Question 1

What are the differences between the bass and the guitar?

Accepted Answer

Although the electric bass bears a strong visual resemblance to the electric guitar, their origins are not entirely similar. On the one hand, the classical guitar was born in 18th century Europe and has a hollow body. Descended from the lute, this same resonant body allows the guitar to emit sound without amplification. It is only in the 1930's that the first prototypes of guitars called "solid body" will see the day. In contrast to the classical guitar, this type of guitar is made of pickups and is connected to an amplifier. These inventions were popularized by Les Paul and Fender in the United States. At the same time, Leo Fender was also interested in amplifying the bass. Indeed, the bassists play then on double bass and are brought to have to produce sounds increasingly strong, in particular with the emancipation of the jazz style. Leo Fender will then be inspired by the shape of the electric guitar and will market its famous "precision bass" in the course of the years 1950. The first point that distinguishes the two instruments at first glance is the difference in size. Indeed, the bass reaches lower notes and, to do so, the strings must be thicker. This difference in string size is called the drawbar. The higher the draw, the thicker the diameter of the string and the stronger the tuning machines must be to withstand this pressure. Thicker strings will have to be spaced further apart, and require a longer neck so that each note can sound without "bending". Another distinctive point, the bass is composed of 4 strings (E, A, D, G) while the guitar has 6 (E, A, D, G, B, E). This rule is not absolute because, later, strings are added to both instruments to serve different styles. With a different frequency range, the bass and the guitar also have different roles. Let's take a relatively classic pop-rock band, consisting of drums, bass, guitar and vocals. The bass is the rhythmic and harmonic base with the drums. They act as supports, foundations on which the other elements can be added. The groove and the coordination between the bass and the drums is therefore essential. The guitar has a more harmonic role, with chords and other riffs. It dialogues with the bass to enrich the harmony and the rhythm proposed by the bass. On this well supplied composition, can then be added the lyrics of the singer to transmit a message to the song. From a pragmatic point of view, there are less bassists than guitarists. As a result, you'll have a much better chance of joining bands if you want to perform. There are also a lot of different playing techniques to explore, such as the slap, which consists of playing the guitar on the floor.

Question 2

What type of bass should I choose?

Accepted Answer

Choosing a bass depends on several factors, such as the style of music you want to play, your skill level and your budget. If you are a beginner and want to play jazz, funk, rock, blues or pop, an electric bass would probably be the most appropriate choice. Electric basses are lighter and easier to play than acoustic basses, and they offer a wide variety of sounds with different tone and volume settings. For jazz and funk, a bass with a clear, warm sound is often preferred, such as the Fender Precision or Jazz Bass. For rock, metal and heavier styles, a bass with a more aggressive and powerful sound like the Ibanez SR bass is often used. However, it is important to remember that the bass is a versatile instrument, and many bassists play different styles of music with the same bass. So, if you are a beginner who wants to explore different styles of music, a versatile and adaptable bass would be a wise choice, such as the Yamaha BB bass or the Fender Mustang bass. Ultimately, the choice of bass depends on your personal preferences and musical needs, so don't hesitate to try out different models before making your final choice. À l'école Apolline, nous sommes fiers d'offrir des tarifs abordables pour tous, permettant à tous les enfants d'accéder à l'apprentissage de la musique. Grâce à notre système de cours semi-privé, nous pouvons offrir des tarifs très abordables par rapport aux autres écoles de musique de Genève et Lausanne. Nous croyons que tous les enfants devraient avoir la possibilité de découvrir leur passion pour la musique, et nous sommes ravis de les aider à atteindre ce but.

Question 3

How to get a good sound on the bass ?

