Date: 06/02/08 (R Hamilton)
Planning Time: 1hr 30mins
Lesson Time: 1hr
Due to the nature of this first session being an introduction to the bass guitar, the pupil will only receive a basic understanding of the bass guitar and its components so that they are not overwhelmed.
Lesson Objectives:
1.) To give a brief history and explanation on the bass guitar itself so that a better understanding of the instrument is reached.
2.) To teach the anatomy of the instrument, explaining the different parts that make up the bass.
3.) To get the pupil to hold the bass in a comfortable and correct position as not to cause any discomfort or future damage.
4.) Finally show and explain correct and comfortable fingering techniques with both hands, while getting the pupil to play a basic bass line.
Introduction:
After explaining who I am, that I have been playing the bass for 5 years, after having around 5 months worth of lessons, I enquire into how much the pupil knows about the bass. With this done the current lesson and future lessons ahead are explained to ease the pupil.
Lesson Material:
1.) A Brief History: After years of bass parts being represented in music by the upright bass (or double bass), guitar maker Leo Fender created the first electric bass – the precision bass, in 1951. After utilising his design from the electric 6 string guitar previously created, Fender’s precision bass was designed to fix the inadequacies of the upright bass. These included poor amplification of the double bass and the lack of note precision due to the absence of frets. The inclusion of frets aided in bass players being able to strike notes more precisely, hence the name precision bass, and the electrical format meant that amplification could take place. Fender’s electric bass was revolutionary and followed with other manufacturers following what Fender started.
A quick summary of the bass will follow, informing the student that it is a bottom end instrument – meaning that low frequency bass notes are played from it, although higher notes can and are frequently played by modern players. It is a rhythm section instrument and usually follows the drums (especially in rock music); however it can follow the guitar and vocals and is capable at performing solos.
2.) With the use of the diagram below (Figure 1), the anatomy of the bass was explained.
(Figure 1)
3.) The pupil will next be shown how to hold the bass sitting down, with the body of the instrument on one knee, while the left hand holds the neck at a comfortable angle.
4.) Finally the pupil will be taught correct finger form for the bass guitar. First the left (fret) hand will grasp the neck of the bass, with the thumb resting at the back of the neck, while the 4 fingers are spaced out over 4 frets (1 finger per fret) for efficiency of note coverage. The fingers on the left hand will apply just the right amount of pressure in the centre of the fret to allow for correct note formation.
While the left hand will need lots of practice to strengthen and the pupil may not be able to stretch each finger per fret (maybe concentrating on the 1st three fingers), the right (plucking) hand will then be taught. Two fingers should be utilised to gain maximum fluidity and coordination with the left hand. The pupil will be shown to relax the arm over the body of the bass while resting the thumb on one of the pickups or the lower fret board of the bass so that the 1st two fingers can be used in a walking motion to pluck the strings.
With these taught a simple blues bass line will be played and hopefully copied by the pupil so that these forms can be practised, (as shown below in Figure 2).
G -|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
D -|------------------------------------------------|---3----------3-------------------------------------|
A -|--3----------3-----------3----------3---------|---------3---------3-------3----------3-----------|
E -|-------3-----------3-----------3----------3---|----------------------------------3----------3-----|
G -|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
D -|--5----------5-----------3----------3---------|----------------------------------------------------|
A -|-------5-----------5-----------3-----------3--|---3----------3------------3----------3-----------|
E -|-------------------------------------------------|---------3----------3------------3----------3-----|
(Figure 2)
No comments:
Post a Comment