Bluegrass Upright Bass---Basic
This class will discuss and practice the role of the upright
bass in bluegrass music.
We
will begin with comfort. This instrument can wear down even the
mighty. Posture, left hand position, right hand positions,
finger care, string set up, and tuning will have you playing
smoothly for hours.
We
will practice recognizing the 1 and 3 beat and the all important
root and fifth note in bluegrass and other forms of roots music.
There will be many opportunities to accompany other instruments,
some played by me, and some by guests. This will allow us to
hear the critical role of the bass in the driving bluegrass
rhythm, and to practice the length a note should be sustained
depending on the song’s tempo. We will also practice the
important habit of practicing our timing with metronomes and
rhythm tracks.
Basic scales will be practiced from each root position and we
will use parts of the scale for basic “walking”. After 90
minutes, you will be able to play along with bluegrass tunes!
Bluegrass Upright
Bass---Intermediate/Advanced
The intermediate/ advanced
class will continue with varied walking patterns, and tasteful transitions from
one chord to another. We will utilize hammer ons, slides, and pull offs. We
will practice songs with non traditional chord patterns beyond the important
three chords.
Different methods of bass
soloing will be explored, from simple to more difficult. We will also practice
the “ungentle art” of bass slapping. We will use single, double, and triple
slap techniques.
Bring a bass and enthusiasm for
a fun group and individual lesson.