Starting off learning to play bass guitar is relatively easy, within a short period of time you will be able to play along tunes. These tunes can be brought by you or picked from our library. By working on a combination of exercises and playing existing tunes you will develop the skills needed to control the instrument. Building and repeating repertoire is an ongoing process which will broaden your skills and playing routine.
Already playing the bass for a couple of years? Or even longer? Often advanced players reach a 'ceiling' where no new skills are being mastered and the player gets 'stuck'. By freshing up your repertoire and skills you will improve your vocabulary. Also when playing in a band and there's need to refresh your bassparts or you would like to learn more about the system 'behind the music': you're at the right address. After an assessment your teacher will develop a learning plan, soon you will be slappin' da bass even harder!
Starting point on this guitar school is 'have fun while playing'. The method is chosen by the teacher and tuned to your needs. Playing tunes you picked, complementary to lessons in styles, theory and rhythmic development will make you a better player. In this way not only a bigger repertoire is built but you will also get familiar with the system 'behind the music'. This makes the lessons interesting and instructive and makes a great base for a musical career!
It is possible to work from an existing bass guitar method using a book and audio. This can be a great way to focus on a specific artist, style or technique.
Next to a harmonic foundation the bass guitar is also responsible for a strong rhythmic background, often along with the drummer. Therefore part of the bass guitar lessons focus on rhythmic development. By playing exercises and specific tunes you will be introduced into the world of rhythm where you will develop a good sense of timing. Long notes, short notes, shuffle or straight: a bass player should be able to handle all situations.
The bass guitar has a strong character for accompanying other instruments, therefore it's always a part of something bigger: a band or ensemble. Playing with other musicians uncovers the true character of the bass guitar. On this guitar school we provide bandcoaching where you will form a band and develop repertoire with other people, this process is led by one of our bandcoaching teachers.
A couple of times a year we organize concerts. Students can play a tune in a concert setting: real audience (family, friends, other students), real stage and real spotlights! This is a great way to show other people what you've learned and is a good good preparation for performing with a band. This is is not a mandatory part of the lessons, although very recommended. In advance of the concerts the lessons will focus on preparing and performing the tune.
This table shows some tunes available in our library, every week new tunes are being added:
|Otherside||The Red Hot Chili Peppers|
|One night with you||Elvis Presley|
|Born under a bad sign||Albert King|
|The Spy||The Doors|
|All my loving||The Beatles|
|Time is running out||Muse|
|Scar Tissue||The Red Hot Chili Peppers|
|Purple Haze||Jimi Hendrix|
|Hump de Bump||The Red Hot Chili Peppers|
|Can't stop||The Red Hot Chili Peppers|
|People Say||The Meters|
The bass guitar lessons take place in The Hague. We offer both group lessons (max. 2) and private lessons. Lessons take 30 min or 60 min, weekly or bi-weekly. Lessons are offered in English or Dutch.