Accepted Answer

To get a good bass sound, it is important to consider several elements. First of all, it is crucial to play the bass line with a good technique to get a clear and distinct sound. It is also important to find the right balance of volume so as not to cover the other instruments or get lost in the mix. By using good playing technique, proper posture and playing with a good tempo, the sound will be clean and precise. The amp settings also have a significant impact on the sound of your bass, so it's important to adjust the tone settings to find the sound that best suits your playing style and the style of music you play. Using effects such as distortion or compression can also add color to your sound. Strings also play an important role in the sound of your bass, so it's a good idea to test different brands and types of strings to find the ones that work best for your playing style. All in all, getting a good sound on the bass requires practice, patience and an understanding of the different elements that contribute to the sound.

Question 4

What are the notes of a bass?

Accepted Answer

The bass is a stringed instrument, and the notes it can produce depend on the tuning of the strings. Most modern electric basses are tuned in quarter tones, from the thickest string (the low E string) to the thinnest (the high G string). In music theory, the most commonly used string notes are E, A, D, and G, although it is possible to tune the bass differently to achieve other notes. To play a specific note, you press a string at a certain point on the bass neck. The pitch of the note depends on where the string is pressed in relation to the frets of the neck. In general, the closer to the head of the bass you press, the lower the note, while the closer to the body of the instrument, the higher the note. There are many ways to play the notes on a bass, including using different playing techniques such as fingerpicking, slapping, tapping and many others. In short, the notes on a bass depend on the tuning of the strings and where they are pressed on the neck, and a wide variety of sounds and melodies can be produced using different playing techniques.

Question 5

Why choose to play the bass?

Accepted Answer

There are several reasons why someone might choose to play bass. First of all, the bass is an essential instrument in many styles of music, such as rock, funk, jazz, blues and many others. Playing bass can help create a strong, melodic bass line that complements and supports the other instruments in the musical ensemble. In addition, playing bass can be a great way to develop rhythmic skills and an understanding of how the different elements of the music fit together. By learning to play complex bass lines, musicians can gain a deeper understanding of song structures and musical compositions in general. In addition, music teachers often recommend the bass as an ideal instrument for beginners because of its simplicity and versatility. It is a relatively easy instrument to learn compared to other stringed instruments such as the guitar, but it can also be very complex and offer challenges for experienced musicians. Ultimately, choosing to play the bass will depend on personal preference and individual opinion. However, for those looking to develop their rhythm skills, contribute to the creation of melodic bass lines, and learn a versatile and rewarding instrument, the bass can be an excellent choice.

Question 6

What is the price of a bass lesson?

Accepted Answer

The price of a bass lesson for children varies between Geneva and Lausanne depending on the teacher chosen. Rates can vary from Fr 50 to Fr 200 per hour for an experienced teacher. Students can also benefit from reduced rates, depending on their age and financial situation. At Apolline, we are proud to offer affordable rates for all, allowing all children access to music learning. Thanks to our semi-private tuition system, we can offer very affordable rates compared to other music schools in Geneva and Lausanne. We believe that all children should have the opportunity to discover their passion for music, and we are delighted to help them achieve this goal.

Question 7

What age to start playing bass ?

Accepted Answer

There is no minimum age to start learning bass at Apolline. Children can enroll at a very young age, although we recommend waiting until age 6 to start. It is important to keep in mind that playing any instrument is a musical process that requires time and patience. We obviously encourage adults to take the plunge, keeping in mind that it may take more time and determination than for children. Regardless of the age of the learner, Apolline's bass instruction focuses on the learner's enjoyment and motivation, encouraging creativity and a love of music.

Question 8

Can a bass lesson be given via webcam?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a bass lesson can be taught online via webcam, as long as the teacher is able to teach it. With the advances in technology and the popularity of online lessons since the pandemic, many teachers of all types are now using webcams to teach their students. Webcam bass lessons can be effective, especially for students who have busy schedules or live far from their teacher. We use several methods to teach online, using visual aids and screen sharing tools to enhance the quality of the lesson. It is important to note that a face-to-face class will always be more effective than an online class, especially when the teacher and student are playing simultaneously. Webcam courses can therefore offer a satisfactory teaching quality for motivated and autonomous students.

