Scott's Bass Lessons

I haven't climbed Everest, nor have I been deep sea diving. I haven't even been to Timbuktu. But I have travelled to many far away places playing bass for some of the most talented musicians in the world, having the best time of my life doing so.

On a deserted island, I'd go insane without music, film, my wife Lisa and son Storey. Creative thinking, the mastery of communication and story telling is what does it for me, but sharing all I have learned throughout the years of being a professional musician with the world is what really drives and inspires me.

I'm a self confessed information addict. I believe deeply in teamwork, community, and collaboration. But most of all, I believe that by being ferociously driven and passionate about ScottsBassLessons I can make a difference to people's lives.

A graduate of the High School of Music and Art in New York City, and a former member of the Bass Department at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Ed Friedland has forged a reputation as one of the bass world’s top educators. He’s also one of the most published, thanks to his tuition books, instructional videos and regular columns for Bass Player Magazine. As a sideman, Ed's performance credits include the Mavericks, Larry Coryell, Michal Urbaniak, Robben Ford, Mike Metheny, Martha and the Vandellas, The Drifters and many more.

Danny “Mo” Morris has been a mainstay at Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music since 1988. Aside from his Motown-fuelled, muted bass tone, Danny’s known for his ability to work with students of all levels. “My mission is to teach my students how to develop their individuality and their tonal concept, what notes to play and when,” says Danny. “The bass player’s role is to keep time and to address the tonality of the moment.” His career highlights have included gigs with the likes of Robben Ford, Bo Diddley, Calypso Hurricane and the James Montgomery Blues Band. He also performs annually at the WESFEST concert series in Los Angeles in support of the Wehmiller Scholarship.

Todd Johnson is widely recognized as a pioneer of the six-string electric bass. His incredible technique enables him to play bass lines and chords simultaneously, which has proved extremely useful in both his solo and small combo work. He’s also worked alongside Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, Scott Henderson, Plas Johnson, Lew Tabackin, Paul Humphrey and Frank Gambale. Todd is also in demand as a clinician and has served as a faculty member at Musicians Institute (BIT), California Institute of the Arts, College of the Canyons and The Master’s College.

Steve Lawson’s bass work remains rather ahead of the curve in his specialised area of soloistic music making. Known globally as one of the UK’s leading solo bass guitarists, Steve is also a regular contributor to Bass Guitar Magazine and a strong advocate of all things bass. “It can be a little tricky to pin down exactly what I do,” says Steve. “I’m a solo bassist who spends a lot of his time making very un-bass-like sounds.” Above all, Steve is an incredible educator and a true inspiration to bass players the world over.

An alumni of both the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Hungary and the Hochschule fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Austria, Zoltan Dekany is Principal Lecturer at the Leeds College of Music and a regular performer on the UK Jazz scene. His performance credits include The Ratpack, Dirty Dancing, Legally Blonde, Shrek and Wicked in London's West End, as well as stints with the BBC Big Band, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The London Sinfonietta. Did we mention that Zoltan also studied with Charlie Haden AND Jeff Berlin?

Phil is an SBL regular who has also taught over 200 students at the Bass Institute in London, he is the author of Chord Tone Concepts – a three volume chord tone studies manual for bass guitar, and a regular contributor to Bass Guitar Magazine. Having completed a Diploma and LCM Degree in London, Phil secured a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance and a scholarship at Jeff Berlin’s Players School of Music. His professional CV to-date include tours with English guitar legend, Albert Lee, and A Vision of Elvis, which is one of the world’s leading Elvis productions. Phil’s endorsed by both Overwater Bass Guitars and Vanderkley Amplification.

Stefan Redtenbacher remains one of the most prominent composers, producers and all round bass monsters in the UK. Perhaps his most defining characteristic is the fact that he’s led his own band (Redtenbacher’s Funkestra) since 2005, something few bassists have attempted. It’s even more surprising when a career as a star sideman seemed like the obvious choice having graduated from Boston’s Berklee College of Music. His recording and performing credits include sessions for Steve Winwood, Kiki Dee, Jack Bruce, Amy Winehouse, Lulu, Sandie Shaw, Mica Paris, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Alexandra Burke, Adam Ant and Ollie Murs. All this invaluable experience has added an intimate knowledge of the music business to his already brimful mix of talents.

For many musicians, seeing Cody Wright play bass for the first time is an unforgettable experience. Originally from Orlando, Florida, his awe-inspiring pick technique and his use of two-handed tapping readily caught the attention of Victor Wooten, the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra and guitarist Eric Gales. After nearly thirteen years as a fusion guitarist, Cody took up the bass in 2011 and you can be sure that he will be flying the four-string flag for some time to come. Cody is a certified instructor at ScottsBassLessons.com and a regular guest at Victor Wooten's Center for Music & Nature. 

Best known for his stints with Vernon Reid (Living Colour) and Dave Fiuczynski in Screaming Headless Torsos, Steve Jenkins is taking the bass guitar to new heights. In addition to his mind-blowing technical prowess, Steve's musicianship has allowed him to fit into a diverse range of musical situations that have run the gamut from face-melting prog-metal to experimental microtonal jazz-funk. As an educator, he has taught at the Berklee College of Music’s BassLines Summer Program for the past 8 years, and at the Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music in Southeast India.

Austrian-born Ariane Cap is a multi-instrumentalist, author, blogger, bassist and composer. She teaches at her own Music School in California, Step Up Music Vallejo, and has created numerous online classes for the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her book (Music Theory for the Bass Player) was published in September 2015 and hit #1 bestseller status in its category within weeks. An eclectic and versatile bassist, Ariane has occupied the bass chair for the likes of Keith Olsen, Muriel Anderson, Montclair Women’s Big Band, The Sippy Cups and The Mozart Band. As a leader, she teamed up with star Jazz bassoonist Paul Hanson to create the critically acclaimed duo ‘OoN’.

Since starting out as the youngest ever faculty member at the Bass Collective in New York City, Rufus Philpot’s pioneering fusion of jazz and instrumental rock has made him a bass great. Having relocated to California, Rufus gives regular masterclasses at The Musicians Institute in Hollywood and the Los Angeles Music Academy in Pasadena. You may also know him from his work with Scott Henderson’s Nomad trio or CPT trio with Kirk Covington from Tribal Tech.