Instructor Spotlight

Garrett Hope

Dr. Garrett Hope would rather be golfing. Okay, not really (maybe). He’d rather be able to enjoy the moments when his students “get” something in a lesson –that sure sign that they are developing a genuine love and enjoyment of what they’re doing.

Garrett teaches guitar, upright and electric bass, beginning piano, and composition at Harris. Prior to joining the Harris teaching staff, he taught composition, music theory, music technology and ear training at the collegiate level. A lover of all types of music, Garrett offers his students knowledge and training in a wide variety of styles—rock, pop, alternative, blues, jazz, religious, and much more.

While his main instruments are guitar and bass, Garrett’s musical path was anything but straight forward. As many musicians experience, young and old, sometimes it takes some trial and error, and the right inspiration at the right time, to find that perfect bond between a musician and their instrument. Read Garrett’s story of choosing an instrument in his own words below, and get to know a little more about this fantastic member of the Harris team!

(But before you do, be sure to watch Garrett’s collaboration with other Lincoln musicians in the making of an entry for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Contest.)

More About Garrett:

What is your main instrument?
Bass, both upright and electric. I started university as a guitar major, but switched to bass halfway through my freshman year. I started studying piano when I was five and began studying clarinet when I was nine. I performed on clarinet in wind ensemble and marching band through university. I began studying guitar in middle school. I’ve also been singing my entire life. I’m not much of a soloist, but I love choral ensembles!

How long have you played your instrument?
Bass for 16 years, guitar for 23 years

How did you get started playing your instrument?
This question is so complex to answer! I was not given a choice about studying piano as a five-year-old. My parents just had me and my siblings do it. My parents also tried putting me in Suzuki violin at that age, but I absolutely hated it. In third grade, when children in my school district choose an instrument and join band or orchestra, I wanted to play saxophone. However, my mother, who is a classically trained musician, elementary school music teacher, choir director, and worship leader, wanted me to learn a “real orchestral instrument,” so I went with clarinet. I cringe at those words now. Oh well. In middle school my church hired a new worship pastor who had a classical guitar degree from USC, but was really into blues and jazz. This was the first instrument I really chose for myself and instantly fell in love with it. I would spend hours playing. At university there was a need for good bass players and I was able to meet that need. I quickly became an in-demand player and found I enjoyed playing the bass even more than the guitar. I realize now that part of the attraction was that I could absolutely control the music as a bass player—my compositional mindset was very active even then.

Do you play any other instruments?
I can get around and figure out most instruments, but I would never perform on them. I do a lot of sequencing and composition in the computer, so I could say the computer as well.

What is your favorite kind of music?
Don’t have one. I’m really a musical pluralist. If the music is done well I can enjoy it.

Do you have a fun or inspiring story to share about teaching lessons?
My favorite moments as a teacher are when a student finally “gets” a concept or skill. At those moments the eyes go wide and the face beams. These moments are joy for me because the student begins to enjoy what they are doing even more.

What is your hometown?
Arvada, CO

Do you have any good stories about where you grew up?
From my parent’s front door you can see most of the Front Range (the first set of Rocky Mountains). Four 14,000ft peaks are visible as well as Boulder’s Flatirons. I find the mountains extremely inspiring and have a lifetime’s worth of good memories hiking, skiing, exploring, and camping in the mountains. I love Lincoln, but I miss the mountains.

What other hobbies do you have besides music?
I love to golf. If I could, I would play 18 holes a day.

What is your favorite food?
One can’t go wrong with pizza and burritos.

What do you think is the best movie of all time?
It’s hard to choose one, but here’s a short list:
The Godfather, Part II
The Matrix
The Princess Bride
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

What is a book everyone should read?
Such as with movies, here’s a short list. I’ve read so many books, and average 2–3 month it’s really hard to say.
William Goldman, The Princess Bride (This is the funniest book I have EVER read)
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia
Annie Proulx, The Shipping News

What is a little known fact about you?
I can clap with one hand.