Pete Griffin

From Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, Steve Vai, Dr John, Zappa Plays Zappa, Zakk Wylde, Tony MacAlpine, Dethklok, Mike Keneally and More

Growing up a few miles from New York City, Pete got his first bass at thirteen and quickly realized his deep love of the instrument. When Pete's early bass mentor/idol, Dan Binggelli, passed away at the age of nineteen, Pete decided to dedicate his life to pursuing a career in music. Pete obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the prestigious Northwestern University, studying jazz and classical in school while playing rock and pop gigs around Chicago. The day after grad... (more)

Pete currently offers 30 guitar lessons at JamPlay, with 30 intermediate lessons.

Pete Griffin's contribution to JamPlay

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Intermediate 30 Lessons

Biography Read Up

The Art of Musical Bass Playing

Is your bass playing stuck in a rut? Do You find yourself playing the same licks just because they “work"? This course will introduce ways of approaching bass playing and musical theory that you may not have thought of before. Because of the layout of the bass fretboard it’s very easy to get stuck in the “pentatonic box” and still be a functional player. Pete will not only show you new ways of approaching scales and arpeggios, but also exercises on how to play those same old licks in a new musical way by using dynamics and melodicism. He’ll cover technical exercises for both left and right hands, using recording as a learning tool, and even discussions about music theory and the philosophy of bass playing. For every note you play there are many different factors to not only consider but also control, and this course will leave you with a deeper mastery of your instrument that goes beyond mere “chops.” You'll soon learn the difference between "playing the bass" and being a "bass player"!

Series Introduction: The Art of Musical Bass Playing

Pete gives an overview of his series - "The Art of Musical Bass Playing".

7:16 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

Introduction to Articulation

How you approach a note says a lot about your personality as a bass player. In this lesson, Pete shows us the various ways to approach note, so that you can add them to your arsenal!

9:19 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Major Scale With Articulations

Now let's take those articulations and apply them while playing the major scale!

14:24 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Minor Scale With Articulations

We've looked at the major scale, now it's time to apply the same articulations to the minor scale.

10:26 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Major Arpeggios With Articulations

Being able to apply these articulations to your arpeggios is a great tool to have in your tool box. In this lesson, Pete explains major arpeggios, then shows us how to apply what we've learned so far.

9:40 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Minor Arpeggios With Articulations

We've looked at major arpeggios, now it's time to move on the minor arpeggios. Again, these articulations will expand your bass playing took kit!

8:18 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Right Hand Volume Control Part 1: Fingers

Now, Pete starts off a new section in the series that focuses on the dynamic aspect of the plucking hand. In this lesson, we focus on controlling our volume and dynamics while using our fingers to pluck the notes.

11:18 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Right Hand Volume Control Part 2: The Pick

Of course, not only do we need to learn to control the volume with our fingers, but with a pick as well. Pete uses a simple recording technique to analyze how we're really doing with this!

9:27 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Right Hand Volume Control Part 3: Scales with Fingers

Ok, now it gets a little trickier. Let's work on the volume control using our fingers, but while playing a scale!

8:09 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Right Hand Volume Control Part 4: Scales with a Pick

Controlling your scale volume with a pick presents it's own challenges! Stick with Pete here, and he'll give you some great pointers for getting a grip on the pick, and your volume.

8:59 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Two Octave Major Scale

The path to a two octave scale is not always clear on the bass. In this lesson, Pete shows us the most effective way to jump positions to achieve the maximum range on your instrument.

13:32 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Two Octave Minor Scale

We've looked at the two octave major scale, now it's time to take a look at the two octave minor scale.

9:36 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

The Power of Relative Major and Minor, Part 1

You may think a chord is what it is no matter what. But in this lesson, Pete shows us how to change the feel and mood of a chord by changing the root note over certain chords.

11:13 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

The Power of Relative Major and Minor, Part 2

Pete dives further into changing up the root note on certain chords to affect the mood and feel of a chord.

7:24 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Intro to Modes, Part 1

Modes... the very term can be off-putting. In this lesson, Pete eases our fears by starting with the Mixolydian mode; showing us just how useful it really is!

10:52 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Intro to Modes, Part 2

After mixolydian, the dorian scale is one of the most used modes for bassists. Here Pete goes into what makes up the dorian scale, and it's tonality.

9:52 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Bends, Part 1

You can do bends on the bass guitar? Who knew! It's certainly not as common as it's 6 string counterpart, but bending on the bass can add a wonderful piece to your expressive toolkit!

10:54 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Blues Scale

The blues scale is a great scale to know to get some colorful notes into your playing. Pete goes over the scale for us, and even shows us how to incorporate bends into it!

8:20 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Bends, Part 2

Bending requires some skill at making sure when you arrive at your target (bent) note, that it is in tune! In this lesson, Pete shows us how to use a tuner to analyze that aspect of your playing.

