As a bassist at WaterBear, you’ll likely to be in high demand as we usually get lots of bands and artists looking for decent Bass players! We keep our class sizes smaller, and you’ll be plugging into your own Ampeg amp in class, as well as getting regular access to a range of professional backline.

In class you will spend time working on a wide range of styles, theory and technique, essential knowledge for any professional Bass player. We encourage you to bring a standard 4-string Bass guitar in standard tuning, but we also love to see players arrive with 5 or 6-string instruments, acoustic basses, and any other specialist gear you may want to use. Be open to innovative tunings too, as musical diversity is absolutely valued. A decent tuner is a must-have.

Other essentials every Bass player will need include a portable, practical amp suitable for small gigs and practice, a metronome, and ear protection. Don’t feel pressured into having expensive gear though, as it’s perfectly possible to get great tones on budget equipment if you know how to make the most of it.

In addition to accessing the facilities at WaterBear, the ability to record to a reasonable standard at home is also very useful.

Music industry guest visits take place throughout the year, showcasing some of the best artists and innovators in today’s music. Our guest programme varies each year and some of our recent guests are shown below.