Welcome to Thunder Row, where bassists from around the world connect, collide, confer, conference, compose, collude, and communicate!
Don't be shy, jump on in!



Roy's Blog




*Teach Me Bass Guitar, the most comprehensive, effective, and entertaining program of bass instruction anywhere. Guaranteed.
www.teachmebassguitar.com


Free Sample Lessons
Sign up for THUNDERFIST: Your FREE bass tip excerpts from TMBG - the most fun, effective self-paced video instruction for bass guitar ever created!
Your Name*:
Your Email*:
(*We will not share this information.)

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

myspace myspace
myspace myspace

 


  • TMBG In Prison!

    When we created TMBG we had one thing in mind, create the best bass tutorial on the planet, bar none, and make some money. Well, half our ambitions have been realized! As for the rest, well, we've found other aspects just as rewarding as making money, if not moreso. For example, this letter from TMBGer Dan MacMullin who works with the inmates at a prison on St. Kitts/Nevis in the Easter Caribbean.

    Please read:

    DEAR ROY,

    Hello from St Kitts & Nevis in the Eastern Caribbean. First, I love the Teach Me Bass Guitar program, I cannot believe that I am actually learning to play, I may never be a threat to Sir Paul or Sting, but am having a blast so who cares?

    Anyway was motivated to learn how to play an instrument by inmates in Her Majesty's Prison here in St Kitts. Not an inmate myself but a social advocate working the area of youth, crime and violence in a voluntary program called Operation Future. Part of my volunteer work is working with inmates in Her Majesty's Prison, the prison built in 1840 for 60 now holds over 300 in the most dismal conditions. Up until a year ago the institution was merely a cage where inmates were locked down 23 to 24 hours a day. Simply a punitive institution partially as there is no room or money, fortunately, S.I. Dorset, the warden was receptive to anyone willing to assist to improve the conditions of the inmates. I proposed a rehabilitation through music and art program, sourced a grant through Canada of $10,000 and with the money built a small building within the prison filled it with musical instruments located an inmate who could teach music, did similar with art supplies and a year later we now have over 80 inmates involved in either the music or art program. It has had a huge impact on the quality of life of the inmates, reduced violence and institution offenses and dramatically improved the self esteem of those involved.

    The program (music) is three step first learn music theory including reading music, once accomplished move on to instrumental and vocal training, once an instrument is mastered you are admitted to the band and become responsible to train the next crew of students. It is also mandatory for students to enroll in a 10 week anger management class, which I teach every Wednesday.

    In the last year I have seen young men go from violent, negative, low self esteem and heavily involved in the gang life to positive young individuals that now see themselves as more than the sum of their mistakes. The band is now regularly playing in the community and we are now seeing a demand in the community for their music so my wife and I recently put a small recording studio in the prison with a goal that the band can start selling their cd's at public performances funds will be used to upgrade equipment assist some of the inmates families etc. As mentioned these young men are my inspiration to finally tackle a life long desire to play an instrument. By the way I am a red neck without a lick of rhythm in my whole body. Do not be offended but I picked up the bass as I figured with 4 strings got to be easier than the guitar and quieter than the drums and a keyboard just confused me. Stupid reason to pick the bass but regardless I am glad I did as I am really enjoying it.

    To the point, after my anger management class the last couple of weeks I have sat with the students learning the bass and we have worked through your first four of lessons on the DVD's and Book together, as the only musician in the program expertise is in brass instruments he has done well introducing the other instruments. The bass players who are now instructing are self taught from the basics provided by the instructor and going through your video's and book realize they really have only touched on the capabilities of the bass. So they are now asking if they can get a copy of your program for the prison.

    So we are a volunteer program with no budget, we raise fund through a good will program which funds our programs in the community (two drop in centers both with music programs and recording studios, our school programs and the prison programs), we stretch a buck a long way so do you have an educational discount that we could take advantage of or be willing to donate a package to a great cause. To see a little more about the program please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNmXCHUKIvU this is our first recording Fight to Partake, written and song by Siash James who plays the guitar, all instuments are palyed by members of the program none of who other than Blues Hobson (the instructor) could play an instrument 7 months before this recording. The recording is rough but we are on a learning curve since this we have built a rough sound booth in the corner.

    Sincerely Yours
    Dan MacMullin
    Comments 4 Comments
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      Music is for us all. Nice to know TMBG reaches far and wide.
    1. jusca's Avatar
      jusca -
      Good to hear the program made it's way into the prison. Music works wonders.
    1. kimgee's Avatar
      kimgee -
      Wow! Amazing story. I guess this confirms the old adage about music soothing the savage beasts.
    1. TobiasMan's Avatar
      TobiasMan -
      Music can make a difference to lives!!!
  • Latest Videos

    Donohoe & Grimes Do Up Some Floyd

    Publish Date: September 26, 2014, 10:15 am


    Read More Read More


  • Bass Tips

    Beginning Bass Lessons

    Publish Date: July 25, 2015, 1:00 pm


    Read More Read More


  • Ads