Building a Solid Walking Bass Line – with Willem von Hombracht
About this Webinar – From the NPD Webinar Jazz Series –
Your young jazz bassist needs this skill. Top St. Louis bassist/clinician/educator provides the guidelines and concepts necessary, including demonstrations, analysis of pro-bassists’ walking bass lines, suggested materials, and more. This webinar contains everything you need to guide your bassist in building a solid walking bass line.
Our Presenter–
A native of San Francisco and a former long-term resident of Holland, Willem von Hombracht is adjunct instructor of jazz studies at Webster University and is one of top call free-lance bassists in the St. Louis region. Throughout his career, Willem has worked in a wide variety of styles, from classical orchestras, gypsy and folk music, Persian, West African, Latin America, blues, rock, and jazz from bebop to avant garde. He has also written a variety of works for jazz combos and other ensembles. He also collaborates on projects with poets, dancers and actors and has performed in Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, France, Hungary, Poland, Russia and West Africa. He has performed with jazz artists including Billy Higgins, Andrew Hill, John Hicks, Howard Johnson, Gary Wittner, Hammiet Bluiett, Gary Foster,, Bobby Shew, Don Preston, Vinnie Golia, Mark Elf, and Matt Wilson, and Polish artists Joachim Mencel, Janusz Muniak and Zbigniew Namysłowski, as well as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
He attended the Arnhem Conservatory of Music in the Netherlands and studied with renowned bassist s Buell Neidlinger and Charlie Haden. He has participated in masterclasses given by artists such as Dave Holland, Glen Moore, John Cage, Bertram Turetzky, Barre Phillips, Francois Rabbath, Miroslav Vitous, Mark Dresser, Ray Brown, Rufus Reid, David Friesen, and John Patatucci, Living in metro St. Louis since 1995, Willem can regularly be heard accompanying many great St. Louis performers, including Ptah Williams, Jeanne Trevor, Randy Holmes, Dave Black, Debby Lennon, Freddie Washington, Dwight & Dwayne Bosman, Curt Landes, Paul DeMarinis, Tom Byrne, Montez Coleman, Kenny Rice, Gary Sykes, Dave Stone, and Joe Mancuso. MORE…
Watch the Webinar Preview
To gain the most benefit, please follow these suggested steps:
Step One – Download the Note Page
Prepare to either type your notes into the Word.doc or Google Doc and save the changes, or write in your notes by hand into a printed copy.
Step Two – 
As you view the webinar, we encourage you to take notes as you go along. Feel free to stop the recording and rewind as needed.
Step Three – Download the Action Plan Template
Choose either format; Word Doc or Google Doc. After considering the key points that you wish to implement, describe the point in the ACTION BOX select a date for the initial implementation. Then, select a date that you plan to review and assess the success of the implementation.
Step Four – 
An 80% score or better will result in a Certificate of Completion emailed to the address you provide. Those scoring less than 80% will be allowed to retake the quiz.
Step Five – Review the Follow-up Links and Materials Below
Contact Willem to arrange in-person clinics, private lessons, or ask a question – EMAIL Willem von Hombracht
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- Making Jazz Easier for Your Students (and Yourself) – with Rob Babel
- Beyond the Blues – Insights into Jazz Ensemble Literature, Score/Part Preparation, and the Editing Process – With Mike Parkinson
The following are from The Nottelmann Blog:
- What about the Electric Bass? Interview with Professional Bassist James Amelio Pulli
- Help for Your Beginning Jazz Rhythm Section – by J. Richard Dunscomb
- Video Tips from Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band: Listening to the Band
The following image have important links to materials discussed in the webinar:
