Category: Self Study Courses

Beginners and low intermediate. This class starts from scratch.

Yes!

Is this a live class with Ari?

You can start at any time and go at your own pace. You have lifetime access to the material.

These sessions are pre-recorded, they are not live. It feels almost like you are there, though, as you learn alongside an awesome group of bassists just like you. Feel free to post your assignments into our Facebook Group!

When do you offer more live masterclasses?

At this time we do not offer any new live masterclasses.

I heard there are LIVE sessions also?

30 day money back guarantee

We use secure checkout with Stripe.

Get Instant Access to the Beginners Masterclasses

$115

20 hours of video
Jamtracks
PDFs with TAB and notation

We use Stripe, a highly secure checkout system!

Learn a ton while having fun!

Ari’s Rhythm Matrix

Ari's Rhythm Matrix

Groove Deeply: Unlock Your Inner Rhythmic Bass Flow

Many musicians assume their rhythm is solid—until they (or worse, their band mates!) realize they’re actually slightly off
The difference between 'good' and 'great' groove is subtle but game-changing
Precision-focused exercises strengthen your internal clock, so you never second-guess your timing again.
Often, the focus is on theory and what notes to play, but not on how to make it groove. Yet, groove is THE skill that makes whatever you play sound (and feel) so much better.

Rhythmic creativity and counting use different parts of the brain.

Counting relies on the analytical side, which can disrupt the creative flow tied to intuition and imagination.

Ari’s method bridges this gap by systematically training your rhythmic instincts that results in rhythm that feels natural and fluid, and becomes expressive.

Why Groove Practice Matters

The “groove,” the “pocket,” the “feel”—these elusive concepts drive the music and forge a deep connection between players and listeners.

Yet rhythm, the foundation of it all, is often misunderstood or dismissed as simply an innate talent.

The truth? Rhythm is a skill that can (and must) be practiced, refined, and mastered because it changes everything!

Is this you?

It's not the "number of notes" that make a good groove. No amount of theory knowledge can make something "feel" good. It's all a complex interplay and at the heart of it is solid rhythm. To truly lock in and achieve that, rhythm needs to live in your body, not just your head. It’s about playing rhythmically with clarity, creativity, and intention. That's where Ari's Rhythm Matrix comes in.

What is the Rhythm Matrix?

It is a step-by-step method that teaches 16 simple rhythmic patterns, which unlock the entire world of binary rhythms. Ari teaches those using a simple trick that helps you get them into your body with ease.

Why is it vital for bassists?

How does it work?

What you'll learn

Master 16 rhythmic shapes that form the backbone of all binary rhythms
Internalize these rhythmic shapes systematically through exercises that get them into your body
Diagnose and fix timing issues in your playing with practical tools
Build grooves that are locked-in, natural, creative and deeply satisfying
This class is also great for your Rhythm Reading Skills
We also cover more advanced topics such as odd meters, complex syncopated rhythms, a variety of swing feels, polyrhythms and practicing to spacious click patterns

Our next LIVE Ten Week Practice Group starts on April 18th, 2025
Work Ari's BRAND NEW Course with support

Here's What Ari's Students are Saying...

I just finished Ari’s Rhythm Course and I can’t stop thinking about how awesome it was.
She has come up with such a great way to get the rhythms into your body.

Ari teaches us to feel the subdivisions in our bodies using words. It’s so simple but so deep at the same time. I loved the songs she used to teach us examples from the rhythm matrix and the idea that you can isolate the rhythms from those songs and use them when you are practicing other material.

Thanks so much Ariane Cap for your brilliant, creative teaching!!!

First of all I wanted to tell you how much I've learned in our class and it has really help me understand the rhythms. Your teaching methods are amazing.

I now find myself trying to identify the rhythm patterns on tunes as I drive to work and transcribing some of the bass lines that constantly bounce around my head.

Over the past six years, I’ve tried many different teachers with their different teaching methods, and time after time, I return to Ari’s courses. I have come to realize that this is the only place I need to be to learn everything I need to continue growing in this journey.

She has the most impressive process of instruction. She obviously loves to teach. All her courses are interconnected.
No matter which piece of the puzzle you focus on, whether it be theory, rhythm, patterns of the fretboard, technique, etc., she manages to include insights into all the other aspects of what she has to offer. It’s a beautiful thing.

I started using the Rhythm Matrix approach to Sight Reading and Transcribing Rhythms from Audio. The counting "1 + 2 +, 1 e a +" drove me crazy when reading and transcribing rhythms.

The Rhythm Matrix makes my job so easy when reading, and figure the rhythm when listening in the car.

Next Live Group Begins April 18th, 2025
Secure Your Seat Today!

Ari's Rhythm Matrix Course

$325

65 bite-sized BRAND NEW teaching videos with Ari
Jamtracks and Assets
PDFs with TAB and notation
Groove Builder Tools and Animations
Lifetime access to the Course Materials

We use Stripe, a highly secure checkout system!

Master rhythm, internalize the groove, and transform your bass playing
with Ari’s Rhythm Matrix

You get all this:

As seen on

Featured by leading bass websites and publications

Questions & Answers About Ari's Rhythm Matrix

We offer regular Practice Groups and Cohorts. Sign up here to be kept in the know.

Do I need to be able to read music?

Beginners and intermediate. Even advanced players often struggle with optimizing their rhythm.

No. You will learn to read rhythms in a playful way in this class. And if you have a reading background you will love the tips Ari has for you for tough syncopated rhythms!

What do I need for the LIVE sessions?

We are confident that this course will provide immense value. That’s why we offer a 14-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. If, within the first 14 days of your purchase, you decide that this program isn’t the right fit for you, simply reach out, and we’ll promptly issue a full refund—no hassle, no hard feelings.

Please note that after the initial 14-day guarantee period has passed, no refunds or credits will be issued.

COHORT VERSION: Questions & Answers About Ari's Rhythm Matrix

You need your bass and an internet connection!

What if I cannot make the live sessions?

They will get recorded and you can watch them later. You get lifetime access to the course!

Do I need to be able to read music?

Beginners and intermediate. Even advanced players often struggle with optimizing their rhythm.

No. You will learn to read rhythms in a playful way in this class. And if you have a reading background you will love the tips Ari has for you for tough syncopated rhythms!

Is there a SUPPORT OPTION or Cohort for this class?

We are confident that this course and its associated 10-week Practice Groups will provide immense value. That’s why we offer a 14-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. If, within the first 14 days of your purchase, you decide that this program isn’t the right fit for you, simply reach out, and we’ll promptly issue a full refund—no hassle, no hard feelings.

Please note that after the initial 14-day guarantee period has passed, no refunds or credits will be issued, including for missed live sessions. By purchasing the course and practice group combo, participants acknowledge that it is their responsibility to attend the scheduled live sessions. We will provide reminders and schedules in advance to support your participation.

Without Ari

With Ari

Counting out rhythms but not feeling them

Getting rhythm into your body and relying on your intuition

Getting lost

Grooving with Confidence

Being told to play less

Playing not only with good taste but also with good time

Feeling like your bass lines don't "flow"

Connecting with the other musicians and experiencing delicious flow and connection

Feeling stuck playing the same rhythmic patterns

Coming up with endless creative fills & grooves in the moment

Hi. I’m Ari.

Bassist, author, educator. Groove enthusiast and learning nerd.

As a bass teacher, I have taught at London Bass Day, Gerald Veasley’s Bass Boot Camp, SBL, Truefire, notreble… I even ran my own music school for a few years before gigs took me back on the road.

One thing to know about me is that I teach because I am absolutely fascinated with the learning process. And I am obsessed with helping others realize their musical potential.

I also utilize the power of learning in groups: our first cohort with volunteer coaches ran in 2018, and Practice Groups started in 2020. Our practice memberships have been going strong since 2022.

Don't miss a beat, sign up now!
LIVE classes starting April 18th, 2025

Ari's Rhythm Matrix Course
PLUS
Ten Weeks of LIVE SESSIONS

$325

85 bite-sized BRAND NEW teaching videos with Ari
Groovebuilder Tools, Animations, PORA drills
Jamtracks and Assets
PDFs with TAB and notation
Lifetime access to the Course Materials

We use Stripe, a highly secure checkout system!

Master rhythm, internalize the groove, and transform your bass playing
with Ari’s Rhythm Matrix

You get all this:

Beginner Evolution

Learn Bass Guitar With Ari's
All-New Beginner Course

Build Confidence, Master the Basics, and Start Playing With Ease!

This is a GREAT first step to start with Ari!

Next LIVE Practice Group round starting on February 12th, 2025

*Participation in the LIVE sessions is optional but recommended. Recordings provided.

Days

Hours

Minutes

Some people hear ‘fast track’ and think it means overwhelming, but in Bass Evolution, it means learning efficiently without stress.
Ari’s best methods are broken down into small, digestible steps—even the ‘hard’ stuff—so progress feels natural and achievable.

What You'll Learn

This course isn’t just about playing songs and cool grooves; it’s about real progress.
We’ll move at a comfortable pace, ensuring you enjoy the journey while building essential skills like:

Unlike courses that are purely for entertainment with no real structure, Beginner Evolution offers a blend of enjoyable play-along sessions and structured skill-building.

