NEW - Bass Lessons Library

Learn the first two levels of string bass with this bundle, including bass guitar!

Overview

Learn to play the bass through these courses of professional instruction. Courses include lessons on the upright bass and the bass guitar.

This video library is perfect for:
  • Anyone ready to learn the bass quickly and easily
  • Self-paced learners ready to get started learning the bass at home today
  • Beginning bassists of all ages
In this library you’ll learn:
  • A beginners guide to playing the bass
  • How to hold your bass and play using pizzicato
  • How to play using the French Bow or the German Bow
  • How to read the note of the bass clef
  • How to practice your bass effectively at home
  • Powerful tips for learning songs on the bass
  • The quickest way to learn how to play the bass and bass guitar

Curriculum

Bass Guitar

By Christopher Hernandez
  • 0 Lessons
  • Christopher Hernandez
  • Here's where to start.
  • Course Introduction
  • Parts of the Instrument
  • History of the Electric Bass
  • Notable Differences from Bass to Bass
  • The 2 Most Common Types of Basses: P-Bass and J-Bass
  • What are Pickups? What are Controls?
  • The Sounds of the Electric Bass
  • Tuning
  • How to Hold the Electric Bass: Standing and Sitting
  • Right Hand Technique
  • The Rake
  • Assessment: Open String Exercise
  • Using Fingerboard Tapes, Dots, and Neck Markers
  • Beat, Tempo, and Time Signature
  • Tapping the Instrument 1
  • Tapping the Instrument 2
  • Tapping the Instrument 3
  • Tapping the Instrument 4
  • Rhythm Assessment
  • Basic Rhythms and Rests
  • Music Staff: Bass Clef
  • Open G and Octave Harmonic / 12th Fret
  • Open D and Octave Harmonic / 12th Fret
  • Open A and Octave Harmonic / 12th Fret
  • Open E and Octave Harmonic / 12th Fret
  • Open String and Octave Harmonic Reading Assessment
  • Playalong!
  • Introducing F on Fret 1 and A on Fret 5
  • Shifting Exercises for Any String
  • Playalong!
  • B, C, C#, Bb, and D
  • Playalong!
  • E to A Strings
  • Playalong! - 1st Finger at 2nd Fret
  • E, F, F#, Eb, and G
  • Playalong!
  • What is Pivoting? How Do I Pivot?
  • Pivoting Exercises for Any String
  • A, Bb, Ab, and C
  • Playalong!
  • Using Open Strings & 12th Fret Harmonic
  • Box Shape - Across 3 Strings
  • Other String Crossings: Across 2 Strings, Across 4 Strings
  • Fret Positions vs Simandl
  • Intro to Tablature
  • Piv-A-Lot
  • What Are Hammer-Ons? What are Pull-Offs?
  • Hammer-On
  • Pull-Off
  • Muting
  • Sliding
  • Left Hand Pizz & Pluck
  • The Bar
  • Pitch Bending & Vibrato
  • Muting
  • Intro to Slaps and Pops
  • Alternation P, I, and M
  • Intro to the Bass Ukulele
  • Bass Guitar Performance
  • Bass Ukulele Performance

