dream of capturing the powerful rhythm and
Captivating Sound Of African Bass?
A common saying in western pop and rock music is that you don’t notice the bass guitar until it’s gone. In Africa, this statement couldn’t be further from the truth. The African bass is not a background player – it’s the driving force that dictates whether the crowd dances, takes a break, or heads home for the night. Congolese nightclubs are famous for 5-hour marathon concerts, and the bass player is who makes that happen. The importance of the bassline to African music is easy to identify, but the techniques and skills used are much more difficult to conquer. The thought process behind the bassline is an art form in itself, and you’d have to spend the next 20 years traveling the continent town to town to ever stand a chance at fully grasping everything.
You need an experienced pro to show you the way.
Unlock
Hidden Secrets And Expert Techniques
At age 14, Edd Bateman overheard a touring Zimbabwean band from Harare auditioning at his neighbour’s house, and he’s been hooked on African music since. Following a brief stint as a heavy metal bass payer, Edd began focusing on mastering African music from all corners of the continent. Now, 20 years and several thousand concerts later, Edd specializes in taking the complicated intricacies and nuances of African genres and explaining them in a universally understood manner.
After honing his skills in Africa in his twenties, Edd returned to the UK, where he toured with prominent African bands and served as bandleader for ‘Edd Bateman’s West African Love Affair’ and ‘London Astrobeat Orchestra’. Today, he is focused on sharing this expert knowledge and making it easier for students of all backgrounds to embrace African music.
start your journey with a
Carefully Selected Curriculum
Module 1 - Learn Soukous And Sebene Bass
Lesson 1 - What We'll Be Covering2.40
Lesson 2 - A Brief History Of Congolese Music4.23
Lesson 3 - Learning Soukous and Sebene Basslines2.31
Lesson 4 - The Congolese Thumb Technique7.12
Lesson 5 - The Formula For Adding Variations5.40
Lesson 6 - Putting Variations Together In A Live Context3.07
Lesson 7 - Practising Your Own Basslines5.23
Lesson 8 - Soukous Bass Style On A 1 4 5 4 Chord Progression4.32
Lesson 9 - Going Deeper Into Congolese Bass8.18
Lesson 10 - Try Creating With The Backing Track5.51
Lesson 2 - A Brief History Of Congolese Music4.23
Lesson 3 - Learning Soukous and Sebene Basslines2.31
Lesson 4 - The Congolese Thumb Technique7.12
Lesson 5 - The Formula For Adding Variations5.40
Lesson 6 - Putting Variations Together In A Live Context3.07
Lesson 7 - Practising Your Own Basslines5.23
Lesson 8 - Soukous Bass Style On A 1 4 5 4 Chord Progression4.32
Lesson 9 - Going Deeper Into Congolese Bass8.18
Lesson 10 - Try Creating With The Backing Track5.51
Module 2 - How To Play Zimbabwean Music
Lesson 11 – My Journey In Zimbabwean Music3.04
Lesson 12 – How To Play Sungura Basslines1.48
Lesson 13 – Arpeggios in African Music 3.36
Lesson 13 – Arpeggios in African Music3.36
Lesson 14 – Experiment With Your Own Basslines5.23
Lesson 15 – Learn Sungura Grooves In E Major2.28
Lesson 16 – Staccato Zimbabwean Basslines And Variations7.27
Lesson 17 – Put It Into Practice Yourself5.23
Lesson 12 – How To Play Sungura Basslines1.48
Lesson 13 – Arpeggios in African Music 3.36
Lesson 13 – Arpeggios in African Music3.36
Lesson 14 – Experiment With Your Own Basslines5.23
Lesson 15 – Learn Sungura Grooves In E Major2.28
Lesson 16 – Staccato Zimbabwean Basslines And Variations7.27
Lesson 17 – Put It Into Practice Yourself5.23
Module 3 - Study Zouk Basslines
Lesson 18 – How Zouk Came Back To Africa3.04
Lesson 19 – Playing Zouk With Bouncing Basslines3.29
Lesson 20 – Varying The Chordtones To Keep It Interesting7.50
Lesson 21 – Play Your Own Zouk Lines6.09
Lesson 22 – Playing Two Chord Zouk With Flowing Basslines 6.27
Lesson 23 – Attempt Your Own Zouk Grooves With The Band6.27
Lesson 19 – Playing Zouk With Bouncing Basslines3.29
Lesson 20 – Varying The Chordtones To Keep It Interesting7.50
