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Learn Music - StudyBass®

Step-by-Step Bass Lessons

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  • Lessons are organized and guide you from the beginning.
  • Lessons are ordered and paced based on 30 years of teaching thousands of private bass students.

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Bassist, teacher and creator of StudyBass: Andrew Pouska

Your Bass Teacher

I'm Andrew Pouska. Welcome to StudyBass. I love bass, music and teaching it. I have taught thousands of bass players face-to-face for 30 years. In 2003 I created StudyBass to help bass players everywhere learn. Contact me for private bass lessons.

The Latest on StudyBass

StudyBass 20th Anniversary!

StudyBass just turned 20 years old! That's right 20! Read more here: StudyBass 20th Anniversary!

What's New On StudyBass?

The New Quiz App

I've developed a much more sophisticated quiz app to test your knowledge of the lessons. Read about Testing and the New StudyBass Quiz App.

The New Study Guide

The new Study Guide is now live! StudyBass Study Guide

This is a big deal. I can start moving forward with many of the projects which are waiting in the wings! Woo-hoo!

Keep Up-to-Date with StudyBass

Get updates about what's new with StudyBass. Subscribe to the (sporadic) email newsletter in your user settings. Follow StudyBass on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.

I Appreciate Your Support

I couldn't continue this project without user support. It's enough work for 10 people, but it's all just me. I, and many other bass players, truly appreciate your help keeping this alive.

Good luck with your musical pursuits,

Andrew Pouska

8va

abbreviation of ottava alta; play what is written an octave above. This is done to put the notes on the staff instead of on ledger lines where reading is less comfortable. Often seen in bass music using the higher range of the bass.

More from the StudyBass Dictionary

One of the most profound lessons I've learned from listening to classical music is not to get locked into a diatonic approach -- all 12 tones of the chromatic scale are equally important.

—Anthony Jackson