This is an eight week structured course covering the items listed in the  syllabus.

If you are interested in a more personalized lesson plan based around specific goals that you may have, please visit the Private Lessons page.

Beginner Course Part 1

Course Objective: To provide foundational technique needed to begin your journey as a well rounded bassist.

This is an eight week structured course.  For a more personalized lesson track please check out the Private Bass Lessons Page here: http://www.ashburymusichall.com/offerings/private-bass-lessons-with-blyss

By the end of the eight week course you will be able to:

·         Name all of the notes in 1^st position

·         Produce a good sound

·         Read and create grooves using Whole , Half & Quarter notes and their corresponding rests

·         Create bass lines using major and minor triads

·         Play a moveable Major Scale over every part of the bass

Schedule:

Lesson 1:  Tuning, the fretboard, chromatic scale and basic right and left hand technique.

Objective:

·         Tune the bass by ear, with a piano and with the use of an electronic tuner

·         Play and name all of the notes on each string up to the 4^th fret (chromatic scale in 1^st position)

·         Develop the basic technique needed to produce clear notes.

Lesson 2:  The Basics of Standard music notation:

·         The staff and clef

·         notes on the staff

·         ledger lines

·         Beats and measures

·         Note durations

·         Rests

·         Time Signatures

·         Accidentals

·         Chord symbols

Objective: Be able to recognize where notes are in first position and play basic Whole, half and quarter note rhythms.

Lesson 3:  The Major Scale

·         Intervals (the spaces ‘between’ the notes)

·         Major Tetrachords

·         Bass Lines using the Major Scale.

Objective:

·         Play the “Moveable” Major scale in ALL keys

·         Play written examples of Major Scale Bass Line

·         Create your OWN major Scale Bass lines using Whole, Half and Quarter Notes.

Lesson 4:   Major Triads. (Groove Study: Reggae)

Objective:

·         Play 2 basic triad shapes

·         Play written examples of bass lines using Major triads

·         Create your OWN bass lines using Major triads

Lesson 5:   More Rhythm: Eighth Notes and Eight Note Rests

Objective:

·         Play single note lines using whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and corresponding rests.

·         Build Major Scalebass lines using aforementioned note values, the Major scale and triads

Lesson 6:   Minor Triads and how the relate to the Major scale

Objective:

·         Play two basic minor triad shapes.

·         Play written examples ofminor triad bass lines

·         Build your own lines using minor triads.

Lesson 7:   Combining Major and Minor triads and introduction to diminished and augmented triads.

Objective:

·         Recognize major and minor triads in relation to the major scale.

·         Play written examples bass lines using major and minor triads.

·         Build your own lines using major and minor triads.

Lesson 8:   Introduction to the 4 note chords called “7ths”

Objective:

·         Learn Major, Dominant, Minor and Minor 7b5 chords and how they relate to the major scale.

·         Play all diatonic (in they key) 7^th chords in all keys.