Learn Smarter
Play Better
Where bass and
Neuroscience Meet

Hi! I am Vladimir Samardzic, bass guitarist, composer, Berklee graduate and founder of the VLADABASS school of bass guitar, through which have passed more than 150 bassists over 20 years. Many of them are successful professional musicians today.

How did the VladaBass school come about?

Before going to Berklee, I taught myself the bass guitar — without a music school, without the Internet, but with a curiosity and love for music.

I started practicing seriously in 1992, when I left my studies in electrical engineering and completed the SILVA METHOD course in breathing, meditation, visualization, and mind control techniques. These techniques became my daily tools along with practicing bass guitar and learning music theory. I progressed faster than I could have imagined, even though I had no formal musical education.

The Silva Method helped me achieve my greatest goal — going to Berklee College of Music and graduating with the highest honors (Summa Cum Laude, 1999).

From the first day of teaching, I conveyed to my students the principles of focused, effective practice — long before science confirmed the connection between mental training and musical learning. Today, when these connections have been scientifically proven, I feel great satisfaction because my approach has proven to be accurate and applicable to every musician.

My need to help other bass players has existed since the beginning of my career: I gave my first advice to other bass players while working with the group SMAK. After returning from Boston, at the invitation of the Cultural Center of Novi Sad, I started giving workshops and private lessons. Combining my experience at Berklee and the knowledge gained from the great musicians I worked with (Radomir Mihajlović Točak, Slobodan Stojanović Kepa, Kornelije Kovač, Dado Topić, Vasil Hadžimanov), I developed the VLADABASS system for learning bass guitar.

What connects the VLADABASS learning system, BERKLEE and SILVA METHOD Mind Control?

The VLADABASS bass guitar learning system is created as a combination of three segments: 

1. The basics of the Bass Department program of the Berklee College Of Music

2. Strategies based on neuroscience, which include:

  • Cognitive optimization techniques
  • Rapid learning methodologies
  • Mental practice and visualization
  • Focused practice

3. My practical methods of transmitting musical knowledge, which consist of schemes, numbers, letters, rhythmic notation and tabs. 

This system is adapted to musicians who cannot read music, but it affirms the learning of notes and music theory along with a thorough mastery of fingerboard movements. With an easy-to-understand approach to playing bass, the VLADABASS method affirms quick thinking, creating your own bass lines and adapting to different musical styles, removes doubts and allows the student to quickly feel progress in their playing.  

 

School programs and class sets

ONE CLASS lasts 60min.

The school offers 3 sets of classes depending on payment options: 

Set 31 – 3  CLASSES 

Set 61 – 6  CLASSES

Set 101 – 10  CLASSES

 

Teaching plans are made to match every student independently after first lesson. 

Check the class sets prices by clicking on the PRICE LIST link.

 

The WORK PLAN is designed specifically for each student after the first class when the student is “musically scanned” in accordance with the level at which he/she is and appropriate school program. 

Teaching philosophy – Program – Areas of study – Bio:

Diplomas – Certificates:

  • VladaBass school accepts bassists of all levels, from complete beginners to professionals.

  • The only requirement for enrollment is the possession of a bass guitar. No prior knowledge is necessary.

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What will you get by attending the VladaBass guitar school?

BULLET 1

You will get rid of the wrong position fear on the neck of the bass guitar:

Practicing arpeggios and scales is very fun and challenging when performed according to the Vladabass system, including the “4 squares” method and multiple position/fingering system. Many famous bass players use a similar practice system during which they often get ideas for new compositions and bass lines.

BRAIN & Music Notes

You will master methods of focused practice and fast memorization.

By applying scientifically proven modern methods of learning, practicing and improving memory, you will progress much faster, gain confidence and become more creative. You will learn how to perform technically demanding bass lines and harmonically complex compositions with ease, without stress.

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You will eliminate “bugs” in the technique of both hands:

By regularly using special technical exercises for the left and right hand, as well as methodical arpeggio/scale study, the fingers will start to listen to you more and move the way you want, not the way they are used to. You will play more easily, more economically, and, if necessary, faster.
H2

You will build a strong inner feeling for pulse, rhythm and rhythmic subdivisions:

You will learn exercises for hand coordination that you can use while walking outside, because they are performed without a bass guitar. There are also various creative ways to use a metronome and hear/count and feel subdivisions. And then you will start to play more relaxed but with greater certainty in your TIME and GROOVE.

