Customer Reviews

Reviews

Emails • Testimonials • Spontaneous Moments

Students, Readers and Course Participants

Ron P

Kevin G

Rick R, spontaneous during an online lesson, used with permission

Beatle Bob on Ari's 20 Unit Course

Tracie Whitelaw – Facebook Post

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. I have struggled with syncopation and off beat sixteenth notes for years as a classically trained bassoonist and although I still have a long way to go to get every single subdivision lined up exactly right, I am finally on the right path.

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. This morning I decided to try that concept with the G Maj pentatonics we are learning in the pattern class (which is also an amazing class). I only started working on this today so it isn’t polished, but I am so excited about the concept of this kind of practice and wanted to share it here. Thanks so much Ariane Cap for your brilliant, creative teaching!!!

Tracie Whitelaw (Facebook post used with permission)

Becoming a member of Ari's community is a fantastic opportunity to participate in live interactions, multiple times a week, with an inspirational teacher. Ari has the rare skill of meeting players at all different levels of experience and knowledge right where they are, and knowing what they need to become better musicians and band members.

In this supportive and dedicated community, we’re learning not just the theory but what the theory is good for, and why and when; not just what the bass can do in the practice room, but how it works together with the drummer, how it works in support of the soloist, even how it works on the dance floor. The more I work with Ari's approach the more I appreciate how powerful it is.

Chris D, Membership - Founding Member, DM

Membership is great! You can choose which live lessons to attend and what you want to learn, and you can always watch the recording... Ari is a brilliant teacher who always makes the lessons fun but also challenging.

She teaches us songs to help build our repertoire on the bass but always breaks down and analyzes the songs for our music theory and technique learning. Ari created a friendly and supportive online community where bassists of all levels are welcome.

Dave L, Membership, personal email

One of the killer aspects (of the membership) is the possibility to join 3 or 4 sessions each week. Another aspect is that (Ari gives you) a lot of material to dig deeper into (eg: pdfs, musescore, iRealPro, etc...). It's quite rich!
(I get) a solid, lively, dynamic framework to build my everyday practice with…(I love) the depth of the explanations. She knows her stuff and has so many ways to drill down on any particular aspect. I am learning as I am practicing. Sound trivial but it's not. If you feel like you are going nowhere, this is the place where everything makes sense..

Laurent D, Membership, personal email

I love ear training Mondays.. I feel like I always walk away with a new piece of knowledge and a better understanding of the relationships within a key.

Ian G, Membership, Community post

Awesome session indeed, I grabbed so many things out of it the throwing secondary dominant to a one-chord jam, if not strictly about ear training, was super educational.

Laurent D, Membership, Community post

Pattern 1 is precisely what I needed at just the right time. This course is definitely challenging in the best sense.

Building a strong foundation and putting the bricks where they need to be, so to speak.

Setting this foundation to be able to grow as a musician and be an authentic skilled player.

I am thrilled to be in this course and will definitely enroll in Pattern 2. I am grateful to be learning from Ari - musician and bass player and human extraordinaire. It’s a holistic experience. I highly and hugely recommend this course and learning from Ari to any bass player world wide. For any player who is searching for a mentor and a method you have found it with Ari.

She challenges you and encourages you all at once. She creates a safe and very kind and friendly learning environment . Sometimes for me it is tricky to translate learning on zoom. The pace can be fast but I go back and watch the replays and the parts of the replays where I need more help and repetition. That’s the beauty of having the class recording.

Ellie, Pattern System Group Participant, personal Email

Just a note to thank you for the great classes on your Pattern System book. This system really can open musical doors in the best way possible. By structuring your playing around the 5 shapes our minds can grasp this information systematically, plus the way you drip feed the exercises I started to think more musically without feeling overwhelmed!

Thank you and the team for all you do!

John R, Pattern System Group Participant, personal Email

I’m amazed how fast I progressed in the Level I fretboard class. Ari is the real deal.

My mother was a musician and teacher and those finger exercises and scaler notes sound so familiar. What really scared me was that I found those simple exercises weren’t as easy as I thought, because I never practiced like this before. The discipline and memorization knowledge is what I really needed, and I’m getting that from Ari’s Bass Lessons.

Rick B, Pattern System Group Participant, personal Email

This was the second time I took the Pattern System Level 1 course and it was incredibly worthwhile. I picked up on a number of aspects of the pattern system that I overlooked the first time through. It has really helped to cement the pattern system in my brain and has improved my knowledge of the fretboard (including the 5-string).

