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Jazz Acoustic Bass Playing For The Novice

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Jazz Acoustic Bass Playing For The Novice
A comprehensive course that provides a beginner in jazz acoustic bass playing with all of the essential music skills you need to get “up and running” with the instrument.
Produced by Todd Coolman

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WHAT YOU GET

  • 36 Lectures | 96 mins of Video Lessons
  • Easy Step-by-Step Lessons
  • Fun, Fast, Flexible Learning
  • Videos Recorded in Full HD 1080p
  • Available on IOS and Android
  • Access to Exclusive Materials
  • Class on-Demand, View whenever you like
You own this class

Lecture list

Todd Coolman

Two-Time Grammy Award-Winning Bassist, Professor of Music in Jazz Studies, Author.

Product Description

After completing this video course, you will be able to perform jazz on the acoustic bass well enough to play in combos with other musicians and players of similar experience to you, and potentially some who may be at more advanced levels than you.

I will show you basics like proper hand positions and tuning. We will also be covering more difficult topics such as constructing a walking bass line, 12-bar blues progression, jazz rhythm and syncopation.

Full details

What can this product offer me?

  • The lessons offer you the ability to create and develop a solid foundation in jazz acoustic bass playing, thus eventually enabling you to work in combos with other people.
  • You will find this course useful in providing you with a strong understanding and knowledge of being a bassist.
  • You’ll have more control and be capable of producing different kinds of sounds and tones beautifully and smoothly on the upright bass.

Who is this for?

  • Novice/Beginner
  • This is complete education and training for a beginner with an interest in jazz acoustic bass playing and/or for an individual with experience on the electric bass guitar who wants to now enter the jazz world and start playing jazz style on the acoustic bass.
  • No special requirement to begin your studies on this wonderful instrument.

Lecture list

Lecture series 1: Holding the acoustic bass and proper positioning of the left and right hands
Preview 14:33

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Lecture 1
Introduction to the basic physical requirements
 1:27

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Provides an overview of the things needed to physically manage the instrument.
Lecture 2
Holding the bass and using the body naturally
 2:45

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A very quick and simple manner of properly holding and positioning the bass against the body.
Lecture 3
Proper left hand position on the fingerboard
 2:05
An easy method for forming a relaxed and efficient position for the left hand.
Lecture 4
The role of the third finger of the left hand
 2:35
An important distinction between electric and acoustic bass fingering is described.
Lecture 5
Proper right hand position on the fingerboard
 3:47
A variety of options for right hand position are demonstrated.
Lecture 6
Lecture Series 1 Review
 1:50
A summary of the topics discussed and presented in Lecture Series 1.
Lecture series 2: Tuning the acoustic bass, using a metronome, and open string exercises
 Preview 18:23

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Lecture 7
Before you play a note, a few basics to consider
 1:28
Provides an overview of preparation before playing.
Lecture 8
Tuning the acoustic bass
 4:11
How to use open strings and your own voice and ear to tune the bass.
Lecture 9
The importance of and reasons for using the metronome
 4:20
Provides a rationale for using a metronome to develop reliable time and demonstrates how it may be used in practice.
Lecture 10
Using open strings, part 1.
 3:44
Demonstration of open string exercises used to develop a consistent pulse.
Lecture 11
Using open strings, part 2
2:56
A more advanced group of open string exercises used to develop a consistent pulse.
Lecture 12
Lecture Series 2 Review
1:42
A summary of the topics discussed and presented in Lecture Series 2.
Lecture series 3: Learning the half position and first position on the fingerboard
Preview

14:00

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Lecture 13
Learning the exact location of the notes in the lower positions
 1:00
Demonstrates the location of all available notes and which fingers play these notes in the lower positions.
Lecture 14
The half position
 1:34
Demonstration of proper finger location in half position
Lecture 15
Half position note identification
 2:16
Identifies and names every note within half position
Lecture 16
The first position
 2:57
Demonstration of proper finger location in first position
Lecture 17
First position note identification
 2:36
Identifies and names every note within first position
Lecture 18
Lecture Series 3 Review
 2:20
A summary of the topics discussed and presented in Lecture Series 3.
Lecture series 4: Chord/Sound families, the 12-bar blues, and root/leading tone motion in bass line construction
Preview

15:48

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Lecture 19
Initial preparation for constructing simple walking bass lines
1:23
Provides an overview of the things needed to physically manage the instrument.
Lecture 20
The 12-bar blues
 1:41
A very basic description of one of the many chord progressions used in the 12-bar blues.
Lecture 21
One simple 12-bar blues progression
2:20
A common 12-bar blues progression is demonstrated for use in learning bass line construction.
Lecture 22
The beginning of building a walking bass line
 3:32
The idea of the use of roots and leading tones is demonstrated as a means for a basic approach to bass line construction.
Lecture 23
The unique sounds of the essential chord families
 4:58
A discussion of three essential chord families and how to choose notes that define those unique sounds.
Lecture 24
Lecture Series 4 Review
 1:51
A summary of the topics discussed and presented in Lecture Series 4.
Lecture series 5: Mastering the tools needed for constructing your own original walking bass lines
 Preview

15:46

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Lecture 25
Scalar, Chordal, and Chromatic bass lines and their contour
 2:14
Provides an overview of the things needed to further develop a functional and musical walking bass line.
Lecture 26
Scalar bass lines
 2:27
A scalar approach to bass line construction is discussed and demonstrated.
Lecture 27
Chordal bass lines
 1:58
A chordal approach to bass line construction is discussed and demonstrated.
Lecture 28
Chromatic bass lines
 2:43
A chromatic approach to bass line construction is discussed and demonstrated.
Lecture 29
Bass line contour
 3:34
A discussion and demonstration of the importance of the contour (shape) of the bass line.
Lecture 30
Lecture Series 5 Review
 2:47
A summary of the topics discussed and presented in Lecture Series 5.
Lecture series 6: Jazz Rhythm and Syncopation Overview: What, How, and When?
Preview

17:11

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Lecture 31
Jazz rhythm and syncopation
 1:40
Provides a description of the importance and relevance of rhythm in bass line construction.
Lecture 32
12/8 meter versus 4/4 meter
 2:34
Provides an overview of the idea of 12/8 and 4/4 meter being superimposed to create the triplet swing feel.
Lecture 33
Why use rhythmic embellishment?
 2:45
A discussion of why we insert rhythms and syncopations into the bass line.
Lecture 34
How do we use rhythmic embellishment?
 3:54
A demonstration of how to insert rhythmic embellishments into the bass line and a demonstration of some of the most common rhythms used in bass lines.
Lecture 35
When do we use rhythmic embellishment?
 4:03
A demonstration of when to insert rhythmic embellishments into the bass line and examples of how we use form and harmony to determine the best times to insert rhythms.
Lecture 36
Lecture Series 6 Review
 2:13
A summary of the topics discussed and presented in Lecture Series 6.

Instructor Biography

Todd Coolman, Two-Time Grammy Award-Winning Bassist, Professor of Music in Jazz Studies, Author.

Two-Time Grammy Award-Winning Bassist Todd Coolman is among the more in-demand musicians on the New York music scene today. Since moving to New York in 1978, he has performed and/or recorded with a virtual “who’s who” of jazz artists including Horace Silver, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Tommy Flanagan, Ahmad Jamal, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, and numerous others.

Coolman enjoyed a 25-year stint with the James Moody Quartet and continues to actively perform today with an impressive array of artists including Jon Faddis and Renee Rosnes.

Todd has released four CDs as a leader, Tomorrows, Lexicon, Perfect Strangers and Sunnyside Records will release Collectables, on May 20, 2016. He has also written two books, The Bass Tradition and The Bottom Line. You could purchase them on www.toddcoolman.org

In addition to his busy performing schedule, Todd Coolman is a jazz educator. He is a Professor of Music in the Jazz Studies Program in the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College (SUNY), a program he formerly directed for 10 years. He was selected for the 2001-2003 Doris and Karl Kempner Distinguished Professorship at Purchase and has received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2010 Todd was appointed Director of the Skidmore Jazz Institute.

Todd is also in demand as a clinician and lecturer at universities throughout the world, and is frequently sought after as a writing and research consultant for jazz history and CD liner-note projects. Todd received his Ph.D. in music from New York University. In whatever spare time he can muster, Todd enjoys fly-fishing, bird watching, and outdoor activities in general.

Full biography

Testimonies and Quotes

“Hey bass players! Do yourself a favor and check out these online bass lessons from Dr. Todd Coolman. I’ve been a fan of Todd’s bass playing for years, and had the good fortune to teach alongside him in workshops. Todd is at home onstage with his own groups and with jazz legends like James Moody, Horace Silver and Dizzy Gillespie. He’s also a walking encyclopedia of bass information, and one of the most insightful and effective teachers you’ll ever meet. Don’t miss this chance to learn from this master musician.”

– John Goldsby, Solo Bassist, WDR Big Band, Cologne, Author, “The Jazz Bass Book,” Columnist, Bass Player Magazine

More quotes

Reviews

    • Tom D.

    Jazz Acoustic Bass Playing For The Novice




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