If you’re looking for more than just casual jamming and are serious about making real progress—without it being overly intense—this course is for you.

Why Choose these Sessions?

The next LIVE Ten Week Practice Group starts on February 12th 2025
Work Ari's BRAND NEW Course with support

Here's What Ari's Students are Saying...

I found Ariane Cap after attending her session on SBL. Bought her book "Music Theory for the Bass Player".

In the surf band (they needed a bass player) my tabs were done for me and I had to memorize everything, not knowing the layout of the fretboard and always wondering why notes were a certain way.

After buying Aris book and taking her courses it really opened up freedom on the fretboard for me.

I became more comfortable with the fretboard and the musical notes.

Ari’s courses are very well structured with a wealth of information.

On a personal note I have a medical background and Ari’s courses opened up a whole different way of thinking.

Realized you're never too old to learn and I have definitely enjoyed the journey. You absolutely get more than what you pay and its a great lifetime investment.

Ari's personality and passion for bass, and for you as a player and a person, shines through in abundance, making you feel comfortable regardless of your learning pace.

No matter where you are in your musical journey, Ari has the ability to connect with you on your level and pull you further along your path.

Thank you for finally providing quality bass instruction that gives students material to practice. There is so much information out about theory, but what really lacks is proper curriculum (which you have now provided).

Without guidance on WHAT to practice right now, students become overwhelmed with information and don’t know what to practice first, how long to practice, or when to move on.

Practice is EVERYTHiNG, but without knowing what to physically practice it is so easy to get lost, confused, and frustrated.

Thank you for providing that structure that is much needed for the student!

I just want to let you know, that I sat for 4 hours playing on the groove and fill and the exchange. Plus a few of you other finger exercises. I love the pinky exercises. Anyway, if your course keeps going like it has so far. I’m going to really excited.[...]

I just love your approach!!!

Anyway glad I signed up!!!

Join over 10,000 beginner bass players who’ve transformed their skills with Ari!

The Bass Evolution Course

$295

71 bite-sized BRAND NEW teaching videos with Ari
Jamtracks and Assets
PDFs with TAB and notation
Lifetime access to the Course Materials

Take the first step toward your bass playing goals. Sign up today and start learning with support!

We offer a no-questions-asked money back guarantee so your commitment is risk free for 14 days. Try it on for size and if you’re not completely convinced that this series is right for you, I will promptly refund your money. Participants acknowledge that it is their responsibility to attend the scheduled live sessions. There are no refunds for missed Live Sessions.

We use Stripe, a highly secure checkout system!

Kickstart your bass journey & have a blast!

Without Ari

With Ari

You're trapped in endless copying and rote learning, struggling to find your own voice on the bass.

Create your own grooves from day one, enjoying deep practice for fast results and keeps you motivated.

Most theory books will force you to learn to read first.
Not fun, not practical!

Master practical theory on the fretboard first, making reading music a breeze when you're ready to tackle it.

Confusing theory concepts like WWHWWWH, leave you frustrated and wondering how to apply them.

Theory is scale degrees and sounds that we make grooves from -> This is fun, applicable and useful!

Your technique and fingering take a back seat while you grapple with theory, leading to bad habits that hold you back.

Technique training for relaxation and awareness drills from day 1 -> No bad habits!

You feel overwhelmed by top-down instruction that doesn't connect theory to real music. Practice feels like a chore.

You feel like you explore & discover theory on your own and uncover your own unique ways of playing

As seen on

Featured by leading bass websites and publications

Questions & Answers About The Beginners Masterclasses

Yes! Check our schedule for our next Cohort offering.

Beginners and low intermediate. This class starts from scratch.

Yes!

Which level is this class for?

Please note that after the initial 14-day guarantee period has passed, no refunds or credits will be issued for missed live sessions. By purchasing the course and practice group combo, participants acknowledge that it is their responsibility to attend the scheduled live sessions. We will provide reminders and schedules in advance to support your participation.

Hi. I’m Ari.

Bassist, author, educator. Groove enthusiast and learning nerd.

As a bass teacher, I have taught at London Bass Day, Gerald Veasley’s Bass Boot Camp, SBL, Truefire, notreble… I even ran my own music school for a few years before gigs took me back on the road.

One thing to know about me is that I teach because I am absolutely fascinated with the learning process. And I am obsessed with helping others realize their musical potential.

I also utilize the power of learning in groups: our first cohort with volunteer coaches ran in 2018, and Practice Groups started in 2020. Our practice memberships have been going strong since 2022.

The Bass Evolution Course
PLUS
Ten Weeks of LIVE SESSIONS

$295

71 bite-sized BRAND NEW teaching videos with Ari
Jamtracks and Assets
PDFs with TAB and notation
Lifetime access to the Course Materials

Take the first step toward your bass playing goals. Sign up today and start learning with support!

We use Stripe, a highly secure checkout system!

Kickstart your bass journey & have a blast!

Fun Bass Course: Make Theory Stick With This Rad Trick!

If Theory is no fun...

It's not you. It's the approach.

You know you "should" be learning theory but:

Imagine...

WELCOME TO

Make Theory Stick with this Fun Trick

This one hour class shows you a trick that will make you see how cool truly knowing theory can be!

Learning theory can be an absolute blast if you do it like Ari shows you.

The secrets?

Using improvisation! (I show you how)
Theory = shapes on the fretboard (makes it easy and relatable)
Make music with it (playing grooves and fills)
Ari’s Groove Recipe using rhythmic templates

And the biggest secret of all:
Theory must be applied and practiced on the fretboard.

What is in this class?

Who is this class for?

Here's what you can expect when you take this class:

To have a blast

Accessible, sounding great, you got this!

To learn an important scale

Ari's box shape mnemonics make it easy!

To improvise

Even if you have never done this. The rhythmic template gets you started. It's a thrill!

To make theory intuitive

Learning theory this way is fun and accessible!

Here's What People are Saying...

Her style of teaching is really, really accessible to anybody, on any level of music. I’ve been playing bass off and on for about 55 years, or so. But I never took any lessons. If you learn Theory, it will make your bass playing that much better.

I wanted to let you know how much I’m enjoying our lessons. I feel like I’m progressing with my understanding of music and how it relates to the Bass guitar. I look forward to practicing and am developing a more purposeful approach to practice. It seems like I am having breakthroughs every time I sit down with the instrument.

One of my issues as a bass player who has just entered into what I consider the intermediate skill level is that I feel like that I have all these boxes of information floating around in my head, but that they are not connected and I find myself floundering. Ariane’s approach seems to be quickly addressing that issue for me. I think her approach to Theory is masterful and that it allows students to make actual progress that gets them to a place where they know their fretboards and the basics well so that when they tackle the more theoretical aspects of music, they have the foundation and the muscle memory to incorporate this new information. I know I am not explaining that well, but I assure you that I am firm believer in her approach.

When I look back I can’t believe how far I’ve come on this journey! I wouldn’t have been able to succeed like this without your guidance! So thanks again Ari. Looking forward to the next adventure!

As seen on

Featured by leading bass websites and publications

Hi, I’m Ari.

Bassist, author, educator. Groove enthusiast and learning nerd.

As a bass teacher, I have taught at London Bass Day, Gerald Veasley’s Bass Boot Camp, SBL, Truefire, notreble… I even ran my own music school for a few years before gigs took me back on the road.

One thing to know about me is that I teach because I am absolutely fascinated with the learning process. And I am obsessed with helping others realize their musical potential.

That’s the method that, many years later turned into one of my books, co-written with Wolf Wein, called “The Pattern System for the Bass Player”. I created entire systems of learning based on some of these ideas and wrote books and created courses together with Wolf. Our bass books have sold over 30,000 copies and garnered rave reviews.

I also utilize the power of learning in groups: our first cohort with volunteer coaches ran in 2018, and Masterclasses started in 2020.

Get Instant Access

$35

$25

A one hour class with jamtracks, PDFs, videos.

Text here about the secure checkout also…

Discover The Fun...

Questions & Answers About This Course

It is for lower intermediate and up and for anyone who needs a fresh way looking at music theory.

How is this different from your other theory courses?

Our Core Principles Course is a 3 hour course on theory and technique that is beginner friendly. It is aimed at beginner/low-intermediate.

Our 20 Unit Music Theory for the Bass Player Course is an in-depth course on theory, technique, groove-creation, styles analyses and much much more.

Make Theory Stick is a 1-hour course that gives you an idea of how fun learning music theory can be, if done the Ari way.

We recommend our Beginner Masterclasses series to start.

Yes, we offer an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason, do not hesitate to email for a full refund for the course.

Buy completely risk-free and get lifetime access to the material once the tuition is paid in full.

The cohort Add-on portion of the course is not refundable because we have limited seats available and organize coaches who work with you.

Yes, sign up anytime and go at your own pace.

Your bass and an internet connection. It streams online.

Why you'll prefer the Ari Way

Without Ari

With Ari

Theory is dry and disconnected. Hard to memorize

Use theory in grooves and have a blast learning it

Theory and technique taught separately; misses a great learning opportunity

Theory = shapes. Practice together with technique for fastest results!

You'll often try to learn just through copying thereby missing out on the fast track

You'll create your own grooves following Ari's formulas

No guidance on how to practice

Practice is playful and musical

Get Instant Access

$35

$25

A one hour class with jamtracks, PDFs, videos.