I highly recommend this course to anyone that wants a thorough knowledge of the electric bass.

Paul B, Pattern System Group Participant, personal Email

Well that was really fun! These patterns really work for my brain! Lol!

I wanted to thank you for all you have done for so many of us! I always wanted to do music, but it seemed like life was always getting in the way! Now that I’m officially retired (for now anyhow) I finally have the time to focus on what I love to do! I first stumbled onto Ariane Cap on U Tube about 4+ years ago. Found some of your videos on Truefire ( I think). Then you kept popping up on Scott’s Bass lessons! I guess I bought your theory book and then got in on the very first Cohort. It was stop and start for a bit , but eventually things began to click!

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!

Mike O, Pattern System Group Participant, personal Email

I signed up for the next session less than 24 hours after the info was posted so that should tell you something. I’ve taken in-person lessons from four local “teachers" here in the Columbus area and have learned bits and pieces from each of them. What I didn’t learn was how to tie those bits and pieces up into a usable bundle. I’ve learned more about that part of it in the last ten weeks than in the three or four years of combined instruction locally. I plan on continuing with this course until I feel comfortable enough to walk into any situation, plug in, and hold my own and would recommend anybody spending some time in a class of their interest with Ari.

Randy Fergus, Pattern Group Participant, personal email, used with permission

The other night, I was listening to a recording of a friend’s new composition. He had not told me anything about it, but I started picking out some of the melody on my bass, and almost immediately recognized the patterns lighting up on the fretboard as A Phrygian. Having fallen in love with music later in life, I find this to be astounding. A year ago, the modes were a complete mystery to me. I got my first bass in 2016, and soon found Ari’s book, Music Theory for the Bass Player. I was learning to play bass within the context of a large ukulele group that played many different genres, and often songs I’d never heard before. I knew that if I wanted to create more interesting accompaniment beyond roots and fifths, I would need to learn some theory in order to create so many bass lines on the fly.

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.

Laura Ballance, personal email, used with permission

I just want to say… my technical skills need a lot of work, but I’ve tried over the past few years several times to figure out walking bass and just failed completely. Didn’t understand it at all… at all. And I have to say, I am astonished, ya know, [...] at what I am able to perform, I… I… I get it! I feel like I get it now.

And it’s thanks to you (Ari). I don’t think I could ever get it any other way. So I thank you and the Group for everything you guys have done, because this past, this course, ya know the last couple of months I feel like I actually understand how to do it now. And it is… it’s amazing. So thank you very much.

Denise, spontaneous moment in Jazz Practice Group

I walked my first bass in 1974 and many hours since then, and learnt more in 10 weeks than all those years put together. This course helped me understand why I did what I did well, and gave me a whole new repertoire to make my walking lines more interesting and varied. Highly recommended!

Jim Stidham, Jazz Practice Group Participant

The Jazzy Jazz Tunes: Level 3 course was fantastic!

It was an excellent blend of theory and practice.

I can now write good sounding walking bass lines (in notation!). I feel I have gained a lot of knowledge of jazz chord progressions and how to transition smoothly between chords.

Ari provided a wealth of information on the practical aspects of playing jazz bass with many useful tips on how to function as a bassist in a jazz ensemble - invaluable advice for gigging.

Before taking Ari’s jazz bass courses I really had no appreciation for jazz music. Now I am weaving what have have learned from this wonderful musical genre into my other musical interests such as blues and rock.

Paul B., Jazz Practice Group Participant

So I just finished Ari's Jazz Class. I was new to the Jazz world and completely clueless to the tunes or the walking bass style. I only knew I wanted to learn how to "walk that bass'.

Much to my surprise, I actually learned how to put together simple - but respectable walking bass lines. A great foundation.

Loved the class and the music and will continue to work on my walking bass going forward - Thanks, Ari!

Ben Greer, Jazz Practice Group Participant

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.

Paula Warren, personal email, used with permission

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.

