Christian Musician Summit 2024

I'm excited for this RARE opportunity to spend some concentrated time with a smaller group of bass players.  Bring your bass!  No pressure, no worries...and lots of "aha moments"!  :^)
I hope you'll join me. Blessings- Norm

Here's what we'll cover...

Groove & The Worship Bassist
An interactive, 2-hour intensive for bass players interested in developing their groove abilities! Topics covered will include warm-ups, fingerboard familiarity, essential ear-training, calibrating your internal clock, effective bass/drum interaction, the critical subtleties (playing on top, spot on, or laying back), rhythm chart basics and much more. This class will establish a foundation and context for subsequent bass classes this afternoon.

Developing a Vocabulary of Musical Styles
Whether called upon to play a particular genre of music authentically, or just seeking ways to freshen up your lines, a working vocabulary of various musical styles is invaluable for bass players. It’s important to be familiar with the idioms - some of the technical things that make a style of music sound that way (i.e., "what makes funk...funky?"). We’ll explore the rhythmic, harmonic and sonic idioms of a handful of different genres.

From Pyrotechnics to Art: Modern Bass Technique
The basic mechanics & practice methods for many popular techniques (slapping, tapping, chording, artificial harmonics, etc.) will be covered....as well as (and most IMPORTANTLY!) ways in which these techniques can be incorporated in a musically subtle and artistic manner!

Bass Gear Talk / Q & A
Norm's thoughts and suggestions regarding the broad range of considerations and factors pertaining to selecting the right bass, amp, speakers, strings and/or effects. Additionally, an open Q & A time: Frustrated trying to learn the slap technique? Need tips for hearing yourself better onstage? We'll focus on everything from the technical to musical to spiritual!