90 Days Blues Challenge 2021

I did this challenge from EBass Guitar while doing the Cohort with Ariane Cap. This means, that I only picked up the bass 4 months prior.

Why did I do this challenge when the Cohort was taking a lot of my time? I wanted to learn to play songs. And voila. I accepted the challenge! (and paid the piper).

To be honest, I took on too much, but I was determined to practice and post videos. I thank all of those guys/gals on the challenge for their endless support.

The tutorials were on recorded videos with the accompament of PDF files. The tutorials were tailored for beginners to advanced. You had 2 weeks to practice then post.

Video of Natalie playing bass - song I'm Torn Down

Module 1

Module 1- I'm Torn Down

Natalie's rendition of the bass for this song. (Eric-Clapton- I'm Torn Down)

I've only been playing for 3 months!

It shows! The song is only at .75 the real speed~

Video of Natalie playing bass - song Strange Brew

Module 2 - Strange Brew

This is Strange Brew-- the song, not the playing... although one would say that both are a bit strange :)
[Read the minute by minute description of the video when you click on the image]

Click here for coach encouraging comments

From my bass coach: "Hi Natalie,

Well done.

This is not an easy song to master... its because of the space between the notes and rhythmic feel of the song.

You did great to keep going and when you relaxed and got into the song it was good.

The main and best thing about you Natalie is that you kept going right to the very end. That kind of determination will take you a LONG way. Both in your bass playing and in whatever you want to do with it.

Very WELL DONE Natalie.... Keep up the great work..... Rog"

Module 3 - Austin Downfall

Click here to read my coaches comments

My coach said:

"Hi Natalie,

Well done with your playing on "Austin Downfall"

The thing I really like about you is the fact that you smile and just keep going when you've made a mistake. This quality will stand you in good stead when it comes to doing gigs and recording sessions in the future.

I liked your approach of keeping the bass line simple while you figured out where the song was going... very cool.

We all get a little lost and mixed up when learning new songs but the more we play them the more we get to know the song and the easier it is to play without mistakes.

I am very impressed at your improvement over the pass couple of weeks you're making great progress.

I think if you played that bass line across the bass neck as oppose to along the bass neck you would find it easier to see where you are going to play your next note and your time will be better because you don't have so far to travel to reach that note.

As for hearing the right note to play .. It is very important that the bass plays the right notes at the right time. This function helps both the audience and the band understand the structure of the song.

You really NEED TO KNOW what note should be played and when it needs to be played.

So my suggestion to you would be to make sure you know the arrangement of the song before you think about creating a bass line. If you're working with sheet music or tab just play one note per bar until you're familiar with the song... then add your ideas for the bass.

Even if the bass line is written out learn what happens at the beginning of each bar before working on the bass part.

Keep doing what you're doing Natalie. The more you play the better you will become. You're doing REALLY well... keep up the good work.

Rog"