Elite Music Academy is a music school providing bass guitar lessons in Toronto with several distinguished and unique guitar teachers.
Anyone debating the value of bass lessons versus guitar lessons should consider a few things before making their decision. Learning how to play the bass guitar has a number of advantages if you are interested in playing in a band. The bass guitar serves a dual function; it holds the band together as it drives the music forward.
One misconception that students often have is the assumption that bass guitar is easier to learn than the six string guitar. One bass guitar joke goes like this. A son asks his father for a bass guitar for Christmas. The father agrees only on one condition, the son agrees to take bass guitar lessons. The son agrees and wakes up Christmas morning with a beautiful sunburst colored bass guitar. He eagerly takes his first bass guitar lesson the next day and learns how to play all four open strings. The next week as he is leaving the house with his bass the father asks, “Are you going to your next lesson?” The son replies, “No, I’m going to my first gig.” The joke is funny because it has a certain exaggerated truthfulness to it. Once you learn a few basic tips you can start jamming, especially in a bluegrass or punk band. However, learning to play the bass every much as challenging as learning how to play the six string guitar. Nevertheless, there are a number of reasons why taking bass lessons may be the smarter choice.
Bass Players Are More In Demand Than Guitar Players
Almost any musician will say that finding a bass player is one of the most difficult things to do when putting a band together. In other words, a bass guitar player usually has a much easier time finding work than a guitar player. The reason for this is simple. Everyone wants to be a guitar player. Lead guitarists typically get to show off and attract more attention than the bass player. The quickest way of working in way into a band is to develop your bass guitar chops. Guitar players are a dime a dozen.
It’s All About the Rhythm
The three fundamental elements of any style of music are melody, harmony, and rhythm. Rhythm is the element that gives music its life, spark, and drive. The job of the bass player is to provide the rhythmic impulse by working hand and glove with the drummer. The walking bass lines in jazz are what allow jazz to swing. The bass player in a punk rock band is what makes the audience jump up and down. The bass guitarist is probably the most important musician in a funk, reggae, or ska band.
Famous Bass Guitarists
A good rule of thumb to follow for the student taking bass lessons is to pick out a few bass guitarists to emulate. The youtube phenomenon makes this easier than ever because it is possible to listen and watch practically any and every bass player. The bass guitar, like any instrument, can be played in a variety of styles using a number of techniques and methods. A good place to start is to study the bass players in your favorite bands. If you are a Metallica fan, try learning some of Robert Trujillo’s bass parts. After a few bass lessons you may feel inspired to investigate some of most important bass guitarists. Here are a few players to consider.
Jack Bruce – Bruce is often considered as the greatest bass guitarist in rock music. Bruce was a classically trained musician that cut his teeth playing jazz and blues in England. His work with Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton in Cream set the bar for the electric bass. Clapton struggled to keep up with him.
John Entwistle – Entwistle played bass in the Who. His aggressive and melodic bass style changed the role of the bass guitar in rock music
Larry Graham – Graham is the father of funk-style bass. Graham developed his funky style as a member of Sly and the Family Stone.
Donald “Duck” Dunn – Dunn is the epitome of the smooth and solid bass player. He was a member of Booker T & the MGs .
Jaco Pastorius– Jaco was the Jack Bruce of the jazz/fusion world. He is most well known for his role in the fusion band Weather Report. He is sometimes referred to as the Jimi Hendrix of the bass guitar.
In you are interested in taking bass lessons in Toronto contact Elite Music Academy at 416 406 5355 or book a trial music lesson. Bass lessons are offered for the beginner to the advanced student in a number of styles and genres
