BASS SYLLABUS

This Syllabus Area is a bird’s-eye view of everything you will study as an academy member across all courses.

Scale Syllabus

We’ve left no stone unturned in the scale syllabus. You will learn all of the core scales needed to function efficiently as a bass player.

Major Scale

Pentatonic Scale

Blues Scale

Stylised Chord Progressions

Chord Substitution

Learn to play some chords

Natural Minor Scale

Melodic Minor Scale

Harmonic Minor Scale

Single string studies

Take scales across the entire fingerboard

Transitioning

Whole Tone Scale

Diminished Scale

Chromaticism

Play in all keys

Harmonic sequences

Interval & note cluster studies

You can’t complete a course like this without really expanding your musical knowledge and improving your command of the bass.

Chord Syllabus

Chords are King, and the ability to be able to play over any chord progression, outlining the harmony, whilst delivering effective bass lines, is a must for all bass players.

In this comprehensive chord workout, you will learn…

Chord construction

Chords nomenclature (naming).

Standard chord voicings

Chord melody (playing chords and a tune together)

Chord substitution

Tritone & Diminished chord substitution

Harmonise scales

Understand where chords come from

Chord triads & inversions

7th chords, extensions and alterations

Slash chords

Develop the ability to play over any chord fluently

Common progressions and turnarounds

Apply chord arpeggios to all progressions

1 & 2 octave chord arpeggios

Single string variations

Modal chord studies

Triad pairing ????????????????????????

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Improvisation Syllabus

Having a good grasp of improvisational techniques will benefit your all-round bass playing limitlessly, as well as enabling you to play fluently and play great solos.

Explore common improvising techniques such as call & answer.

Use melodic and rhythmic phrases, altering and extending them to make superb improv tools.

Explore common improvising techniques such as call & answer.

Play creative solos using chord notes only.

Use scales to create motifs, use harmonic sequences, octave displacement, etc.

Rhythmic motifs / Rhythmic Soloing

Harmonic motifs / Melodic Soloing

Harmonic & Rhythmic sequencing

Learn to play over static chords and common progressions – II-V-I, Blues, Rhythm Changes, Modal & Static Chords.

Guide tones

Modal improv

Learn to play some chords

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Reading & Ear Training Syllabus

A comprehensive course on notation, in which you’ll learn all of the standard protocols for reading & writing music.

Everything you hear/listen to and play contributes to developing your aural ability. This course focuses on making a connection between the two and raising your aural awareness to help you become a better musician.

Our system will help you recognise notation and rhythmic phases.

You will study lead sheets, band arrangements, scores.

You will also learn to recognise chords and there’s a whole section on learning how to listen!

Explore the 12 line stave

Notation protocols

Writing chord charts

You will learn how to work on your ear and recognise single notes, melodic and rhythmic phrases.

There are scores of exercises and techniques you can employ to continue improving your aural awareness.

Chord recognition

Identify chord types and common chord progressions

Learn how to listen!

Ear training – everything you listen to and play contributes to developing your aural ability.

Interval training

Chord recognition

Hear, play & sing any chord arpeggio

Rhythmic interpretation

Transcribing techniques

Develop relative pitch

Playing Styles Syllabus

Having the versatility of being able to play in as many different styles makes you imminently employable. Particularly in the world of studio recording.

Rock & Blues

Fretless

Synth Bass

Funk & Soul

Latin, Afro-Caribbean

Mambo, Samba, Songo

Swing

Reggae, Ska & Blue Beat

Showtime

Groove Studies Syllabus

Fulfilling the role of the bass player in an ensemble and in any playing situation has different demands.

This module offers a ‘fly-on-the-wall’ opportunity to look at playing at different styles, negotiating a variety of charts and how to approach studio recording sessions.

Learn to play some chords

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Technique Syllabus

Good technique is a fundamental asset of any bass player, allowing you to deliver your musical ideas with accuracy and control.

We cover all of the essential techniques for both your left and right hand.

One finger per fret and Simandel fingering

RH picking techniques

Playing articulations

Playing harmonics

Smooth, fluid movement

Single string techiques

Ornaments

Muting techniques

Using the thumb

Floating thumb picking

Raking

Independance

Fingerstyle techniques

Using a plectrum

Pinching

Tapping

Playing chords

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Our system will help you recognise notation and rhythmic phases. You will study lead sheets, band arrangements, scores.

Ear training – everything you listen to and play contributes to developing your aural ability.

Explore common improvising techniques such as call & answer.

Use melodic and rhythmic phrases, altering and extending them to make superb improv tools.

Learn to play over static chords and common progressions.

You will learn how to work on your ear and recognise single notes, melodic and rhythmic phrases.

You will also learn to recognise chords and there’s a whole section on learning how to listen!

There are scores of exercises and techniques you can employ to continue improving your aural awareness.

Slap Bass Syllabus

A strong technique is a must for this ever popular playing style.

From the very basics, to the most advanced concepts we cover it all, but it’s by no means restricted to technique alone.

We’ll look at applying the technicalities of this awesome style to really open up your ability to play over any harmony.

The Thumb

Octaves

Octave combinations

Iconic Slap Basslines

Player studies

Study the idiosyncrasies of the best slap players on the planet!

LH muting

RH muting

Muting combinations

Learn to play some chords

Snapping variations

Triplets & quadruplets

Trills

Learn to play some chords

General Musicianship Syllabus

All the add-ons that compliment your bass playing and contribute to making you a complete and well-rounded musician.

Preparing for a gig

Maintaining your gear

Studio Protocol

Basic Piano Skills

Improving Aural Awareness

Learning about other instruments

Being a touring musician

How to get and keep a gig

Studio Recording

Writing for other instruments

Develop you singing voice

Singing & whilst playing Bass

Getting a good sound

Score Notation

Transcribing Techniques

Developing Independence

Music Technology

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Walking Bass Syllabus

Walking Bass is a fundamental that not only allows you to function in the world of Jazz, but transfers to everything you play on bass. Aside from being able to play killer walking lines, you’ll develop a vice-like grip on harmony that will help you play better bass lines in any musical context.

Root movement

Root and 5th combinations

Applying triads

Common chord progressions

Developing good time

Chromaticism

Playing over 7th chords

Negotiating extended chords

Playing over altered chords

Linking chords

2 feel

Improvised lines

The Blues

Rhythm Changes

Turnarounds

Learn standard tunes

Walk like a pro

Study the Masters

A system that will unlock modal playing and open up music harmony across the neck.

Your playing, improvising and reading will improve beyond all recognition.

Learn to play some chords

Basslines Syllabus

A who’s who of iconic bass lines from the world’s most renowned bass players.

Build your repertoire and make sure your know all the songs you need, whatever gig you’re asked to play.

Learn to play some chords

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Modal Studies Syllabus

A system that will unlock modal playing and open up music harmony across the neck.

Your playing, improvising and reading will improve beyond all recognition.

Learn to play some chords

OVER 100 LESSONS

READY FOR YOU TO WATCH RIGHT NOW!

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