String Bass Level 1

By Christopher Hernandez
  • 61 Lessons
  • Christopher Hernandez
  • Here's Where to Start.
  • Course Introduction
  • Parts of the Bass
  • History of the Bass
  • Notable Differences from Bass to Bass
  • The German Bow
  • The French Bow
  • The Sounds of the Bass
  • Tuning
  • Tips for Tuning
  • Choose your Bow: French or German
  • How to Hold the Bass: Standing and Sitting
  • Pizzicato Position and String Names
  • Assessment: Open String Exercise
  • Using Fingerboard Tapes, Dots, and Neck Markers
  • Beat, Tempo, and Time Signature
  • Note Value Diagram
  • Tapping the Instrument 1
  • Tapping the Instrument 2
  • Tapping the Instrument 3
  • Tapping the Instrument 4
  • Rhythm Assessment
  • Basic Rhythms and Rests
  • Music Staff: Bass Clef
  • Music Staff: Line Notes and Space Notes
  • Open G and Octave Harmonic
  • Open D and Octave Harmonic
  • Open A and Octave Harmonic
  • Open E and Octave Harmonic
  • Open String and Octave Harmonic Reading Assessment
  • D, E, and F#
  • Song- Hot Cross Buns
  • Song- Hernandez Original
  • G, A, and B
  • Song- Hot Cross Buns 2
  • Song- Hernandez Original 2
  • Crossing Strings
  • Song- Hernandez Original 3
  • C, C#, and D
  • D Major Scale: Intro to Shifting
  • Song in G Major: Amazing Grace
  • G, G#, and A
  • Song in A Major: Hernandez Original
  • Crossing Strings
  • A Major Scale: Shifting Review
  • Song in A Major: Hernandez Original
  • 4 String Song in A Major: Hernandez Original
  • French Bow Hold
  • French Bow Hold Maintenance
  • German Bow
  • German Bow Hold Maintenance
  • French Bow-Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Knuckles
  • French Bow - Rocket Ship
  • French Bow - Windshield Wiper
  • French Bow - Pendulum
  • French Bow - Pinky push-Up, Index Curl
  • German Bow - Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Fingers
  • German Bow - Tip Curls
  • German Bow - Half Circles
  • German Bow - Pendulum Swings
  • German Bow - Squid
  • All About Bass Rosin
  • Bow Warm Up
  • Reviewing Repertoire with Bow
  • Contact Point - Tone Check-In
  • D, D#/Eb and E on the A String
  • E Major Scale - Shifting Review
  • Song in E Major - Amazing Grace
  • A, A#/Bb, and B on the E String
  • Third Position and Shifting Reinforcement
  • Breaking Up the Bow by Beat
  • Working Towards Bow Control
  • Long Bows
  • Balancing Point
  • Maintaining Finger Order and Hand Shape Through the Shift
  • G String - A to B, C
  • C Major Scale
  • Second Position Note Names - Fingerboard Review
  • D String - E to F#, G
  • G Major Scale
  • What is a Slur? How does it Sound?
  • Practicing Slurs From Open Strings to First Finger, First Position
  • Practicing Slurs From Open Strings to Fourth Finger, First Position
  • Practicing Slurs Using the Second Finger in First Position
  • G String and D String
  • A and E String
  • F Major Scale
  • Bb Major Scale
  • Half Position Note Names - Fingerboard Review
  • Holding the Bow While Playing Pizz
  • Switching from Arco to Pizz
  • Alternating Fingers
  • Retake/Breath Mark
  • Forte, Piano
  • Crescendo and Decrescendo
  • Range of Dynamics
  • Dotted Rhythms and Pick-Ups
  • First and Second Endings
  • D and G String with Harmonic Anchor
  • A and E String with Harmonic Anchor
  • Same Notes, Different Place
  • Familiar Scales, Unfamiliar Fingerings
  • Reading Harmonics
  • Fourth Position Note Names - Fingerboard Review
  • G String - E, F, F# / D String - B, C, C#
  • Fifth 1/2 Position, 4th Position Technique Check
  • Final Fingerboard Review
  • Fifth 1/2 Position to Octave Harmonic
  • G Major High Octave Starting From Open G
  • Adding Low Octave, Connecting Shifts, Adding Bow
  • Switching from 3 to Thumb on Open String Octave Harmonics
  • Assessment
  • Closing Video
  • Chris Plays the Bass

String Bass Level 2

By Christopher Hernandez
  • 175 Lessons
  • Christopher Hernandez
  • Here's Where to Start
  • Course Introduction
  • How to Use a Tuner
  • Using Harmonics, Using 5ths and Octaves
  • Open Strings and String Crossings
  • Finger Patterns
  • Shifts / Vomits
  • Making the Metronome Groove
  • Rhythmic Challenges
  • Writing Patterns
  • A Look at Thumb Position
  • Intro to Treble Clef
  • Chromatic, Semi-Chromatic, Diatonic, Whole-Tone Positions
  • Connecting Positions to Notes on Treble Clef
  • C Major Scale, G Major Scale
  • A Major Scale, E Major Scale
  • Reading Melodies in Thumb Position Assessment
  • Play Along! - Twinkle
  • Play Along! - C Jam
  • Sixth Position Notes
  • Sixth 1/2 Position Notes
  • Seventh Position Notes
  • Fingerboard Review
  • Reinforcing Knowledge
  • C Major Scale
  • Slurring Scales: G Major
  • Slurring Scales: D Major
  • Slurring Scales: A Major
  • Slurring Scales: E Major
  • The "Slurs" of Pizz
  • Application to Scales
  • Hammer-On
  • Pull-Off
  • G Major
  • A Major
  • E Major
  • F Major
  • Bb Major
  • C Major
  • Review of Dotted Rhythms, 16ths - Triplets Introduced
  • Alternating Down and Up-Bows, Crossing Strings
  • Demonstration
  • Sustain Bow Exercises
  • Check In - Pizzicato
  • Muting
  • The Bar
  • Sliding
  • Trill
  • Turn
  • Vibrato
  • Tremolo
  • Hooked Bow
  • Chop
  • Roll
  • Thumb Rake and Index Rake
  • Percussion
  • 5ths Review
  • Arco Double Stop Challenge
  • 5ths Review
  • Pizz. Double Stop Challenge
  • Latin
  • Classical
  • Hip Hop
  • Pop/Funk
  • Jazz/Walking
  • Bluegrass/Country/Folk
  • D and A Harmonic on G and D Strings
  • Shifting from G to D and D to A
  • Thumb Position Hand Shapes from D on G and A on D
  • Technique Check-In
  • Etude 1 - Starting Up High
  • Etude 2 - Shifting
  • Etude 3 - String Crossings and Chords
  • Maximizing Range
  • Play Along - "Range"
  • Left Hand Check-In and Reminders
  • Right Hand Check-In and Reminders
  • The Minor Miner
  • Equipment / Bag Prep
  • Instrument Care
  • Positions and Holds
  • Suggestions for Practice
  • Chris Performs on the Bass

