Articles by Ryan Madora - Page 2

If you’re looking for a fun groove to jam on and a way to dig into the major pentatonic scale, this lesson is for you. We’ll use Vince Guaraldi’s “Little Birdie” as our inspiration — it’s a lighthearted, soulful tune that perfectly captures how musical the pentatonic scale can be on bass. Let’s grab our instruments, get into the key...

Learn how the circle of fourths can transform your walking bass practice. Build fretboard fluency and groove with this beginner-friendly bass lesson.

Build finger strength and rhythmic feel with this 4-fret bass arpeggio warm-up. Learn chord shapes and groove in 3/4 time with this beginner-friendly exercise.

Learn the Dorian mode on bass: what it is, how it fits in theory, and how to groove over Dm7–G7 vamps for funky, pocket-ready lines.

Learn what beginner bass guitar gear you need to start playing — plus simple, affordable upgrades to take your first bass further.

Learn how to play your first bass solo with beginner-friendly tips on scales, phrasing, and articulation.

Break down the iconic funk groove from “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley” with tips on phrasing, theory, and George Porter Jr.’s signature slide.

Master bass scale practice by turning scales into real music. Build lines, grooves, and fills while improving your technique and unlocking the full fretboard.

In this Keep It Groovy lesson, Ryan Madora shows how to practice 16th notes on bass with short bursts, improving right-hand technique and building grooves.

Learn the iconic funk groove from James Brown’s “Cold Sweat” and how to use it as a foundation for building your own bass lines.

Improve your funk bass phrasing with fretting hand techniques including hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides to bring out feel, articulation, and dynamics.

Learn how to build authentic country bass lines using roots and fifths, with tips on chord function, motion, and diatonic playing.