We use the most secure checkout system on the market.

Discover The Fun...

Core Principles: Foundational Theory Course

Does your bass playing lack foundation?

Stop trying with the starts and stops and experience for yourself what building a strong foundation of technique and theory can do for you...

Does this sound like you?

You have learned mostly from TAB and some YouTubes but don't really understand what you are doing
You don't follow a consistent method - just bounce around from one approach to another
You really want to learn but you don't know where to start
Your fingers are not cooperating
Your tone is buzzy and buggy
Rhythm is elusive
You feel like a copy cat and wish you could come up with your own grooves
You've heard theory might help, but it seems so "scary"
You can't imagine jamming with others and coming up with your own grooves - but you really want to!

Bassist Danny nailing a fingering drill all across the fretboard!

Easy to smile for Craig who just finished a round of technique drills…

Imagine it all starting to make sense...

This could be you:
You go to a jam and the drummer kicks things off with a catchy beat. Then the guitar player drops in a few chords and that’s when you jump in with your own grooves and fills – totally on the fly and it feels amazing!

Expressing your ideas in a manner that garners the respect of your bandmates, friends and fans alike and it feels amazing to be able to do that!

That’s because when you start learning a strong foundation of theory and technique, everything begins to fall into place:

WELCOME TO

Core Principles:
A Foundational Music Theory Course for Bass Players

By the end of this class you will be able to:

Create your own grooves over background tracks
Improvise music theory shapes
Create your own grooves using our “Basic Groove Creation Recipe”
Get a juicy, round tone because your technique has improved
Play music theory shapes over Blues, Reggae, Rock, Disco, Bossa Nova and many other fun styles!
Understand that if you learn by Ari and Wolf’s powerful 42 principles you grow your toolbox quickly and reliably

What is inside?

Take a turbo tour

Learn 42 Core Principles that will
transform your playing!

Who this course is for...

Anyone who enjoys shedding a variety of grooves using jam tracks while on a concrete assignment and mission.
This Course is beginner friendly! Low intermediate and up!
Even if you are in our big “20 Units” Course you will enjoy these exercises and drills. All new material!
Anyone looking to develop great technique habits from the start or to improve their technique.
Bass players who want to create their own grooves!
Anyone who loves blues, funk, pop, rock, reggae and bossa!

Here's What People are Saying...

Our students are raving about Ari

For several years I watched bass players using the one-finger-per-fret playing style and shook my head in frustration.
No matter how I tried to span the four frets, especially down toward the nut, I just could not get my fingers to do it.

I concluded that either my hands were too small (they’re not) or that they just were somehow too tight to stretch.

I’ve played bass since I was 15 (which was a very long time ago) but in the last couple of years, I’ve been doing some more challenging work, so in April of 2016, I began to study with Ariane Cap with the goal of reworking my core technique.

We’ve covered a whole lot of different areas, but the thing that amazes me most now is looking in a mirror and seeing my left hand comfortably spanning the first four frets on the bass and doing it in a natural way...

...Ariane not only knows the instrument completely, but understands deeply the anatomy, physiology and psychology of the playing process. Most importantly, she has the ability to explain and teach it in an accessible way. Her instruction is uncompromising but always easygoing and encouraging. I’m very happy with the results.

I’m amazed at how theory gives ‘meaning’ to the music I’ve been playing all my life. I sat down the other day and started playing a song I haven’t played in 20 years (Skin Tight, by the Ohio Players).

When I got to the bridge, which I’ve always had trouble remembering, I looked down at the fretboard and the path lit up for me and led me to the notes to play: C triad, G triad, Chromatic from F to D, D root with a 10th on top.

I heard it, saw it, felt it, anticipated it…cool beans! I giggled like a little school girl!

This course is great! I’ll keep at it… I’m laughing to myself at how hard it is to keep up with you, I get a lot of value, going back over the bass Lab stuff… Livin The Dream, glad I signed up..

Hi. I’m Ari.

Bassist, author, educator. Groove enthusiast and learning nerd.

As a bass teacher, I have taught at London Bass Day, Gerald Veasley’s Bass Boot Camp, SBL, Truefire, notreble… I even ran my own music school for a few years before gigs took me back on the road.

One thing to know about me is that I teach because I am absolutely fascinated with the learning process. And I am obsessed with helping others realize their musical potential.

I also utilize the power of learning in groups: our first cohort with volunteer coaches ran in 2018, and Masterclasses started in 2020.

Without "Core Principles"

With "Core Principles"

Rote learning, stuck on YouTube, no plan

Create your own grooves following Ari's formulas

You get bad technique habits because theory and technique are taught separately

With Ari, theory = shapes! Taught together with technique you will improve your technique while studying theory!

You are frustrated because theory is dry and disconnected. Hard to memorize

You use theory in grooves and have an easy time remembering it

You get no guidance on how exactly to practice

You have fun because practice is playful and musical

You are adrift learning without a plan

Ari has 42 core principles she and Wolf have laid out; so it's step by step for you and you learn in a consistent manner

You are limited because you are learning song after song without the bigger picture

Core Principles teach you to use the learned materials in a variety of styles with analyses and groove formulas

Get Instant Access

$85

No fluff – Just the good stuff! With this Core Principles course, you’ll get a primer on proper technique plus all the critical elements of music theory… presented in practical terms as it relates to the fretboard.

Look forward to lots and lots of groove shedding, including several opportunities for you to play along with Wolf’s awesome jam tracks. It’s creative, refreshing and fun!

Our checkout is secure with Stripe!

Discover The Core Principles...

What's included

As seen on

Featured by leading bass websites and publications

Myth Buster

Learning hundreds of songs with TAB will not make you a better player somehow/maybe/hopefully!

In reality, all it does is turn you into a walking, breathing karaoke bassist – only able to play the songs verbatim, and only in the key the TAB was in. Originality, agency, or real musical skills will rarely emerge on their own like that.

The way to get better is to get competent. To understand how music is put together. And it does not need to be hard or boring.
Do my fun theory drills that use improvisation and get the competence by creating theory with grooves to help you understand how you can make it all work.

The way to get your fingers to cooperate is to learn to play with relaxation and feel, just like we practice it in my Finger Kung Fu sections in this course!

Find your creative self in the many groove and fill drills in this course that not only put skill at your fingertips, but a confident smile on your face.

Real confidence requires real proof – and it comes from finally knowing what you are doing.

Done the Ari Way, theory deepens the magic giving you more options, new insights, better ears and an enormous amount of understanding!
Theory creates true competence, confidence, and ability!

This beginner-friendly “Core Principles” Course shows you the guiding principles that lead to a strong foundation in theory and technique so you can create your own grooves!

Questions & Answers About This Course

Our checkout is secure with Stripe!

Is reading music required?

Your bass and an internet connection.

No need to be able to read scores. Learn theory as shapes first, it makes learning to read much easier later. We have included TAB and score so you can figure out the examples with the guidance in the videos.

Will I learn how to create my own basslines?

Yes you will, in a variety of styles!

This is a beginner-friendly course! Intermediate level players will also get a lot out of it!

Do you still offer the CD version of this course?

Yes start right away! You have lifetime access!

We also offer a data CD for the computer. You need a CD player to play it (which is rare these days). If you are interested you can purchase it here.

Is this the same as the big 20 Unit Theory Course?

No. While the subject matter is in some ways similar – theory, technique, groove creation, this is a shorter course. All new videos and completely new drills, so there is zero overlap.
If you are curious about Ari’s teaching but not quite ready for the “big course” yet, this is a great starting point!
If you have already done the 20 unit course, you will find this a collection of fun drills that will reinforce what you have already learned. It will be useful and not too challenging!

Get INSTANT ACCESS to this FREE Mini-Class NOW

Sign up now for Core Principles

Ready to groove? Click below!

Ear Confidence: 6 Paths to Fearless Ears

You want to play by ear.

With the right practice most everyone can develop a set of reliable, confident ears.

Are you making any of these eight eartraining errors?

You don't really have an eartraining routine. You think you should "just be able to hear it". You have either "good" or "bad" ears and that's that
You use interval eartraining apps that are dry and theoretical rather than training your ears with grooves, bass in hand
When you can't hear something you get frustrated but have no strategies to get yourself to actually hear it
You never studied how context, timbre, rhythm or certain overtones affect your perception of pitch so when you get it wrong you are lost
You never analyzed the emotional impact of sounds - though they move you each time you listen to songs or watch a movie
Your practice is inconsistent, not appropriate for your level or you only practice the same thing over and over
You don't know what to listen for and get distracted by other instruments and/or the rhythm and don't know how to fix it
You miss developing golden ears by perusing TAB and relying on YouTube covers instead of using your ears

Imagine being able to...

WELCOME TO

Ear Confidence:
Six Paths to Fearless Ears

This online class is your comprehensive guide to eartraining for the bass player, designed for aspiring players of all levels.

Whether you think you are completely tone deaf or are starting out with a pretty good ear and looking to improve it, the skills you will learn in this class will make your bass playing shine.

Because with our strategies at your fingertips – even for challenging situations on stage – your ear confidence will soar. With discerning ears comes relaxation so you will even notice an improvement in your timing and tone.

Hear from our students

"I spent many frustrating years hunting and pecking around to try and learn songs by ear.

