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Ariane Cap

Ariane Cap

Bass Lessons

Austrian Ariane Cap is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, author, blogger, and composer. An eclectic and versatile bassist, she has covered many styles, from Rock (Keith Olsen/Fleetwood Mac), Jazz (Daline Jones, Montclair Women’s Big Band) to Folk and Flamenco (Muriel Anderson), to classical music (The Mozart Band), and Top 40 (Brian Cline Band), Latin Disco (Generation Esmeralda) to Punk Rock (The Sippy Cups) and Cirque du Soleil. As a leader, Ariane has teamed up with star Jazz bassoonist Paul Hanson to create the critically acclaimed duo ‘OoN’.

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Latest from Ariane:

Talking Technique: Bass Octaves and Chromaticism with Slides and Hammer-Ons
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Bass Octaves and Chromaticism with Slides and Hammer-Ons

In this video, Ari opens up the idea factory again: Octaves, chromaticism, peppered with slides and hammer-ons. These are tools to make your grooves to come alive!

Talking Technique: Chromatic Groove in 7/8
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Chromatic Groove in 7/8

Talking Technique is back! In this lesson, Ariane Cap goes into a variety of gems, from showing you a cool chromatic groove to how to count out a 7/8 as quarter notes.

Wonder Women: Brittany Frompovich
Wonder Women

Wonder Women: Brittany Frompovich

For this month’s installment of Wonder Women; Stories from the Women Who Play Bass, Ariane Cap turns the tables on Brittany Frompovich, and interviews her for her own column.

Talking Technique: The Most Important Technique Exercise of All
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: The Most Important Technique Exercise of All

It’s fun to talk technique using song samples, blistering licks, and double stops. This episode of Talking Technique is dedicated to a less flashy but incredibly important topic.

Talking Technique: Triads Versus Four-Note Chords
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Triads Versus Four-Note Chords

Triads versus four-note chords – which are harder? Your gut reaction to that question may be that four-note-chords are harder. Ari tackles this topic in this bass lesson.

Talking Technique: Wicked Riff
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Wicked Riff

In this lesson, Ariane Cap focuses on an angular riff that presents quite the string crossing challenge. It will not only shed your technique, but it will also give you creative ideas.

Talking Technique: Black Velvet – Nail That Fill
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Black Velvet – Nail That Fill

Alannah Myles’ iconic tune “Black Velvet” features a fill that is pretty challenging. Originally played with synth bass, we might be tasked to play that line. Ari covers this (and all the benefits) in this episode of “Talking Technique.”

Talking Technique: The Speed Lick Trick
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: The Speed Lick Trick

Three-note-per-string patterns offer a lot of opportunities for lightning-fast licks. In this episode of Talking Technique, Ari shows us how to get started with the idea of them by practicing a scale all across the bass in speed lick fashion.

Talking Technique: The Magic Behind “Steal My Kisses”
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: The Magic Behind “Steal My Kisses”

You probably already know “Steal My Kisses” by Ben Harper, and the excellent bass line by Juan Nelson. In today’s “Talking Technique” lesson, Ari breaks this down with a focus on “Tenths” over I vi IV V pattern.

Talking Technique: Chromatic Acrobatics #3
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Chromatic Acrobatics #3

In this episode, Ari covers another chromatic workout. These chromatic lines are really fun to play, and they’re also a great technique workout for both our right and left hands. Not only that, they’re basically the musical application of permutation exercises.

Talking Technique: The “Alternator” Right Hand Exercise
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: The “Alternator” Right Hand Exercise

In this new episode of “Talking Technique,” Ari is giving us the ultimate challenge for our right hand technique. Can you alternate your index and middle fingers throughout this demanding plucking exercise?

Talking Technique: Chromatic Acrobatics 2
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Chromatic Acrobatics 2

Here’s another “Chromatic Acrobatic Phantasy” for you to shed your technique. Chromatic approaches sound exciting and driving. How can you use them in your grooves? Can you pull off the fast version while staying relaxed? Have a go at it, it’s worth it.