BASS 2018 - SYLLABUS SHOWCASE

Get a taster of just some of the exciting new songs featuring on our new Rock & Pop 2018 Bass syllabus. Session bassist David Kyle Payne puts his spin on songs from the new syllabus and tells you why he thinks they’re so great to play. The songs featured are: 'Scar Tissue' by Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'Come Together' by The Beatles, 'Smooth Criminal' by Alien Ant Farm, 'Don't Wanna Fight' by Alabama Shakes and 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk.

TECHNICAL FOCUS DEMO VIDEOS

Learn how to master the skills that appear in some of our technical focus songs for Bass 2018 with professional session musician Ellen O'Reilly. These videos focus on a range of techniques from unison bends to palm muting. Ellen has been playing bass on radio and TV and has been touring the world since 1999. She’s worked with a wide range of artists and was the first female winner of a full bass scholarship at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and won their ‘Best Bassist’ award in 2012. She regularly appears at the Bass Guitar Show in London for Music Man, and is a regular writer for Bass Guitar Magazine.

Rhythm in 'Sweet Disposition' by The Temper Trap

IMPROVISATION DEMO VIDEOS

Professional musician Sam Edgington takes you through a range of different styles and genres, looking at ways to approach improvising on bass. Sam Edgington is a London-based session and touring bass guitar, synth bass and double bass player. He has played bass on a wide range of theatre productions on the West End as well as internationally. He studied music at Leeds University, and has since performed live with artists including James Corden, Bastille, Kwabs, and with his own band They Say Jump.

Improvising in a Reggae Style

ROCK & POP BASS SESSIONS

PERFORMANCES BY THE PROFESSIONALS - DAVID KYLE PAYNE

David Kyle Payne is a session bass player based in London and is currently on tour with Joe McElderry. He’s worked with artists including Craig David, Sigala, Nina Nesbitt and Lucy Spraggan, and has played venues such as the O2 Arena, Camden Roundhouse and festivals including Reading, V Festival, and Glastonbury. Watch him put his spin on:

• 'SMOOTH CRIMINAL', ALIEN ANT FARM: Watch video
• 'SCAR TISSUE', RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: Watch video
• 'DON'T WANNA FIGHT', ALABAMA SHAKES: Watch video
• 'COME TOGETHER', THE BEATLES: Watch video

PERFORMANCES BY THE PROFESSIONALS - ELLEN O'REILLY

Ellen O'Reilly has been playing bass on radio and TV and has been touring the world since 1999. She’s worked with a wide range of artists and was the first female winner of a full bass scholarship at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and won their ‘Best Bassist’ award in 2012. She regularly appears at the Bass Guitar Show in London for Music Man, and is a regular writer for Bass Guitar Magazine. Watch her put her spin on:

• 'SWEET DISPOSITION', THE TEMPER TRAP: Watch video
• 'SHELTER', THE XX: Watch video
• 'FOREVER', HAIM: Watch video

FURTHER SUPPORT RESOURCES

Explore the wide range of support resources in our Practice Room:

• Watch professional session musicians put their spin on songs in our Rock & Pop Sessions
• Study specific skills and techniques in our Technical Focus Demo Videos
• Work on improvisation through our Improvising in a Style Articles
• Find out what our examiners are looking for in our Meet The Examiner Articles
• Get inspired about building a career in the music industry with our Meet The Musician Articles
• Find out what top tips teachers working with rock and pop students have in our Teaching Tips Articles
• Hear young professional musicians talk about the music industry in our Pro Skills Videos
• Listen to the artist's original versions of the Rock & Pop 2018 for inspiration in our Spotify playlists

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