I have always wanted to learn songs without resorting to buying sheet music or following tabs.
I spent many frustrating years hunting and pecking around to try and learn songs by ear.

Ari’s Ear Confidence course finally got me started on the tools I needed for learning this skill.

Working out songs by ear is always a challenge, but one of the most enjoyable parts of playing and studying music.

I am grateful to Ari’s course for helping me get started on this part of my musical education.”

I wanted to say how impressed I am with your teaching style and methods and how organized and creative you are in coming up with so many interesting exercises.

I can see that working with you will keep me happily busy for a long time, haha! I am so grateful to have found a teacher like you at this time in my life!

Hi Ari, completed the eartraining course, well I saw it all, like your other courses , music theory and the pentatonics one on truefire, ummm I worked through them , absorbed it and know where I can find stuff. These are courses you are never really finished with!

Again the eartraining course opened an unknown world to me, it is getting complexer all the time , but I can find my way better and better. Your courses are so great, I find myself not only with my bass, but you can find me experimenting on our piano, my guitar and synths. Once you get the overview, man…music is like chemistry , a lot of fun once you UNDERSTAND what is going on.

Again, thank you so much for putting together these courses,

What exactly is in this course?

89 videos (7 hours) • 10 quizzes • 22 jamtracks • Bonus materials

Intro

Welcome – What this course is about and how it’s structured
Vital info about your ears as a musician!
Various tests such as a tone-deafness test and a test of your voice (pitch test)
Quiz
Tips for tools

The First Path: Ari's Sound Classes

The concept of sound classes is incredibly helpful for all who feel simply “lost” and don’t know where to start. Ari will help you discover that your emotional reaction to sounds will sharpen your ears.

Once you grasped the big picture and can reliably distinguish the sound classes, Ari goes into more detail. This progression from overview to hearing small details creates a much more effective learning experience because you don’t get stuck with individual difficulties.

And look forward to the bluesy sound class – as it is a particularly fun one that will get you improvising and grooving to blues progressions with ease!

Quizzes, golden ear nuggets and tips are sprinkled throughout!

The Second Path: "Call & Imitate"

8 lessons in this section will teach you how to react to and copy (ie imitate) musical phrases on the spot. This not only sharpens your ear, it also speeds up your aural recognition powers.

And, Ari’s drills have you training ear skills as you need them – in a rhythmic context!

Ari then expands the call & imitate drills to get you to start improvising. You learn how to play what you hear in your mind. This is done with rhythmic templates and restricted tonal material.

Then you learn how to hear it inside your mind and you are practicing inner hearing! You learn a new way to “think music” and deepen something you undoubtedly have done before without knowing how you were doing it.

If you are more on the beginner side of things, Ari’s rhythmic templates will get you ready for those kinds of breakthroughs!

Quizzes, “golden ear nuggets” and lifeline tips in challenging situations are sprinkled throughout!

The Third Path: Music Theory Gold

44 lessons on how theory knowledge turns into ear superpowers. This is very practical for learning songs and identifying and memorizing chord progressions!

Ari starts with the smallest units of how music is put together – intervals – and she immediately uses them in the context you need them in, namely in grooves and improvisations. (This is way more useful than using apps or the trick of using song beginnings to identify isolated intervals! It will improve not just your ears but your playing.)

When sounds turn into a story, an emotion… they become relatable. Ari shows you how to use this to improve your ear.
Ari discusses some special sounds like the tritone in the dominant and the lydian #11 in the major seventh context. That’s just one example where the same interval has a different effect based on context.

Ari then goes into modal and functional harmony (sounds dry but is actually fascinating, and very useful). Ari has some very easy shortcuts to grasp modes – to hear them, to use them, to simply “own them“.
You will do lots of applicable drills and explore songs that use those modes. Modal moods will get dark and heavy and bright and beautiful. Modes are all about colors!

Learning theory and eartraining the “Ari Way” turns the entire project into a Sonic Sudoku. By the process of elimination you will start to hear the modes and understand how to use them. And once again, the emotional impact of these sounds will help you own them.

The next part of this section covers important chord progressions. Must-know ones and how to recognize them, drills you can do using iRealPro (use Ari’s playlist!)… super useful.

Ari covers triads and inversions, which again are put into the contexts in which you as a bassist will need them. The power of the bass player when it comes to inversions becomes apparent.

You’ll explore diminished and augmented chords, cadences and turnarounds… the most applicable versions, from easy to more advanced.

Chord progressions are rounded out with the diatonic cycle, which is so prevalent in music! Really, once you hear snippets of it, you already covered a lot of ground just with that!

Learn about challenges in transcribing chord progressions and why you need to know a bit about voicings and extensions!

Just as before, many customized quizzes make sure you got this!

The Fourth Path: Functional EarTraining

Functional Eartraining is all about context! You will learn to get a sense of how all notes relate to the tonic in any given musical situation.

You will learn to hear chord progressions by relating them to physical reactions. For example, the I chord feels like “home” or “gravity”. This is how hearing chord progressions within a key becomes intuitive!

The Fifth Path: Using Your Voice

Whether you can hold a pitch or not, your voice – being the instrument within us – can be a great asset for your hearing skills.

Use your voice to help you find key centers, discover the power of playing melodies you can sing on your bass and much more! Your internal hearing skills will grow by leaps and bounds, when you can just use your voice or your bass to sound out what you are hearing inside!

The Sixth Path: Transcribing Tunes

Become a better all-around musician by transcribing tunes!

Ari has great tech tool recommendations to make this process much easier – you will still use your ears, though!

Ari shows you how using technology can help you find the bass in the mix, how to decode the rhythm and the pitches and how to learn the tunes once you transcribed them – all by ear! The technology just makes it faster and helps you understand it all.

The Bonus Path: Recording Yourself

A surprising tool for the ears – recording yourself. Ari will teach you how and why this makes you improve, and fast.

Outro: Resources and Downloads

Resources and downloads and big high fives for getting golden ears.

Meet Your Instructor

Hi I’m Ari. Bassist, author, educator. Groove enthusiast and learning nerd.

As a bass teacher, I have taught at London Bass Day, Gerald Veasley’s Bass Boot Camp, SBL, Truefire, notreble… I even ran my own music school for a few years before gigs took me back on the road.

One thing to know about me is that I teach because I am absolutely fascinated with the learning process.

I also utilize the power of learning in groups: our first cohort with volunteer coaches ran in 2018, and Masterclasses started in 2020. Our Live Practice Membership has been running since 2022.

Find out more about Ari as a bass player
Find out more about Ari as an educator

How is the Ari Way
to great ears different?

With Apps, Traditional Ways

With Ari's EarConfidence

Typically you are limited to one single way of eartraining

Get real ear confidence through seven different ways
to train your ear

You'll be doing out of context, isolated interval training

Train everything in the context you actually need it in

You miss out on learning the emotional impact of sounds

Emotional awareness of sounds is a great learning and creating tool!

Sometimes your ear may play tricks on you and you won't know why

With Ari you get guidance on what to watch out for

With apps you get the "wrong" buzzer and that's the end of it

Ari shows you how wrong answers turn into awesome learning opportunities

You often are not taught "inner hearing"

Practice the powerful skill of audiation or "inner hearing" - it will improve your improvisation!

No help with crucial obstacles such as aural distraction by overtones, rhythm

Guidance for the crucial obstacles such as real life situations such as distraction, effects, rhythm, sounds, instruments...

You usually don't get help for critical on-stage situations

Ari throws you lifelines & "Golden Ear Nuggets" to have at the ready in stressful situations

Apps are often disconnected from bass playing situations, leaving you practicing in a vacuum

Enjoy your EarConfidence grow as you practice grooves and improvisations. This is eartraining, bass in hand.

Sign up now

EarConfidence Course includes:

• 7 hours of video instruction
• Quizzes
• Jamtracks
• Tools, songlists, playlists
• 1.5 hours of bonus sessions
• "Golden Ear Nuggets" - tips and lifelines

$ 135

3 Monthly Installments

Lifetime Access
30-day Money Back guarantee

$ 350

One time (save $55.00)

Lifetime Access
30-day money back guarantee

Save

We offer a no-questions-asked money back guarantee for 30 days so your commitment is risk-free.

Try it on for size and if you’re not completely convinced that this course will help get you to your goals, I will promptly refund your money.

We use Stripe for check out which is safe and secure.

As seen on

Featured by leading bass websites and publications

Myth Busters

Myth: You either have good ears or you don’t!
Truth: With the right practice, most everyone can develop a set of reliable, confident ears!
Most everyone? Very few do have a medical condition called Amusia – the inability to hear music and pitches. It’s likely not you since you are drawn to music and love it!
Do the test in my course, and then you’ll know for sure.
I have met a lot of people who declared themselves beyond hope and tone deaf, but what they really were suffering from was simply a lack of the right training!

Myth: Eartraining is interval training.
Truth: Eartraining that you can use when you need it goes far beyond interval training and needs to happen in the context of the music you play and the situation you play it in.
The musical context of the chords, rhythmic figures, overtones, distortion, voicings… these are just a few of the things that can make trying to figure out sounds in the moment vastly different from isolated interval training. We need to train our ears in the situations we need ear confidence in. We do this in this course and I throw you several lifelines and “Golden Ear Nuggets” you can count on to help you!

