Bass Instructional DVDs, Homespun Tapes and Videos

These two DVDs include very clear, hands-on instruction on how to create bass lines in traditional music settings including bluegrass, folk, and country. I am accompanied by David Grier on guitar and Richard Bailey on banjo so the lines can be heard in context.

Beginning:

Technique: left hand technique, basic scales/ basic theory: scales (maj & minor), intervals, chords, use of numbers in scale and in a chord/ Theory applied to hand placement and interval relationship between strings/ Right hand; where to hit string, angle of finger when striking string/ Independence of 1^st & 2^nd finger of R hand; exercises/ How to practice with metronome/ Practice scales, intervals, arpeggios to help play in tune; playing with bow helps with intonation and L hand fluidity/ Tuning the bass, use of harmonics

Lines: 1-5/ repeat root before chord change/ Passing notes: 3^rd, 6^th/ Scalar approach/ Arpeggiated approach/ Arpeggio with added 6^th/ Chromatic

Intermediate:

¼ note walks; Blue Ridge Cabin Home/ Ginseng Sullivan to show various transitions, approaches/ Ghost/percussive note; Blue RR Train/ ¾ time: different ways to play: Darlin’ Cory is Gone, Cry Cry Darlin’/ Use of inverted 1-5 on 5-chord/ 4/4 walking lines: arpeggiated, scaler, chromatic/ Slap bass: single slap, double slap, straight 8^th, swing 8ths, bossa nova, rockabilly/ Sustain of note; damping strings/ Dynamics / Miking bass: mic in foam under tailpiece, lavalier in foam in f-hole mixed with PU, blender, monitor placement/ Strings/ Tone, Taste, Timing!