Harlan Terson has taught at Chicago's Old Town School Of Folk Music since 1999.

Learn to hold down the bottom end.

Our group classes focus specifically on the fretted electric bass - a perfect place to comfortably gather crucial basic skills. Beginners can jump right in at level one. During the course of your study, one can expect to cover fundamentals like tone, rhythm, theory and groove. Learn to be able to add a solid bottom to a wide variety of musical styles from blues and bluegrass to rock and pop.

Bass 1

Learn the fundamentals of electric bass playing: tuning, simple rhythms, triads, scales and finger exercises. As you gain experience, you'll begin to develop tone control, phrasing and the stylistic idioms of blues and rock.

Special Info: Please bring your own small amp and instrument. Basses are available for rent or purchase at the Old Town School Music Store. Call 773.751.3398.

Prerequisites: No experience necessary.

Bass 2

Learn more scales, chord progressions and rhythms. Prepare to play with a group by learning simple runs and walking blues patterns.

Special Info: Please bring your own small amp and instrument. Basses are available for rent or purchase at the Old Town School Music Store 773.751.3398.

Prerequisites: Bass Guitar 1 ability.

Bass 3

This class explores interesting ways to get from here to there. Move through progressions using chord tones and passing tones. Learn to walk that bottom line!

Special Info: Please bring your own small amp and instrument. Basses are available for rent or purchase at the Old Town School Music Store. Call 773.751.3398.

Prerequisites: Bass Guitar 2 ability.

Go further in your exploration of the bass. Improve your knowledge of the fingerboard, theory, reading charts and rhythm, which are all necessary to become the key element of any ensemble. Find answers to the questions that you run up against in any musical situation. Go deeper on the bottom end!

Prerequisites: Participants will have studied bass for a year and have some knowledge of notes and theory.

Electric Bass Classes at
The Old Town School of Folk Music
773 728-6000

Private Bass Lessons at
The Old Town School of Folk Music
773 728-6000