35: Ten Reasons Bass Guitar Should be the Next Instrument Your Homeschooled Student Learns music education for the homeschooling family with Bass Guitar Time with Caleb online course

Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Music in Our Homeschool podcast, hosted by the passionate and experienced Gena Mayo. This episode, titled "10 Reasons Bass Guitar Should Be the Next Instrument Your Student Learns," is an essential listen for any homeschooling parent considering integrating a new musical instrument into their child's curriculum. Whether you're new to homeschooling or a seasoned pro, this episode is jam-packed with valuable insights and practical advice on why the bass guitar is an excellent choice for young learners.

Gena Mayo, a homeschooling mom of eight and a music teacher with over 30 years of experience, brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. She introduces her latest course, "Bass Guitar Time with Caleb," designed to make bass guitar accessible and enjoyable for students aged ten and up, including teenagers and even adults. This course is crafted to cater specifically to homeschooling families, offering a flexible, self-paced approach that fits seamlessly into your unique educational plans.

In this episode, Gena walks you through ten compelling reasons to choose the bass guitar as your next instrument. She discusses how playing bass provides an instant connection to popular music genres like pop, rock, blues, and worship music. Your student will love the satisfaction of playing iconic bass lines from their favorite songs, making the learning process more engaging and fun.

Gena also highlights the bass guitar's role in building a strong foundation in music theory. Unlike other instruments that may focus on melody alone, the bass encompasses melody, harmony, and rhythm, providing a comprehensive musical education. Further, Gena discusses how playing bass boosts confidence and encourages teamwork, collaboration, and adaptability—skills that are invaluable both in music and in life.

Portability, affordability, and the gateway to learning other musical instruments are additional advantages that make the bass guitar an ideal choice. With endorsements of the "Bass Guitar Time with Caleb" course, Gena emphasizes how accessible and versatile this learning journey can be for your homeschooler.

If you're looking to enrich your student’s homeschool music curriculum, don't miss this episode. Head to musicinourhomeschool.com for more information and to take advantage of the special launch offer with the coupon code Baselaunch. Tune in and discover why the bass guitar might just be the perfect addition to your homeschooling journey!

See links to all resources mentioned in the episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/learning-to-play-the-bass-guitar/

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Transcript

10 Reasons Bass Guitar Should Be the Next Instrument Your Student Learns

[00:00:00] Welcome back to the Music in Our Homeschool podcast with Gena Mayo. And today we're talking about something really exciting. I have a brand new course that has just launched at Music in Our Homeschool called Bass Guitar Time with Caleb. So let's talk about 10 reasons bass guitar should be the next instrument your student learns.

If you're considering adding instrument instruction to your homeschool curriculum, learning to play the bass guitar is an excellent choice. Often overlooked in favor of instruments like the piano, violin, or guitar, the bass guitar offers a unique set of benefits that can enhance your child's musical journey and personal development.

Here are 10 compelling reasons why your homeschooler will love playing the bass guitar.

First of all, they get instant connection to their favorite music. The bass guitar is a staple in many popular music genres, including [00:01:00] pop, rock, blues, and Christian or worship music. Your homeschooler would quickly recognize the deep resonant lines of their favorite songs, and they'll love learning to play iconic bass lines.

The bass is often the heartbeat of music they already love. This immediate connection to familiar tunes can ignite a deeper interest in music and make the learning process more engaging and enjoyable. 

By the way, if you're catching this right at the beginning of the launch, you can get it on sale. Use coupon code BASSLAUNCH over at MusicinOurHomeschool.com/BassGuitar.

The second reason is because learning the bass guitar gives you a foundation in music theory. It's an excellent instrument for learning music theory. Unlike some instruments that focus primarily on melody, the bass requires an understanding of melody, harmony, and rhythm. Bass players [00:02:00] must, eventually, understand chord progressions and scales, as they are responsible for outlining the harmony of a piece of music, and the bass along with the drums, if they are present, are essential in keeping the tempo of the music and driving the rhythm.

Furthermore, the bass does occasionally have a melody line, so learning to play a melody on the bass guitar can help your student learn to play the electric guitar later on. This triple focus on melody, harmony, and rhythm provides a comprehensive foundation in music theory, which can be very beneficial if your homeschooler decides to explore other instruments or delve into composition later on.

Number three is that it boosts confidence. In a band setting, the bass guitar plays a crucial role. As the anchor of the group, the bassist is responsible for maintaining the song's structure and supporting the other musicians. This essential role can [00:03:00] significantly boost your homeschoolers confidence. Knowing that their contribution is vital to the overall sound of the band can instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. Moreover, mastering the bass can lead to opportunities to perform in bands or ensembles, further enhancing their self esteem and even their public speaking skills. And since bass guitar is a little less commonly learned among musicians, you have a better chance of getting into a band because they're always looking for a bass guitarist. 

Number four reason to learn the bass guitar is that it encourages teamwork and collaboration. Playing the bass guitar is inherently collaborative. In most musical settings, the bass is not a solo instrument, but rather one that works in harmony with others, particularly the drummer.

