RH - Evaluation: Lesson 2

Complementary Studies: Liam Marley

Pupil: Robert Hamilton
Date: 13/02/08
Evaluating Time: 1hr


This is purely a refresher lesson nothing else, as a lot of information was given to the pupil on the first lesson for them to be able to take everything in. This is why only one new topic was introduced to Robert, as to not overload him with information.


Lesson Objectives:

1.) To recap on the anatomy of the instrument with the intention of the pupil to learn 3 or 4 of the parts of the bass for next lesson.

Outcome: Robert had studied his diagram since last lesson, as he was able to name the tuning pegs/gears, the fret board, the horns, the pick-ups, the jack input and the volume controls. Although he was unable to distinguish between the different control knobs, i.e. master volume, pick-up balance, high and low frequency boost and tone control, which is understandable.

To aid Robert further the parts of the instrument were named and explained again so that next week he will be able to name more.

2.) To recap and persist with the pupil holding the bass correctly and comfortably.

Outcome: At the moment Robert is still getting familiar with the shape of the bass, as it is a lot larger and cumbersome than the smaller six string guitar, which Robert has had the chance of holding. As trivial as this seems, Robert needs to feel one hundred percent comfortable with holding the bass, otherwise it will distract him from playing correctly and efficiently. However this will come with time, as he has not had the experience with a guitar as the other pupil has.


3.) To work on correct fingering techniques with both hands, concentrating on the left hand (fret hand) during this lesson.

Outcome: The chromatic exercise is a new subject to Robert, which he has never experienced before. These finger per fret exercises, as stated by Stuart Clayton in ‘100 Tips For Bass Guitar’ (p. 45, 2005), establish a basic rule, to utilise one finger per each fret to increase fret board activity and speed.

At the moment Robert’s right hand form requires more work than his left, as without both hands working in harmony with each other his left hand will not be able to advance. When using the right plucking hand, Robert seems to be catching the strings when walking across them and rearranges the position of his thumb for each string that he plucks. The thumbs need to have a set position that feels comfortable, while enabling the pupil to strike all four strings efficiently.


4.) To introduce a diagram of the fret board notation, not concentrating on any specific notes as of yet as it can be very daunting. If time allows begin with the notation of each string: beginning with the low (thickest) string E, A, D and G.

Outcome: This is not an easy topic to delve into and learn quickly. Each string contains twenty frets, which in turn corresponds to a note, amassing to a total of twenty-one notes, including the open fret/string note. The bass guitar that the pupil’s have been learning on, a Mexican Fender Jazz, has eighty-four notes. This is why the pupil will be introduced to the fret board early, so that an intimate comprehension of the notation can be built.

Just as the pupil before him, Robert was given a diagram of the fret board notation to learn. This contained the notation required for Robert to begin learning the notes of the fret board. For this lesson Robert was only required to learn the name of the strings and therefore the first four notes – the open fret/string notes – E, A, D and G. Robert was not expected to take this all in and remember these fours notes and come to the next lesson reeling off notes on the fret board, it will take time and perseverance.