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Where the most Inspired Musicians
become the most Inspiring Music Teachers

Bass: Introduction to Upright and/or Electric Bass for the Non-Bassist

Date

February 9-May 1, 2026

Online

Asynchronous

Course Code

8126A | 512ST

Credits

MECA: 3 | MMEd: 2

Tuition

$1194

Course Description

Master the functional concepts on upright and/or electric bass that can immediately help the bassist in your ensemble reach their potential. Learn correct techniques for the right and left hands; practical approaches for developing bass lines in rock, jazz and Latin music styles; how to apply scale and arpeggio knowledge to improvise using chord charts that do not include a written-out note-for-note bass line; common fingering patterns for major and minor scales; arpeggios; and bass lines for the blues and common progressions such as ii-V7-I. You’ll leave this course feeling prepared to teach all levels of bass as well as compose and perform bass lines encountered in many genres. Only one type of bass is needed in order to take this course.

 

 

*This course is available at two levels:

  • MMEd Program Students: If you’re enrolled in the MMEd program at VanderCook, register for the 500-level course.
  • MECA Continuing Education Students: If you’re not in the MMEd program but wish to earn graduate credit, register for the 8000-level course.

The difference in credits earned and tuition costs reflects the varying tuition rates between the MMEd and MECA Continuing Education programs. If you’re unsure which section is right for you, feel free to reach out to [email protected]  for assistance.

Bistrow intro SP 2026 MECA

Instructor

Doug Bistrow

Doug Bistrow received his degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where he majored in String Bass Performance and Jazz & Contemporary Media. Giving over 150 concerts per year, he has performed with Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, the Silk Road Ensemble, R. Kelly, Edgar Meyer, Howard Levy, Makaya McCraven, Dee Alexander, The Metropolitan Jazz Octet, BakerzMillion, Time For Three, Johnny Osborne, Ky-Mani Marley, Keith & Tex, Akasha, and many others. Bistrow is a member of the Chicago Philharmonic, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Jazz Octet. Bistrow is on the faculty at Vandercook College of Music, where he teaches applied double bass, and offers asynchronous online courses through the MECA program in beginning upright and electric bass, beginning jazz bass and  orchestral bass. Bistrow owns and operates Audio Bistro Recording Studio in Chicago’s Logan Square.

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