Myth: If you can’t sing you have bad ears.
Truth: You can have great ears without being able to hold a tune.
Whether you can sing or not is just an expression of whether you know how to operate your voice box. If you learn to “hear internally” you can use your bass to play what you hear inside. Or your voice, if your vocal cords cooperate.

Myth: Learning song beginnings is a great way to train your ears.
Truth: Song beginnings may help you ace your interval app stats, but they won’t help you in the moment, when you are trying to figure out a bass line or follow a fellow musician’s chord progression.
Because in such moments you are operating in a musical context. And the song beginning has its own musical context that is usually different. What you need in such situations is a reliable gut reaction to kick in, a strong intuition. And yes, you can develop this intuition!

Questions & Answers About This Course

I think I am tone deaf. Will this help me?

Your bass and an internet connection.
I do recommend a few optional tools in this class, such as the program Transcribe! or the app iRealPro. I also point you to free versions of these tools where available.

While tone-deafness is a real condition – called amusia – it is quite unlikely that you have this. Most people with true tone-deafness are not drawn to music at all. In the first chapter I have you test for it, so you know.

What is more likely than a true medical condition is just that nobody showed you what to properly listen for and how to learn to distinguish pitches step by step. That’s what this course does!

Will I need my bass for this?

Yes. Many drills involve your instrument.

Do I need to know theory?

Theory and Ear training are related, but the EarTraining course is geared towards ear training, not primarily theory.

I will explain a lot in this EarTraining course, but not systematically and comprehensively like in my theory book and course. If you have no experience at all with theory, I recommend to get these resources now. You can learn more about my way of teaching theory here. You can train your ears parallel to the theory course.

Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes. Start anytime and go at your own pace. You have lifetime access to the material.

Yes. I am so confident that you will improve your ears with this course that I offer our 30-day money-back guarantee from day of purchase. Buy risk-free!

30 day

What level is this course for?

Eartraining-wise it starts from zero.
Bass playing level is low intermediate and up.
If you have trouble with the basics of hearing, go for it.
If you are already a good player and are looking to refine your ears, go for it.

If you are looking for a beginner bass course or a course on bass theory click here.

Get EarConfident

This is EarTraining, bass in hand:

Our 20-Unit Bass Theory Course with Cohort Option

🔥 Enrollment Closes soon - Next Cohort Starts July 6th

Master Music Theory
Built for Bass Players

Learn the Theory Behind Every Great Bass Line - And Finally Understand What You’re Playing.
Taught by Ariane Cap - bassist, author, and “The Education Guru” (Bass Player Magazine)—this proven system will help you unlock your fretboard, elevate your groove, and build true musical confidence

The next Cohort Starts July 6th - Enrollment Closes July 3rd - This is the final cohort in 2025

🎓 Everything You Need to Know to Play With Confidence — Practical, Easy to Follow, and Designed to Transform How You Play
| 22+ Hours of Video lessons | 130+ PDFs & 127 Jam Tracks | Built for all styles | Lifetime Access

🧭 Two Ways to Learn — Pick What Works for You:

Both options give you full access to the 20-unit Theory course.

Start Anytime - Self-Paced Version

Join the Summer Cohort - Starts July 6

Why add the Cohort?

If you’ve ever stalled out on a course before, you know how important structure, feedback, and momentum can be.

This isn’t just access to a class. It’s:

🎤 What Attendees are Saying

“I’d tried other courses—none came close to Ari’s method. Fun, structured, and it sticks.”

Laura B. USA🇺🇸

Bass Player

“Just wanted to let everyone considering taking your 20-week bass course that it is one of the best educational investments I have ever made.
The weekly assignments are loads of fun with plenty of variety and obtainable challenges.

Mike T. 🇨🇦

Five String Bassist

“This course is a a game-changer.”

Dominic R. 🇩🇪

Bassist

Who This Is For

$ 650

Prefer smaller payments? 5 x $145

Proven System built for just bass players
Over 22 hours of bite-size, immersive video lessons
130+ jam tracks, 127 PDFs
Pay up front and save $75.00

$ 850 Prefer smaller payments? 5 x $190

Proven System built for just bass players
Over 22 hours of bite-size, immersive video lessons
130+ jam tracks, PDFs, and playalongs
Structured assignments, coaches, meetings with Ari
Motivation, momentum, and a real finish line
Pay up front and save $100

Transformational

$ 330

or 3 installments of $120

Structured assignments, coaches, meetings with Ari
Motivation, momentum, and a real finish line
Pay up front and save $30.00

30-day money-back guarantee on the Course. Cohort portion is non-refundable due to limited seats.

"Theory is so complicated!"
Right? WRONG!

You don't understand it, despite all of your attempts, so it feels complicated and useless
You don't understand theory well enough to incorporate it into your playing without it being just "one more thing to remember"
You haven't been shown how to easily remember what you learned on the fretboard
They say "play what you feel" but you draw a blank and theory just seems to get in the way rather than help!
You haven't been shown step-by-step how to use theory for improvisation and for creating your own grooves
You have tried to learn theory away from the fretboard
You haven't had help with connecting the sounds and the shapes of theory with what you feel

Michelle smiles as she is improvising a chord progression all over the bass.

Your bass playing will flourish if instead...

WELCOME TO THE

Music Theory For The Bass Player

THE COURSE

Making theory intuitive using improvisation is the key to

becoming a confident player

This online class is your comprehensive guide to mastering the bass, designed for aspiring players of all levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner picking up your first instrument or a frustrated hobbyist yearning to break through a plateau, this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to take your bass playing to the next level.

Our Summer Cohort Starts on July 6th

ENROLLMENT ENDS IN

Days

Hours

Minutes

Our next Cohort won't run until 2025! Don't miss this next round!

Cohort student Delilah improvising a creative note finder drill all over the fretboard with ease and understanding.

Cohort Coach Helen from Australia getting beautiful tones on her fretless doing permutation drills that help fretless intonation!

Our student Durandus from the Netherlands, practicing Bass Line Lab. He has been playing for barely a year and he sounds awesome!

Cohort student Delilah improvising a creative note finder drill all over the fretboard with ease and understanding.

The first course of its kind that...

Teaches theory as shapes on the fretboard using diagrams and fingerings
Immediately gets you improvising so you can make it yours and remember it
Combines theory with proper fingering so you literally get theory under your fingers
Is designed in such a way that it will take you to your personal edge. Works for beginners to advanced
Is deep and multi-layered. We have many students who love it so much they take it over and over again
Asks you to commit to 40 weeks of learning
Has an optional support option called "The Cohort"
Tackles theory, technique, improvisation, groove creation, notefinding, styles, practicing tips etc.
Will reliably put theory under your fingertips and empower you to fly with chord changes

Cohort Coach Helen from Australia getting beautiful tones on her fretless doing permutation drills that help fretless intonation!

By the end of it you will be able to...

Create your own grooves over changes with confidence
Experience theory as a combination of understanding, shapes under your fingers
Easily find all your notes on the fretboard and understand how the fretboard works
Have an easier time remembering tunes
Have sharper ears
Talk music with other musicians
Play faster and with better tone because of all the finger kung fus you did in the course
Have a solid grasp of the music foundations of music theory
Use creatively: scales and modes, intervals and chords, extensions, alterations, sus and slash chords
Have a foundational knowledge of not only theory but also styles and several milestone songs
Play with much more creative confidence

Our student Durandus from the Netherlands, practicing Bass Line Lab. He has been playing for barely a year and he sounds awesome!

This is for you if...

What exactly is in this Course?

There are 20 Units in this course

Each Unit has 7 sections, each section has one or more videos

21+ hours of new video, 127 PDFs, 130 jamtracks

Quizzes, motivational videos, tips on practicing, “Purpose & Benefits” explained and much much more

The Units (click to expand)

Unit #1

[1 hour 16 minutes] of VIDEO • 8 PDFs • 5 Jamtracks

Intro:
Beginner’s Crash Course: [24.47]
Welcome Video: [3.12]

Finger Kung Fu:
Basic Set Up [3.07]
Permutation 5th fret [7.10]
Practice with me [3.10]

Theory Practice:
Note Name Drills with Visualization [3.13]
Note Name Drills on the Bass [1.49]
String of the Week: E string [3.49]

Bass Line Lab:
Groove and Fill Minor Pentatonic [8.24]
Groove and Fill w Call and Response easier [5.30]
Groove and Fill w Call and Response harder [4.11]

Combo Class:
Creative Notefinder E [3.52]

Hip Bit:
Blindfolded Notefinder [3.11]

Unit #2

[53 minutes] of VIDEO • 8 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Right Hand Finger Fitness [8.45]
Permutation 1243 4312 [2.49]
Practice with me [15.12]

Theory Practice:
String of the Week: A string [2.02]
Note Name Drill: Dots [6.06]
Rock the Prime [7.03]

Bass Line Lab:
Rockin’ Primes over Chords with a Twist [5.19]

Combo Class:
Notefinder C, F [1.44]

Hip Bit:
Rock this 6-bar Chord Progression [4.09]

Unit #3

[59 minutes] of VIDEO • 4 PDFs • 8 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Right Hand Spatial Orientation [5.31]
Permutation 1432 4123 [5.25]
Practice with me [17.24]

