These guidelines are to help you understand whether a course is suitable for you. Pick the level that best describes you, don’t worry if you don’t meet all criteria.
Playing by Ear / Reading Music: Although reference is made to reading music, most of our courses are taught be ear. On courses where it is necessary to be a good sight reader, the course description will make this clear.
What System? For most courses a 2-row, 8 bass instrument will be more than adequate at all levels; where a course is likely to have a bias towards 2.5 row / 3 row / 12+ bass systems, this will be indicated in the course description.
Please get in touch if you are unsure; it can be really hard to assess your own ability level, and we’re happy to help you decide.
Level 0: Absolute Beginner!
- You have no prior experience at all and don’t even know which way up it goes
- You may be completely new to music
- You may need to borrow an instrument to try (this is something we can arrange)
Level 1: Beginner
- You might have just started playing, with a lesson or two under your belt
- Or you may have been playing for longer without feeling you’re getting very far…
- You are mainly playing right hand; getting the left hand to work as well is a bit of a task!
- When learning new tunes, you need to take things very slowly
- Playing in a group environment might be new to you
- You have your own 2-row, 8 bass instrument
Level 2: Improver
- You are able to play a few simple tunes (eg. Winster Gallop, Banbury Bill etc) using both hands together
- You can use the left-hand bass and chord buttons in simple rhythms
- Right and left hand co-ordination is still tricky!
- Row crossing is a dark art…
- Learning new tunes – from music or by ear – takes a bit of time
- You probably play a two-row, 8 bass instrument
Level 3: Lower Intermediates
- You can play simple tunes – using both hands – in different keys (eg. D, G, E minor)
- You’ll have some knowledge of playing different repertoire and styles
- You have a pretty good idea of where to find all the notes on the treble end
- You know where to find your basses and chords on the left hand
- You can confidently play a variety of left hand rhythms
- You are crossing rows
- You are able to pick up tunes by ear, and are also able to play from music, albeit at a steady pace
- You probably play a two-row, 8 bass instrument
Level 4: Advanced Intermediates
- You can play with a degree of fluency across a variety of repertoire and styles
- You fully understand the layout of your instrument
- You can quickly find notes as required
- You are becoming confident playing across the rows
- You can keep a good rhythm and pace
- You are exploring aspects such as style, phrasing, dynamics, accents, and ornamentation
- You can learn tunes by ear at a reasonable pace, and can read music too
- You might now be playing a two-and-a-half or 3 row instrument, with 12/14/18 basses, and be exploring how to use it
- Or you might be a motivated player of a two-row, 8 bass instrument
Level 5: Advanced
- You can play fluently across a variety of repertoire and styles
- You can learn quickly by ear, and sight read
- You play confidently across the rows
- You can improvise
- You’ve developed a personal style and musicality
- You are experienced playing and arranging sympathetically with others
- You probably play a three-row, 12/18 bass, or a two-and-a-half row instrument, with 12 basses, and can make use of the additional possibilities the system allows you
- If you play a two-row, but are otherwise sure you meet the description of an advanced player, then please contact us to check suitability.