10:43 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Understanding Rhythm, Part 1

Now that we've covered a good bit about notes, chords and scales, it's time to get into rhythms and counting. An important aspect of every musician's playing!

7:24 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Understanding Rhythm, Part 2

Playing with the metronome can be super helpful. Another tool that Pete gets into in this lesson, is analyzing your playing while using the metronome!

7:48 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Understanding Rhythm, Part 3

In this lesson, Pete discusses triplets.

10:37 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Understanding Rhythm, Part 4

Now that we've taken a look at the basics of triplets, it's time to apply them over a scale.

8:24 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Straight Feel vs. Swing Feel

Now to put the triplets to a practical application: The Swing Feel.

8:33 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Full Neck Scales, Part 1

This lesson is designed to maximize the range of your instrument. Learning where and when to shift positions is the key to full neck scales!

15:07 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Full Neck Scales, Part 2

Now Pete demonstrates the full neck scale using a minor scale.

8:18 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Drop Out Drums

Sometimes the drummer inexplicably drops out of the song! What are you going to do? Pete gives us some pointers on how to deal with this situation.

9:27 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Quarter Note Displacement

In this lesson, Pete discusses what to do when the kick and the snare drum fall on beats other than the usual.

8:17 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Eighth Note Displacement

Taking the beat displacement idea a little further: Eighth Note Displacement.

9:45 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Show Off Drummers

Then there are the drummers who try to confuse you! Pete gives us some advice on how to deal with this.

8:24 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Learn more about Pete Griffin

Pete obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the prestigious Northwestern University, studying jazz and classical in school while playing rock and pop gigs around Chicago. The day after graduation, he packed all his belongings in his car and moved to Los Angeles. Within a few years, Pete found himself touring the world with Grammy nominated pop-rock band Hanson, as well as playing gigs with classic rock icon Edgar Winter.

In 2006 Pete joined Zappa Plays Zappa, a tribute band dedicated to playing the music of Frank Zappa led by Zappa's son, Dweezil. Having grown up listening to Zappa music, Pete enthusiastically dove into playing this nearly impossible material with complete accuracy and authenticity. Zappa Plays Zappa toured the world several times over, won a Grammy Award in 2008, and was joined onstage by such legendary musicians as Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio, George Duke, Chick Corea, Eric Johnson, Stanley Clarke, Mike Portnoy, and many others.

Having re-created some of his favorite music for nearly 6 years, Pete left the Zappa band in late 2011 to focus on creating new music, both with his own band Gryphon Labs (featuring other members of Zappa Plays Zappa) as well as other LA based bands in all genres, from technical metal to intelligent pop. In late 2012, Pete toured with the cartoon death metal band Dethklok, from the Adult Swim TV show Metalocalypse, featuring guitarist/creator Brendon Small, drummer extraordinaire Gene Hoglan, and guitarist Mike Keneally.

Pete Griffin is a true chameleon of the bass, able to fit perfectly into any creative situation. Whether it’s tackling the most difficult shred guitar riffs of Steve Vai, grooving with New Orleans legend Dr John, Pete always brings the right feel and approach for any musical endeavor. Pete fully embodies the role of a true bassist by focusing on making the entire band sound good, not just his own part.

Pete curently lives in Los Angeles where he performs, records, and teaches on a regular basis.

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Pete Griffin

From Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, Steve Vai, Dr John, Zappa Plays Zappa, Zakk Wylde, Tony MacAlpine, Dethklok, Mike Keneally and More

Pete Griffin

Pete Griffin's contribution to JamPlay

Intermediate 30 Lessons

Biography Read Up

The Art of Musical Bass Playing

Series Introduction: The Art of Musical Bass Playing

Introduction to Articulation

Major Scale With Articulations

Minor Scale With Articulations

Major Arpeggios With Articulations

Minor Arpeggios With Articulations

Right Hand Volume Control Part 1: Fingers

Right Hand Volume Control Part 2: The Pick

Right Hand Volume Control Part 3: Scales with Fingers

Right Hand Volume Control Part 4: Scales with a Pick

Two Octave Major Scale

Two Octave Minor Scale

The Power of Relative Major and Minor, Part 1

The Power of Relative Major and Minor, Part 2

Intro to Modes, Part 1

Intro to Modes, Part 2

Bends, Part 1

Blues Scale

Bends, Part 2

Understanding Rhythm, Part 1

Understanding Rhythm, Part 2

Understanding Rhythm, Part 3

Understanding Rhythm, Part 4

Straight Feel vs. Swing Feel

Full Neck Scales, Part 1

Full Neck Scales, Part 2

Drop Out Drums

Quarter Note Displacement

Eighth Note Displacement

Show Off Drummers

Learn more about Pete Griffin

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