Learn African Bass Guitar Styles - Online Bass Lessons

Unlock the Power of African Bass

In African music, the bass isn’t just a supporting instrument, it’s the engine that drives the groove. From the hypnotic pulse of Congolese Sebene to the intricate phrasing of West African griot music, the bass dictates whether a crowd dances, rests, or keeps moving until sunrise.

This course is designed to give you the technical skills and deep musical understanding needed to play authentic African basslines. Whether you’re locking into the relentless groove of Zimbabwean Sungura, navigating the rolling energy of Senegalese Mbalax, or building the foundation of Afrobeat, you’ll develop the control, endurance, and feel required to sound like a pro.

Forget generic exercises – this is a practical, immersive journey into the rhythms that have shaped modern music worldwide. With direct guidance from Edd Bateman, a bassist who has toured with Africa’s greatest musicians, you’ll learn to adapt, create, and groove like never before.

Warning: Potential Side Effects of Taking This Course

Your basslines might be so groovy that once the crowd starts moving, they won’t let you off the stage.
Drummers will start locking in with you so tightly, you’ll feel like you share a brain.
You may develop an unstoppable urge to play for hours, completely losing track of time.

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Master Essential African Bass Techniques

Play with precision and endurance using authentic African right-hand techniques.
Strengthen left-hand dexterity for fast-moving and syncopated basslines.
Maintain stamina for extended performances, as seen in marathon African concerts.

Develop an Authentic African Groove

Lock into the pulse of Soukous, Sungura, Mbalax, Afrobeat, and more.
Create natural-sounding bass variations to drive the rhythm forward.
Understand the role of bass as a melodic and rhythmic force in African music.

Expand Your Musical Vocabulary

Adapt traditional African basslines into different genres, including pop and funk.
Incorporate call-and-response phrasing into your playing.
Play alongside percussionists and drummers with confidence and precision.

Apply Your Skills in a Live Setting

Navigate common African chord progressions and song structures.
Improvise basslines while maintaining groove and syncopation.
Develop a deep understanding of how African bass players shape the energy of a performance.

Sample Lessons

Meet Your Tutor: Edd Bateman

At 14 years old, Edd Bateman was playing heavy metal basslines in his bedroom when his mother interrupted with an unexpected opportunity. A Zimbabwean Sungura and Chimurenga dance band, Chimanimani, had just arrived in England and needed a bass player immediately. With barely a week to prepare, Edd took the gig. Within a month, he found himself playing African nightclubs in London, university venues, and even Glastonbury Festival. He stayed with Chimanimani for six years, learning the intricacies of Zimbabwean bass firsthand.

In his early 20s, Edd’s focus shifted to West Africa, where he began intensive training with the Cissokho family of griots in Senegal. Performing marathon five-hour shows alongside Solo Cissokho, Seckou Keita, Sadio Cissokho, and the Jalikunda family, he absorbed the deep rhythmic traditions of Mbalax and Mandinka music. Guest appearances with Cheikh Lô, Orchestra Baobab, and Super Diamono solidified his reputation as a versatile and instinctive player.

With thousands of concerts to his name, Edd has led bands blending African and global styles, including London Astrobeat Orchestra and Edd Bateman’s West African Love Affair. In 2020, recognizing the lack of structured learning for African bass guitar, he founded World Music Method, an online platform dedicated to sharing the techniques and traditions of African and world music.

In 2024, Edd was called in at the last minute to tour with Sahara Desert Blues virtuoso Bombino, stepping onto the stage without rehearsal. In 2025, he expanded his musical journey to India and Pakistan, performing alongside Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan and leading members of the Sham Chaurasi Gharana. His deep foundation in African music allowed him to adapt instantly, navigating unfamiliar repertoire on the spot, a skill that defines a truly masterful bass player.

The Ultimate Learning Experience

African Bass Masterclass - Deluxe

5.5 hours of detailed lessons teaching you to be proficient in Soukous, Sungura, Zouk, Afrobeat, Maskandi and Mbalax bass styles.

Interactive On-Screen Notation

Learning new skills is easier with our innovative, interactive tools. Access on-screen notation, tablature, virtual fretboards, slow motion and more.

African Backing Tracks

Put your new techniques into practice and jam over traditional African grooves so you can develop your own authentic feel and be confident playing in a variety of new styles.

Sebene Heaven - Ebook

The bitter-sweet paradox of Congolese Rumba. Andy Morgan’s eBook details the gripping history of the countries main musical export.

Bakithi Kumalo - Masterclass

Learn from the best. Watch legendary South African bassist Bakithi Kumalo’s exclusive World Music Method masterclass and apply his principles into your own musical development.