals, directing an all-men’s a capella group, and performing in choirs and jazz ensembles. He is thrilled to be teaching at Spicer’s after working with their Rock Camps for several summers. Connor believes in a holistic but individual based approach to teaching – Every student has their own strengths that need to be played to. Connor looks forward to passing along his knowledge and skills, and engaging students with all genres and types of music!

Josh Jackson (Guitar/Bass/Ukulele/Piano)
Josh started playing music when he was 11. He is primarily a guitar and bass player, but he loves to study how great songs come together from every angle. Josh writes and records his own music as “Make Sure”, and has toured around the country. He enjoys playing all kinds of musical genres, but is most commonly found playing along to alternative rock. Josh loves the Lord, loves to exercise, eat food, hang out with his friends & family, practice mindfulness, and spend time with his lovely wife Katherine. Josh also thinks Star Wars is pretty cool. He graduated from Auburn University in 2019 with a degree in Media Studies, and is thrilled to be back teaching at Spicer’s!

Tyler Peek (Guitar/Bass/Ukulele/Piano)
Tyler has been passionately invested in the art of making music since he picked up his first guitar at 16. He grew up playing saxophone in the marching band, strumming ukulele at home, learning from youtube piano tutorials, and teaching himself to sing. Before college, Tyler started his solo music career, releasing and performing music often. He then studied Classical and Contemporary Guitar at the University of South Alabama and Auburn respectively, and is currently working on his Music Composition degree. He loves studying music theory and often analyzes sounds in the real world under an analytical lens. He has been a part of multiple successful bands and has worked with multiple budding artists around the state to help music dreams come true. He most often is drawn to alternative rock, R&B (shoutout D’angelo), and sounds from all eras of jazz. Tyler has a deep appreciation and reverence for music, and is committed to teaching music in fun ways that will keep any student engaged!

Johnny Powell (Guitar/Ukulele/Bass)
Johnny enjoys sharing the fun of playing guitar and offering his musical knowledge and experience to each student he gets the joy of teaching! Johnny has performed professionally across the Southeast with his party band, Alabama Avenue, as well as working with many professional artists and local cover bands in east Alabama. He has several years of experience playing guitar in the orchestra for live theater, and takes advantage of any live music opportunities that come his way!
Johnny’s love of music is superseded only by his faith in God and the love of his wife, Michelle, and family. By the end of every lesson, Johnny wants his students to be encouraged by their progress and inspired to conquer the next musical challenge!

Brennen Reece (Guitar/Bass/Banjo)
Brennen Reece has been playing guitar for nearly 40 years, and studied with legendary Philadelphia jazz guitarist Steve Giordano, as well as Pat Martino, Bruce Forman, and Tim Lerch. In addition to jazz, he has a deep love for traditional American music such as delta blues, ragtime, country, and rockabilly. His influences include a diverse range of guitarists such as Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Page, Jerry Reed, and Mississippi John Hurt. In addition to teaching fundamentals and effective practice techniques, Brennen focuses on developing the student’s creative self-expression through a no-nonsense approach to theory, improvisation, composition, and ear-training. Brennen performs with his wife Britt in The Secret Sounds, a duo whose repertoire includes mid century jazz, classic blues, soul, and old-school country!

Jesse White (Guitar/Bass)
Born in Waverly, Alabama, Jesse was an aspiring comic book artist and saxophone player before he discovered guitar at age 13 and never looked back. His father was a drummer turned cabinet maker who instilled in him a love for classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and The Beatles. Primarily a rock lead guitarist, his musical journey has led him down many paths; Playing funk, metal, jazz, blues, edm and hip hop in various groups over the years! When he isn't teaching his awesome students at Spicer’s, he performs acoustic shows locally and travels the southeast with his R&B band Power Surge.