Starting Bass | Intermediates
Bass Guitar
I feel
very close to what it's like to learn the bass as I did it myself
only 6 years ago after being asked to join a local band. As a
guitar player of 45 years I though it would be easy. Well some
parts of it like harmony and music theory were - but there's a whole
range of techniques and playing styles that are not much like
playing the guitar at all.
 Most audiences would recognise
the bass player using their thumb or a pick, as a traditional way
that players did in the 50's, 60's & 70's. But things have changed and
slapping, popping, hammer-ons, pull-offs, bends & ghost notes
now all play
their part in creating a bass line that hugely impacts on the
overall sound of the band, taking the bass player from the backline
support to the frontline star like 'Flea' in the Chilli Peppers.
People who still say that bassists are failed guitarists just don't
get it.
Like the guitar, the
RGT, and Trinity College and Guildhall run a range of exams from
Preliminary Grade through to Grade 8 - and you can chose to do this
all without reading standard music if you wish. Personally I wouldn't
recommend it as you will just store up problems for later - but you
could do it if you wanted.
Tuition, Options and Costs
£12
per 30 minutes or £22 an hour
-
These
costs include all the support materials and books you will need
so there are no hidden extras.
-
You
can take lessons weekly, 2 weekly or big chunks of 3-4 hours
every three months or so - I have students who do all of these.
-
If you
want to do exams, I coach the Trinity syllabus which is
"Rockschool" or the RGT (University of the Thames
Valley) Bass Exams as well. Trinity and Guildhall have
recently amalgamated and I like the materials from both these
exam boards at the lower levels and the RGT ones for Grade 5 and
above. RGT is nearer to what it is like playing bass in
bands and sessions.
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