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!

The essentials for effective bass playing in a worship band!  Includes warm-ups, technique, phrasing, developing a groove vocabulary, avoiding groovicidal tendencies, effective bass/drum interaction, ear-training, the critical subtleties, and much more.

Effective interaction between the bass and drums is essential in today's worship environment.  A multitude of concepts and groove considerations will be explained and demonstrated by drummer Carl Albrecht & bassist Norm Stockton.

Spontaneous composition and improvisation of bass lines doesn’t have to be daunting or intimidating!  Bring your bass as we unpack strategies for coming up with your own parts that serve the song while injecting creativity and musicality.