This course will focus specifically on the bass guitar and is the first in a series of courses that will take you from the fundamentals of playing through more advanced techniques and genre-specific skills. Basics 1 will introduce you to the bass itself, the technique fundamentals, and the beginning concepts that will lay the foundation for all of your future development on the instrument. We will also look at the history of the bass, the evolution of bass playing, and some of the important bassists who have shaped its development.

This course will guide you through many playing examples composed specifically to help you grasp key concepts that are discussed. The examples will also help expand your technique so that you are constantly pushing your boundaries. Along with developing your technical skills, you will also learn how to read music, and you will explore various music theory concepts that will inform your musicianship and make you a well-rounded musician.

Throughout the course, you will be tested on your knowledge and playing ability in the form of quizzes, tests, and playing tests. By the time you complete Basics 1, you will have a very strong foundation, both technically and theoretically, that will serve you as you continue to develop as a bassist. This course is only the beginning of the journey, and I hope you will continue to develop your skills through our Basics 2 and Essentials courses.