FF 2.6 | Bass and Jamming
6 Bass and Jamming (3 Days)
Objectives
Explore the sound and playing technique of notable bass players and apply them to playing bass in a group setting.
Procedure
Watch videos of famous bass players and discuss their sound and technique. Here are some videos that I like to play. James Jamerson Tal Wilkenfeld Jaco Pastorius Mike League Francis Rocco Prestia Joe Dart Its also important to talk about when bass plays related to the kick drum and how the end of the note is almost as important as the beginning of the note. More Info on Bass Listening and a Bass Listening Playlist
Have students place a pencil on their desk and flick it using the index finger in their pick hand to simulate playing with bass technique.
Get guitars (and basses if you have them) and play the open E and A string with this technique. The finger should plant on the string and pull through, watch out for slap shots and pulling up on strings.
Play bass along to student selected songs in the lead sheet library together. Choose a section of the song to play, give students time to map out the locations on the E and A strings to play the notes, and play it with the backing music.
Take the same song and assign a student to play drums (if a kit is in the room), a student to play electric bass, and electric guitar. Play through the song or song section as a band and have everyone that is not on electric instruments play roots on their guitars and sing along to the song. After singing it a couple of times, ask if a student would like to be the lead singer for the band and have them sing the song on mic. Repeat the song and have different student rotate between the drums, electric bass, and electric guitars.
Assessment
Informal assessment of the chromatic scale can be completed using questioning and observing by walking around and viewing student work in steps 3 and 4.
Opening and Closing Activity Ideas:
Opening 5 min: Have an example song from the bass playlist playing while students come in and have them answer the question, “Describe the bass sound in the recording?” as they come in to class. Have them write down their answer in their practice journal after they take their seats and have a discussion about the bass sound and what is needed to create that sound as a group.
Closing 5 min: Have students create a technique checklist to create a good bass sound in their practice journal.
Try to call on every student at least once during the period. If a student doesn’t know the answer right away, help them with the process of finding the notes and celebrate them when they eventually come to the answer. Call out partners/groups that are working well together and tell the rest of the class what you liked about their collaboration strategy. Developing positive group work ethic is going to help out when students are songwriting and practicing together with guitars later in the course.