Bass Magic Evolution is a music program on CD-ROM that you use on your computer to learn how to play the bass guitar or to improve your bass playing skills. It covers music theory, fretboard mastery of chords, scales, arpeggios, and more. It is designed with both the beginner and the advanced student in mind.

The CD-ROM is relatively easy to maneuver. The categories include Fretboard elements, core exercises, music theory, picking, chords/arpeggios, music reading, and musical examples. For the beginner there is also a library where you can see notes on the fretboard and hear them at the same time. In the lessons you see a fretboard labeled with notes and you hear a voice talking. Sometimes there are words to go along to as well. The Spring of Knowledge website is a great resource to describe what is included in each of the sections.

The program assumes that the student already knows how to hold the bass guitar, hold a pick, pick some notes and play some simple chords. It is a program for those who are serious about improving their bass skills. We were excited that this program could be used from the beginner through the advanced stage. My child has played the bass for a year. However, we found that this program was a little over his head. The content is good, and the instruction is solid, but the program was just a little bit too difficult for my son. We will pick it up again after a little more time in face-to-face instruction.

If your student has some experience playing the bass guitar and is eager to play like a professional, he will learn a great deal from Bass Magic Evolution.

Product review by Maggi Beardsley, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, May 2011