Al Bader, personal email, used with permission

Thanks Ari, it’s a great privilege to be part of your bass community. Thanks so much for this. Let me share with you a little story. The other day my brother-in-law and I decided to jam together. First time ever; they live 500 km away and normally we spend just a day or two at their place. This time and thanks to Corona, we stayed for a week, so we had a lot of time. He is a professional musician, guitarist, R&B forever. He knew I was playing bass but for some reason we never played together. Those guys are also on a different level … . However, I decided to use the pattern system. After a while, he stopped playing, looked at me and said – quote ‘How long have you been playing for? I’m speechless. It took me ten years to learn the fretboard like this.’ Ha – seems to work. Thanks to you. 😊 Was super fun.

S., personal email, used with permission

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.

Chris N., personal email, used with permission, Rhythm Matrix Participant

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!

Paul Wright (personal email)

Hi Ari,

THESE ARE MY HONEST THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUR BOOK (Music Theory for the Bass Player).

The book is an absolutely amazing tool. I record what I play by feel onto my phone to break it down and transcribe it into Sheet music in my Musicians Note Pad later on. I have been doing way more improvisation and this book has helped me so much that I’m having to prepare for a Single Studio Album.

I seriously, seriously recommend this to any performing musician who just needs to find that missing piece.

I have finally found the way to tell my story and it’s not with words.

Thank you so much for releasing this book.

Much love and respect to you.

Sincerely,

Chris (DICE) Allday (personal email used with permission)

Great Job Ari, your team did a great Job. Still the BEST Music Theory book/course, money can buy. Still a bargain. You get so much for so little. Can’t thank you enough.

Cheers : )

Alex Acosta (personal email)

Hi Ariane,I just wanted to let you know that I am getting so much out of the ear training course. I am on lesson #10, and I am becoming much more aware of how to distinguish the notes. I can see how this course is going to give me a game plan on how to listen better and be able to transcribe music. I’m really excited to do the exercises you suggested to really listen and describe what I hear. The sounds classification information is eye-opening (maybe ear opening is a better description) but you know what I mean. Awesome stuff!

Jesse Perez (personal email)

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,

Theo (personal email)

Hi Ari,

I just wanted to let you know that I was super excited with yesterday’s practice. Obviously the exercises we’re doing are leading to some great results! I enjoyed the Bruno Mars song, which was pretty easy and allowed me to focus on precision with note length and rhythm. And then I just started playing a bunch of other songs I’ve played before, and didn’t want to stop! Everything just sounded better, felt easier, more solid, and like the notes were more under my hands. So, yay!

Teal (personal email)

Thank you thank you thank you….. Been playing 35 years but your simplification of the Pentatonic scale has totally opened my mind and fretboard. I am already an expert on all the the in between notes (either noise or brilliance) so this is awesome. I have had many teachers over the years, both online and offline. I just wanted to say you have a gift. Next month is my 60th birthday and I have never been a better player…. ; )

Foster Grant (personal email)

Loving the course. I’m finally getting my head around the theory. I was listening to a song in the car the other day and it suddenly hit me that it was 1 4 5 flat 6. I came home and figured it out in an hour. I’m so happy I bought this course.

Btw, I’m a 59 years old – I’ve been playing for 15 months. I set the alarm for 5:30 AM every morning and play for an hour. I had a teacher, but I fired him when I realized that for him a lesson was more about him impressing me than teaching me. I’ve learned tons since I started your course – my wife thinks I have improved more in the last 3 months than in the whole year before that.

You have such a structured way of teaching that really works for me. One suggestion would be to have a second camera focused close up on your hands so I can see more clearly what you are doing.

I’ve also checked out some of your performances. I’m blown away by your artistry – it is very inspiring!

Well – see you at 5:30 tomorrow morning – DON’T BE LATE!

Sheldon Silverman (personal email)

July 19, 2020.

For the past 18 months, I have immersed myself in a self-directed musical education with my bass guitar. As part of my journey, it was important that I search for and select quality courses and the best instructors to support me.

Last year, I purchased the book Music Theory for the Bass Player by Ariane Cap. I also signed up for the 20-module course that uses the book as the supporting text.

I learned a tremendous amount of music theory during the 40 weeks that I worked on the course. The course went far beyond the material in the book. Ariane taught me about how to use the theory and apply it directly to making music.

The knowledge I gained from this course, literally catapulted my bass playing forward. Now, during every new course that I take, I apply the theory that I learned, and this allows me to better absorb the new information. It provides a necessary foundation for groove creation, improvisation and musical understanding.

Before taking this course, I had no idea just how important music theory would be, in my quest to accelerate and improve my bass education. I would highly recommend this course to those that want to become a better bass player.