Lesson 21 – Play Your Own Zouk Lines6.09
Lesson 22 – Playing Two Chord Zouk With Flowing Basslines 6.27
Lesson 23 – Attempt Your Own Zouk Grooves With The Band6.27
Module 4 - Translate Pop Basslines
Lesson 24 – Billie Jean – Michael Jackson3.28
Lesson 25 – Come Together – The Beatles5.11
Lesson 26 – Under Pressure – Queen 8.06
Lesson 25 – Come Together – The Beatles5.11
Lesson 26 – Under Pressure – Queen 8.06
Module 5 - Basic Techniques & Ear Training
Lesson 27 – Basic Techniques And Dexterity Exercises8.29
Lesson 28 – Learning The Scales Throughout The Fretboard5.00
Lesson 29 – Ear Training Ab Major5.31
Lesson 30 – Ear Training Bb Major2.55
Lesson 31 – Ear Training C# Minor4.47
Lesson 32 – Ear Training Rhythms3.45
Lesson 33 – Thanks For Learning With Us2.07
Lesson 28 – Learning The Scales Throughout The Fretboard5.00
Lesson 29 – Ear Training Ab Major5.31
Lesson 30 – Ear Training Bb Major2.55
Lesson 31 – Ear Training C# Minor4.47
Lesson 32 – Ear Training Rhythms3.45
Lesson 33 – Thanks For Learning With Us2.07
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Learn Essential African Bass Styles
The African Bass Masterclass is a gateway to a whole new world (or continent) of African musical fluency. In just 4 action packed modules, the course covers influential musical styles from Congo and Zimbabwe and explores how they have impacted music across Africa.
The goal is not only to get you playing African basslines verbatim, but rather to give you the tools needed to build up your own musical arsenal and create with confidence. In the lessons you’ll learn how Soukous and Sebene basslines lay the key foundation for internalising African rhythms and syncopations, cover the Zimbabwean genre of Sungura, and then breakdown the smooth grooves of Zouk. With the clear notation, bass tab, illuminated fretboards, variable tempos, and in-depth explanations, bass players of all backgrounds will develop African musical literacy in no time.
….. your African musical repertoire with melodic Sebene basslines.
….. the traditional Congolese right hand thumb approach with accuracy.
….. your rhythm section relationship with contextual groove examples.
….. your entire musicality with new authentic African bass techniques.
develop expert knowledge
Master The African Bass
Register today and get immediate lifetime access to the following
the african bass masterclass – online course
£97
interactive on-screen notation
£77
african backing tracks – volume one
£17
live masterclass and q&a
£17
sebene heaven – ebook by andy morgan
£10
edd bateman’s west african love affair
£10
Lifetime Access For Only
£228 £45
the african bass masterclass
This 2-hour course simplifies the iconic African bass and makes it easy to create unique, authentic basslines, even without any previous knowledge of the style.
interactive on-screen notation
Learning new skills is easier with our innovative, interactive tools. Access on-screen notation, tablature, animate fretboards, variable tempos, and more.
african backing tracks – volume 1
Put your new techniques into practice and Jam on recordings by the World Music Method tutors over different African grooves including Soukous, Zouk and Afrobeat.
live masterclass
and q&a
Watch November’s masterclass and Q&A, then join the next session live and receive immediate feedback and answers from Edd Bateman.
sebene heaven – andy morgan
The bitter-sweet paradox of Congolese Rumba. Andy Morgan’s eBook details the gripping history of the countries main musical export.
edd bateman’s west african love affair
Download the debut album featuring Edd’s compositions in African genres including Mbalax, Soukous, Afrobeat and more.
discover the
Secrets Of African Bass
You don’t need to travel across the continent. In fact, you don’t even need to leave your house. Build up your African bass literacy risk-free today – with a 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s never been a better time to get started.
Take your African bass skills to the next level with the World Music Method today.
Ready to get Started?
Lifetime Access For Only
£228 £45