With the coming of age of the bass guitar we have seen an explosion of new sounds and styles.  Contemporary Techniques For Electric Bass will explore and codify some of these new developments in the evoloution of bass guitar techinque.

Two-hand tapping, slapping, popping, clicking, and ebow are common new tools in the contemporary bassists arsenal.  Through the use of video, audio, notation, and discussion, new approaches to play the bass will be taught.  Developing a musicality while using new techniques is a major focal point of this course.  Chops plus the fundamentals of good music-making is key to success.  Strategies for effective practice will be clearly defined and illustrated.  Selected songs also will be covered in depth.

As a bassist in today's music scene, we all need to stay on the cutting edge of technical development.  The material covered in the course can be your ticket to the higher levels you aspire to.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• perform good and functional slap grooves
• understand tapping and perform with this style
• gain insight into the techniques of Michael Manring, Victor Wooten, and Marcus Miller
• compose basic tapping style loops
• perform selected slapping and tapping songs
• develop a practice plan for futurre study

Class begins: September 28, 2009       12 weeks - $1045        Register Now

Course Instructor:   Grant Stinnett              Prerequisite

Required Texts: 

• Slap Bass Workout
• Tapestry

Contemporary Techniques For Electric Bass   - Topical Outline       

Lesson 1: Tapping

• right hand technique
• left had technique
• single line
• chordal
• tap cycle

Lesson 2: Slapping

• basics-slap bass workout
• 2plet
• 3plet
• 4plet
• slap cycle

Lesson 3: Solo Bass

• instrument setup
• Ebenella
• background rhythms
• Slippery Moon

Lesson 4: Victor Influence

• double thumping
• 3plet
• 4plet
• Can't Hold No Groove
• Money Talks

Lesson 5: Louis Influence

• slap bass workout
• grooves from video
• right hand techniques

Lesson 6: Marcus Influence

• pentatonic exercises
• groove
• Power

Lesson 7: Michael Influence

• pops and clicks -right hand technique
• ebow
• d-tuned
• effects as an instrument

Lesson 8: Composition

• Slippery Moon
• Like Mike
• Rain Drops
• Money Talks
• High Tide

Lesson 9: Effects

• loop - layering
• bass line
• chords
• ostinato
• melody and harmony
• effects processor

Lesson 10: Bass, The New Drums

• rhythms
• groove
• loops
• form-rhythm

Lesson 11: Practice Techniques

• transcription
• repetion
• looping
• practice cds
• computer

Lesson 12: The Next Step

• transcription
• solo performance
• recording