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Bass Lessons

How to Play Octave Slides On Bass: Essential Rock Technique
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How to Play Octave Slides On Bass: Essential Rock Technique

In this lesson, we take a look at octave slides and how they can intensify our rock and roll bass playing! We’ll practice playing a root note in the lower register of the bass and then slide up to play the octave on the adjacent string.

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Stir It Up: Easy Reggae Bass Lesson
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Stir It Up: Easy Reggae Bass Lesson

In this “Keep It Groovy” lesson, Ryan Madora honors the great Aston “Family Man” Barrett and learn the bass line to Bob Marley’s classic, “Stir It Up.”

What Guitar Players Need To Know About Playing Bass
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What Guitar Players Need To Know About Playing Bass

If you're looking to make the leap from guitar to bass, this lesson is for you. Yes, the fretboard looks the same, but the technique is very different.

Learn The Bass Line To “Come As You Are” by Nirvana
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Learn The Bass Line To “Come As You Are” by Nirvana

In this new “Keep It Groovy” bass lesson, Ryan Madora digs into one of Nirvana’s biggest hits, “Come As You Are.” Learn some of the theory behind Krist Novoselic’s bass line, which is perfect for working on your pick technique.

Essential Tips for Playing Bass With A Pick
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Essential Tips for Playing Bass With A Pick

Ryan Madora’s newest “Keep It Groovy” bass lesson is all about getting acquainted with a pick. Let’s dig into the mechanics of it and establish some exercises for our pick-playing journey.

Easy Music Theory For Bass: Tenth Chords
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Easy Music Theory For Bass: Tenth Chords

Let’s bring in the new year with a touch of theory and chord building on the bass. This lesson is all about 10th chords... what they are, how to play them, and a quick exercise to help you practice major and minor chords.

Are Backing Tracks Holding You Back?
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Are Backing Tracks Holding You Back?

In this “Keep It Groovy” lesson, Ryan Madora discusses backing tracks, and the positives or negatives they provide when learning the bass.

Learn The Bass Line to “Pusherman” by Curtis Mayfield
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Learn The Bass Line to “Pusherman” by Curtis Mayfield

In this episode of “Keep It Groovy,” Ryan Madora digs into the bass line to “Pusherman” by Curtis Mayfield. From the supremely funky “Superfly” record, Joseph “Lucky” Scott’s groove is absolute perfection.

Funky Blues Bass Line Inspired by Albert Collins
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Funky Blues Bass Line Inspired by Albert Collins

Today we’re playing a funky blues bass line in the key of C. Inspired by the Albert Collins tune “If You Love Me Like You Say,” this groove combines chromatic motion and dead notes.

Learn How To Really Play The Bass Line To “Come Together” by The Beatles
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Learn How To Really Play The Bass Line To “Come Together” by The Beatles

In this “Keep It Groovy” bass lesson, Ryan Madora walks us through perfecting the bass line to “Come Together” by The Beatles. To do so, we need to understand the theory behind the line and how to play with note duration and articulation.

How To Play A Texas Shuffle In E
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How To Play A Texas Shuffle In E

Today’s “Keep It Groovy” lesson involves playing a blues shuffle in the key of E, and more specifically, a Texas style shuffle. Inspired by the bass line from Albert Collins’ “T Bone Shuffle,” this takes us through a 12-bar-blues progression.

Dead Note Exercise: Practice Walking Bass And Adding Dead Notes
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Dead Note Exercise: Practice Walking Bass And Adding Dead Notes

In this new “Keep It Groovy” lesson, Ryan Madora takes a simple walking bass line that moves from E to B (or I to V) and adds dead notes. These dead notes add funk and groove to an otherwise simple walking line.