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Chordal Fingerstyle Study

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This piece is a solo bass composition that explores the use of the chordal fingerstyle technique. This technique requires the player to play the strings using the thumb and fingers of the picking hand in a similar manner to the way acoustic guitarists often play. Although there is limited call for this technique on bass, it is a useful way to explore chords and other harmonic ideas on the instrument.

When learning this piece, you might find the following courses (all included in the monthly subscription cost) useful:

Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources button above to get the PDF transcription and audio files for this piece (available to subscribers only). The transcription is available with TAB and without, for those who wish to give their reading skills a workout.

This course is 48 MINUTES long and contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1. Intermediate Level - Chordal Fingerstyle Study

This video is a demonstration of the piece, performed on Mayones Viking bass strung with Rotosound stainless steel strings.

2. Course Overview

This video gives an overview of the main challenges in this study piece. It also offers some advice for finding the right instrument and tone for lines like this.

3. A Section

This lesson will show you how to play the A section of the piece, which is the intro. This lesson covers bars 1-8 in the accompanying transcription.

4. B Section

This lesson covers the B section, which features the main melodic content of the piece. This line also makes use of double stops and harmonics. This video covers bars 9-16.

5. C Section

This section contains a challenging arpeggiated chordal section that ends with an unusual whole tone lick. This lesson covers bars 17-24 in the transcription.

6. D Section

This section is a reprise of the main melodic theme. This time, the line is embellished with some alternative chord movements. This lesson covers bars 25-32.

7. F Section

This lesson covers the F section, a short section that creates a break in the piece before the longer, more challenging middle section. This lesson covers bars 41-43.

8. G Section

This section is an extended chordal part that is played in the upper register of the instrument. This lesson covers bars 44-55 in the accompanying transcription.

9. H & I Sections

This final video will show you how to play the final two sections of the piece, at letter H and I. This lesson covers bars 56-71 in the transcription.