Sincerely,
Terry Sinclair

Terry Sinclair (personal email)

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.

Like I said I have a teacher here in San Diego for only 3 months. I just love your approach!!!

Anyway glad I signed up!!!

Dana G (personal email)

As for my music this quote from Michel Legrand kind of sums it up. “The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know”By the way, as I “learn” more I also realize those sessions with you were the best I’ve had in a teaching/student environment. Everything you showed me keeps showing up over and over.

G. Erwin (saxophonist, personal email)

I cannot neglect to heap praise on you for actually having an approach to teaching that understands how people learn. I’m not up for weekly face to face lessons (yet) and have investigated a seemingly endless array of online resources. Yours stands out because it understands both music and teaching. Mad props, and thanks.

Happy New Year.

Mark S, personal email

Hello Ariane, You are a fantastic teacher. I recently began learning the bass using your book and accompanying online videos, and I am loving it. I have a history of playing in bands as a drummer, but have always had a love for the bass. I feel with the bass I have found my instrument. I work as a nurse full time and have recently been spending a least one hour per night studying the bass with your exceptional book. I am looking so forward to taking your Online Course near the beginning of 2019.Thank you so much Ariane.

Steve, personal email

I was going to send Ari a letter telling her how much I am enjoying these critically thought out, incredible lessons! This from an old guy who has been playing bass in every genre and setting you can imagine, albeit badly, for decades. I even played in a couple of symphony orchestras for 10 years, fairly recently. The course is absolutely amazing! Right now I’m playing in a Jazz Trio, two worship groups, and a new band that is really taking off, as in a recording session in the Spring, followed, by a mini tour. I need to be up to it by Spring! I’m absolutely convinced that these lessons will get me there! Never seen anything so productive, and I’ve probably used almost all of them.

J D Moore (email to Ari’s assistant, used with permission)

I have wasted so much time with talented well-intended musicians who just don’t know how to teach. I feel so lucky and blessed to have found Ariane. I have never had a teacher of this caliber in any area of my life including high school and college. In this day and age, with so much content online it’s easy to get overwhelmed and distracted. Ariane has a process. A process that is proven. It works and I feel like I have improved more in the last few months of studying with her than in the last several years. She also understands the theory behind learning. She applies that theory to every component of her teaching. On a personal level, she is incredibly passionate about teaching and truly cares about her students getting results and enjoying the process. She is a true gift to me and I am sure all those who come in contact with her.

Joseph Tumolo

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!

Stephanie Ahn student

I’m currently working in Unit Three. This course is amazing! I love the “Practice With Me” videos because after my weekend focus session with a unit I can just make a checklist of vids with timestamps for the exercises I want to shed that week, then I just hit those daily during my busy work week. I can see I am going to be able to go back and do this course again at least another full time and get even more out of it too..

Vanessa Rae (Facebook post, used with permission)

Hi Ariane, I just bought your bass course a few days ago and as a self-taught bass player for many years I strongly believe that I did the best investment of my life buying it. For the first time, I hear myslef playing exactly what I want, nothing more, nothing less. … and being able to write down my first bass lines with fills in less than a week is one of the biggest steps that I could dream about a week ago. WoW?!!!

Adrian Pop (personal email, used with permission)

Wow… I only played with C from Area 1 up to Area “Whatever we’ll call it”, but the pattern system just increments and moves up the neck? Very cool. Sorry, but it is so cool I had to ask/tell someone.

Kevin Gonyo (personal email, used with permission; we are going through the “Pattern System”)

I just had another aha moment, ( why I love your lessons, you allow us to figure it out, without giving it all away. Good way of learning permanently)

Antonio Lopez-Canino, MD, personal email (used with permission)

I have lived my life surrounded by educators; mom has a doctorate in education, uncles with same degree and since childhood, I have had tons of different views on how to learn, teach, etc. then, I have experienced through college, medical school, residency, other professionals and their way of teaching. Yours is unique and how you present it, is in a building block manner and fun. You foment creativity. Thank you.

Antonio Lopez-Canino, MD personal email (used with permission)

Hey Ariane. I want to thank you for a reply to someone else a while ago concerning problems with his fretting hand. Specifically, you suggested feeling the weight of his plucking hand forearm on the bass, causing the bass to rotate slightly, pressing the fingerboard into the fingers of the fretting hand. You added that he should be able to play without any pressure from his thumb that way. I’ve been having pain between the base of my left (fretting) thumb and wrist. Had it checked out, and I have stage 4 arthritis, requiring surgery. I’ve been using your suggestion, and it’s helped immensely. Have two gigs left – one today and one next Friday. I’ll be able to get through them thanks to your advice. So, God bless you! Keep up the great work!

