Bass lines play several crucial roles in music, including:
- Setting the rhythm and pace of a song
- Defining the harmony and chord progression
- Supporting and reinforcing the melody
- Adding movement and interest to the music
- Providing a foundation for other instruments to build upon
- Contributing to the overall musical mood and emotion.
When supporting a soloist, bass players have the very challenging responsibility of staying locked into the rhythm section, while also improvising bass lines and fills to give the soloist ample creative freedom to take their solo wherever they wish.
In Kurt Morgan’s Progressive Bass Playbook, you’ll learn key techniques and a wide palette of rhythmic, harmonic and melodic devices for supporting a soloist and adapting to wherever the music takes you.
We can’t imagine anyone better suited than Kurt to pass on these essential skills to you. Kurt has played with a “who’s who” list of top artists ranging from jazz legend Clark Terry to Hilary Duff to Tom Morello. Over the past 10 years, he’s also played bass for Dweezil Zappa, performing the music of his legendary father, Frank Zappa whose music contains intricately composed instrumental sections, along with extended improvised solos.
“It’s important to know your role as a bass player — and to understand how that role changes in different musical settings,” says Kurt. “The idea of my Playbook is to give you a collection of ideas for improvising parts in a big range of musical situations.”
Free Bass Guitar Lesson #1: The Feel & The Form – Demonstration
In this lesson series segment we’re going to be tackling blues on a track I like to call Space Junk Blues. We’ll start things of working on the feel and form of the style and then we’ll get into the chords and scales of it all. Next, we’ll talk about the musical approach of the dynamics of the tune following up with a performance and a detailed breakdown. Let’s dive in!
Free Bass Guitar Lesson #2: Power Trio Punctuation
In this lesson series segment we’re going to be tackling power trio punctuation. We’ll start things of working on the feel and form of the style and then we’ll get into the chords and scales of it all. Next, we’ll talk about the musical approach of the dynamics of the tune following up with a performance and a detailed breakdown. Let’s dive in!
Free Bass Guitar Lesson #3: Musical Approach & Dynamics
In this lesson series segment we’re going to be tackling power trio punctuation. We’ll start things of working on the feel and form of the style and then we’ll get into the chords and scales of it all. Next, we’ll talk about the musical approach of the dynamics of the tune following up with a performance and a detailed breakdown. Let’s dive in!
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Free Bass Guitar Lesson #4: Chords & Scales Demonstration
In this lesson series segment we’re going to be tackling power trio punctuation. We’ll start things of working on the feel and form of the style and then we’ll get into the chords and scales of it all. Next, we’ll talk about the musical approach of the dynamics of the tune following up with a performance and a detailed breakdown. Let’s dive in!
Conclusion
Bass guitar education is vital for musical growth and development as it helps improve musical skills such as rhythm, timing, and dexterity, enhances performance abilities, and enables playing in a band. It also improves understanding of music theory and increases musical creativity, inspiring the development of unique playing styles and musical ideas. Regular bass guitar education can lead to a deeper appreciation and understanding of music, making it an essential component for any musician looking to grow and evolve their craft.