🤍 Notes to Self (and Bassists): On Love, Loss, and Letting Go
Published 5 days ago • 4 min read
Notes to Self (and Bassists)
Dear Reader
Originally, I had planned to visit my mother for just two weeks - our usual fall get-together, a ritual we had kept for many years. But when I arrived, it was immediately clear that she wasn’t well. She was frail, quiet, and no longer interested in food. She kept taking turns for the worse and I kept moving my flight until the two weeks turned into two months - the most intense, terrifying and yet deeply meaningful months of my life. I never slept less. But we had incredible conversations, listened to our favorite music and cried for hours together. She was amazingly lucid and recognized the never ending stream of beautiful people and close friends who came to visit. Flowers everywhere, tears, smiles, laughter. One of her caretakers kept baking cakes and cookies for everyone, filling the air with warmth and sweetness. We had incredible support: kind-hearted nurses and caretakers who know the sacred process of dying, always just a call away. They answered every question, showed up at every hour, and helped us make her as comfortable as possible.
She passed away on Tuesday night with my brother, a night nurse, and me by her side.
Wolf flew in from the US for support and Fred, my team, my friends - even strangers - extended love and help in ways I’ll never forget.
We buried her a week later in a very moving ceremony that drew people from near and far.
She was 94! A long, rich life. A peaceful passing, at home, surrounded by love. It should all feel like a blessing. And it does…
But it was still my sweet Mom. And I can't stop crying. She gave me life, laughter, and music. It’s hard. It’ll take time.
To all the Moms out there... 🤍
Dr. Theresia Cap (Kühnl) 12-29-1930 - 10-22-2025 🕯️
Black Friday
I am going simple this year.
Use coupon code blackfriday2025 during checkout. Good on anything! Expires cyber Monday!
Click the "Have a coupon? link during checkout and put blackfriday2025
Bass News
Thanks to meticulous pre-planning - and the steady hands of Fred, Wolf, and my team - we’ve been able to pretty much keep everything humming in bass world.
We’ve got a wonderful holiday lineup ahead for Live Practice with Ari - these are mini series or one-off practice sessions you can join. Details below, but here are a few highlights: 🎄 Our Holiday Groove Survival Kit will help keep your fingers and timing sharp, even during the busy season 🎷 And we’re adding a little sparkle with a bonus Jazz Jams to warm up your winter playing. See the schedule below.
Each one includes: ✔️ A live Kickoff Meeting ✔️ 10 weeks of focused study and video assignments ✔️ A joyful Final Celebration ✔️ Personalized feedback from me on select videos ✔️ New and improved check-in meetings filled with drills, games, and grooves
Our cohorts have been going strong since 2017, and we continue to evolve and improve with every round. If you’ve been on the fence - now’s a great time to jump in.
Not sure where to begin? Start with Beginner Evolution or Theory. We’ll help you find your groove.
With love, Ari 🎸
This Month at ArisBassBlog (You can join us - click the links to learn more):
🦃 November Practice Survival Kit - Stay sharp through the fall. This month we’ll focus on simple, powerful exercises to keep your timing, feel, and technique solid – even when life gets busy. • 5 must-know grooves • Quick drills for technique & timing • Mini practice plans • Three guided sessions
👂EarTraining Mondays - Most Mondays, Bass in hand! Hear better to play better.
🎸 Open Pattern Practice- Train your musical mind using our Pattern System Tools. A membership exclusive. 🍂 November Jazz Jam- Just for fun, we’re jazzing things up this month with a timeless tune: What a Wonderful World. It’s a ballad full of rich changes – perfect for exploring harmony movements. Let’s welcome the Thanksgiving season with some lush notes, soulful phrasing, and a little extra warmth in our playing.By signing up, you get access to all the assets and jamtracks
Coming in December:
🌟 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!
