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Are you a beginner (or feel like one)?
Whether you're a complete beginner or a frustrated hobbyist yearning to break through a pesky plateau - you are in the right place
Is this you?
- You just got a brand new bass and you don't know where to start!
- You have been playing for a bit but haven't really had a plan
- You are apprehensive and unsure how and what to practice
- You don't like what you sound like and you don't know how to improve it
- You'd love to go beyond TAB and understand how it all works
- You feel like you are fighting with the instrument
- You feel awkward with your bass on and it's a bit uncomfortable to play
Imagine...
- Feeling like you are well on your way to becoming a confident bassist
- Understanding how music is put together and how the bass works
- Knowing how to practice efficiently and having fun doing it
- Sensing that the bass is becoming a part of who you are
- Having command over your fingers
- Feeling more confident and happy to call yourself a bass player
- Loving picking up your axe, fiddling happily
WELCOME TO
Beginner Masterclasses with Ari
Join a small group of students like yourself on a 20-session journey through the basics of playing the bass. Recorded live as interactive classes!
We start from zero and jump straight into the fun stuff while at the same time building a strong foundation;
Apply everything you learn directly through improvisation and bass line creation – even if you have never done this before.
Our students love learning this way because you get to be musically creative right from the start! Even technique can be learned like that and it’s incredibly fun!
If you have the book (recommended) you are directed to do some reading homework as the class moves along. However, we go far beyond the book by showing many fun and musical ways to apply the theory.
You learn at your own pace. We focus on understanding and consistent practice. Unlock how music is put together step-by-step, how the bass fretboard works and how you get your mind and fingers to groove!
Whether you’re a complete beginner picking up your first instrument or a frustrated hobbyist yearning to break through a pesky plateau, this series will equip you with the skills and knowledge to access your musicality through understanding.
Press play and practice along!
Here's What Masterclass Participants 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 a freedom 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.
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 a freedom 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.
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.
As a martial arts teacher for many years, it is much easier, because there is a specific curriculum geared toward a specific level. You learn this, then you move on to the next skill.
Thank you for providing that structure that is much needed for the student!
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.
As a martial arts teacher for many years, it is much easier, because there is a specific curriculum geared toward a specific level. You learn this, then you move on to the next skill.
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 found on the internet before I signed up. 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!!!
I just love your approach!!!
Anyway glad I signed up!!!
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What exactly is in these Masterclasses?
20 sessions jampacked with fun grooves, theory drills, technique exercises and groove creation. Ari practices along with you!
Understanding
- How notes work (starting from zero)
- Where notes are on the bass
- Up the neck, down the neck - what it means and why it matters!
- The bass is becoming a part of who you are
- Have command over your fingers by being gentle and feeling into your hand
- Attitude and mindset
- You are a bassist
Technique
- Permutations
- Common patterns
- String Crossers
- Plucking Hand Exercises
- Fretting Hand Exercises
- Whole Body exercises
- Take a load off: relaxation drills
- Using the metronome
- How to change habits
Theory
- Intervals
- Chords
- Scales
- How to finger the above
- How to use the above effectively
- How to create basslines and fills using the above
- Intro to reading
- Intro to eartraining
- Sounds and emotions
- Scale degrees
Grooves & Fills
- Intervals
- Chords
- Scales
- How to finger the above
- How to use the above effectively
- How to create basslines and fills using the above
- Intro to reading
- Feeling rhythm in your body
- Timing
- Blues, Reggae, Rock, Disco, Funk...
The Fretboard
- Understanding how notes get higher and lower
- Notefinders
- Name-a-dot drills
- Easy Box Shapes and what to do with them
- Scalar Patterns
- Saying notenames
- Whole tone scale
- Chromaticism
- Visualization
Here's what you can expect from these masterclasses:
Develop solid and comfortable technique
The basics on technique and constant reminders to keep an eye on them. You will start feeling much more relaxed!
Start feeling like a bass player
In these sessions you will learn valuable musical building blocks. Immediately make cool lines with them!
Understand the foundations of theory
Theory made fun and applicable, right from the start! Improvise, even if you have never done it!
Understand how the fretboard works
Connect the dots - quite literally - with Ari's name-a-dot and notefinder drills. Step-by-step, the fretboard unlocks for you!
Hi. I’m Ari.
Bassist, author, educator. Groove enthusiast and learning nerd.
As a bassist, I have toured/played/recorded with a variety of rock, Jazz, and funk bands, I have worked with some incredible producers (Keith Olsen) and musicians (Paul Hanson, Muriel Anderson) and I toured Brazil with Stu Hamm as a duo.
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.
When I started playing bass, I excelled very quickly because I had an amazing teacher who taught me using a powerful method. This method transformed my playing so quickly that I passed a bunch of high-level university auditions and even tested out of entire classes at university even though I had been playing for only a very short time.
That’s what, 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 started teaching online in 2009 and have embraced technology as a powerful learning tool since then, never losing sight of the importance of providing feedback and personalized guidance to learners.
I also utilize the power of learning in groups: our first cohort with volunteer coaches ran in 2018, and Masterclasses started in 2020. Our practice memberships have been going strong since 2022.