Theory Practice:
String of the Week: D string [2.36]
Note Name Drill: Top Down [3.28]
Practice Chromatic Scale on one String with Eartraining [4.47]

Bass Line Lab:
Chromatic Approaches Over a Blues Progression [9.48]

Combo Class:
Creative Notefinder w/Seconds G [4.41]
Creative Notefinder w/Seconds D [5.53]

Hip Bit:
Guess these Classics! [2.14]

Unit #4

[1 hour 10 minutes] of VIDEO • 8 PDFs • 6 Jamtracks

Intro:
Motivational Boost

Finger Kung Fu:
Right Hand Spatial Orientation [7.06]
Permutation 1324 4231 [4.45]
Practice with me (easier version) [20.40]
Practice with me (harder version) Permutation the whole note scale [7.32]

Theory Practice:
String of the Week: G string [3.48]
Beautiful Theory Practice Using Whole Tone Scale [3.44]

Bass Line Lab:
Grooves on Dots with Seconds [5.23]

Combo Class:
Creative Notefinder Bb [6.08]
Creative Notefinder Eb [1.42]

Hip Bit:
Grooves with Minor Thirds [5.35]
Grooves with Major Thirds [3.46]

Unit #5

[1 hour 3 minutes] of VIDEO • 7 PDFs • 4 Jamtracks

Intro:
Motivational Boost

Theory Practice:
String of the Week: G string [3.48]
Beautiful Theory Practice Using Whole Tone Scale [3.44]

Bass Line Lab:
Grooves on Dots with Seconds [5.23]

Combo Class:
Creative Notefinder Bb [6.08]
Creative Notefinder Eb [1.42]

Hip Bit:
Grooves with Minor Thirds [5.35]
Grooves with Major Thirds [3.46]

Unit #6

[50 minutes] of VIDEO • 7 PDFs • 5 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Open Strings Practice [5.45]
Permutation 1342 4231 [2.49]

Theory Practice:
Creating Grooves using 6ths, 7ths 8ths & Pedaling 5th [9.14]

Bass Line Lab:
Going Disco [5.11]

Combo Class:
Notefinder in Ab [5.49]
Notefinder in C#m [3.19]

Hip Bit:
Chromatic Approaches [3.40]

Unit #7

[1 hour 12 minutes] of VIDEO • 7 PDFs • 7 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Permutation 4132 2314 [37.47]
Right Hand – Left Hand Coordination [4.48]

Theory Practice:
Whole Tone Jam: Tritones and Major Thirds [4.41]

Bass Line Lab:
Groove and Fill: Call and Response Minor Blues Scale [7.03]
Advanced Version Groove and Fill: Call and Response Minor Blues Scale [4.07]

Combo Class:
Groove and Fill with Slides [3.56]
Creative Notefinder C-Flat in 3/4 [4.18]
Creative Notefinder in D# in 3/4 [2.54]

Hip Bit:
“Flat5 versus Perfect5” [3.20]

Unit #8

[1 hour 14 minutes] of VIDEO • 5 PDFs • 7 Jamtracks

Intro:
Motivational Boost

Finger Kung Fu:
Permutation 3124 4213 Diagonally Practice with me! [33.58]
Coordination Exercises RH-LH: Legato Notes with Open Strings [4.17]

Theory Practice:
Inversions: What they are and Double Stops [7.50]

Bass Line Lab:
Grooves with Compound Intervals [11.36]
Grooves with 1-5-8-10 [3.42]

Combo Class:
Groove and Fill Slides [2.04]
Creative Notefinder E# Minor [2.41]
Creative Notefinder Db [3.53]

Hip Bit:
These are the Days of our Shining Stars [4.20]

Unit #9

[1 hour 34 minutes] of VIDEO • 4 PDFs • 6 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Scales with Root Pedal [14.52]
Permutation 2143 3412 Descending with Mirror Image Practice with me! [34.17]

Theory Practice:
Skills for Scales Groups of Three C. G [6.53]

Bass Line Lab:
Call and Response: Scale Fragments [10.20]

Combo Class:
Scales Through the Cycle with Improv [17.01]
Creative Notefinder in Fb in 6/8 [5.34]
Creative Notefinder in G# in 6/8 [3.38]

Hip Bit:
Major Scale Songs [1.21]

Unit #10

[1 hour 13 minutes] of VIDEO • No PDFs • 6 Jamtracks

Intro:
Welcome to Review Week [4.34]
Mind Gym “Say and Play” [9.36]
Ear Training Primer [19.08]

Finger Kung Fu:
Mystery Permutation Exercises [6.08]

Theory Practice:
Interval Review [17.39]

Combo Class:
Interval Grooving with Eartraining [15.59]

Unit #11

[58 minutes] of VIDEO • 8 PDFs • 6 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Hammer-ons and Pull-offs [15.04]
RH String Finding Exercises with LH Chord Strengthener [5.41]

Theory Practice:
Skills for Scales: Groups of Threes Reversed and Groups of Fours Eb F [8.24]
Triads Through the Cycle in Major (2 fingerings) [11.21]
Triads Through the Cycle in Minor [6.30]

Bass Line Lab:
Cycle Triad Improv in Major [5.49]

Combo Class:
Notefinder in G-Flat in 5/4 [2.50]
Notefinder in A# in 5/4 [1.52]

Hip Bit:
Songs from Triads [1.10]

Unit #12

[1 hour 14 minutes] of VIDEO • 5 PDFs • 7 Jamtracks

Intro:
Motivational Boost

Finger Kung Fu:
Permutation 1234 4321 with Hammer-ons and Pull-offs Practice with me [19.08]
RH String Finding Exercises with LH Chord Strengthener [4.49]

Theory Practice:
Diatonic Triads in Order of the Scale [7.32]
Diatonic Triads in Order of the Cycle in Major [6.35]

Bass Line Lab:
Diatonic Triads in one Position [10.54]
Improvising through the Cycle in Minor [4.26]

Combo Class:
Notefinder in B# in 7/8 [6.10]

Hip Bit:
Cycle Tip [3.10]

Unit #13

[51 minutes] of VIDEO • 8 PDFs • 9 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Permutation with Fixed 1 [14.38]
RH String Finder with LH Chord Strengthener, Inversions [5.27]

Theory Practice:
Diatonic Triad Cycle in A [5.44]
Diatonic Triad Cycle in C with Variations [4.52]
Skills for Scales Groups of Twos in C [7.22]

Bass Line Lab:
Sus Chords and Slash Chords [6.02]

Styles Lab:
Reggae Triads [5.28]

Hip Bit:
Mister Blister [2.04]

Unit #14

[1 hour 3 minutes] of VIDEO • 12 PDFs • 6 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Permutations with Fixed 4 [6.56]
RH String Finder with LH Chord Strengthener, Inversions 2 [6.35]

Theory Practice:
Diatonic Triad Cycle in D [9.14]
Skills for Scales: Diatonic Triads in G [10.35]
Skills for Scales Groups of Twos with Phrasing Bb [3.27]

Bass Line Lab:
Tritone Double Stops [10.37]

Styles Lab:
Funk [9.49]

Hip Bit:
Terrific Tritone [5.53]

Unit #15

[1 hour 1 minute] of VIDEO • 7 PDFs • 5 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Permutations with Fixed 2 [16.14]
RH String Finder with LH Chord Strengthener, Inversions 3 [2.49]

Theory Practice:
Diatonic Cycle in Bb [4.19]
Skills for Scales: Diatonic Thirds Reversed in Eb [3.57]
Skills for Scales Diatonic Fourths in D [2.39]

Bass Line Lab:
Diminished Triads Through the Cycle [8.32]

Styles Lab:
Pop [5.23]

Hip Bit:
Tritone Substitution Applied [6.48]

Unit #16

[1 hour 11 minutes] of VIDEO • 7 PDFs • 5 Jamtracks

Intro:
Motivational Boost

Finger Kung Fu:
Permutations with Fixed 32 [12.37]
RH String Finder with LH Chord Strengthener 4-Note Chords [6.05]

Theory Practice:
Skills for Scales: Diatonic Fourths in F Reversed [9.25]
Skills for Scales Diatonic Fifths in Bb [3.02]
Minor Differences [18.29]

Bass Line Lab:
Minor Call and Response [4.26]
Minor Differences: Grooves [3.20]

Styles Lab:
Minor Pop [9.47]

Hip Bit:
Harmonic Major [3.57]

Unit #17

[31 minutes] of VIDEO • 6 PDFs • 8 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Pedaling for Cool Effect [8.02]
Permutations with 2 Fingers Fixed: 1324 [8.11]

Theory Practice:
Skills for Scales: Diatonic Fifths Reversed in G [3.49]
Skills for Scales Diatonic Sixths in D [3.21]

Bass Line Lab:
Cycle Walk [16.48]
Cycle Tune in Minor: Let’s Disco [5.43]

Styles Lab:
Jazz (Walking Bass 1) [14.42]

Hip Bit:
Find the Key & Name the Minor [13.31]

Unit #18

[1 hour 14 minutes] of VIDEO • 7 PDFs • 6 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:

Permutations with 2 Fingers Fixed 1423 [10.19]
Permutations Hammer-ons/Pull-offs 1342 2431 [5.18]

