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.

The Associate of Arts in Performance (Bass) program includes a combination of general and instrument-specific courses designed to produce skilled, knowledgeable, stylistically versatile contemporary performing bassists. Courses are described below (see course catalog for specific course descriptions and other information). Combined with regular seminars, clinics, and small open counseling sessions with internationally-known bassists, the AA-Bass program provides the world's premier contemporary bass educational experience.

BASS CORE

Playing Techniques I
Covers techniques for finger style bass playing, including correct posture, hand positioning, finger independence, picking, and muting as well as slap-style bass playing including thumb/pluck technique, muting, articulation and rhythmic variations and embellishment. All techniques are trained through extensive exercises.     

Playing Techniques II
Class applies the techniques developed in Playing Techniques I 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.

Playing Techniques III
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.

Fretboard Basics I
Trains students to break the diatonic scale into smaller components (modal patterns, intervals and triads) and directly relate this information to the electric bass fretboard.

Fretboard Basics II
Course expands diatonic harmonic components to a wider range of notes, neck area, fingerings and hand positions.  Simple intervals, diatonic triads and seventh chords including inversions as well as chromatic harmony are explored over the entire length of the neck.

Fretboard Improvisation I
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. Includes a concentrated study of minor tonality, soloing over static dominant chords and continued development of a melodic vocabulary through the analysis of solos.

Bass Studio Recording
During weekly private recording sessions, students apply stylistic and technical skills learned in Playing Technique classes to studio performance as they record basslines to pre-recorded tracks under the direction of a bass instructor/producer. As a final project, each student compiles a CD of their best performances.

Reading I
Introduces the novice reader to the basic elements of music reading in the bass clef including rhythmic subdivisions and pitch identification.  Students perform in solo and ensemble settings.

Reading II
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.

Reading III
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.

Rhythm Section Workshop I
An introduction to ensemble performance with concentration on listening, dynamics, awareness of song form, and basic chart reading as well as practical performing techniques such as giving and following cues, instrument setup, sound, and stage presence. Students perform each week and develop fundamental technical approaches to a variety of popular styles while gaining live experience.

Rhythm Section Workshop II
Emphasizes the fundamental rhythm section textures of various popular styles and the skills for playing them. Concentration on handling variations in typical song form, improving chart reading skills, and taking a leadership role within the group.

Bass Recording I
Development of the bassist as a studio musician in the digital recording environment. Students create and record bass lines for prerecorded curriculum-related tracks under the direction of a bass instructor-producer. As a final project, students compile a CD of their recorded performances to use as a demo of their playing abilities.

PERFORMANCE

Private Lessons
Weekly instrument lesson with an instructor who guides the student in developing technique, musicianship and style in support of core curricular goals. The instructor and student jointly determine a specific course of study depending on student needs, strengths and experience.

Live Playing Workshops
Students perform regularly throughout the program in their choice of styles and settings. Regularly scheduled* LPWs include:

Blues
Classic Rock
Country Rock
Modern Rock
Hard Rock
Metal
Classic R&B
Contemporary R&B
Freestyle Hip Hop
Funk
Fusion
Latin
Reggae
Traditional Jazz Ensemble
Student Choice (styles vary)

*LPW offerings vary by quarter; check current course schedule for availability

MUSICIANSHIP

Harmony and Theory I
An introduction to Harmony and Theory as it applies to popular music. Includes the development of fundamental music notation skills, rhythms, major and minor scales, intervals, chords and diatonic harmony.

Harmony and Theory II
Begins with diatonic harmony and expands to include chromatic variations typical of popular music, including scale and chord alterations and harmonic analysis of non-diatonic major and minor progressions.

Ear Training I
An introduction to Ear Training as it applies to popular music. Covers the ability to recognize by ear major and minor scales, intervals, chord qualities, diatonic progressions, and rhythms in the context of examples drawn from contemporary popular music.

Ear Training II
Concentrates on the recognition and transcription of diatonic major and minor melody and harmony and rhythmic figures including sixteenth notes. Includes specific examples drawn from contemporary popular music.

Ear Training III
Recognition and transcription of non-diatonic melody and harmony, rhythmic figures based on triplets and compound time signatures. Concepts are related directly to their application in contemporary popular music.

ELECTIVES

Each quarter, AA (Bass) students may choose from an enormous variety of elective courses covering all major contemporary styles, techniques, and musical interests as well as general courses in songwriting, technology, music business and more (see course catalog for current offerings).

