The Bass Guitar
The most important thing about a bass guitar is how it feels in your hands before you even think of plugging it into an amp.
Mechanical Check List:
- Is the weight too heavy or unbalanced? Use a strap and adjust it to the right length so that your arms and hands feel comfortable whether you stand or sit while you play.
- What is the distance (action) between the strings and the fretboard? If it is too high it is very hard to press the notes down. it can be adjusted on the bridge. If the action is too low you get a "fret buzz". Get your instrument adjusted ("set-up") by a guitar repair man.
- Does the neck sit tightly on the body? Is is straight?
- Do the tuning pegs turn easily?
Electronic Check List:
- Is the bass equipped with one or two pick ups?
- Is it active (i.e. with battery) or passive?
- Passive electronic is probably easier and more reliable than active (electronic) because of the simplicity. Active has the advantage of being more powerful and having more sound variety. Sometimes there are basses where you can switch from active to passive. Active basses use a small 9V battery which has to be put in the body normally by removing a back plate.
- If the active bass has a distorted sound it could be that the signal is too high, so you have to turn your master volume back on your bass or the battery could be flat.
Class Sessions
1- Two Bar Progression in 12 Bar Form
2- The Bass Guitar
3- Blues Slapping Licks
4- INTRODUCTION
5- 16 Bar Blues-Rock Progression
6- Use and Function of The CD/Tape and Metronome
7- Strings
8- 4 Bar Turnarounds
9- 12 Bar Blues with Slapping
10- 12 Bar Stop-Time Blues
11- 16 Bar Stop-Time Blues in Three Four Time
12- The Bass Amp System
13- Blues Tapping
14- Notation
15- 12 Bar Rock and Roll
16- Sounds and Effects
17- Symbols and Abbreviations
18- Basic 12 Bar Blues
19- Modem Stop-Time Blues
20- Playing in a Band
21- Blues Runs (Eight Note Only)
22- Blues Turnarounds in Twelve Eight Time
23- 8 Bar Modem Blues Rock ( 16th Notes)
24- Blues Rock
25- Shuffle Rhythm (Triplet Feel)
26- Afro Blues in Six Eight Time
27- 12 Bar Blues Progression (Shuffle Rhythm)
28- Blues Bass Runs
29- Slow 12 Bar Shuffle Blues
30- More Triplet Combinations
31- 16 Bar Jazz Blues in Three Four Time
32- Syncopated Blues Grooves
33- 12 Bar Latin/Rock Blues
34- 16 Bar Blues Progression (Shuffle Rhythm)
35- Slow Minor Blues in Twelve Eight Time
36- 16 Bar Blues Progression
37- Blues Funk
38- 12 Bar Blues-Rock
39- 12 Bar Bassline (8th Note Groove) in G
40- 12 Bar Minor Blues
41- 12 Bar Jazz Blues (Swing Style)
42- 12 Bar Minor Blues Variation
43- 8 Bar Bassline (16th Note Groove) in Cm