Worship Bass Player Skill Development

[tedw]

I hope this does not duplicate another thread. If so, please let me know...

I'm responsible for developing bass players in our church. Most of them are beginners. Although 1 or 2 have previous experience, they have little knowledge about what they are doing. All of them have great hearts for the Lord.

I'm looking a skill development program (e.g., study book with DVD) that is well suited for beginners and perhaps intermediate players.

I like Norm Stockton's videos, but they are not really suited for beginners, in my opinion.

Can anybody recommend a suitable skill development program (e.g., study book with DVD) that is well suited for beginners and perhaps intermediate players?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ted

Ted

[LowBSix]

I have ideas, but sorry, no books....

1. Hand position; keep the neck hand thumb below half way. Do not choke the neck with the thumb over the top of the neck.
2. Strap Height; adjust the strap so if the practice sitting down, the bass is at the exact same level when they stand up.
3. Chart reading; learn to navigate: Repeat signs, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Endings, etc., DS, DC, DS al CODA, CODA, ppp to fff

Prayer and the power of.....

Take care,
Rich

[capnsandwich]

As far as books and videos I can't think of any but I do know that www.musicdojo.com has a good beginner bass course and you could check out www.studybass.com for some other resources. There's also another website that's put together by a young christian bassist called www.gospelbasslines.com and that has some good infromation for beginners on it.

[kirkm24]

I guess it also depends on what type of worship music your playing. Gospel, southern gospel, modern/contemporary worship alternative rock style worship, etc. There are a lot of variations of worship music and each have their own techniques.

I have played a lot of the different forms over the years.

[witness]

I saw this video by Bunny Brunnel which I believed was called begining bass for 4 & 5 string players, many years ago. It actually was geared for new bass players. It started from tuning to finger position to some nice scale exercises. I would definately recommend it

[robwren]

TB's own Dave Overthrow has an excellent 3-book series. Book one has an accompanying DVD...

http://www.alfred.com/alfredweb/fron...22910&pubnum=0

http://www.alfred.com/alfredweb/fron...19359&pubnum=0

http://www.alfred.com/alfredweb/fron...19356&pubnum=0

[peter G]

have you checked out the paul baloche stuff ? He did some VIDs for worship leaders,I saw some of his stuff on youtube.

[dodgy_ian]

The Hal Leonard bass method books are pretty good too as a starting method book.

[JTE]

In addition to the stuff already listed I find two very useful things.

A. Ed Freidland's bass instruction material. Easy to understand, he's got an engaging style while imparting real musical knowledge, and he's a great teacher.

B. Carol Kaye's video course. It's not so much for a rank beginner and she's a bit dogmatic, but her analysis and explanation of chord tones and building bass lines along with her rhythmic instruction is excellent.

Anohter source is Norm Stockton's "Groovin' for Heaven" stuff. I just got Vol 2, and it may be a bit below what I need personally. But besides basic bass instruction, he address issues related to contemporary worship. Check out his stuff too.

jte

[Phil Smith]

What about having them take lessons with a qualified teacher?

[Lincoln]

I taught a class specifically on the rhythm section. As fundamental as it is to understand bass as an instrument, it's hard to teach that instrument and every other instrument if you are one worship leader.

I would consider teaching them how to work with a drummer, how to work with a keyboard player and then the rhythm guitar. I would recommend showing them Standing in the Shadows of Motown -- it is a documentary on the Funk Brothers that played on virtually all of Motown's hits ( which total more than the Beatles, Stones, Elvis, and the Beach Boys COMBINED!) The film spends a great amount of time showing how that otherworldly rhythm section built music.

Bass instruction other than basic mechanics would be best suited by a private instructor. I would spend the bulk of your time mentoring them and discipling them and helping them become better worshipers and ministry members.

God Bless

[jsm81]

I always encourage the musicians at our church to invest in private instruction. I think it helps to weed out the few that may just be interested in being on stage. The serious ones typically find some way to muster up the funds to get lessons. I've got a guitarist that learned through a book and you can tell, he knows how to do it but it's never quite there, you really need someone to sit accross from you to show you correct technique.