Bass majors in the Bachelor of Music in Performance (Contemporary Styles) program undertake intensive instrument technique and live performance curricula along with a wide range of classes in supportive music and general studies to earn MI's unique contemporary music degree (see the Bachelor Degree home page for a program overview).
Bass instrument technique courses are designed and taught according to the same principles that have made MI one of the world's leading centers for the study of contemporary electric bass. Requirements include:
B112a.b. Playing Techniques IIA-IIB
Class applies standard bass playing techniques to fundamental styles and grooves including straight eighth-note rock, straight and swing sixteenth-note funk, shuffles, 3/4 and 4/4-meter swing, and odd meters. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.
B211a.b. Playing Techniques IIIA-IIIB
Prerequisite: B112b Playing Techniques IIB. Course applies both finger and slap style electric bass techniques to a variety of contemporary grooves including Latin, jazz, odd-meter, funk, swing, shuffles, hip-hop and others. One lecture hour and one lab hour per week for two quarters.
B122a.b. Fretboard Basics IIA-IIB
Expands diatonic harmonic components to a wide range of notes, neck area, fingerings and hand positions. In IIA, simple intervals, diatonic triads and seventh chords including inversions are explored over the entire length of the neck. In IIB, fingerings are expanded to cover chromatic harmony. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.
B221a.b. Fretboard Improvisation IA-IB
Prerequisite: B122b Fretboard Basics IIB. IA concentrates on the study of modes and modal playing, major II-V-I’s and building a melodic vocabulary through the analysis of solos by Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Cannonball Adderly. IB includes a concentrated study of minor tonality, soloing over static dominant chords and continued development of a melodic vocabulary through the analysis of solos. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.
M142Ba.b. Reading IIA-IIB
Class covers advanced levels of chart reading through the extensive use of detailed transcriptions in a wide range of styles including rock, funk, pop and contemporary instrumental. Concentration is on rhythmic accuracy, pitch recognition and song form. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.
M241Ba.b. Reading IIIA-IIIB
Prerequisite: M142b Reading IIB. Students learn contemporary chart reading skills through the extensive use of transcriptions. Focus is placed on sight-reading, pitch and rhythm pattern recognition, position playing and creating a cohesive sound. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.