Learn the secrets of rock performance, jazz performance, improvisational soloing, latin styles, studio recording, and secrets of the music business in AIMM's bass program.
Develop both the technical & musical talents, and acquire the skills to become one of today's professional producer/engineers.
In a live performance/clinic at AIMM, Guthrie, Marco, and Bryan killed it on "Dance of the Aristocrats"; the opening number from of their latest release Culture Clash.
In addition to its existing vocational programs, Atlanta Institute of Music and Media offers an Associate of Applied Science in Music and Technology with a focus in either Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, or Voice.
When you choose to pursue the Bass Certificate Program at the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media, you will be fully immersed in a nonstop music atmosphere where both your technical and musical skills will be constantly challenged.
All of your studies will take place in our state of the art facility, including a live performance concert hall, recording studios, and computer labs.
You will attend live-clinics instructed by today's most well-known innovative engineers, producers, and industry professionals.
Our Bass Certificate Program is engaging and supportive, just ask our past AIMM Alumni.
Music is a universal language that is not specific to one country. Therefore, students of all different backgrounds are beyond encouraged to obtain their Bass Certification at AIMM.
There is absolutely no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, age, religion, or sexual orientation.
If you have passion for music, we want you!
After obtaining your Certificate in Bass Guitar, it is our hope that you will further your career, or obtain employment in the field of your choice.
This achievable goal extends to television, video games, movies, radio, multi-media production studios, and much more.
The opportunities are endless at AIMM and your first step begins with applying.
Click below for more information on the Bass Certificate and begin your journey confidently at the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media.
*Important Note: All Instrument Certificate Programs are ONLY enrolling for Fall 2019 Quarter, Not Spring or Summer Quarter*
You will take courses in scales, chords, reading, music theory, performance, music appreciation, music business and even life skills.
The Bass Certificate program consists of courses that are both performance and music theory based.
The curriculum is designed to provide the intermediate player with the necessary education to further his or her abilities and to facilitate the student’s ability to gain employment in the field.
The program can be completed in 12 months (4 quarters) of full-time enrollment, or 24 months (8 quarters) of part-time enrollment.
Students in the Bass program are not required to complete General Education Courses. Students must show proficiency on their instrument as described in Admissions procedures.Course Number | Course Title | Credits | |
BAS120 | Scales I Scales I begins with an exploration of currently accepted bass technique; then the major scale is explored in depth including: Modes, Pentatonics, blues scale, arpeggios, and sequences. Students are expected to play regularly, demonstrating not only knowledge of the scales, but also knowledge of how to use those scales to create music. |
1 | |
BAS130 | Reading I This class focuses on two areas: rhythm reading and note reading. In the rhythm reading section, the students start with eighth note based rhythms in both straight eighth and swing eighth feels. By the end of Level I, the student will be working with complex combinations of triplet and sixteenth note figures. In the note reading section, the students start off with whole note and half note exercises that quickly advance to the complex level of rhythm reading. |
1 | |
BAS140 | Styles I This is a class that focuses on the fundamentals of Swing jazz and Latin jazz. Elements of swing include: Walking, comping, and soloing. Elements of Latin include: Bossa pattern, Samba Pattern, comping, and soloing. Classic pop songs that derive their grooves and arrangements from these styles are explored, specifically rock and folk. There is an introduction to Bach cello suites, both from the perspective of style, as well as technique. |
2 | |
BAS910 | Group Lesson I Students receive one half hour of group instruction weekly to address areas of technique or theory for which they require assistance. |
0.5 | |
INT100 | Performance I This course is an interdisciplinary live performance class based on standard introductory level repertoire for R&B, Blues, Rock and Pop styles. Students perform on stage weekly in a live interactive ensemble format with voice and rhythm section instrumentation that emulates professional gigging scenarios. The emphasis is on execution of melody, rhythm, chords, form, and improvisation. Materials such as sheet music, charts, play along tracks, lyrics, video tutorials are provided via Canvas Learning Management System. |
4 | |
INT105 | Skills Lab This lab course is designed to help the student gain awareness of “soft skills” such as behavior, habits, work ethic, etc., in a fun and engaging way. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of their own strengths and areas in need of improvement. Students will gain tools to help them succeed in their academics and beyond. |