This collaborative nature of playing bass teaches your homeschooler valuable [00:04:00] life skills such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability. These skills are transferable to all other areas of life, including group projects, sports, and even future workplaces. By playing bass, your child will learn how to listen to others, adjust their playing to complement the group, and contribute to a collective goal.

The fifth great reason to learn the bass guitar is that you are exploring various playing techniques. The bass guitar offers a wide range of playing techniques, each of which can produce different sounds and textures-- from the smooth melodic lines of finger style playing to the percussive and punchy sounds of slap bass, the bass guitar allows for extensive creative expression. Your homeschooler can experiment with different techniques to find their unique style, keeping the learning process exciting and dynamic. This variety also encourages a deeper [00:05:00] understanding of the instrument and the music as they learn how different techniques can change the mood or feel of a piece.

Number six is that there is portability and convenience in playing the bass guitar. The bass guitar is a portable and relatively compact instrument, especially compared to the piano or a drum set. This portability makes it easy for your student to take their bass to lessons, practice sessions, rehearsals, church, or even family gatherings where they can share their new skills.

The ease of transportation ensures that your child can practice and perform wherever they go, helping to maintain their interest in progress in learning.

Number seven is that the startup costs for learning the bass guitar are extremely affordable, more affordable than some other instruments. A beginner bass guitar and a small amplifier can be purchased at a very reasonable price, [00:06:00] especially if you purchase it used at a resale shop, pawn shop, and a lot of music stores provide them used as well, making it accessible for many homeschooling families.

Additionally, there are numerous online resources, including tutorials and sheet music, which are either free or low cost, including my brand new course over at MusicinOurHomeschool.com/BassGuitar called Bass Guitar Time with Caleb. 

This affordability allows your homeschooler to dive into music instruction without a significant financial commitment, making it very practical. 

Number eight is that it is easy to learn the basics. The first steps of learning bass guitar are simple, but still rewarding. With the Bass Guitar Time with Caleb course, students are learning simple techniques, notes, and even playing real songs right from the beginning. This keeps them [00:07:00] motivated and excited about their musical progress. 

Number nine is that learning the bass guitar is a gateway to learning other instruments. The skills developed on your bass, such as finger strength, coordination, and an understanding of music theory, can easily transfer to other stringed instruments like the string bass, the banjo, the guitar, the mandolin, or the cello. Additionally, the rhythmic skills honed on your bass can be beneficial if your homeschooler decides to explore percussion instruments, such as the drum set or any other type of drum. This versatility makes the bass guitar an ideal starting point for a lifelong journey in music. 

And number 10 is that the bass guitar is simply fun to play. The deep resonant tones produced by the bass are satisfying, and the ability to play along with your favorite songs makes the practice feel more like playing.

The bass [00:08:00] guitar's role in creating grooves and rhythms that make people want to move is inherently engaging. This enjoyment is crucial in maintaining your homeschooler's motivation and interest in learning. When learning is fun, it's easier to stay committed, leading to faster progress and a more fulfilling musical experience.

So, in conclusion, the bass guitar offers a unique and enriching musical experience for homeschoolers. It's an instrument that not only teaches music, but fosters personal growth, confidence, and important life skills. With its connection to popular music, foundational role in music theory, and emphasis on rhythm, the bass guitar is a fantastic choice for any homeschooling family looking to introduce their child to the world of music. Whether you're homeschooler dreams of joining a band, exploring different musical styles, or simply having fun with a new hobby, the bass guitar is a versatile and [00:09:00] rewarding instrument that they are sure to love.

Now, let me tell you a little bit about Bass Guitar Time with Caleb. As I said, it's my newest course over at Music in Our Homeschool and you can find it at MusicinOurHomeschool.com/BassGuitar Caleb Timlick has been playing bass guitar since 2017 and he hasn't been able to put it down since. He teaches bass and guitar from his private studio as well as at a music store. He thoroughly enjoys writing, recording, editing, filming, and producing his own music on his YouTube channel, CTB Riffs. His other musical hobbies include musical theater and playing the electric guitar. He's so excited to help your student achieve success on the bass. 

This course allows your student to learn at their own pace in the comfort of your own home, and your child or teen ages 10 and up, or even you, [00:10:00] will learn all you need to begin playing the bass guitar for fun.

Caleb is knowledgeable and experienced so he knows the best way to get your students started and motivated with this wonderful instrument. The course contains ten 10-minute instruction videos to take the beginner from knowing nothing about playing the bass guitar to playing two songs.

So if you're thinking about introducing a new instrument into your homeschool, consider the bass guitar and head over to get Bass Guitar Time with Caleb.

Be sure to check the show notes because I have linked to some songs that Caleb has written that you can watch him play the bass guitar. Thank you so much for joining me today. Could you take a moment to leave a comment and a rating, hopefully five stars. That would mean so much to me and it would help the podcast get out to others who would love to learn more about music education in their homeschools. Thank you for joining me today. [00:11:00] And until next time, keep the music alive.

See links to all resources mentioned in the episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/learning-to-play-the-bass-guitar/