Rick Kline, Ithaca, NY (via Messenger, used with permission)

Hi Ariane, I wanted to send you a thank you and say your course really does work. Your teaching is so good, so understandable. Your materials are so useful and allow students to go back to it over and over again. It’s amazing how much I have received and learned for such a small investment. From PORA to tiny habits that you add in as just part of what you do and how you do it, it’s amazing and so effective. I just really wanted to say thanks. Regarding your Music Theory Wall Chart … I find more new things every time I look at it. It’s an incredible wealth of information. Thanks again,

Kevin G., Arizona (personal email, used with permission)

Your book and videos MTBP are excellent and and have caused my understanding and playing skills to truly advance! Thanks for such a well thought out progression of learning.

Rick (personal email, used with permission)

My highest compliments to you. Been playing about six years trying to learn by multiple methods. Developed as a bassist more in the past five weeks in your course than the past couple years with other stuff.

Matthew (personal email, used with permission)

Hi Ariane, With much satisfaction and personal gratification, I’m happy to say that a few weeks ago I completed my first pass through all of the material included in Music Theory for the Bass Player, The Course! and am amazed, shocked, stunned at the amount that I learned. The course in combination with your book Music Theory for the Bass Player is an excellent value. They offer an enormous amount of information for the dedicated student. I figure that I probably realistically only retained about 10% of the material, but 10% of enormous is still a lot, especially considering that I commenced the endeavor at the nadir of musical knowledge. Thanks for producing such an exceptional product.

CH, personal email, used with permission

I wanted to tell you that I really love your book and course. I’m 40 years old and have been playing on and off since I was 15, but it never clicked for me. Your course and book have totally changed that. Things I could never visualize or fully understand are really starting to come together. Now if I could just find more time in the day or rewind the clock about 20 years, lol. Again, thank you so much and I will let you know how my new practice routine works.

Chris B (personal email, used with permission)

Hi Ariane, Thank you for the reply! You are so good and so nice with us “students”. I LOVE your course! It keeps me thinking and engaged and helps me to understand music theory better by answering the “why”. As I study and work with other bass song tabs, I see examples of all of the topics we’ve covered so far in the course. I does help me to understand why the musician played a particular groove the way they did, etc. The value of this course is simply amazing to me. We get a ton of knowledge and the benefit of your teaching expertise as well as answers to questions we have. It is just fabulous.

Kevin G (personal email, used with permission)

Hi Ariane—— just wanted to send along my thoughts about your pentatonic video course. I think it’s excellent. You really opened my ears and my eyes. Isn’t it funny how some teachers—–like you——–can make things simple——while others can make the same things complicated? There’s an old saying that a good teacher can show you the right way in 5 minutes or an hour, that would take years on your own. I don’t have formal musical training, but I have been playing most of my life, and learning all the time.

Paul Brooke, Canada (from an email, used with permission)

… Tonight I started with styles labs – unit 13 reggae, man I loved the jam track could not stop, triads inversions double, triple tempo breaks…everything flowed low on the neck high on the neck I was all over the place. Even tried walking bass on top of it, that was real fun.

T.K. (from a personal email, used with permission)

I’ve read a lot of books about how to play the bass, and I’ve read lots of books about music theory, but this was the first book I’ve read that covers music theory from the perspective of a bass player. Ariane teaches you to be a musician fist, and a bass player second, which is how it should be. The book is appropriate for all levels, even the absolute beginner with no prior musical experience. Experienced bassists will learn new ways to understand how music works, and how the bass fits in with the rest of the band.

Dan Callaway, Bassist

Your book, seems to cover all learning styles. The other books I have, start out by associating notes on the staff and not associating ‘music’ to the whole process. Your notefinder showed me how much I don’t ‘know’… Your Chapter 12 is pretty amazing. It’s almost as if that section could be a book on its own, simply because of the usefulness of the information. It’s like you’re dragging people onto the right path. I would make that section required reading for any bass player. The PORA concept could be adapted to life itself. I used it to train hockey goalies, but I didn’t know it. All we knew was 300 purposeful repetitions created habit, and 1500 created instinct.

