The bass guitar is a relatively new instrument that was developed in the 1930s as an alternative to the rather unportable double bass. Orchestras, big bands and small bands alike all needed a louder solution and amplifying the double bass had always been a tricky issue. In the hunt for more volume, they went looking for an alternative instrument: the bass guitar.
Almost all bass guitars are electric, because acoustic bass guitars have a small body and generally need amplification to be heard properly. The first commercial bass guitar was introduced in 1951 and it soon became a staple of contemporary music. Low basslines often serve as the foundation of a song. Bass guitars are the bridge between the rhythm laid down by the drums and the chords played by a piano and guitar, for example, but they can also be used as a solo instrument.
The private course is for players of all skill levels, from complete novices to advanced guitar players. All participants can learn at their own pace and explore their own challenges. The curriculum will be adapted to your level and your learning goals.
Bass guitars are incredibly versatile: you can play virtually any style of music, ranging from rock, pop and R&B to gospel, jazz and Latin music. During the course, we will cover the fingerstyle technique, playing with a plectrum, thumb muting and slap bass. Using a variety of exercises, accompanying music and other materials, you’ll practice and play your way to achieving your goals. Feel free to bring your own music and practice in your preferred style. If you have no clear preferences, you’ll learn the basics first, after which you’ll be able to improvise in different styles as a fully autonomous musician.
Schedule & enrolment
Teachers
Boris Oud
Boris has played bass guitar and double bass since he was a teenager and has been in many different bands. Boris studied bass guitar and double bass at the Rotterdam Conservatory, before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in jazz with a minor in music education. After graduating, he continued playing in bands, but on a more professional level, playing guitar and double bass in various groups and musical collectives. Boris has been a session bassist with party bands at corporate events, worked as a studio musician (with Eefje de Visser, among others), performed on TV and played with various jazz combos in the Netherlands and abroad. He is still a highly sought-after bassist in jazz, funk, world music, cabaret, pop and rock scene (including Leif de Leeuwband and Sem Jansen). In addition to his career as a performing musician, he has been a private teacher for more than 20 years.
Rates
Category 1 - Student
Category 2 - TU Delft employee
Category 3 - Other
You do not need an X-subscription to follow this course. However, you do need an account in our webshop, which yo can create with your NetID. Don't have a NetID? Then drop by X to create an account.
Practical Information
Please bring your own instrument. If you don’t own your own bass guitar, you can borrow one. X also has a double bass you can use during the classes. Ask the hosts for the possibilities.
Important: You can only select timeslots for the combined course in ‘Bass Guitar | Double Bass’ in the web shop. In the first class, simply tell the teacher which instrument you’d prefer. You can choose to learn bass guitar, double bass, or both.