Traditional Approaches vs. Ari's Approach
Other Ways
The Ari Way
Based on copying and rote learning
Based on helping you create your own grooves from day 1
Teach reading first, then explain theory on a staff
Theory shapes on the fretboard first, then reading
Start with scales as WWHWWWH
Start with intervals, then build scales from them
Technique and fingering often neglected or only via TAB
Technique training through relaxation and awareness drills
Top-down instruction of theory
Explore & discover theory and your own unique ways of playing
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, engaging practice that yields faster results and keeps you motivated.
To get through most theory books you will be forced 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.
Confronted with confusing theory concepts like WWHWWWH, leaving you frustrated and wondering how to apply them.
Theory is scale degrees and sounds 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 through relaxation and awareness drills from day 1. Great fingerings from day 1! No bad habits!
Overwhelmed by top-down instruction that doesn't connect theory to real music, making practice feel like a chore.
You feel like you explore & discover theory on your own and uncover your own unique ways of playing
Get Instant Access to the pre-recorded Beginner Masterclasses
$115
- 20 hours of video
- Jamtracks
- PDFs with TAB and notation
We offer a no-questions-asked money back guarantee so your commitment is risk free for 30 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.
We use Stripe, a highly secure checkout system!
Learn a ton while having fun!
- Practice along with Ari and the group in this pre-recorded series of masterclasses
- Course portal with all assets
- All new drills
- Referenced pages in the Theory Book
- Relaxed vibe and steady progress
- Systematic, consistent, step-by-step
As seen on
Featured by leading bass websites and publications
Choose your BEST Path:One-Time Purchase or Membership Access
Lifetime Access
$115 one-time payment
Perfect for those who want one focused course to start with!
Get instant access to the pre-recorded
Beginner Masterclasses
- 20 hours of video w/ Jamtracks, TAB, diagrams
We offer a no-questions-asked money back guarantee so your commitment is risk free for 14 days.
Check out these masterclasses and if you’re not completely convinced that they are right for you, we will promptly refund your money.
We use secure checkout powered by Stripe.
LIVE PRACTICE Membership
$110 per month
Best for learners seeking ongoing growth
and interactive support!
Get instant access to the pre-recorded
Beginner Masterclasses
- 20 hours of video w/ Jamtracks, TAB, diagrams
PLUS
Join up to 16 Live Practice Sessions a month with Ari & Ari-trained teachers – various topics & levels!
AND
get access to extensive ARCHIVES with 350+ recorded Live Practice sessions including…
- 20 Beginner Jazz Masterclasses (Levels 1, 2)
- 30 Pattern System Masterclasses (Levels 1, 2, 3)
- 60+ EarTraining Mondays
- 50+ Learn-from-the-songs Series
- 50+ Rapid Results Series
We offer a no-questions-asked money back guarantee so your commitment is risk free for 14 days.
Join us for a few practice sessions and if you’re not completely convinced that this practice membership is right for you, we will promptly refund your money.
We use secure checkout powered by Stripe.
Questions & Answers About The Beginners Masterclasses
You need your bass and an internet connection!
We also recommend to get this book:
International buyers click here
Not required but highly useful is our Theory Wall Chart.
Beginners and low intermediate. This class starts from scratch.
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!
At this time we do not offer any new live masterclasses. This is the only way to get this content. If you’d like to study with Ari, become a member of our Live Practice Membership. These Beginner Masterclasses are included with the Practice Membership.
We offer a no-questions-asked money back guarantee so your commitment is risk free for 30 days. Try it on for size and you’re not completely convinced that these masterclasses are right for you, I will promptly refund your money.
We use secure checkout with Stripe.
Choose your BEST Path:One-Time Purchase or Membership Access
Lifetime Access
$115 one-time payment
Perfect for those who want one focused course to start with!
Get instant access to the pre-recorded
Beginner Masterclasses
- 20 hours of video w/ Jamtracks, TAB, diagrams
We offer a no-questions-asked money back guarantee so your commitment is risk free for 14 days.
Check out these masterclasses and if you’re not completely convinced that they are right for you, we will promptly refund your money.
We use secure checkout powered by Stripe.
LIVE PRACTICE Membership
$110 per month
Best for learners seeking ongoing growth
and interactive support!
Get instant access to the pre-recorded
Beginner Masterclasses
- 20 hours of video w/ Jamtracks, TAB, diagrams
PLUS
Join up to 16 Live Practice Sessions a month with Ari & Ari-trained teachers – various topics & levels!
AND
get access to extensive ARCHIVES with 350+ recorded Live Practice sessions including…
- 20 Beginner Jazz Masterclasses (Levels 1, 2)
- 30 Pattern System Masterclasses (Levels 1, 2, 3)
- 60+ EarTraining Mondays
- 50+ Learn-from-the-songs Series
- 50+ Rapid Results Series
We offer a no-questions-asked money back guarantee so your commitment is risk free for 14 days.
Join us for a few practice sessions and if you’re not completely convinced that this practice membership is right for you, we will promptly refund your money.
We use secure checkout powered by Stripe.