Hilliard Scott, Bassist (via email, used with permission)

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.

Eric Steinberg, Phoenix, AZ, Bassist (from an email, used with permission)

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!

H. S., Bassist (personal email, used with permission)

I wanted to touch base and let you know that I took your advice and started working for 10 minutes on mindful practice. It is working out much better than anticipated and is usually stretched to about 30 min (depending on the sleeping baby of course haha). While it’s obviously a slower way to go through the material I find that it “sticks” better and I am able to better recall the scales, changes, practice items when going to back to them. Thanks for the great advice!

Chris B (personal email, used with permission)

… By the way… Thank you very much for making me a better bassist! 🙂 I’m entering week 19 – Maj and Min Pentatonic – and I am very excited about it as I have been over the entire course so far. And yes, you can definitely use my sentence as well as my name. Anything that encourages people to take this amazing course. Go for it!

Fagner Serrano (personal email, used with permission)

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..

Datrucks (personal email, used with permission)

Hi Ari, i bought the book , subscibed to the course and practiced fanatically , and guess what work and all other things start to get in the way. However following your videos and book etc I started to listen differently to music – now I understand why I like some music already for a long time (am 58, so the catalog in my head is substantial). So, your method opened a new universe for me. So I practice when I can, since that is sometimes hard I have decided to enable myself to be able to practice when I can.

Then your video in unit 20 showed me that parallel to the course I can start to dissect , analyze and try to master musical pieces…..Weather Report’s “A remark you made” took a long time but gave me a lot of insight, suddenly “Money” by Pink Floyd took me two hours to master…

For me ( am a CEO, PhD whatever ) I embarked on a whole new never ending journey outside my box, this is so great! Thank you for that!! Looking forward to new stuff as you mentioned.

And on top of this what is so great you can always go back to certain pieces in the course to further fine tune skills, get ideas etc.
Keep up the good work !

Personal email from a course participant, used with permission.

Ari, gerade habe ich wieder mal einen “OH YESSS” Moment gehabt (Unit 3-2.4 “Don’t Overgrip”). Da ich immer noch gelegentlich Probleme mit Krämpfen in der linken Hand habe, ist der Tipp mal ohne Daumen zu spielen Gold wert!

Christian Münker, email

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.

My big project right now is shedding the G Patterns #1, 2 & 3. Learning the notes,chords, inversions,identifying the major and minor chords in those patterns,then trying to apply the patterns to the Cycle of 5ths.

So much more, but I’m getting long winded, and don’t want to take up to much of your time.

Jesse Perez, Skype Student (via email, used with permission)

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.

I also like the structure of her lessons. She takes the time to find out where the student is in his or her journey, what their self-evaluation is, and then designs her instruction based on that assessment. Her assignments are specifically tailored to what the student needs to work on next. She provides a written follow-up assessment after each lesson that includes recognition of what the student did well in the previous lesson and a positive review of things the student needs to work on.

This positive reinforcement makes it much easier for the student to tackle the next assignment. And, the evaluation includes a recap of what the student should work on for the next lesson.

I also particularly like Ariane’s recognition that, for many students, finding time to practice as much as they would like is difficult, and she will happily turn a lesson slot into a practice slot with her if that is what is needed.

Many instructors would simply be mad that the student had not practiced. Very practical and it makes it less daunting to connect with her for a lesson if you are not as prepared as you would like.

All of my rambling is just to say that it is obvious that she is passionate about teaching and in making students successful.

And, as I’m sure you know, her book is wonderful! I just ordered a second copy so I can cut up my original to put in a three-ring binder so that it will lie flat. Great, great book! I am certainly okay with you forwarding my email on to Ariane. I am very pleased with her association with your company!

Dave Dickens, Skype Student (in an email to Roland Trimmel of Liquid Notes)

23 years on bass, never really studied, just winged it and figured out to best of my ability. I recently ordered your book and am several lessons in, and I just wanted to say thanks. You do a good job of breaking things down! Excited to learn and understand why I have naturally figured out how to play the way I do, and expand on that exponentially with what you are teaching. I also enjoy your blog. With my limited exposure these days to the music world (kids), it’s nice getting some fresh ideas and concepts. Keep up the good work.

Pat, Bassist (from an email, used with permission)

Cohort Feedback

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!

