James Ford - Bass Lessons Newburgh, Fife, Perth, Scotland

James Ford: private lessons in Edinburgh

Bass Guitar:

James has played bass for over 25 years in 4 bands. He often plays acoustic double bass at sessions. Music is built on the bass. Each chord has a root. Many listeners may not even notice it's presence, but it's impact on the overall sound cannot be overstated.

Dave at the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles October 2005 playing a Yamaha 5 string bass

Although bass lines are usually simple, playing the bass is just the most satisfying job. The bass almost always hits the root as each chord changes. Between these changes though, it's up to the player to find interesting ways, using other notes in the chord / scale, to get from one to the other.

James is a natural bass player though, finding himself listening to the bass first in new music. It’s what everything else is built upon. Understand the bass, & you’re twice the musician you were before – whatever you play. As a second instrument, the bass is fantastic at teaching you to listen for chord progressions. Something invaluable for playing any instrument by ear.

Bass close up: Bass Lessons Newburgh, Fife

Visit the MP3 page - most of the film clips contain James on bass

James uses all the fingers (& thumb) of his right hand on the strings, using a different finger for each string. Often the strings aren't so much plucked as hit. It gives a subtly different sound to traditional playing & can be heard at it's best with FloozieSoo

Lessons:

It's best if you come with an idea of the sort of music you'd like to be able to play. Our focus & inspiration for your goals will come directly from your ideas & goals. Spotify is generally used to find what we need.