Question 9

Does Ecole Apolline give a diploma to successful students?

Accepted Answer

There is no particular diploma given to students throughout their learning process. Indeed, Apolline favors learning that is based on pleasure through progression and not on performance. This is why we do not organize exams, and why there are no diplomas. Every year we organize a festival with the colors of the school: The Apolline Fest. You can read our article on this subject. Each student who wishes to do so has the opportunity to register and perform in front of an audience of friends and family. This is a good opportunity to showcase all the work done during the year. It is also common for our teachers to write letters of recommendation for students to help them achieve their goals. In addition, for experienced students, our teachers offer a professional curriculum to prepare motivated students for the art school entrance exams. All of our music teachers have a degree from an art school.

Question 10

Can students perform on stage in a concert?

Accepted Answer

At Apolline, we organize workshops for the most motivated students who wish to discover playing in a group. Within this framework, we encourage our students to perform in concerts, in particular in bars/clubs in the city of Lausanne as well as during the annual Apolline Fest. This program is not suitable for beginners, but rather for students who have already mastered their instrument. A workshop room with a good acoustic treatment is provided to the students to allow them to play in the best possible conditions. We will also teach them to acquire a good stage presence and the specific codes of the stage world. We take care to ensure that the pieces chosen appeal to everyone, in order to guarantee an enriching experience combining pleasure, high standards and progress.

Question 11

Can bass lessons be given at home?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, bass lessons cannot be given at home for practical reasons. The location of the lessons remains fixed, in Lausanne, and allows the students to follow a quality teaching with an equipped and adapted room. From experience, we have found that the distraction of the home environment can also affect the quality of the teaching and the concentration of the students, especially for the younger ones, which can negatively impact their progress on the bass.

Question 12

Is playing metal bass accessible to all levels?

Accepted Answer

Playing metal bass can be a challenge for musicians of all levels. This genre of music often requires advanced technical skills, including speed and accuracy of playing, as well as a good understanding of the rhythm and structure of the music. However, with practice and guidance from experienced music teachers, it is possible for beginners and intermediate level musicians to progress and develop their skills in playing metal bass. Instructors can help guide students through the playing techniques necessary for metal, as well as develop skills in reading tablature and music notation. It is also important for musicians to understand that playing metal bass can be physically demanding, so it is important to warm up and practice regularly to avoid injury. In short, playing metal bass is a challenge for all levels of musicians, but with practice and guidance from experienced teachers, it is possible to progress and develop the skills necessary to play this genre of music.

Courses	Duration	Monthly price*	One price**
Weekly Plan – 34 sessions
Semi Private 40'/45 - 2/3 élèves	40 minutes	111.00 CHF	1'250.00 CHF
Weekly Individual Plans – 34 sessions
30'	30 minutes	170.00 CHF	1'995.00 CHF
40'	40 minutes	229.00 CHF	2’695.00 CHF
50'	50 minutes	285.00 CHF	3'370.00 CHF
60'	60 minutes	337.00 CHF	3’990.00 CHF
Biweekly Individual Plan – 17 sessions
30'	30 minutes	87.00 CHF	995.00 CHF
40'	40 minutes	117.00 CHF	1’350.00 CHF
50'	50 minutes	145.00 CHF	1’695.00 CHF
60'	60 minutes	170.00 CHF	1’995.00 CHF
Adult Quarterly Plan (18+) – Individual - (Sept–Dec, Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun)
30’ - 1 term	30 minutes	-	745.00 CHF
40’ - 1 term	40 minutes	-	975.00 CHF
50’ - 1 term	50 minutes	-	1’195.00 CHF
60’ - 1 term	60 minutes	-	1’395.00 CHF

Bass Courses in Lausanne

Program

Objectives and skills

Learning music with Apolline

Tarifs

La salle de ce cours

Apolline Music