Program Overview

Bass Skills - Level 2

Course Overview

Bass Skills Level 2 is for those looking to improve their bass techniques and overall musicianship. Get your musical ideas onto the bass fretboard by studying things like pick and fingerstyle playing, slapping, popping, deep grooves, exotic scales, modes, improvisation, and more. Play basslines from popular songs before creating your own basslines and progressions. You'll learn from a professional bass instructor in small groups. On completion of this course, your own music is sure to improve. Students will need to provide their own bass guitar.

Key Info

• Duration: 1 Term
• Start Dates: July 2025, January 2026, and more

Modules

Bass Skills - Level 2

• Go further with your creative musical skills on the bass guitar, including extended chord shapes, exotic scales, slapping, popping, sight-reading, and more.
• Improvise and walk basslines over popular chord progressions in modern styles and craft creative bass parts with the help of an expert instructor.
• Improve your bass tone, rhythm, chart-reading abilities, harmonic vocabulary, and skills for improvising and producing on the bass, the foundation of the rhythm section.
• Learn how to approach the notes on the fretboard creatively in order to manifest your unique musical ideas through the bass guitar.

Topics Covered

• All-Around Musicianship
• Progressive Bass Techniques
• Extended Basslines & Patterns
• Improvising on Bass
• Rhythm Section Techniques
• Modes & Exotic Scales
• Writing Creative Basslines
• Sight-reading Bass Parts
• Touch & Dynamics
• Ornamentation
• Pick & Fingerstyle
• Fretboard Dexterity

Expert Lecturers

• Ollie Hopkins (Bass)
• John Davies (Music Composition)

Career Opportunities

• Session/Backing Bass Guitarist
• LIVE ARTIST
• BASS GUITAR TEACHER
• LIBRARY/SYNC MUSIC CREATOR
• RECORDING ARTIST
• FUNCTION/TRIBUTE BAND MEMBER

FAQ

• I am an International Student. How do I apply?
  • For courses longer than 6 months: you will be required to apply for a Student Visa. pointblank is able to sponsor you on a Student Visa for degree programmes.
  • For courses of 6 months or less: you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa.
• Do I need to buy software & equipment to take the course?
  • Depending on your programme, certain hardware and software will be essential throughout your studies.
  • You will need to have access to this equipment outside of the campus.
• What is my weekly study schedule?
  • Each module requires your attendance at one class which will be 3 or 4 hours long depending on the module.
  • You will also have two 30-minute tutorials with your lecturer per module per term for additional support.
• Help! My question is not answered here
  • If you have further questions, don't be shy, please contact a course advisor who will be happy to help.