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Bass Immersion
Level 3
This workshop will deal with three necessary aspects of bass playing- “tone, touch, and time.” Mike will take you through precise left and right hand techniques to improve accuracy and dexterity. The classes will go through basic scales and modes and show you the practical uses for these in everyday music, from blues to jazz to R&B. You’ll also learn elements of harmony and chord formation. By the end of the workshop you’ll be able to negotiate through chord charts and understand the role of the bass in singer/songwriter music, blues and jazz.
Mike Visceglia is an established NY session player, touring bassist and educator. He is the bass player and musical director for Suzanne Vega and has recorded and/or performed with Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Dar Williams, Bette Midler and Phoebe Snow and was a member of Jorma’s “Vital Parts” in the early ‘80s.He is a frequent lecturer at the NY Bass Collective.
AnchorAbout Mike Visceglia
Being born in New York City gave me the access to the some of the best players and teachers any bassist could hope for. I have been fortunate to study with Eddie Gomez, Dave Holland, Neil Jason and the incomparable music theoretician Bob Bianco.
My first concert tour was with Avant-rocker John Cale. This was followed by tours with Flo and Eddie, Jorma Kaukonen, Suzanne Vega, Curtis Stigers and Dar Williams. I've been the bassist for Suzanne Vega for 24 years and counting. Playing with Suzanne has taken me around the world several times and has given me the opportunity to play on many of her records including two Grammy winners. I've appeared on most of the major television shows that feature music- "Saturday Night Live," "The David Letterman Show," "The Jay Leno Show" and most recently "Live From Abbey Road." In addition to Suzanne I've played with or recorded with numerous artists including Jonatha Brooke, Jackson Browne, Valerie Carter, Bruce Springsteen, Marshall Crenshaw, Shawn Colvin, Richie Havens and Jeffrey Gaines.
A recent passion of mine has been writing and a few years ago I wrote and published a book titled "A View From The Side." This is a collection of personal road stories and interviews with some of the greatest bass players of our time including Will Lee, Leland Sklar, Tony Levin, Victor Bailey, Duck Dunn, Jeff Berlin and Marcus Miller. I'm honored to have a special introduction to the book by Sting. I've written for Bass Guitar Magazine and most recently Premier Guitar Magazine and hope to complement my playing career with a writer's career.
I've also recorded a duo CD of just 4 string bass and voice. The vocalist for this project is the beautiful Fiona McBain of the band "Ollabelle." The CD is my arrangements of eclectic cover songs of many genres by great composers like Joni Mitchell, Lennon-McCartney, Hoagy Carmichael and Burt Bachrach.
Every 4-6 weeks I host what I call the NY Bass Players Brunch. The brunch is an informal meeting of professional bass players. We've been chronicled in Bass Player Magazine and it has become a well mentioned part of the NY bass player scene.
I also am partner in an independent music licensing company for television and movies called WACBIZ. It's an achronym for "Writers and Artists Cooperative- Business."
In addition to these activities, I've followed my producer instincts to start a production company with award winning guitarist Zak Soulam. The company is called Pryzm Music.
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