Available Courses
Starter Intermediate Slap and Funk Signing Up
A Quick Note...
I have a very different way of teaching music in general and Bass Guitar in particular. It is not like the usual way of learning music at school or college. I will reveal techniques and ideas that are not taught in mainstream classroom situations and that are very hard to find anywhere else.
Having had playing experience on the Bass since 1983, I have uncovered very exciting new and alternative ways to become one with the Bass. I believe that it is a great shame that these methods are not taught regularly. However, it is my job to pass this information on.
Below you will find a brief summary of the courses I offer. Every lesson has a basic structure, but is tailored to every individual students needs. Each private, one-on-one course comes with the following free materials:
- Metronome and Digital Tuner
- DVD Absolute "Bassics"
- DVD "Slap and Pop!"
- Full Sheet Music and Tablature for each lesson
- The actual lesson pages, in an Adobe PDF for you to print out and keep.
- Tab/Music reading software
- USB Key Drive for storing Audio/Video
- Full Range of Charts, Diagrams and Handouts
The student also has the option to have each lesson captured on video for their own personal future reference.
I do teach on a 1-lesson basis, but I strongly advise taking the lessons in the blocks as structured. This ensures that the student seamlessly progresses from one aspect to the next, with no loss in continuity.
I also teach online correspondence courses.
Starter's Course
I really don't like the word "beginner", although it probably
describes someone who hasn't even picked up a bass guitar as well as any
other term. I prefer to use the word "starter".
Music is a type of language, because we use it to convey ideas, emotions
and information. What is more, it is a universal language:
Everyone can understand it to some extent when they hear it! I am an
English speaker, and nobody told me when I was an infant, that I was a
"beginner" in speaking.
My Bass Starter course is a comprehensive and fun look at the instrument, its so-called traditional role, and what it is evolving into. It is also a look at music in general and what it means to so many specifically.
The course is split into 3 blocks. The first and second blocks are 5 lessons each, with the third block being 3 lessons.
Here is a brief summary of the content of the Starter Course:
- Music As An Inspiration
- The History of the Electric Bass
- The Bass Guitar and It's Parts
- How To Hold Your Bass
- Tuning Your Bass
- Plucking And Fretting
- Introduction To Music Theory And Tab
- Scales
- Timing, Tempo and Rhythm
- Fills and Fret Techniques
- Ear Training
- Bass Line Construction
- Jam Sessions
- The Bass Greats
- An Alternative Philosophy To Learning Music
... and much more.
Intermediate Course
Intermediate players can look forward to a different way of approaching the Bass Guitar. Together we will look at "out of the ordinary" ways of approaching many topics to accelerate your skills. Without laboring too much on musical theory, we will use tools that are either never taught or never realized in order to glean an "outside the box" view of music and the Bass Guitar.
NOTE: The course assumes that you already know basic music theory, you can play bass lines comfortably, you are familiar with finger style playing and have at least a rudimentary understanding of slap techniques.
The course is split into 3 blocks. The first and second blocks are 5 lessons each, with the third block being 3 lessons.
Here is a brief summary of the main content of the Intermediate Course:
- A Light Music Theory Refresher
- The Ten Intangibles
- Right & Left Hand Technique
- Improvisation
- Rhythm Subdivision Techniques
- Chordal Techniques
- Harmonics
- Bass Line Construction
- Fingerstyle Funk
- Altered Tunings
- Concepts For Solo Bass Playing
- Soloing
- Slap 101
We will also study closer the styles of such greats as Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten, Mark King, Alain Caron, Marcus Miller and Jeff Berlin amongst others.
If you buy these lessons in the blocks as suggested, you will receive a free 90 minute introduction lesson (all other lessons are 60 minutes long).
You will also receive:
- 10 free recordings/MIDI files written by myself to practice groove and improvisation to
- Access to my technique video library
- Free e-mail support/Q and A.
Slap and Funk
My Slap Bass course will take you down an avenue that is sure to be at the very least an eye-opener, and most probably will change your attitude and motivation towards the joy of music forever.
NOTE: The course assumes that you already know basic music theory, you can play bass lines comfortably, you are familiar with finger style playing. You do not have to have an understanding of slap techniques.
Together we will review the Ten Intangibles That Nobody Seems To Teach, explained fully in my intermediate course. We will use these tools to transcend the ordinary methods used to teach Bass Guitar.
The course is split into 3 blocks. The first and second blocks are 5 lessons each, with the third block being 3 lessons.
Here is a brief summary of the main content of the Advanced Slap Course:
- The Slap Pioneers
- The Three (four) Main Thumb Styles Of Slap Bass
- Popping
- The Ten Intangibles Revisited
- Dynamics
- Syncopation
- Off Rhythms
- Grooving
- Slap Harmonics
- Constructing A Slap Line
- Slap Bass Applied To Different Genres
- Articulation
- Solo Concepts
- Soloing
- 21 Phrases Of Slap Bass
- Slap Jam Sessions
We will also study closer the styles of the slap greats as Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten, Mark King, Louis Johnson, Alain Caron, Marcus Miller and Larry Graham amongst others.
Upon successful completion of any course, you will receive my DVD "21 Techniques For Monster Chops!", an advanced look at the techniques of slap bass soloing.
If you buy these lessons in the blocks as suggested, you will receive a free 90 minute introduction lesson (all other lessons are 60 minutes long).
You will also receive:
- 10 free recordings/MIDI files written by myself to practice groove and improvisation to
- Access to my technique video library
- Free e-mail support/Q and A.
Signing Up Process
Do you live in or near the Palm Beach County area of Florida and need lessons? Want to take a new approach to learning bass?
E-Mail me at gary@discoverbass.com For individual one-on-one lesson pricing and availability!
Thanks For Stopping By!
Gary Denyer.
