We’ll be learning the basslines of some of Stevie Wonder’s awesome songs. These songs span many genres but each has its own distinctive, cool groove! Learn the basslines note-for-note but you’ll also find out about the proper techniques needed to get ‘that sound’ as well as understand where the lines come from.
Stevie Wonder is an amazing song writer and performer; he spans many genres and styles from R&B, soul to jazz and many more. The bass guitar gives the songs their distinctive groove and we’ll be looking at the basslines for the following songs:
You’ll learn the basslines note-for-note as well as the underlying techniques needed to ‘get that sound’. In addition, we’ll look at where these basslines came from and how you can maybe adapt them to use in other songs.
As part of learning the basslines, we’ll look at the songs’ chord progressions and so guitarists are very welcome to join in and pick up a few bassline runs between chords to add into their own parts!
Getting through the four songs will undoubtedly take longer than one session will allow and so we have allocated a follow-on session on Thu 30 Sep; this can be booked separately here.
QUICK REMINDER for our residential Playing practical bass weekend course
We have a residential weekend course running in Novemeber – this Stevie Wonder session will stand you in great stead. Also, we have the materials available for sale from our Boot Camp and Harmonic Layering courses from earlier this year. Get in touch if you’re interested to buy the full materials (PDFs, backing tracks, HD videos, etc.).
Course suitability
This session is aimed at intermediate players but beginner+ levels will also gain lots from it. Guidelines for what you should know are:
1. The notes on the fingerboard up to the 5th fret on each string. If
you can go beyond this, all the better.
2. C Major Scale – firstly the scale pattern, but also the names of the notes and their interval/place within the scale.
3. A root position major and minor chord arpeggios.
Materials
We’ll provide PDFs and backing tracks as well as access to a Zoom recording of the session.
Call us for a chat at any time
Whatever level you are, you’ll have lots of takeaways to work on later. If you’d like to go through the course please call or email.