Instructors

Christopher Hernandez

Christopher Hernandez is a multi-genre, multi-instrumentalist and educator based in Boston, MA. Chris specializes in playing and teaching low strings and fretted instruments, but is capable of playing and teaching various others. His primary instrument, the bass, has provided him with the opportunities to perform concerts ranging from informal jam sessions, to synergetic shows at dozens of venues in New England, to the mainstages of Oktoberfest in Harvard Square, Cambridge MA, The Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston, MA, as well as First Night Boston 2022. As a performer, Hernandez is active and highly sought after in the Boston Metropolitan area. His expertise in Classical, Jazz, Latin, Hip-Hop and Pop influenced music help him to push his colleagues and students into unique performance scenarios. Recently, Christopher has spent time playing double bass with the Du Bois Orchestra, the Lincoln-Sudbury Civic Orchestra, the Orchestra Without Borders Boston and the Manchester Symphony Orchestra. He plans to re-enter the fall 2022 orchestra audition cycle under the direction of his mentor, Dr. Ian Saunders. His latest personal project, the Chris Hernandez Experience, aims to bring new sounds to the Boston music scene. For the last 3 years, his work in education has been balanced across Cambridge Public Schools, The Boston Music Project, El Sistema Somerville, and The Veronica Robles Cultural Center, amongst others. In addition, he is a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, El Sistema USA, The International Society of Bassists, as well as the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Christopher earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The Hartt School in 2019, where he studied classical music with Robert Black and jazz with Nat Reeves. He began working for Cambridge Public Schools just 4 days after graduation. Chris prides himself for making the decision to move his entire life to a new city in order to rebuild a middle school Orchestra Program that was left in shambles. One of his greatest accomplishments to date was building the program from 13 students in 2019 to over 100 in 2022. As a result of his work in Cambridge, he has generated himself a full-time position at just one school, a rarity in the district. Hernandez is currently working towards a Master of Music in Music Education at the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, MA, where he studies classical music with Dr. Ian Saunders and jazz with John Lockwood. He anticipates completing the degree in August 2022, which will provide him with the time to continue re-investing in his career. For more information, booking, and performance dates related to Christopher Hernandez, please visit christophernandez.com.

FAQ

  • Can I teach myself to play the bass?

    With proper instruction, you can teach yourself to play the bass. MusicProfessor’s step-by-step process will not only assist you in teaching yourself, it will provide you with high-quality examples of how the bass should sound, so you can self-assess and learn right from the start.

  • Is bass easy to learn?

    With the proper tools, bass can be easy to learn. All instruments require practice to develop good sound and technique, and bass is no exception. MusicProfessor’s bass library is easy to follow, provides expert demonstrations, and is self-paced, which means you can watch videos when it is convenient for you, and rewatch lessons as often as you need to until you fully absorb the content.

  • Can I learn bass without a teacher?

    It can be challenging to learn an instrument without proper guidance. This is why MusicProfessor is a great way to get started learning the bass. Not only is MusicProfessor more affordable than in-person lessons, the teacher is an expert in bass education and will guide you step-by-step, at your own pace and on your own schedule.

  • Can you be too old to play the bass?

    You cannot be too old to learn to play the bass. In fact, learning to play the bass can help your body maintain its precision dexterity and keep your mind malleable. Learning to play an instrument is a great way to keep your body and mind young.

  • Can I learn bass from home?

    You can learn bass from home on any device with a browser. Simply login to MusicProfessor and practice along with the easy to follow video curriculum.

  • Can I really learn bass online?

    You really can learn bass online! Learning online is affordable, and the curriculum is self paced, which means you can watch videos when it is convenient for you, and rewatch lessons as often as you need to until you fully absorb the content.