I met Ariane a few years back and since our meeting I've only used her for all my bass tracks. Her inventive style, expertise, and time are exceptional. I suggest that everyone look at her book and listen to her playing. She underscores the true meaning of "foundation with style and groove". Keith Olsen Grammy award-winning Producer (Journey, Foreigner) I've read a lot of books about how to play the bass, and I've read lots of books about music theory, but this was the first book I've read that covers music theory from the perspective of a bass player. Ariane teaches you to be a musician fist, and a bass player second, which is how it should be. The book is appropriate for all levels, even the absolute beginner with no prior musical experience. Experienced bassists will learn new ways to understand how music works, and how the bass fits in with the rest of the band. Dan Callaway Bassist Ariane Cap has given us a remarkably comprehensive and accessible work suitable for bassists and all musicians who play with bassists. In chapter 13, entitled "Technique Basics" she begins by stating: " Be mindful that learning proper technique is as much about the mechanics of the body and bass as it is about building consciousness of what you do and how you do it." From my medical and musical viewpoint, it is a marvelous rarity when a master musician simultaneously addresses ergonomics, instrumental mechanics, and the substance of creating beautiful musical lines. Ariane has succeeded mightily. Robert E. Markison, MD Hand Surgeon, Musician Clinical Professor of Surgery, UCSF School of Medicine Co-founder, UCSF Health Program for Performing Artists Music made with grace, ease, and proper alignment sounds more beautiful! Ariane's chapter on posture contains information vital to the health of your body and hence, the body of your music. As a somatic educator with a 30 year practice, I've seen disharmony and imbalance due to teaching techniques that lack this kind of instruction. Ariane's approach can save you from pain and physical therapy! Highly recommended. Play on! Alison Post Somatic Practitioner, Craniosacral Therapist Author of "Unwinding the Belly" The clear, well-designed chapter on technique incorporates ergonomically sound playing methods, good posture and careful positioning of the hands to reduce muscle effort and musculoskeletal strain while playing the bass." Kathy Bender, BCIA, SF, CEAS Nationally Certified Biofeedback Practitioner

Austrian Ariane Cap is a bassist, pianist, educator, author, blogger, writer and composer living in California. An eclectic and versatile musician, she has covered many styles, live and in the studio. Collaborators include Grammy award-winning producer Keith Olsen, finger style guitar virtuoso Muriel Anderson, German flamenco duo Tierra Negra, Celtic rock band Tempest, Austrian funk artists The Mozart Band, Latin disco stars Generation Esmeralda, kindie rock sensation The Sippy Cups and Cirque du Soleil. As a leader, Ariane has teamed up with innovative jazz bassoonist Paul Hanson to create the critically-acclaimed chamber jazz duo, OoN. Her education includes diverse institutions such as the Academy of Music in Vienna, Austria, and the University of Miami, as well as inspiring studies with Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Kai Eckhardt, Michael Manring, Carol Kaye and Chuck Rainey. The founder and director of Step Up Music Vallejo, she also teaches at the California Jazz Conservatory and has facilitated and lead numerous classes, seminars and workshops at schools and universities. Ariane is also an educator for the online study powerhouse Truefire. She has taught and created online classes for the Academy of Art University – San Francisco, and was on faculty for the Golden Gate Bass Camp, among others. Ariane has been featured for her eclectic virtuosity, innovative playing techniques as well as her solid and infectious groove skills in Bass Player Magazine, BassQuarterly.de, Bass Musician Magazine and others. An in-demand and multi-faceted performer, she aims to pass on what the serious bassist needs to succeed in today’s diverse and challenging musical landscape. Ariane’s keen interest in optimizing practice habits and years of experience instructing individuals and groups have resulted in a concise and focused teaching style that offers highly effective learning methods that get results.