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.
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.
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.
Register today and get immediate lifetime access to the following
$97
$77
$17
$17
$10
$10
$228 $35
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.
Learning new skills is easier with our innovative, interactive tools. Access on-screen notation, tablature, animate fretboards, variable tempos, and more.
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.
Watch November’s masterclass and Q&A, then join the next session live and receive immediate feedback and answers from Edd Bateman.
The bitter-sweet paradox of Congolese Rumba. Andy Morgan’s eBook details the gripping history of the countries main musical export.
Download the debut album featuring Edd’s compositions in African genres including Mbalax, Soukous, Afrobeat and more.
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.
$228 $35
Processing Order...
Please wait while we process your payment...
Please wait while we redirect you...