Week 1

Chord Sequence & Groove Mastery

We’ll lay the foundation for your rock bass journey by mastering chord sequences and groove variations so you can unlock the fretboard and change the feel of a song instantly.

Here’s What You’ll Learn

➤ How to recognise and play chord sequences all over the neck using the 3 Registers and Fingerboard Expansion System.

➤ How to lock in with multiple groove variations to instantly change the song’s energy.

➤ How to move smoothly between positions while keeping your timing rock solid.

Challenge Video Task:

Record yourself playing Lola by The Kinks, showcasing two different grooves played in at least two different neck areas.

Student Highlight: Bill Fulford

🎥 Watch Bill play Lola and see how he uses different registers and grooves to bring the song to life.

Week 2

Riff & Fill Creation

We’ll focus on building a library of riffs and fills you can drop into any groove — not just in rock, but in blues, funk, and more — so your bass lines sound more expressive and unique.

Here’s What You’ll Learn

➤ How to build riffs from minor and major pentatonic scales that work in multiple genres.

➤ How to create tasteful fills using the 1-2-1-4 Method so your lines feel balanced and musical.

➤ How to combine riffs and fills seamlessly to make your bass lines more dynamic.

Challenge Video Task:

Record yourself playing Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones, using at least three of your own riffs and a clean bar-4 fill in each phrase.

Student Highlight: Alan Pope

🎥 Watch Alan play Honky Tonk Women and see how he mixes riffs and fills to create a lively, balanced groove.

Week 3

Approach Notes Mastery

We’ll explore how to connect chords smoothly using approach notes so your bass lines have flow, movement, and a more professional, musical feel.

Here’s What You’ll Learn

➤ How to use upper and lower, single and double approach notes to transition between chords.

➤ How to make your lines flow naturally without sounding repetitive or mechanical.

➤ How to mix different approaches for a more creative, musical sound.

Challenge Video Task:

Record yourself playing Take It Easy by The Eagles, using a mix of upper and lower, single and double approach notes in your bass line.

Student Highlight: Brian Billington

🎥 Watch Brian play Take It Easy and see how he blends different approach note techniques for a smooth, connected sound.

Week 4

Chromatic Power Moves

We’ll dive into using chromatic notes to add colour, tension, and release to your bass lines  plus show you how to adapt your playing for half-step-down tuning like Guns N’ Roses.

Here’s What You’ll Learn

 ➤ How to add chromatic approaches that bring your lines to life with tension and resolution.

➤ How to create powerful chromatic fills using the 4-Finger Box Shape of the major pentatonic.

➤ How to adapt your playing for half-step-down tuning used by bands like Guns N’ Roses

Challenge Video Task:

Record yourself playing Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses, incorporating at least four chromatic approaches and two chromatic fills into your bass line.

Student Highlight: Gene Smith

🎥 Watch Gene play Sweet Child O’ Mine and hear how he uses chromatic movement to make the bass line fuller and more expressive.