Fred P

Recording myself has made me accountable to the commitment I’ve promised. It has helped me overcome any fear I have about demonstrating progress I’ve made through my practicing of the material I’ve committed to record.

Fred P

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.

Fred P

The cohort has made me accountable so I work steadily towards the goal of completing the course. It adds that extra layer of accountability which serves as motivation during those times when it’s easy to simply put things off for ‘another day’.

Kevin G

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.

Chris D

So far I’ve recorded myself twice and I’ll tell you this—- it’s been both humbling and a very worthwhile learning experience. For unit 1, I tee’d up a bit that I had worked on throughout the two week period, and when I was on video it like I was I sight reading and had never seen the piece before! I guess if I want to play to an audience this is a good sense for what that is gonna be like. Practice, practice and then practice some more…

Bob K

When you record yourself and play it back, it is the same as having your teacher sitting on your shoulder and pointing out where you need to refine and improve. For me, it points out that I frequently lose track of the metronome, my notes do not sound even between my index and middle fingers and I often start to “crawl into” my bass and do not keep myself relaxed. A very effective form of biofeedback!

Jay R

Academia, Teachers, Colleagues

I’m very impressed with the work you’ve done. It’s refreshingly different, thorough and well organized – and the videos are a huge plus. I have no doubt you’ll have great success with it! I know I will certainly recommend it to students looking for help with music theory and harmony or just to improve or correct their bass technique.

Tim Landers (LA College of Music, Dave Grusin, Vinnie Colaiuta, TV, movies, advertising)

The perfect combination of virtuosity, musicality, creativity, and versatility, Ariane Cap's playing encompasses just about anything you could want in an electric bass player. An added bonus is her genuine kindness and always-positive attitude, which makes every rehearsal and performance with Ariane an absolute joy.

Nick Phillips GRAMMY-recognized producer, Billboard-charting jazz recording artist

If you are serious about exploring the bass guitar while making the best use of your precious time, this book will be an essential asset to your creative journey. Ariane has accomplished nothing less than a flawless road map from the microcosm of basic building blocks to the macrocosm of advanced comprehension. The book’s holistic methodology skillfully combines the unavoidable facts of music with an elegant psychological approach to the art of learning itself. Music Theory for the Bassist will take you right to the edge of your nest from where you can jump into the unknown with a powerful set of wings to fly by.

Kai Eckhardt (Kaizone Teaching, Garaj Mahal, Billy Cobham, John McLaughlin)

Ariane Cap’s Music Theory for the Bass Player covers all aspects of theory in a very bass-centric, straightforward and encyclopedic fashion. Whether used for self-study or with an instructor the book offers a progressive and inclusive journey through the mechanics of scale structure and harmony. Relating theoretical concepts to fingering patterns establishes a bridge for bassists of all backgrounds and experience levels. Highly recommended!

Michael Wilcox (San Jose State University, Berkeley Jazz School)

Music Theory for the Bass Player by Ariane Cap is a thorough and practical study of bass guitar that I’ve found to be very useful. I really like the way it is laid out. Starting with the basic knowledge of how music works, chapters on intervals, chords and modes, then a wonderful chapter on technique basics. I found the sections on using the Principles of Rotating Attention or “PORA” and the Ergonomics and Health enlightening. This a great work by a wonderful musician. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for new and healthy ways to approach the bass.

Derek Jones (Bassist for Cirque du Soleil’s production of KA)

Bass players rejoice! Music Theory for the Bass Player presents music theory as it matters: to improve your playing and your hearing. And all from the perspective of the bass player. Ariane Cap has put together a challenging book that will reward you with more confident and capable playing and improvising with a solid knowledge of what you are doing and why. In fact it is just as much about fingering as it is about theory, and Ms. Cap explains how fingering patterns relate to theory concepts and how these work together to strengthen your ear, so you know the sound before you play it. This is how theory should be taught: to improve your playing.

This is a book that could only be written by a top-notch bassist with a deep understanding of educational principles. Information is presented in easily digestible chunks that are illustrated in several ways including the fretboard. Each concept should be fully understood before continuing, and this is reinforced by a brilliant set of exercises at the end of each section. DO NOT SKIP THE EXERCISES! To do so would be to miss the whole point of the book: for you to get each concept into your head, your fingers, and your ears.

