MIONLINE SHORT COURSE

Bass Technique Fundamentals

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i COURSE OVERVIEW

Starting Date

April 20, 2026

Tuition

$575

Level

Beginner

Duration

4 weeks

This course provides a focused study of finger-style bass playing, guiding students through the essential techniques needed to build a solid and efficient playing foundation. Topics include establishing proper posture, hand positioning, and developing finger independence to ensure control, precision, and fluidity across the strings. Students will also learn various muting techniques to manage unwanted string noise and improve overall tone quality. Through extensive targeted exercises, students will progressively strengthen their technique, improve coordination between both hands, and gain confidence in their finger-style playing. The course also introduces the fundamentals of rhythm, helping students understand and apply rhythmic values ranging from whole notes to eighth note subdivisions. This ensures a more accurate sense of timing, feel, and groove in performance. In addition to technical skills, the course covers core concepts of fretboard harmony, including major scales, triads, and intervals, to deepen musical understanding and enhance fretboard navigation. By the end of the course, students will have a strong technical foundation, improved rhythmic understanding, and a working knowledge of fretboard harmony—preparing them to apply these skills confidently in performance, improvisation, and further musical studies.

i YOU’LL LEARN TO

- Demonstrate proper posture and hand positioning for comfortable and effective finger-style bass playing.
- Demonstrate proper plucking-hand and fretting-hand technique, including alternate picking, floating thumb muting, and 4-finger independence.
- Develop basic finger independence to play smoothly and evenly across the strings.
- Apply simple muting techniques to reduce unwanted string noise for a cleaner sound.
- Build strength and coordination in both hands through beginner- friendly exercises.
- Understand and play basic rhythmic values, from whole notes to sixteenth note subdivisions.
- Construct and perform one-octave major scales across multiple positions and in both sharp and flat key signatures.
- Apply the Circle of Fifths and Fourths to identify, spell, and perform major keys accurately.
- Execute adjacent- and cross-string picking exercises with precision and control.
- Establish a simple practice routine to continue improving after the course.

i LESSON GUIDE

In week 1 of Bass Technique Fundamentals, students will establish proper plucking-hand posture and learn the two-finger alternate picking technique, alongside the floating thumb concept for tone consistency and muting. On the fretboard, students will explore whole-step and half-step intervals and apply them to building one-octave major scales in C and G using 2nd-finger diatonic fingering.

Demonstrate consistent, two-finger alternate picking.
Develop evenness in sound using the floating thumb technique.
Identify and apply whole-step and half-step intervals.
Be able to construct and perform a one octave major scale in the key of C and the key of G using 2nd finger diatonic fingering.

In Bass Technique Fundamentals Week 2 students will expand their plucking-hand technique while developing the 4-finger concept in the fretting hand. Emphasis will be placed on proper positioning, coordination between both hands, and building technical control. Students will practice one-octave major scales in the 4th-finger diatonic position and apply the Circle of Fifths and Fourths to accurately identify and spell major keys. Adjacent-string picking will also be introduced, laying the groundwork for more fluid and versatile scale application.

Demonstrate proper fretting-hand positioning and execute the 4-finger concept with accuracy.
Coordinate plucking- and fretting-hand movements to produce clean, even tone across exercises.
Perform one-octave major scales in the 4th-finger diatonic position.
Apply the Circle of Fifths and Fourths to accurately identify and spell major keys.
Execute adjacent-string picking exercises to build fluidity and control in scale application.
Perform one-octave major scales in C, G, D, A, and E using both 2nd- and 4th-finger diatonic positions.

i INSTRUCTOR

GEORGE LOPEZ

George Lopez began his professional music career at age 14 and quickly developed a local reputation as a formidable talent. In 1981, George moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from Musicians Institute, and established himself as one...

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MIONLINE SHORT COURSE Bass Technique Fundamentals