Faculty

Beginning Bass Workshop

An introductory course for students with little or no prior experience playing the electric or double bass. Students learn the basics of playing the bass including:

• tuning the instrument
• understanding the fingerboard
• using proper hand positions and posture
• fingerings for major and minor scales
• fingerings for basic major and minor arpeggios
• playing simple bass lines and solos
• reading music and learning jazz theory

Prerequisite: students are required to bring a bass to class. Class text: New Method for the Double Bass by Simandl (available in The Bassment).

Tuesdays 4:45 - 6:15 pm GLENN RICHMAN (10 weeks) $360

Intermediate Bass Workshop

A beginning- to intermediate-level course for electric or double bassists covering proper hand positions and posture; fingerings for major and minor scales and arpeggios; constructing simple bass lines and melodies; understanding the fingerboard; an introduction to jazz theory and basic harmonic analysis; techniques for creating simple walking bass lines; and developing a strong rhythmic concept. Students are given practical exercises to develop their overall technique and strengthen their reading skills. This course prepares students for the Jazz Bass Lines and Soloing Class.

Prerequisite: Beginning Bass Workshop or equivalent; some ability to read music.

Thursdays 4:45 - 6:15 pm GLENN RICHMAN (10 weeks) $360

Jazz Bass Lines and Soloing

For intermediate-level double or electric bassists, this hands-on class focuses on techniques for constructing bass lines and improvising over jazz standards and the blues. Emphasis on style and harmonic analysis. Instructor addresses rhythm and rhythmic "feel" as well as the function of the bass in the rhythm section. Melodic, rhythmic and harmonic concepts for soloing are covered. This class prepares students for playing professionally.

Prerequisite: Intermediate Bass Workshop or equivalent; ability to read music.

Tuesdays 6:30 - 8 pm GLENN RICHMAN (10 weeks) $360

For advanced double or electric bassists, this hands-on class focuses on advanced techniques and concepts that a professional bassist needs to work in the jazz field today. Instructor addresses repertoire, harmonic and melodic analysis, up-tempo playing, intonation, detailed techniques for soloing including in-depth analysis of scales and chords as related to playing on changes, chromatics, rhythmic variations in the walking line, the 2 "feel", tags and playing in five different styles. Emphasis on developing a good rhythmic "feel", good timekeeping and a good sound. Students play and analyze transcriptions of bass solos and walking lines of Paul Chambers, Oscar Pettiford, Ray Brown and Sam Jones. This class prepares students for a variety of jazz gigs

Prerequisite: Beginning Bass, Intermediate Bass and Jazz Bass Lines and Soloing or equivalent.

Mondays 8:15 - 9:45 pm GLENN RICHMAN (10 weeks) $360

A hands-on class focusing on stylistic and technical aspects of playing Afro-Cuban bass. Through extensive listening, transcribing and analysis, students learn to create bass lines and interpret bass charts/ lead sheets in the Afro-Cuban idiom. Emphasis on the role of the rhythm section and the interplay between it and the bass. Class text: The Latin Bass Book by Stagnaro/Cher (available in The Bassment)

Prerequisite: intermediate facility on bass

Wednesdays 4:45 - 6:15 pm SAUL SIERRA (10 weeks) $360

A hands-on course for all bassists, guitarists and keyboardists covering all aspects of playing funk-style bass lines

Prerequisite: intermediate facility on bass, guitar or keyboards and ability to read music. Class texts: Funk Fusion Bass by Jon Liebman, Hip-Hop Bass Grooves by Anthony Vitti, and Hal Leaonard Bass Play-Along — Funk, (available in The Bassment)

Mondays 8:15 - 9:45 pm MICHAEL WILCOX (10 weeks) $360
Class starts April 14th

WORKSHOPS

Jaco Pastorius: Studying a Legend

Jaco Pastorius was the self-proclaimed greatest bass player ever and today he remains perhaps the most influential electric bass player of all time. In this workshop, students listen to and learn select Jaco signature grooves from songs like "The Chicken," "Come On Come Over" and "Used to Be a Cha Cha." They explore Jaco's innovative use of harmonics through listening to and discussion of his revolutionary composition "Portrait of Tracy." Class time is also spent studying Jaco's melodic side. Students listen to and analyze the melodies of Weather Report's "Teen Town" and Jaco's solo on Pat Metheny's "Bright Size Life," to gain an understanding of his melodic phrasing, and harmonic and melodic approaches to chord changes.

Prerequisite: some ability to read music.

Sunday May 4, 11:45 - 1:45 pm JUSTIN HELLMAN $30 Jazzschool students, $45 others