Theory Practice:
Skills for Scales: Diatonic Sixths Reversed in C [3.28]
Skills for Scales: Diatonic Sevenths in A [3.27]
Modes in a Minute [14.22]

Bass Line Lab:
Lydian Fantasy [16.35]
Funk Dorian [5.14]
Shortcut for Improv [10.13]

Styles Lab:
Jazz (Walking Bass 2) [4.25]

Hip Bit:
The Man Who Sold the Mode (D Bowie) [1.30]

Unit #19

[1 hour 29 minutes] of VIDEO • 10 PDFs • 8 Jamtracks

Finger Kung Fu:
Permutations with 2 Fingers Fixed 1234 [17.41]
Permutations Hammer-ons/Pull-offs 3142 2413 [2.49]

Theory Practice:
Skills for Scales: Sevenths Reversed in B-Flat [3.06]
Skills for Scales Octaves in E-Flat [5.44]

Bass Line Lab:
Blues Overview [13.25]
Rockin’ Mixolydian [10.23]
Dark and Heavy Phrygian [10.02]

Styles Lab:
The Blues [11.02]

Hip Bit:

Unit #20

[59 minutes] of VIDEO • 5 PDFs • 15 Jamtracks

Intro:
Motivational Boost
Review and Preview Where to From Here: Tips [14.12]

Finger Kung Fu:
How to Create your Own – Tips [6.48]
Bach Bass [7.30]

Theory Practice:
Two Octave Arpeggios [6.47]

Bass Line Lab:
Modes Review [14.51]

Styles Lab:
Motown [5.04]

Hip Bit:
Stevie Wonderland 2 [4.29]

Each Unit contains 7 sections

Section 1: Intro (Text only)

Here we set the tone – so to speak – for the week!

You get:

Overviews of the unit
A short reading assignment from the book which includes the relevant book videos
Thought-provoking coaching questions for you to answer – take them seriously, they are very powerful!

Section 2 : Finger Kung Fu (Video Sample)

Finger Kung Fu is next and it’s all about technique.

I’ll give you practice regimens to get your fingers in shape and prepare you to conquer any foe: arpeggios, tricky grooves, fills or solos!

There are usually two to four videos in this section, including some that you just pop in and practice along with – I call them “Practice with me” videos!

We progress from easy to pretty tough. This section is very popular because it is so satisfying to sense your progress each week!

Section 3: Theory Practice (Video Sample)

Theory Practice is the third section – this is where we marry the theory knowledge of the Intro to the fretboard!

And we do it in a way that makes practical sense by emphasizing shapes and patterns.

We’ll create grooves using a theory concept,
improvise on a new sound/shape we just learned,
or put the theory into practice by doing some fun improvisation.
Often, we practice the new concepts all over the fretboard – putting theory into action! 1 to 3 videos each unit, with descriptions, PDFs, and custom composed jam tracks!

Now new:

Mindbending and challenging interactive quizzes! They are such a great way to double check yourself! Some are tongue in cheek, some make you think, some will make you laugh out loud. You can do them often, we have a large question bank so each time you do it, it varies!

Section 4: Bass Line Lab (Video Sample)

This section gets the most thumbs up from our participants for fun factor!

Bass Line Lab follows the good grounding in theory. Here, you’ll be creating your own bass lines using the theory material we covered previously. Each week builds on the previous one, and we will do this in lots of variation

For example, there is one exercise I call “Groove and Fill” which helps you put the theory materials to great creative use. But watch out… this can be addictive
Another favorite is “Call and Response”. Can you follow along with the easier versions? How about the more advanced ones? (Hey, you can even slow down the video if it’s too fast at first!)
And improv, improv, improv! If you want to make a concept yours, improvise over it!

Jamtracks, descriptions and PDFs to help you out and make it super enjoyable! 1 to 3 videos each unit!

Section 5: Combo Class (Video Sample)

Combo Class is where you get a double bang for your practicing buck!

In particular, a series I call “Creative Notefinder” takes you through all 21 notes (Yes, twenty-one! That’s not a typo). All over the fretboard! In a systematic fashion!

Students say Combo Class doesn’t feel like practicing at all, but more like jamming with a friend, and that’s exactly what it is!

We switch it up each unit by using different time signatures and adding additional, progressively harder assignments. Wolf created a unique jam track for each note name, including wicked variations and rhythmic twists!

In later units, Combo Class turns into Styles Lab and that is all about various styles of grooves: we tackle pop, rock, reggae, funk, jazz, blues and more.

Descriptions, PDFs, jam tracks! 1 to 3 videos each unit!

Combo Class Sample

Jamtracks, descriptions and PDFs to help you out and make it super enjoyable! 1 to 3 videos each unit!

Section 6: Hip Bit (Video Sample)

The Hip Bit section is packed with cool stuff, fun stuff, the unexpected, sample licks, name-that-bassline drills, fills, grooves, songs… it is the icing on the cake!

PDFs, descriptions, jam tracks. You know the drill. Usually one video, sometimes more.

Wiz Bit

The Wiz Bit contains valuable practice tips and tricks! Read them, use them, and turbo-charge your practice time!

It’s short, and sweet, and very useful!

Section 7: Outro (Text only)

And finally, I send you off for the week with an Outro section which is much more than an outro:

It contains all the PDFs and jam tracks for easy download
as well as resources for your own practice logs,
and great looking unit overviews (“unit matrix” and the “Course Matrix
With that many videos and assets staying organized is key and these visually appealing resources and practice planners make that easy!

All these goodies come in handy zip files so you can download them with one click

Meet Your Instructor

Hi I’m Ari. Bassist, author, educator. Groove enthusiast and learning nerd.

As a bass teacher, I have taught at London Bass Day, Gerald Veasley’s Bass Boot Camp, SBL, Truefire, notreble… I even ran my own music school for a few years before gigs took me back on the road.

One thing to know about me is that I teach because I am absolutely fascinated with the learning process.

Find out more about Ari as a bass player
Find out more about Ari as an educator

Featured by leading bass websites and publications

Here's what you can expect while in the course:

Your creativity will soar

We lead you step by step to creating your own grooves and fills with the theory concepts.

Your musical intuition will sharpen

This course uncovers how music is put together. Understand the underlying logic and all begins to make intuitive sense!

You can ditch the TAB

Ditch the TAB and use your new knowledge instead. Create your own variations, fills, solos and improvisations.

Your ears get more confident

Stop chasing what you hear inside but rather use your new knowledge to hear it before you play it!

Course FAQs

How long do I have access to the material?

The book (get it on your country’s Amazon or order it in bookstores).
Email and an internet connection! This is all online. Exclusive content will be streamed straight to you.
Your bass

Once the course is paid in full, you have lifetime access.

Does this Course teach me how to read music, or is reading a pre-requesite to taking the course?

30 day Yes, we offer an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason, do not hesitate to email for a full refund for the course.

Buy completely risk-free and get lifetime access to the material once the tuition is paid in full.

The cohort Add-on portion of the course is not refundable because we have limited seats available and organize coaches who work with you.

No need to be able to read! It doesn’t hurt but if not, we got TAB and descriptions for everything!
Learn theory first (shapes! shapes! shapes!)

My course combines that with good technique. After this course, we do the Pattern System, Reading and Rhythm, and then some advanced theory, and you are truly unstoppable! After this course, reading becomes a breeze! Boom! What a shortcut!

Do it this way around, not the other way. Utilize your strengths rather than fight against your weaknesses.

I have not read the book yet. Is that okay?

That is 100% A-OK. You will work with the book as you make your way through the course. The book is a handy reference/encyclopedia. We put the material to use as we go!

Will I learn how to create my own basslines?

Yes! You will be creating and playing your own Basslines, licks, grooves & fills, and even solos! Usually along with a jam track, and trading off with me! This is really at the core of this course. And mighty fun, too!

Does this course go beyond the material in the book?

Yes!! This course contains lots more information, exercises, and concepts than the book. It refers heavily to it, but it goes way beyond it.

Lots of additional material, videos, and applications that can best be shown in videos. And, the core of it: the step by step approach, with each unit building upon the next, using the material in the book in more and more challenging contexts and applications.

What is the difference between the 89 videos that come with the book and the course videos?

The 89 videos that come with the book demonstrate the shapes shown in the book. They are demonstrations so you hear what the samples and shapes shown in the book sound like and how playing them on the fretboard looks like.

The 21 hours of video in the course are course videos. Ari shows you concepts on how to use this material, demonstrates drills and exercises to play along with and plays “call and response” with you. They are instructional videos.

The course references a few pages of the book and the corresponding book video demonstrations of these book pages in the intro section of each unit. So whether you have already read the book or not

I am an advanced player and just want to plug some music theory holes. Will I get value out of this?

Yes, if you are motivated and enthusiastic. If you are just starting out you will need to pace yourself and go at a slower pace.

A good rule of thumb is to allocate at least two weeks for each unit. I have included a beginner crash course as well and instructions as to how to proceed through the course if you are a novice.

Yes! Intermediate to advanced players who are looking to improve their theory and technique will find a treasure trove of useful exercises here.

What do I need for the cohort?

Yes, you can start the course at any time and complete it at your own pace and on your own terms. You have lifetime access.

