Ric Fierabracci

Hello!  I am a University of Miami "Studio Music and Jazz" Bachelors Degree Graduate. I have helped many students to realize their potential as well as prepare them for Music College. Many of my students have also been awarded scholarships. Hi, Because of my touring schedule, I teach bass and music theory whenever my schedule allows.

 Three-Time Grammy-Nominated, Ric Fierabracci is a world-renowned bassist, composer, and producer whose virtuosic talent and innovative style have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the music industry. With a career spanning decades, Ric has performed and recorded with an impressive roster of iconic artists, including Chick Corea Elektric Band, Billy Cobham Band, Dave Weckl Band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Jeff Lorber Trio, Andy Summers (featuring Sting as a special guest), Brian May of Queen, Simon Phillips, Derek Sherinian, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Gary Husband, Dean Brown, Bill Evans, Steve Smith, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mitchel Forman, Nachito Herrera’s Cuban Trio, Raul Pineda, Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats, Stanley Clarke,  Ebi Hamedi, Guthrie Govan, Mike Miller, Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale, Tom Coster, Planet X, Eddie Jobson’s UKZ, Sir Tom Jones,  Yanni, and many others. His intricate bass lines, masterful improvisational skills, and dynamic stage presence have earned him global recognition as a bass virtuoso.

In addition to his live performances, Ric has contributed to numerous studio projects. A proud graduate of the University of Miami Jazz Program (BA), Ric combines technical excellence with creative artistry, making him a sought-after collaborator in both live and studio settings.

I will show you proper technique and advanced, progressive techniques (slap, tapping, harmonics, chords) and how to read music so that you are prepared for almost any musical situation. I also teach how to improvise over chord changes in any style of music. That's great for bass lines and bass solos! How to read music and how to create on your bass which will help your songwriting and composing as well. If you really want to learn what is possible, I can show you the way. Here are some topics I focus in on:

Harmonic concepts:

Intervals
Triads
Chord Families
Scale sources
Arpeggios
Cycle of 4ths
Major diatonic scales
Melodic minor diatonic scales Harmonic minor diatonic scales Symmetrical scales Asymmetrical scales

Contrary motion Polychords
Slash chords Reharmonization Tritone substitution

Creating bass lines:

Anatomy of a bass line Walking bass line construction Outlining chord changes Developing rhythmic bass lines Articulation:
Staccato
Legato
Accents
Muting
Ghosting notes

Rhythmic concepts:

Eighth note feel Sixteenth note feel

Triplet feel
Poly rhythms
Shuffle vs. straight feel African concepts
Latin concepts
Brazilian concepts Raggae
Swing/bebop
Halftime feels
Odd meter
Rhythmic displacement

Improvisation:

Soloing over chord changes: Modal changes
Standards
Rhythm changes

Blues changes with sixth chord Voice leading
Linear concepts
Melodic considerations

Playing inside/outside Tension/release Implied changes Giant steps concept Use of space Harmonizing

Digital sequencing Rhythmic sequencing

Reading:

Sight reading Target practice Metronome usage’s Advanced rhythms Interpreting charts Chart symbols Writing charts

Reading ahead Cut time reading Metric modulation Transcribing

Advanced progressive techniques:

Getting to know your fingerboard Scale exercises
Right hand techniques
Left hand techniques

Harmonics
Slap
Tapping
Pitch considerations Fretless exercises

Developing a great sound:

Visualization
Amps: solid state Vs tube
Speakers and cabinets
Ohms and impedance considerations Pickups
Preamps/Poweramps
Direct boxes
Distortion
EQ
Compression
Effects
Reverb for bass
Studio techniques that work