Notes to Self and Bassists: Grateful. Grooving. Soloing. And Saving Big.
Published 2 months ago • 4 min read
Notes to Self (and Bassists)
Dear Reader
Happy Thanksgiving!
If you're in the U.S., it's Thanksgiving today - one of the biggest holidays of the year here. As an Austrian, I didn’t grow up with this tradition. No turkey, no pumpkin pie, no annual food coma. But over time, it found its way into my life. Or maybe it came with my American passport. In any event, I have to say: celebrating gratitude and family? That’s absolutely worth pausing for. (And let’s be honest... the pies are simply incredible.)
In recent time, my own family has grown smaller. I know I’m not alone in that. Sometimes family is far away, fractured, or simply, gone. That’s when we lean into the family we create. And you - as you are reading this - are very much part of the circle I cherish deeply!
So whether you’re spending the day surrounded by loved ones or keeping it quiet on your own, I thank you for reading, and I hope you find some peace and joy in today. And may your bass bring you grounding, groove, and a whole lot of musical nourishment.
🎁 Speaking of which… (Video)
In last month’s Practice Live with Ari special event, we explored What a Wonderful World as a solo bass arrangement. I gave it as a challenge - and many students recorded beautiful versions (check out Laurent in our public Community or Fred in our Facebook Group, free signups needed); then I did the homework myself. Please enjoy! Here is mine:
How to turn that into a solo piece that you can make your own
Tips for phrasing and fingerings
PDFs + Jam Tracks
Pro Tip: Need a good excuse for another new bass toy? Well, when they ask "play me a tune" - then you can play a wonderful one, no backing band needed, and maybe then you can justify it.)
🎉 Our New Year Cohorts Are Coming
Starting January 8 - our cohorts return with a few new twists:
💥 Now 12 weeks, 5 Units! 💥 All start with a big kickoff event 💥 Two Live Practice sessions for select personalized feedback and real-life practice 💥 An amazing Community and your personal success coach 💥 Regular video assignments, fun drills, and an amazing community 💥 Motivation til the finish line! Stop starting courses but finish them! 💥 A final celebration class to jam and show off what you’ve learned!
Choose your Course Topic:
🎯 Beginner Evolution Cohort – brand new! For total beginners or anyone wanting to rebuild confidence and technique from the ground up.
🎯 Rhythm Matrix Cohort – Groove like never before. Get tighter timing and more rhythmic freedom.
🎯 Theory Cohort– Connect the dots between the notes you play and the music you hear.
✨ These cohorts are fun, focused, and incredibly effective - we’ve been running them since 2017, and they just keep getting better. Find out more about them here.
💸 Black Friday Deal
Save 25% off any and all of our coures and cohorts until Monday. Use code: BLACKFRIDAY2025 during checkout – good through Cyber Monday only!
With groove and gratitude, Ari 🎶
This Month at ArisBassBlog (You can join us - click the links to learn more)
Coming up:
🌟 December Bass Year Wrap-Up - This month, we’re finishing strong - with simple tune-up routines to keep your hands moving and your musical mind sharp. We’ll revisit key techniques, rhythms, and creative exercises from the year, and reflect on what stuck, what grew, and what you want more of next year.• Mini Tune-Up Drills: short, effective routines• Your “Anchor Groove”: one groove to carry you through• Reflective Prompts (without pressure)• A special live session to celebrate your progress and set your 2026 musical intentions
👂EarTraining Mondays - Most Mondays, Bass in hand! Hear better to play better. 🎸 Open Pattern Practice- Train your musical mind using our Pattern System Tools
🎄 Christmas Special: “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” - A seasonal session to wind down, groove out, and bring in the holiday spirit – bass in hand. Join us for a festive session where we dive into the timeless classic “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)”.We’ll explore:
A beautiful walking bass approach for this cozy jazz ballad
How to craft tasteful fills and create variations
Tips for playing expressively at slow tempos
And a few musical surprises to keep it merry and bright
No pressure, no performance - just a relaxed and musical way to celebrate the season together.
Cohorts starting in January:
What is a cohort? 12 weeks of bass learning with support, feedback, assignments, deadlines, friends. And loads of fun! Now new: Cohorts include personal feedback from Ari
🟡 Beginner Evolution Cohort -The basics of technique and theory, via songs and fun. This is a light, fun cohort. Complete beginners welcome!
🟢 Theory Cohort - Our theory flagship course with support! Learn theory through improvisation and have a blast!
🟣 Rhythm Cohort - Level up your groove, your timing, your feel. There isn't anything more powerful that you can do for your playing than that!
When you're ready, here’s how I can help you play the way you've always wanted to:
1️⃣ Take a course Build your foundation in rhythm, theory, reading, or fretboard fluency. Click here for COURSES
2️⃣ Join a cohort Do any of our courses with a group of peers, accountability coaches, regular homework and check-ins with me. Check the SCHEDULE for COHORTS
3️⃣ Practice Live with us (Our Live Practice Membership is currently at capacity, but we offer select mini-series a la carte on our schedule) Check the SCHEDULE for a la carte SERIES
4️⃣ Not sure where to start? Take the Starting Point Quiz and find the best fit for you right now
