eMedia Releases New Bass Method Version 2.0(ShackMan | Posted 2011-01-12)  According to Guitar World magazine, eMedia's Bass Method "offers a firm foundation for any aspiring bassist." That's a pretty promising review from the start, and I've heard good things about eMedia's methods already. They aren't just books either. You do get a method book, but you also get a CD-Rom-based teacher that walks you through step-by-step on each lesson, so you can work at your own pace. eMedia are also starting to bridge the gap that leaves something to be desired between a real teacher and software: personalized feedback. They aren't the only ones doing it, but it's still not a very perfect science either. As with anything new and improved, I'm intrigued, and so I've requested a review copy from eMedia to dig into their bass method for myself and see what all the buzz is about.
I was glad to see that eMedia is continuing its resolve in producing bassists who can read out of its methods. The ability to read standard notation, even slowly, brings a musician to a whole new level of understanding and capability. Other returning features include the digital tuner, metronome, and digital recorder. The bass method itself stacks up a whopping 140+ lessons covering in excess of 200 songs. The lessons themselves cover the very basics including setting up and tuning the bass and get into playing advanced lines, catchy rhythms and fills, as well as shuffle feels and syncopated rhythms. Play-along pre-recorded audio features songs by Bob Dylan, Steve Miller Band, Los Lobos, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Grateful Dead, with tracks that include full-audio, bass-only, and no-bass options. Variable speed MIDI tracks are also included. eMedia Bass Method v2.0 will be released in March 2011 and will be available at retail stores nationwide and online at an estimated retail price of $59.95. The CD-ROM will be a hybrid for both Windows and Macintosh platforms. James Rushin is a bassist, keyboardist, writer, and composer living and working in the Greater Pittsburgh area. He has performed with Selmer artist Tim Price, Curtis Johnson, guitarists Ken Karsh and Joe Negri. His compositions have been featured at West Virginia University and Valley Forge Christian College. He will be spending the Fall and Winter months working on playwright Frank Gagliano's Voodoo Trilogy and Bodoni County Songbook. Got questions? Comments? James can be reached as ShackMan in the Music Gear Review forums, or you may e-mail him at James.Rushin@MusicGearReview.com. 
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