Online Bass Lessons and Bass Learning Channels
Hey there, bass players!
Some of you may be hip to the fact that I love bass… talking about it, teaching bass, learning how to listen to music to better appreciate the instrument, and writing about bass players you should know.
I wanted to provide visitors with a road map outlining what I do as an educator. This will show you what to expect from each platform, how to get there, and where to find paid and free content.
As many of you know, I’m an educator with TrueFire, where I have both an online bass course and a newly launched bass channel. I’ve also got a Patreon page, a YouTube channel, and I provide online lessons. So many things to choose from!
Here’s the skinny on what you get by indulging in these options.
Private Bass Lessons
Hour-long or one-on-one sessions via Skype, Zoom, or in-person (if you’re in the Nashville area).
Private lessons are crafted specifically for the student… everyone has a different style of learning, and the sessions ultimately become equal parts education and music therapy. It’s an opportunity to discuss music, recognize and develop our relationship to it, and gain insight from one another. As a teacher, having the ability to communicate and provide direct feedback, encouragement, and clarification throughout the learning process is essential. In other words, it’s what you don’t get from watching videos. Furthermore, having weekly lessons helps promote continuous learning, deadline-driven progress, and consistency.
Patreon
Become a patron and get access to music, musings, and educational content. This allows for dialogue with the other Patrons and features blogs, musical insights, and the notion of “What’s Ryan up to?” It features exclusive content, including “A Groove For You,” where I craft a groove inspired by Patrons and provide MP3s for download. On this platform, you’ll find additional content that accompanies lessons from YouTube (TAB/notation/detailed explanations).
Mustang @ $5.00/month
Precision @ $10.00/month
Producer @ $25.00/month
…or you can further support the cause by contributing what you wish with a “custom pledge.”
TrueFire Bass Channel—Bass Café
This channel is a monthly subscription through TrueFire and features free and paid content. New content gets added on a regular basis and I try to cater parts of the channel to what subscribers want to learn. It’s very similar to my Patreon page, but exists on the TrueFire platform and contains some extra videos and goodies!
Mustang Level @ $5.99/month provides access to all of the videos and premium content (TAB/Notation/Backing tracks/Forums/Communication)
Channel sections include…
“Build Your Groove,” which describes how to create bass lines, how to implement embellishments, and how to play some classic bass parts by bass players you should know.
“Inside Scoop,” is available only to paid subscribers and provides an informal, behind-the-scenes approach to my life as a professional bass player
“Practice and Technique” features tips, strategies, exercises and in-depth lessons for improving your technique and practicing habits.
“Performance Videos” features performances with some of my favorite artists including Robben Ford, Kyshona, and many others
“Original Music” provides videos, MP3s, and backing tracks to some of my original music (The Interludes)
TrueFire Bass Course—Bass Café: Foundations
This is a downloadable course that focuses on the foundations of bass playing—it’s geared towards late beginner and intermediate bass players. The course is crafted in order of difficulty, beginning with practicing strategies, technique exercises, and simple chord progressions. As it increases in difficulty, you’ll learn popular bass lines, how to play through a blues progression on the bass, and how to add fills and use chromatic motion. Backing tracks and TAB/notation for each example are included. Visit my shop to download the course!
YouTube Channel
If you’re looking for videos, playlists, and all of the freebie bass content, then please subscribe! You’ll find plenty of lessons here as well!