Courses

This course provides non-bassists with a working knowledge and ability to perform basic bass parts and bass lines. Developing a good sound, fretboard knowledge, right and left hand technique, basic major and minor scales, arpeggios, and common patterns inherent to the bass guitar will be covered.

Instrumental lab for bass principals emphasizing the basic techniques and styles of bass playing in a variety of idioms.

Continuation of ILBS-111.

Instrumental lab for bass principals emphasizing the construction and performance of bass lines through chord changes in standard, popular, and jazz tunes.

Hands-on training using current digital equipment and electronic effect devices including reverbs, delays, EQ, compressors, distortion, loopers, and synth-modules. The goal is to develop a comprehensive understanding of these effects, including practical skills in order to master their use in actual performance situations.

This lab focuses on fundamental bass maintenance including basic adjustments and setup, replacement of damaged or underperforming parts, basic instrument cable repair, fret dressing, fretless fingerboard resurfacing, string installation and maintenance, output jack replacement, pickup replacement, volume/tone control replacement, and stripped screw hole repair. The physics of string vibration, harmonics, and function will also be addressed.

ILBS-201 is intended to provide intermediate and advanced bass students with the opportunity to closely study the style, technique, and writing of the legendary Jaco Pastorius. The semester will begin with early Jaco recordings, his first solo record, Weather Report, Joni Mitchell, and others. Students will have the opportunity to listen, analyze, and play songs, bass lines, and solos from each phase. The semester will progress with mid and then later recordings, always focusing on the more influential and monumental pieces. Video footage from both YouTube and Jaco's own instructional videos will be included. Students will develop grooves and compositions in Jaco's style.

An overview of chords, voice leading, scales, melodic interpretation, and overall groove utilizing the "two hand tap" technique innovated by Stu Hamm, Victor Wooten, and others. 

This course is intended to provide further study and advancement for students who have completed ILBS-110, Electric Bass for Non-Bass Principals. The course will begin with refining and developing technique and sound on the electric bass. Exercises involving arpeggios, scales, intervals, etc. are utilized to further develop fretboard knowledge and awareness. Four-part chords, scales, and modes will be introduced and used in bass line application. In addition, students will also learn basic slapping technique. Each week the bass line to a song will be learned and performed along with the recorded song.