The start of learning the bass guitar is over. It’s time to learn more interesting techniques, sound colors and rhythmic and melodic figures. More extensive practice of scales is important to give the player more options when playing with a song, for example, but also to build strength and stamina. Techniques like slapping and tapping can be part of intermediate lessons as will be left-hand muting, more exercises for finger picking and also playing with the pick.

The foundation for bass is quite comprehensive and prepares the student for easy songs and solo exercises. Branching out into different styles is also on the agenda for intermediate bass students. While many Jazz players use their fingers, Punk rock bassists use the pick extensively. In Rock and Pop bass players mostly employ their fingers and picks. and slapping is not really used nowadays – in Funk you might hear slap bass quite often, like in this slightly old-skool, yet fun and well-played video example.

Regardless of which style or genre, the major, minor and modal scales remain unchanged and can be of use in any style. It is also important for all genres to further lock in with the drums – specific exercises will show the bass student how to play with the bass drum, with the snare drum, a combination of both or against the drums – all these approaches have their place and can be effective.

The Role Of The Bass Guitar

The role of the bass often is to build a bridge between the guitar and the drums, especially in all areas of rock and pop/rock. The bass combines aspects of rhythm and melody and enables the guitarist often to venture of into counter melodies and progressions. A band like U2 shows how the bassist can lay down a simple, strong musical and rhythmic foundation, while the guitarist has space to play higher, and more delicate figures and melodies.

The bass can also be a solo instrument at times, like shown by pioneers like Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke. Starting to learn simple solos will be part of the curriculum, if the student wishes to explore those areas.

More Freedom With Private Intermediate Bass Lessons

Private bass lessons with us allow the student and the teacher to plan and develop a curriculum together, which is one big advantage of one-on-one bass lessons. Sometimes the rigid structure of group lessons and the inflexibility or need to only follow a specific, predetermined lesson plan can take the joy out of the bass lessons, which should be avoided, as the bass is a fun instrument and learning is a lot easier when the student has a good time learning.