This course is perfect for bass players who have not yet begun learning their scales. It’s also a great refresher course for those who need to recap on the basic theory behind them. As you’ll discover, the theory behind scales is actually very simple, and you’ll find that there is a logical order in which […]

Arpeggios are an important area of study for any musician, including bass players. But while you might have heard the term, you might be unsure what it means. An arpeggio is essentially a chord, played one note at a time. These arpeggio notes – also known as chord tones – are essential building blocks when […]

‘6:00’ is the opening track from Awake, the third album from progressive metal giants Dream Theater. Released in 1994, the album is held in high regard by the group’s fans, and features some of their best-known songs. This piece is an excellent introduction to the band’s music, and to the bass work of John Myung. […]

This song was written by Otis Redding and STAX guitarist Steve Cropper. It was recorded in December 1967, shortly before Redding’s untimely death in a plane crash. It was released posthumously in 1968, topping the charts in the U.S. and reaching number 3 in the UK. This song was recorded with the STAX house band […]

This classic song is the opening track from Abbey Road, the eleventh album from The Beatles. In the UK, it was released as a double A-side single with ‘Something’, also from the same album. This song features one of Paul McCartney’s most recognisable basslines. This song was recorded in July 1969, at Abbey Road Studios. […]

This song is from Level 42’s eponymous debut album, which was released in 1981. A mainstay of the band’s live set to this day, the song features a killer line from Mark King, one that features all elements of his distinctive playing style. The bassline for this song is predominantly built around a slap bass […]

This piece was originally written to reflect the contributions that Stanley Clarke has made to the development of the bass guitar as a solo instrument. As a result, it features strummed power chords, slap and pop grooves, chordal fingerstyle passages, manipulated harmonics, and an aggressively played bass solo. Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources […]

This song was released in September 1978 and was a big hit for The Jacksons. It was written by Mick Jackson, David Jackson (confusingly, no relation to The Jacksons themselves) and Elmar Krohn. Upon release, it reached #3 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, and #8 in the UK Singles chart. It was […]

This song was the biggest hit for Fontella Bass, an American soul singer and songwriter who was active during the sixties and seventies. ‘Rescue Me’ topped the U.S. R&B charts for four weeks and was also a hit in the UK. The song is known for its distinctive bass part, which was performed by session […]

This piece was originally written to represent virtuoso bassist Stuart Hamm. It focuses specifically on the instrumental music that he recorded during the late eighties and early nineties. The line features many common elements of his playing style, such as complex slap grooves, triplet popping lines, note bending, the use of open strings, and the […]