$850

$ 650

or 5 installments of $145.00

All 20 Units of the Course
Lifetime access
Pay up front and save $75.00 compared to installments

30-day money-back guarantee on the Course. Cohort portion is non-refundable due to limited seats.

What is this
Shared-Experience & Support Option
AKA “BASS THEORY COHORT”?

Looking for info on our Bass Theory Cohort, where you can take this course together with peers and success coaches, where you post assignments and videos and have meetings and a total blast?

We only run it twice a year.

Input your name and email and we email you when the next one comes around.

In the meantime, you can sign up for the course and do it on your own.

You have lifetime access to the course and can get only the Cohort Add-On later!

“Cohort” ˈkō-ˌhȯrt

a group or team who works together on a worthwhile goal.

“Bass Theory Cohort” ‘basˈthē-ə-rēˈkō-ˌhȯrt

a group of awesome bass students doing the 20-Unit Theory Course together with the help of success coaches & each other!

How the Cohort Works

You’ll follow a clear, 20-week plan—and by the end, you won’t just “know” theory. You’ll use it confidently in your grooves, lines, and solos.

“The Cohort was an Amazing Experience!”

Alixe L., student and cohort coach

Doing a big online course on your own can get a little lonely, sometimes overwhelming. If you’d like some help, motivation, accountability and company, we got you! Twice a year we run what we call the “Theory Cohort”.

As a participant of our Course Cohort you do ten units of the course with your personally assigned success coach (who will help hold you accountable) and a group of peers, who will cheer you on and support you. You submit homework assignments and can ask Ari questions in meetings. It’s a lot of fun and will help you create a great practice habit for life!

Meet some of our 2024 New Year’s Cohort attendees. Hear them play below!

reviews arisbassblog music theory for the bass player

DAYS UNTIL THE NEXT COHORT SIGNUP

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Start the course on your own for now and add the Cohort-Add on later!

How does the cohort work?

Cohort FAQs

What is a cohort?

is a group of students who start and complete a course together. They move through the course at the same pace, doing assignments and submitting them by a weekly deadline. This setup allows them to support each other, discuss what they’re learning, and often work together on projects. Think of it as a class where everyone learns and progresses together, even though it’s online and everyone practices on their own.

An internet connection and a smartphone to film videos
A free youtube or vimeo account to upload the videos to
5 times a week 45 minutes to practice and watch videos
Every other week, another hour or so to film yourself and post!
The book

What is the time commitment for the cohort?

Reserve 45 minutes 5 times a week and 30 minutes every other week to shoot and upload your video(s).

When are the meetings?

The Cohort magic happens in four live meetings, but no stress if you can’t make those! 🎸

You’ll never miss a beat because:

•All sessions are recorded for you to watch anytime

•The real action happens on our discussion boards, where you’ll share your awesome assignment recordings and homework

•You’re free to practice when it fits your schedule and the program tells you exactly what to practice and how

•Just hit those weekly deadlines with your submissions, and you’re golden! ⭐

It’s super flexible – you’re in control of your bass journey while staying connected with our amazing community! 🎵

I will be away for a couple of weeks

No problem! You can work ahead and you can catch up! And if you have a smart phone and a travel bass you can even record yourself on the road.

Is the cohort very techie? I am not so fit with uploading videos and technology

No worries, if you need help, we got support!
A simple setup like an amp and a smartphone will do
If you are into a more elaborate recording setup, go for it, but no need!

Is the cohort suitable for complete beginners?

Yes, if you are motivated and enthusiastic, go for it! Your coaches and peers will help you and cheer you on! Super supportive vibes will help you thrive!

Is the Cohort suitable for advanced players?

Yes! Inspire your fellow cohorts and show off your stuff! The course assignments are designed such that if you have a lot of facility you will be able to use it!

When does the next cohort start?

Get ready to rock with us twice a year! 🎸 Our bass-tastic Cohorts kick off around New Year’s and again in summer. 🎉
Don’t miss out! Check the countdown timers at the top of the page to see when the next Cohort sign-up closes. ⏳ Tick-tock, future bass heroes!

We run the cohort twice a year, around New Year’s and in Summer. You can always start the course on your own and join up with a cohort later (many do this and you then only need to get the cohort portion of the course, we call it the “Cohort Add-on”!)

To see when the next cohort starts, check the notices on this page. Sign up shuts down about a week before the kickoff meeting!

Do you offer a money back guarantee for the cohort?

The cohort Add-on portion of the course is not refundable because we have limited seats available and organize coaches who work with you. It’s also an investment into yourself, a commitment you make.

We offer an unconditional 20-day money back guarantee for the course materials. If you are not satisfied for any reason with the course, do not hesitate to email for a full refund for the course.

Buy the course completely risk-free and get lifetime access to the material once the tuition is paid in full.

What if I already own the course and want to do just the cohort?

Go for it! We sell only the cohort add-on for this purpose. Note that since seats are very limited and you get an assigned coach, there are no refunds for the cohort add-on only.

Who are the coaches? Are they bass teachers?

Our cohort coaches are not professional bass teachers. Instead, they are successful course completers and former cohort participants whom we carefully select to be cohort success coaches. Each coach is assigned to 3 to 6 students.

Their primary role is to hold you accountable, assist you if you encounter any obstacles, and provide ongoing encouragement.

According to our surveys, 80% of respondents reported that having a coach check in with them made a significant difference in staying on track.

Hear some student submissions
(2024 Cohort)

Hear 2020 Coaches Play Course Materials (2020 Cohort)

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Start the course on your own now, add the Cohort Add-on later

$850

$ 750

or 7 installments of $130.00

All 20 Units of the Course
Lifetime access
Pay up front and save $160.00 compared to installments

We offer a no-questions-asked 30 days money-back guarantee on the course. Your commitment is risk free.
Try it on for size and if you’re not completely convinced that this course is powerful for you, I will promptly refund your money.

Cohort reviews say: the COHORT is powerful, fun and productive!

“I joined the cohort in January and have found recording myself to be invaluable. It lets you spot areas of technique that you should be concentrating on. The Cohort is excellent and I can honestly say I have played for a minimum of 30 minutes each day since 20th Jan when it started. Everyone is so friendly and supportive. I feel like I have improved more in 4 weeks than I did in the last 4 months.”

“There is something very powerful about making a public commitment and then following it up with a recording of that exercise… and the video you record is incredibly eye-opening!”

“Never seen anything so productive”

“Recording myself has enabled me to see the progress I’ve made by the practicing I’ve done. It serves as a record of my progress as I look back over time at the recording to assure me of how far I’ve come in my bass studies.”

“I learned through watching recordings of myself that my technique looks nothing like I think it looks when I am playing.“

“I got so much out of recording myself. It was initially very daunting but I soon used it to spot areas of my technique that I could improve. Once I started to use the PORA mechanism it became invaluable.“

What is the time commitment for the Cohort?
Will I have to practice for hours and hours?

You can if you want to but we stress quality over quantity practice! We show you exactly how to maximize your time on the instrument.
Our cohort success formula:
Each week, on 5 days, reserve 45 minutes for course bass practice
Every two weeks reserve another hour to record & upload drills
Hang out in the Cohort Community to listen to/learn from your peers
We practice smart, not long: follow our detailed instructions and you can cut practice time dramatically while getting better results.
If you have been moving your fingers mindlessly for years, maybe decades, without seeing a lot of improvement, you owe it to yourself to join this Course and super charge your musical abilities!

Myth Buster

Learning hundreds of songs with TAB will not make you a better player somehow/maybe/hopefully!

The way to get your fingers to cooperate is to learn to play with relaxation and feel, just like we practice it in my Finger Kung Fu sections in this course!

No matter where you are in your bass journey – my 20-Unit course teaches you all you need to know about music theory as a bass player and how to use the knowledge so you can start to sound musical right away!

FAQs

How long do I have access to the material?

The book (get it on your country’s Amazon or order it in bookstores).
Email and an internet connection! This is all online. Exclusive content will be streamed straight to you.
Your bass

Once the course is paid in full, you have lifetime access.

Does this Course teach me how to read music, or is reading a pre-requesite to taking the course?

30 day Yes, we offer an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason, do not hesitate to email for a full refund for the course.

Buy completely risk-free and get lifetime access to the material once the tuition is paid in full.

The cohort Add-on portion of the course is not refundable because we have limited seats available and organize coaches who work with you.

No need to be able to read! It doesn’t hurt but if not, we got TAB and descriptions for everything!
Learn theory first (shapes! shapes! shapes!)

Do it this way around, not the other way. Utilize your strengths rather than fight against your weaknesses.

I have not read the book yet. Is that okay?

That is 100% A-OK. You will work with the book as you make your way through the course. The book is a handy reference/encyclopedia. We put the material to use as we go!

Will I learn how to create my own basslines?

Does this course go beyond the material in the book?

Yes!! This course contains lots more information, exercises, and concepts than the book. It refers heavily to it, but it goes way beyond it.

I am an advanced player and just want to plug some music theory holes. Will I get value out of this?

Yes, if you are motivated and enthusiastic. If you are just starting out you will need to pace yourself and go at a slower pace.

A good rule of thumb is to allocate at least two weeks for each unit. I have included a beginner crash course as well and instructions as to how to proceed through the course if you are a novice.

Yes! Intermediate to advanced players who are looking to improve their theory and technique will find a treasure trove of useful exercises here.