A method to write
killer basslines
for any song.
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The Bassline Blueprint
Launch price ends Sunday, October 18 at 11:59PM ET.
My step-by-step method for writing your own bass lines, from the first root note to full lines in any style. Ten lessons, the Bassline Builder, and the tracks to play along with. Buy once, own it for life. And because you're already one of my students, you get $95 off.
Everything you get:
- 10 step-by-step video lessons
- The Bassline Builder
- Studio-quality backing tracks
- Chord charts and tabs
- Community forum access
- Lifetime access on all devices
- 7-day money-back guarantee
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One method for any song
Always know what to play. A step-by-step way to build a bassline in any style. And apply it everywhere.
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Lifetime access
Learn at your own pace on any device, with every future update included. No subscription.
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Save $95
You're already one of my students, so it's only $55 for you until Sunday, November 15th, with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
What's inside
The lessons, plus the tools to build your own lines alongside them.
The Bassline Builder New
Hear it as you build over the lesson backing tracks, then export it as audio, MIDI, XML, or PDF with the chord chart.
10 step-by-step lessons
From the foundations to universal application.
Studio-quality backing tracks
Includes files you can also use in the Bassline Builder.
- The Blueprint Progression Audio file
- Riff Approach Audio file
- 03 Funk Backing Track Audio file
- 04 Jazz Backing Track Audio file
- 05 Rock Backing Track Audio file
Chord charts and tabs
For every exercise, as you build your first bassline.
Why I made this course
Have you ever heard a great bassline and thought, "how did they even think of that?" That's what this course is about.
You don't have to be a musical genius to write great basslines, but you need a process that works. I've written hundreds of basslines over the years, and this is the method I still use for what I play in my videos and live performances.
So I broke it down into a step-by-step process you can follow: start with the harmony, find the roots and lock in with the drums, add rhythm, and so on. Now you have a blueprint for making your own killer basslines. You've already learned with me, so you know how I teach. This time, we're writing your own lines.
Build the line, step by step
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Intro
Welcome to The Bassline Blueprint. A quick tour of how the course works and the step-by-step system we'll use to turn any chord progression into a killer bass line.
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1. Start With The Harmony
Every great bass line starts with the chords. Learn how to read a progression, find the notes that matter, and set up the harmony you'll build on for the rest of the course.
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2. Play Roots And 5ths Only On The Kicks
Lock in with the drummer using nothing but roots and 5ths on the kick drum. It's the simplest bass line there is, and it's the foundation of every line you'll write.
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3. Add More Rhythm And Other Chord Tones
Start moving beyond roots and 5ths. Add rhythm that locks with the drums and explore other chord tones to give the line harmonic depth.
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4. Add Other Notes For Spice
Bring in passing notes, chromatic approaches and other embellishments to give the line colour and attitude without losing the groove.
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5. Clean It Up
Space, tone, articulation, rhythm and fills: the small adjustments that separate a decent bass line from one that sounds professional.
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6. Riff + Modulation
Turn your line into a riff, then learn how to move that riff through the chord progression so it fits every change.
Write lines for any style
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7. Building a Funk bass line from scratch
We'll write a funk bass line from a blank page. Along the way I'll introduce chord progression writing and chord numbers, so you can do this in any key.
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8. Building a Jazz bass line from scratch
Take the same step-by-step system and build a jazz bass line from a blank page.
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9. Building a Rock bass line from scratch
The same system applied to a rock progression: build a driving bass line from a blank page.
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10. How to Never Run Out of Bassline Ideas
Techniques and habits that keep the ideas flowing, so you never stare at the fretboard with nothing to play.
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Outro
Placeholder. Wrapping up the course and where to go from here.
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Start writing your own basslines.
Sale price $55Regular price
$150Save $95 until Sunday, Oct. 18
7-day money-back guarantee
Hear the difference
Switch mid-play to hear what your basslines could sound like.
What students say
The courses are incredibly well put together. I really like how you explain not only what to play, but also why and how to approach it. The lessons have helped me build a much better understanding of the instrument, and I can always come back to them and discover something new. There's a lot of valuable information in every lesson.
You've somehow made it so much easier to learn than any teacher out there.
Thank you Charles. You are just as good a teacher as you are a bassist.
Your courses helped me a lot in finding my own style of playing, and gave me the answers to the questions I had at the time. All in all I'm super satisfied with my purchase. I love your enthusiasm for playing; it inspires me to keep trying and creating art every day through playing.
These courses have helped to add some tools to my repertoire, refresh my playing, and reinforce some fundamentals (like proper hand position) that I haven't thought to polish in a while. Your teaching style is also calm and relaxing, and that helps tremendously!
Your breakdowns are very concise and a great starting point. You really isolate the stuff that you need to practice well.
Charles, you are one of the most amazing and inspiring musician/teachers in the 20th & 21st century! Thank-you for doing what we love (killin it on Bass!)
Thank you so much for what you're doing and the impact it has had on the music in this household! So… a massive thank you. Hats off to you for being such a pioneer, for being such an inspiration.
The Bassline Blueprint
Launch price ends Sunday, October 18 at 11:59PM ET.
My step-by-step method for writing your own bass lines, from the first root note to full lines in any style. Ten lessons, the Bassline Builder, and the tracks to play along with. Buy once, own it for life. And because you're already one of my students, you get $95 off.
Everything you get:
- 10 step-by-step video lessons
- The Bassline Builder
- Studio-quality backing tracks
- Chord charts and tabs
- Community forum access
- Lifetime access on all devices
- 7-day money-back guarantee
Frequently asked questions
Why does my cart show $150?
Your $95 off is applied at checkout, so the cart may still show the regular price. You'll see the discount on the checkout page before you pay. If it isn't there, open this page again from the link you clicked to get here, or enter the code LN55BLB at checkout.
What level is this course for?
It's for bassists who can already play a little and want to start writing their own lines. If you can find your way around the fretboard, read tab and play along with a simple song, you're ready. We start with roots and 5ths on the kick drum and build from there, one step at a time.
This course teaches you how to write basslines, not how to play the instrument.
What is the Bassline Builder?
It's the tool that comes with the course. Pick a chord progression, build your line a step at a time, and hear it played back as a tab you can play along with.
There are also suggested chord tone hints there to help you when you're stuck. The course's backing tracks work in it too.
When you're happy with a line, you can save it and share it (via mp3, wav, PDF, MIDI, or XML file types).
Does the Bassline Builder work on my phone, and do I keep it?
Yes. The Builder runs in your web browser, so it works on your phone, tablet or computer with nothing to install.
And yes, you keep it. It's included with the course for life, with no subscription.
Do I need to read music?
No. Every exercise comes with tab as well as standard notation, so use whichever you're comfortable with. I'll introduce the bit of theory you need, like chord tones and chord numbers, as we go.
How long do I have access?
For life. It's a one-time purchase, not a membership. Buy it once and it's yours on all your devices, including any future updates to the course.
How is the course delivered?
It's all online. Right after checkout you'll get an email, at the address you used to buy, with a link to activate your account. From there you can log in and watch the lessons on your computer, tablet or phone, and download the backing tracks, chord charts and tabs.
What if it's not for me?
You're covered by a 7-day money-back guarantee. If the course isn't right for you, get in touch within 7 days of buying and you'll get a full refund, no questions asked.
I already own another Charles course. Is this different?
Yes. 30-Day Bassist, The Slap Bass Blueprint and Mastering the Masters are about playing: the fundamentals, slap technique, and how the greats do it. The Bassline Blueprint is about writing: a step-by-step method for coming up with your own basslines over any chord progression. It works alongside whichever of them you own.