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HIGH SCHOOL BASS LEVELS

Set as a general guide for each semester of study.


Assuming minimal prior music experience.
LEVEL 1
SCALES: Min pentatonic and blues, major.
ARPEGGIOS: simple 5ths octaves, box shapes. Major triads. I IV V
REPETOIRE: favorite songs and 12 bar blues, ostinatos, themes.
READING: rhythmic focus. Simple, natural pitches
DEXTERITY: LH patterns (1234, 1243 etc). RH alternating.
LEVEL 2
SCALES: Maj and relative min., maj. Pentatonic. Memorize circle of 5ths
(not nec. Key signatures).
ARPEGGIOS: min triads. Possibly all diatonic triads to major key.
REPETOIRE: favorite songs. More 12 bar (other keys-other versions).
READING: more pitches- all naturals to 5th fret or further. Possibly acci
dentals.
DEXTERITY: same, more string crossing.
EAR TRAINING: 4ths and 5ths.
IMPROVISATION/THEORY: Walking-memorized 12 bar lines-few keys. Basic improvised
fills within a simple memorized bassline.
LEVEL 3
SCALES: Dorian, mixolydian-one octave; major and minor-two octave
Maj and min in 3rds-one octave.
ARPEGGIOS: 2 oct triads. Introduce four-note chords
REPETOIRE: Some classical:long term i.e. Bach cello suite. More complex pro
gressions.
READING: Classical: scalar passages, duets; funk for syncopation, slap if
applicable, Carol Kay.
DEXTERITY: Same, Igor s chromatic ex.,
EAR TRAINING:3rds and maj and min triads.
IMPROVISATION/THEORY: Chord tone approaches, key signitures
LEVEL 4
SCALES: Major modes 1 octave
ARPEGGIOS: four-note chords, five-note chords(9ths)
REPETOIRE: melodies, Improvisation vehicles (songs) , standards.
READING:Carol Kay, T-Bone Wolk, syncopation,
TECHNIQUE: Dexterity: slides, form before pressure, left hand hammers (no right
), Rufus Reid hand calisthenics, rakes, technique book, setting specific tempos.
EAR TRAINING:
IMPROVISATION/THEORY: II V changes, basic reharms
OTHER ITEMS:
PRIOROTIES:
3 priorities: Scales and arps w/ metronome, Dexterity ex s, Inspiring repetoire at
relevant level.
4 Priorities: same and reading, theory

PRACTICE ROUTINES
30 MINUTE: WARM UP 1 MIN (improvise, sing & play, themes)
SONG 12
STRETCH 1
SCALES/ARPS 8
READING 3
DEXTERITY 2
STRETCH 2
45 MINUTE: WARM UP 6 MIN (improvise, sing & play, themes)
SONG 10
STRETCH 2
SCALES/ARPS 15
SONG - 5
DEXTERITY 2
STRETCH 2
60 MINUTE: WARM UP 3
RHYTHM 3
READING 5
SONG 15
STRETCH 2
SCALES/ARPS 15
SONG 15
STRETCH 2

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