Bass players lay down the foundation in practically every style of music by bridging the gap between the strict rhythm of percussion instruments and the melodic domain of lead instruments and vocals. Today’s bassists must not only lock-in with the drummer to serve up the all-important “groove” but are now also called on to step up front and treat the audience to a searing and melodic solo from time to time. Good bass players are in high demand and can easily find gigs, making the instrument an attractive proposition for aspiring musicians. But once you decide to play bass, you still face the question of where to begin and that’s what Bass Basics is all about.
Laying down the foundation for freshman bassists, Bass Basics follows an innovative and very effective “contextual” approach to accelerate the learning process. You’ll play your way through the course, learning all of the fundamentals of the instrument from tuning up to nailing that first audition. Bass Basics walks you through each of the lessons in an easy, hands-on fashion without requiring you to struggle through tedious examples and exercises. Better yet, the material is presented from the point of view of a very accomplished musician, who worked his way up from novice to top pro and is willing to share information that he’s gathered from decades of top-level stage and studio experience.
This musician is none other than Stu Hamm, bass player extraordinaire who first came to prominence after playing on Steve Vai’s Flex-Able disc. Going on to become the bassist of choice to lay down the low-end for virtuoso guitarists like Frank Gambale and Joe Satriani, Stu has continued to hone his already considerable chops, both on stage and in the studio. Fortunately, Stu’s teaching skills match his musicianship, giving you a rare opportunity to learn from one of the very best bassists on the planet.
Bass Basics starts at the very beginning, teaching you journeyman-level bass chores such as the proper way to change and tune strings. You will learn the instrument’s individual parts as well as what to look for when shopping for a new bass – Stu even gives you a guided tour of his latest Fender® signature Urge Bass II! He shares tips on tone settings for both the bass and amplifier and how to use these controls to get the sound you want.
Stu demonstrates the essential left and right hand techniques developed to build strength and endurance. He teaches you the language of music to help make quick work communicating ideas at jams and auditions. Bass Basics equips you with a solid foundation of techniques, theory, rhythm patterns and bass lines, all of which can applied in any style of music. Stu even shows you how to read tab and follow a chart as well as teach you the essential theory required to take your playing in any direction you choose.
Never before has a bassist of this caliber shared such vast knowledge in such a comprehensible and accessible way. If you’re serious about learning the bass and want to enjoy the journey, let Bass Basics be your guide. You won't go astray!