Current bass-specific electives are listed below; topics and scheduling are subject to change and some require prerequisites. Check the current course offering for up-to-date information about courses offered during a specific quarter:

Music Minus One for Bass
Slap Bass
R&B/Funk Bass
Walking Basslines
Blues Bass
20^th Century Jazz Bass I
20^th Century Bass Bass II
Jaco Pastorius Basslines
Les Claypool Basslines
Red Hot Chili Peppers Basslines
Fretless Bass
Beatles Basslines
Jazz Bass
Bass and Drum Workshop
Afro-Cuban Bass
Brazilian Bass
James Brown Rhythm Section
Modal Improvisation
Private Upright Lessons
Contemporary Improvisation
Advanced Bass RSW
Advanced Bass RSW II
Motown Bass
Motown Bass II
Led Zeppelin Basslines

The Certificate in Performance (Bass) is the classic Bass Institute of Technology program. The four-quarter, 60 credit-unit curriculum provides a broad foundation in contemporary electric bass playing skills, musical knowledge, and performing experience. The program starts with a proven system of intensive technical training and applied performance taught by a world-class teaching staff of professional bassists. The unique approach equips you to handle any style from funk to rock, jazz, R&B and more, unlocking your unique style of playing and putting you on the path toward your professional and creative goals. The Certificate program includes:

Private Lessons
A weekly, one-hour lesson with an expert instructor focuses on building you strengths, correcting our weaknesses and maximizing your potential as a player.

Performance
Rhythm Section and Live Playing Workshops provide on-stage experience as you learn how to handle any style under real-life conditions.

Open Counseling
Informal, small-group lessons let you ask questions, try out new ideas, and jam with your teachers and fellow students.

Seminars/Guest Artists
Regular clinics, seminars, and concerts feature some of the greatest musicians in the world

Classes
Core and elective classes taught by outstanding instructors build you into a skilled, well-rounded player capable of understanding and performing virtually any style of contemporary music. A partial list includes:

Fretboard Basics
Playing Techniques
Harmony and Theory
Ear Training
Slap Bass
R&B-Funk Bass
Walking Basslines
Blues Bass
20^th Century Jazz Bass
Jaco Pastorius Basslines
Les Claypool Basslines
Led Zeppelin Basslines
Beatles Basslines
Fretless Bass
Afro-Cuban Bass
James Brown Rhythm Section
Modal Improvisation
Private Upright Lessons
Motown Bass

MI’s Encore Program is a non-certificate option for students of bass, guitar, keyboards, drums, and voice. Working closely with the Encore Coordinator, Encore students create a personalized ten-week schedule drawn from the wide range of lessons, classes, performance workshops and other activities available for each instrument (students may also combine different instrument classes subject to availability). There are no required courses and grading is optional. All instruments, styles and levels are available and classes start every quarter.

The Encore Program includes:

Private Lessons
As an Encore student, you receive a weekly, one-hour private lesson on your primary instrument with a private instructor hand-picked to match your personal style and level. The instructor works with you in the areas of your choice, guiding you during your program while also providing you with enough information and inspiration to keep you working long after you leave (requests for private lessons with a specific MI instructor will be accommodated subject to instructor availability).

Personal Schedule
Before beginning classes, the Encore Coordinator will counsel you on course selections and arrange for a placement profile to determine the course levels for which you qualify. You may choose any combination of courses normally available to students at your level equal to a full-time credit load of fifteen units. We’ve found that students who set clear-cut goals accomplish much more in a limited amount of time, so the Coordinator will assist you in defining the results you wish to achieve. See the current Course Catalog for information on particular classes you may want to attend.

Access to Facilities
While you’re an Encore student, you’ll enjoy all of the privileges available to our students, including 24-hour access to MI’s facilities for practice and rehearsal, use of the video library, admission to special clinics and seminars, and participation in open counseling and live performance workshops.

Additional Encore information:

- State and federal financial aid are not available to students who are not enrolled in Certificate or Degree programs.

- Most core classes available to entering Encore students during January and July quarters are at an intermediate-to-advanced level. January or July enrollment is not advisable for beginning-level Encore students. Consult with the Encore Advisor before making your decision.

- All courses are not offered every quarter. Courses specific to Baccalaureate and non-instrument-based Certificate programs (as well as certain other courses offered by instrument-based Certificate and AA programs) are not available for Encore enrollment. Before enrolling, consult with the Encore Coordinator to confirm the availability of the specific courses you wish to attend.

- Encore students are entitled to the curriculum, materials and other resources applicable to the courses included in their enrollment schedule only.

- Encore students are responsible for all applicable fees

- Courses taken during an Encore session do not earn course credit, and attendance or completion of any course does not subsequently guarantee advanced placement in a Certificate or Degree program.