1 | |
INT134 | Music Appreciation This course is designed to expose students to a broad spectrum of musical ideas, concepts, and genres. Emphasis is placed on studying those musical concepts that hold true for all styles of music (form and structure, counterpoint, melodic and harmonic content). Genres covered include: Middle Ages; Renaissance; Baroque; Classical; Romantic; 20th Century; Jazz; Rock. |
1 | |
INT145 | Music Theory Essentials I This class covers the basic elements of music theory, ear training and notation. Diatonic harmony, major and minor key signatures, triads and 7th chords, scale harmonization, meters, basic rhythmic notation, and chord symbol conventions. Students will practice recognizing fundamental musical elements by ear. Basic keyboard skills will be covered including chords, scales and reading. |
3 | |
Required Credit Hours | 13.5 |
Course Number | Course Title | Credits | |
BAS220 | Scales II Scales II explores the melodic minor scale in depth including: Modes, arpeggios, and sequences. The class also explores uses of symmetric scales. Students are expected to play regularly, demonstrating not only knowledge of the scales, but also knowledge of how to use those scales to create music. Prerequisite: Scales I. |
1 | |
BAS230 | Reading II This class takes the skills learned from the rhythm and note reading exercises covered in Level I and puts them to work on real bass charts. These bass charts were actually used on gigs. The focus is on understanding form, fingering analysis, and groove. The students will be tested on these charts each week by playing through the charts like they are on a real gig situation. Prerequisite: Reading I. |
1 | |
BAS240 | Styles II Styles II is a class that continues the exploration of the Jazz idiom by focusing on form as a means to learn songs, as well as recognize similarities between tunes. Forms that are covered in depth are blues, rhythm changes, AABA, AABC, ABCA, and Binary. Tunes that use slightly modified standard forms are also discussed. In addition, early Motown standards are transcribed by students, and the elements of the Motown style are discussed. Bach cello studies for bass are continued in this class. Prerequisite: Styles I. |
2 | |
BAS245 | Latin This class delves into the wonderful world of Afro-Cuban bass playing, exploring the different types of Afro-Cuban bass playing such as Guajiru, Son Montuno, Guaguancó, Mambo, Merengue, Songo, Salsa, Latin Jazz, and crossover grooves. |
1 | |
BAS920 | Group Lesson II Students receive one half hour of group instruction weekly to address areas of technique or theory for which they require assistance. Prerequisite: Group Lesson Level 1. |
0.5 | |
INT200 | Performance II This course is an interdisciplinary live performance class based on standard intermediate level repertoire for R&B, Blues, Rock and Pop styles. Students perform on stage weekly in a live interactive ensemble format with voice and rhythm section instrumentation that emulates professional gigging scenarios. The emphasis is on execution of melody, rhythm, chords, form, and improvisation. Materials such as sheet music, charts, play along tracks, lyrics, video tutorials are provided via Canvas Learning Management System. |
4 | |
INT245 | Music Theory Essentials II This class focuses on scales, modes and linear structures needed for improvisation and melody. Ear training and dictation of melody and diatonic chord progressions are covered. Advanced notation concepts including form, articulation and syncopated rhythm are included. Harmonic concepts are practiced and reinforced using keyboard. Prerequisite: Music Theory Essentials I. |
3 | |
Required Credit Hours | 12.5 |
Course Number | Course Title | Credits | |
BAS320 | Scales III Scales III explores the harmonic minor scale in depth including: Modes, arpeggios, and sequences. The class also explores uses of bee bop scales. Students are expected to play regularly, demonstrating not only knowledge of the scales, but also knowledge of how to use those scales to create music. Prerequisite: Scales II. |
1 | |
BAS330 | Reading III This class expands the student’s knowledge of Reading by exposing them to real gig charts that are more complex and cover a wide range of styles, including different techniques such as slap and pick playing. Students will also learn and perform charts using the Nashville number system. Prerequisite: Reading II. |
1 | |
BAS340 | Styles III This class continues the study of the jazz idiom by focusing on standard tunes in 3 and 6, or the Jazz waltz. In addition, early Funk and Disco are explored in depth. Bach cello studies for bass are continued in this class. Prerequisite: Styles II. |
2 | |
BAS930 | Group Lesson III Students receive one half hour of group instruction weekly to address areas of technique or theory for which they require assistance. Prerequisite: Group Lesson Level 2. |
0.5 | |
INT300 | Performance III This course is an interdisciplinary live performance class based on standard intermediate-advanced level repertoire for R&B, Blues, Rock and Pop styles. Students perform on stage weekly in a live interactive ensemble format with voice and rhythm section instrumentation that emulates professional gigging scenarios. The emphasis is on execution of melody, rhythm, chords, form, and improvisation. Materials such as sheet music, charts, play along tracks, lyrics, video tutorials are provided via Canvas Learning Management System. |
