Free Introductory Lesson
Bass Lessons in Colorado Springs
The bass is the instrument that makes people move. It locks in with the drums, holds the harmony together, and gives every song its groove. At Rocky Mountain Academy of Music, we offer private bass guitar and upright bass lessons for students of all ages and skill levels at our studio on North Academy Blvd. Your first lesson is free, so you can meet your teacher and get a feel for lessons before you commit.
Who Bass Lessons Are For
- Complete beginners who want to learn their first songs and build good habits from day one
- Guitarists picking up bass. The top four strings are tuned the same as a guitar’s, but playing bass well takes a different mindset, and a teacher helps you make that shift.
- Players in a band who want tighter timing, better grooves, and more confidence on stage
- School orchestra and jazz band students learning upright bass
- Adults starting fresh or getting back into playing after years away
Electric Bass Lessons
The electric bass drives rock, funk, R&B, pop, country, metal, and worship music. Lessons are built around your goals and the music you love, and typically cover:
- Timing and groove. Playing in the pocket with a drummer is the most important skill a bassist has.
- Technique. Fingerstyle, pick playing, muting, and, when you’re ready, slap and pop.
- Scales, arpeggios, and how chords work, so you understand why the right notes are right
- Reading standard notation, tab, and chord charts
- Building your own bass lines instead of only copying someone else’s
“We work with Angela, double bass lessons … Both instructors are very attentive and knowledgable. My 8th grade double bass player was accepted into the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association.”
Upright Bass Lessons
The upright bass (also called the double bass or string bass) anchors orchestras and has been the backbone of jazz for a century. Upright lessons focus on posture, left-hand technique, intonation, and bowing (arco) for orchestral playing, along with pizzicato and walking bass lines for jazz. If you play in a school orchestra or jazz band, your teacher can also help you prepare your parts, auditions, and solos.
A Little Bass History
The double bass has been part of the orchestra for centuries, and composers like Beethoven gave it more and more to say. In the early 1900s it became the heartbeat of jazz. Then in 1951, Leo Fender introduced the Precision Bass, a fretted electric bass that could keep up with amplified guitars and drums. Session players like Motown’s James Jamerson showed how melodic and creative a bass line could be, and the electric bass quickly became essential in R&B, rock, pop, and country. Plenty of music’s biggest names got their start on bass, including Paul McCartney, Don Was, and Randy Jackson.
Play With Other Musicians
Bass really comes alive when you play with others, and our students have more chances to do that than at most studios. You can join one of our jazz ensembles or our rock band program to practice playing with a group, and take part in student recitals. Already in a band? Our band coaching can help your whole group tighten up. Many bassists also take guitar lessons to round out their playing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are lessons?
Choose 30, 45, or 60-minute private lessons. There’s no long-term contract, and your first lesson is free.
What age can my child start bass lessons?
Many students start electric bass around age 9 or 10, once their hands can comfortably reach the frets. Short-scale basses can help younger players. Upright bass students often begin with a smaller-sized instrument. Adults are welcome at any age.
Should I learn electric bass or upright bass?
Pick the one that fits the music you want to play. Electric is the go-to for rock, pop, funk, and worship. Upright is used for orchestra, bluegrass, and traditional jazz. The music theory and ear training carry over, so many bassists eventually learn both.
Do I need my own bass?
Yes, you’ll need an instrument to practice at home. Ask us at your free lesson if you’d like help choosing a beginner bass or an amp.
Is bass easier than guitar?
Bass is very approachable at first, since you usually play one note at a time. Playing it well, with solid timing and feel, takes real practice, and that’s where lessons help most.
Schedule Your Free Bass Lesson
Ready to start? Call us at 719-722-0248 or send us a message to book your free introductory bass lesson.
Rocky Mountain Academy of Music · 5426 North Academy Blvd, Ste 101 · Colorado Springs, CO 80918