Dr. Dave Walker (writer, educator, multi-instrumentalist, researcher)

I met Ariane a few years back and since our meeting I’ve only used her for all my bass tracks. Her inventive style, expertise, and time are exceptional. I suggest that everyone look at her book and listen to her playing. She underscores the true meaning of ‘foundation with style and groove’.

Keith Olsen, Multi Grammy award-winning Producer (Journey, Foreigner)

I am a multi-platinum Grammy award winning music producer. I am also a Vallejo bassist who needed a refresher. I’m now blessed to know, and be a student of the amazing Ariane Cap. In my (25+ year) career in music I’ve worked with the best there is, and I must tell you that Ariane is of the “best” I’ve seen…

James Jae-e Earley, Grammy Award-Winning Producer (MC Hammer)

HOW TO BECOME A BETTER BASSIST

1. Remember the name Ariane Cap.
2. Buy her Truefire course “Pentatonic Playground for Bass.”
3. Work through the course.

If you have any objection that this is “just the pentatonic scale” remember that this is the basis of many of the greatest players’ style, including John Entwhistle.

Ariane Cap gives you the solid foundation to be able to step outside the scale when you need to, or just want to, and how to get back into it seamlessly. You will have to work, but this is truly a course where the more effort you put into it, the more you will get out of it. You will learn more about the Pentatonic Scale than you thought there could be to know about any scale, never mind a 5-note one. But that’s just the start, so don’t take the title too literally.

If you play along with Ms. Cap you will also learn every note on the neck of the bass, as well as the step of each note in the current scale. This is a theory course in which you always have your bass in your hands and your ears open. Soon you will find yourself hearing the next note before you play it, an amazing experience if you don’t already have perfect pitch; some of you may find that you do.

Dr. Dave W. (writer, educator, multi-instrumentalist, researcher)

Ariane Cap has given us a remarkably comprehensive and accessible work suitable for bassists and all musicians who play with bassists. In chapter 13, entitled “Technique Basics” she begins by stating: “Be mindful that learning proper technique is as much about the mechanics of the body and bass as it is about building consciousness of what you do and how you do it.”

From my medical and musical viewpoint, it is a marvelous rarity when a master musician simultaneously addresses ergonomics, instrumental mechanics, and the substance of creating beautiful musical lines. Ariane has succeeded mightily.

Robert E. Markison, MD Hand Surgeon, Musician Clinical Professor of Surgery, UCSF School of Medicine Co-founder

Ariane Cap is the REAL DEAL. A real player, a real teacher, and a real person. For many years she has been an integral part of our camps (as well as other camps) and offers a unique perspective on many things. Oh, did I mention that she can PLAY???!!!

Steve Bailey (6-string bass pioneer, Head of Berkelee’s Bass Department)

I have been enjoying hearing Ariane play for a few years now. Her monstrous groove grabbed my attention the first time I heard her.

Victor L. Wooten, 2010

The Music Shelf

Synopsis: “Music Theory for the Bass Player” by Ariane Cap (bassist, pianist, educator, author, blogger, writer and composer) is a comprehensive and immediately applicable guide to making even the most novice of musicians into a well-grounded groover, informed bandmate and all-around more creative musician. Included with “Music Theory for the Bass Player” are 89 videos available via scanning the QR code on the cover or by visiting the author’s blog. “Music Theory for the Bass Player” is specifically designed for anyone who has always wanted to learn music theory but felt it was too overwhelming a task. Starting with intervals as music’s basic building blocks, bass playing students will explore scales and their modes, chords and the basics of harmony.

Packed with fretboard diagrams, musical examples and exercises, “Music Theory for the Bass Player” features vital information enhanced with mind-bending quizzes, effective mnemonics, and compelling learning approaches.

Extensive and detailed photo demonstrations show why relaxed posture and optimized fingering are vital for good tone, timing and chops. Aspiring bass players can even work their way through “Music Theory for the Bass Player” without being able to read music. Reading then becomes much easier once theory is mastered and learning theory on the fretboard using diagrams and patterns as illustrations, music theory is very accessible, immediately usable and fun.

Critique: Thoroughly ‘user friendly’ in organization and presentation, ‘Music Theory for the Bass Player” is very highly recommended as the definitive resource for the aspiring bassist and a core addition for personal, school music department, community, and academic library music instructional curriculum Music Theory resources collections in general, and bass player supplemental studies lists in particular!

Midwest Book Review, May 2017

The Pattern System for the Bass Player - Live Practice Group

Ariane Caps Pattern System Practice Group

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