4 | |
INT301 | Studio Performance III This course is an interdisciplinary studio performance class based on standard intermediate-advanced level repertoire for R&B, Blues, Rock and Pop styles. Students perform in the recording studio weekly in an interactive ensemble format with voice and rhythm section instrumentation that emulates professional recording sessions. The emphasis is on execution of melody, rhythm, chords, form, and improvisation. Materials such as sheet music, charts, play along tracks, lyrics, video tutorials are provided via Canvas Learning Management System. |
4 | |
INT345 | Music Theory Essentials III This course focuses on the chord progressions and harmonic techniques used in contemporary music. Concepts include diatonic, extended diatonic and chromatic progressions, modulations and reharmonization. Keyboard is used to illustrate reinforce these concepts. Students explore melodic, rhythmic and harmonic transcription, and basic desktop music publishing using Finale software is covered. Prerequisite: Music Theory Essentials III. |
3 | |
Required Credit Hours | 15.5 |
Course Number | Course Title | Credits | |
BAS420 | Scales IV Scales IV explores alternate harmonic concepts for melodic and harmonic improvisation including: playing outside, ethnic modes, superimposing triads, and interval shapes. Students will be able to demonstrate not only knowledge of the scales, but also knowledge of how to use those scales to create music. Prerequisite: Scales III. |
1 | |
BAS430 | Reading IV This is the test. If the student can comfortably play these charts, he/she is ready for just about any reading situation. As said before, these are real bass charts used on real gigs. Prerequisite: Reading III. |
1 | |
BAS440 | Styles IV Styles IV focuses on technically challenging jazz tunes including bee bop and fusion. A final Bach cello suite for bass is studied, and other styles are both discussed and played, including: reggae, country, and bluegrass. Prerequisite: Styles III. |
2 | |
BAS940 | Group Lesson IV Students receive one half hour of group instruction weekly to address areas of technique or theory for which they require assistance. Prerequisite: Group Lesson Level 3. |
0.5 | |
INT400 | Performance IV This course is an interdisciplinary performance class based on standard advanced level repertoire for R&B, Blues, Rock and Pop styles. Students perform on stage weekly in a live interactive ensemble format with voice and rhythm section instrumentation that emulates professional gigging scenarios. The emphasis is on execution of melody, rhythm, chords, form, and improvisation. Materials such as sheet music, charts, play along tracks, lyrics, video tutorials are provided via Canvas Learning Management System. |
4 | |
INT401 | Studio Performance IV This course is an interdisciplinary studio performance class based on standard advanced level repertoire for R&B, Blues, Rock and Pop styles. Students perform in the recording studio weekly in an interactive ensemble format with voice and rhythm section instrumentation that emulates professional recording sessions. The emphasis is on execution of melody, rhythm, chords, form, and improvisation. Materials such as sheet music, charts, play along tracks, lyrics, video tutorials are provided via Canvas Learning Management System. |
4 | |
INT445 | Music Theory Essentials IV This course explores advanced harmonic and melodic techniques used in modern music. Melodic writing, harmonization, voice-leading and arranging are covered. Students will compose and arrange music using the techniques discussed, and will apply these ideas on the keyboard. Prerequisite: Music Theory Essentials III. |
3 | |
INT495 | Music Business Presenting concepts and practices that cover several areas of the constantly changing music industry. Students will learn about such things as booking, agency contacts, performing rights organizations, copyright and trademark, record label anatomy, artist management agreements, tax information, resume and self-promotion. |
1 | |
Required Credit Hours | 16.5 |
Bass—Total Required Credit Hours | 58 |
Definitely check out AIMM, get a good tour of it, go to Open House, go to the orientation, and you'll find that it's really professional. All the instructors really know what they're doing--they're all industry professionals and have been for years. You get a lot of hands-on activity and a lot of time to work on your projects on all the gear.
Benjie Freund
Sound Designer at Hi-Rez Studios, and Founder of Neutrino Gaming--creator of the iPhone/iPad app Aries Revenge
If you're going to go to any music school, AIMM is the one to choose. Since graduation, I've gotten all my work through AIMM...So, this is the place to be.
Butch Buckner
Drummer for Bionic Jive
AIMM was one of the best choices I've made.
Chris Kittredge
Drummer for Arrested Development Australian Tour 2011
Honestly, AIMM is very high level...it's something that I'm impressed with, would recommend, and would have wanted to come and study at in my younger years.
Dave Weckl
Drummer for Chick Corea
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