In October of 2006, I was fortunate enough to attend "School Of Bass II" in Scottsdale, Arizona. Not only was I thouroughly humbled by the instructors, but I probably learned more about playing the bass than I ever have.

It made me realize that there are a lot of amazing bass players out there, and some of them are not only great people, but also have a talent for conveying their knowledge to anyone who wants to learn. This is a list of those people. If you want to learn to play bass, visit these players on-line. They all have a lot to offer.


Ed Platt.  Have I mentioned that Ed is the man? Always a smile, always a lick that can knock you over. Ed took over the reigns of Bass Guru at Red House when I went on the road, and the students are in the best hands I can think of. I'm grateful for his friendship, and will always defer to his talent! Oh, and one other thing; Red House, Red House, Red House!

Chuck Rainey.  I spent a couple of days hanging around, listening to Chuck talk, listening to Chuck play, even listening to Chuck sing. He's a National Treasure, and seldom have I felt so honored to shake someone's hand. Do yourself a favor and aquiant yourself with the man. If you play bass, do yourself a bigger favor and take advantage of his Clinic/Guest Instructor schedule if you get a chance. Go right now and listen to "Until You Come Back to Me" by Aretha Franklin.

Bobby Vega.  The best bass player you've probably never heard of. The Funkiest man in the world? I can't argue. Played with Sly...at sixteen. When Rocco got a liver transplant, Bobby stepped into the Tower of Power gig without a rehearsal. Bobby is the E.F. Hutton of the bass; at School of Bass II, when Bobby played, even all the instructors crammed into the room to listen (and video, Lynne). Add to the fact that he's a human cartoon when he gets to telling stories, and you'd be completely wrong to miss any chance to be around him.
Oh, did I mention he plays with a pick?

Ed Friedland.  No one in the world can claim the title of Preeminent Bass Educator as easily as Ed. Method Books, DVD's, Magazine's...hell, probably smoke signals and messages-in-a-bottle slap classes. Ed chose the instructors for SOB II, so the steller list is thanks to him. Somehow, with all of that, he still finds time to kick ass on the electric, piccolo, upright, and for all I know, Large Mouthed Jug.
If you want to learn anything about bass, Ed will teach you.

Mel Brown.  In learning to play the bass, there are no short-cuts, but the shortest distance between two points is still a straight line. Mel Brown has taken a very educated and focused approach to his career as a bassist, and it has paid off big time. Mel is one of the most sought after bassists on the Smooth Jazz scene, and has been on tons of charting CD’s, all of which he records from his home in Arizona over the Internet for artists in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and beyond. His methods are easy to get your brain around, but serious work for your hands! On top of all that, he’s one of those guys who just seem surrounded by such positive vibes that they can’t help but rub off on you. His upcoming book “From Zero to Sideman” will be a must read.

Lynne Davis. Have you ever walked into a situation thinking you knew exactly how everything works, only to have someone quickly and quietly point out that you’re totally wrong, and you actually know nothing? No? Really?
Well I have, and the way Lynne Davis smiled and illustrated how I actually knew relatively very little about Theory was just…well…it was okay. Lynne is an instructor at LAMA, and writes a column called “The Theory Dominatrix” for Bass Guitar Magazine. Yeah, I get that. She’s also a kick-ass player, and was dubbed “L.A.’s Groove Goddess” by Bass Player magazine.
Here’s a tip, if you ever take her class; the answers are “Seven”, and “29”, in that order, but you didn't hear it from me.


Ray Riendeau.  I’ve got to be honest; going into the School of Bass II, I didn’t really know anything about Ray Riendeau. I think I knew who he was, that he had played for Rob Halford, and I assumed he was kind of a tattooed wild man. Metal guy.
What is that old saying about “Assume”?
Sitting down with Ray, he proved to be one of the most thoughtful, musically educated people I’ve ever met, and his natural curiosity transfers easily into his lessons. Oh, and by the way, GEEZ CAN THE GUY SHRED! Some of the fastest slapping and tapping I’ve ever seen, developed from years of looking for ways to aggravate guitarists! And he can show you how to do it also. Very cool guy. Ask him about Rio.