You are going to improve five (5) bass guitar playing techniques:

2 finger Pizzicato , Slap/Pop w 2/3/4 fingers, “Palm Mute” technique w 3/4 fingers , “Fingerstyle” guitar technique w 4 fingers and “Plectrum” bass playing. These techniques will help you to be more creative and to manage almost any musical situation and any musical direction.

9 Music Styles_1

You will learn to create bass lines in different music styles:

In order to properly understand the characteristics and differences of musical styles, it is necessary to dive deeper into the world of rhythm, phrasing and articulation. Of particular importance are the areas “Straight 8th’s vs Triplet feel”, “Hemiola”, “16th note accents” and “Metric modulation” which are thoroughly covered.

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You will find out eleven (11) bad habits that cause bassists to progress slowly: 
One of the common young musician habits in the 21st century is WATCHING You Tube lessons and IG video clips BEFORE LISTENING, without truly diving into the MUSIC. With no real learning concept or mentorship, that often leads to slow progress, practice demotivation and finally to stagnation.
You will quickly understand how to detect them in yourself and remove them. Bad habits will disappear over time, motivation, desire to exercise, play and create music will increase.
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In addition to these improvements, the following await you:

You will learn to create your own exercise system. WHAT to practice and HOW to practice, so that you are never bored and at the same time you are challenged enough.

You will get to know five (5) the most common mistakes that many bass players make during playing, which is why they don’t groove as they would like, as well as proven ways to overcome them.

You will learn Berklee’s method of practical solfege for bass players (Relative “Bass Ear Training”), for which you only need a bass guitar.

“A good bass line is not made by many notes, but by the right ones.”

You will stop “following your fingers” and constantly playing similar phrases, but learn how to create your original bass lines.

You will find out the four (4) “golden musical rules” of top bassists that apply even when they play only the same tone, as well as the method of how to apply them at your musical level.

You will discover what makes the TONE of your instrument and how to improve it.

There are 3 ways to turn standard instrument practice into a spontaneous, creative process in which you will constantly get ideas for original bass lines/compositions. When you adopt them, you stop being a bassist who only plays “by heart”, learned bass lines from someone else, but you become a musician with your own “expression”.

You will stop being afraid of improvisation. You will learn the concept of “telling a story” during a solo, which is the same as in literature: introduction, development and conclusion.

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These are the impressions of VladaBass school former students:

It is a privilege and an honor to learn and improve skills with great master. Vladimir Samardžić is an exceptional bass player and an excellent lecturer who conveys his vast knowledge and experience to students in a very dedicated, thorough manner and with a lot of love for his job. The knowledge I gained at the VladaBass school opened up new horizons for me, helped me to progress, and a few years later I wrote the textbooks Bass Bookvar and Bass practice.
Milan Srdanović

     Bass player (Editor of BASISTA magazine and web portal)

A very systematic and thorough program adapted to the affinity and playing level at which the student is currently. Also, the program is flexible and subject to agreement, without unnecessary stress. A very pleasant experience that properly prepared me for going to the Netherlands for further musical training.
Marko Ćurčić
Bass player (Dragon’s Fuel, Horz, Echo Painters)
Working with Vladimir is a special experience in which many new musical doors are opened through mentoring and friendship, and whatever musical direction you choose, he will lead you to its peak. One complete world bass school in our neighborhood.
Dario Hleb
Bassist (Mia Dimšić, Rade Šerbedžija, Osijek HR)
Studying with Vladimir, I learned many things that I didn't at the music academy and during high school, different musical styles and rhythms, how to read jazz charts and build modern bass lines, as well as various other useful things that every serious bassist should know. All this helped me a lot in my further progress. I am very grateful to him.
Marko Balać
Bassist (Professional freelance musican)
Until I met Vladimir Samardžić and went to his school, I had no idea what this wonderful instrument could say. I am most grateful to him because he just made my weakest points stronger. No matter what style of music you play, Vladimir is there to approach, analyze and direct, to advise, in a one word, to put things in their place. To combine theory and vast practice and transfer knowledge selflessly, which is a real skill today. He taught me the most important postulates that a modern bass guitarist should possess. From listening to music, articulation, harmony, to watching music without prejudice and accepting all genres wholeheartedly. He is able to convey the dry theory in an interesting and amazing way. Even today, when I think that I am accomplished in music as a bass player and when many people ask me to teach them, I always send them to the VladaBass school because Vladimir is the source of knowledge and I responsibly claim that this is the best method to learn "Bass" the right way, without compromise.
Mihael Horvat
Studio musican/Bass player (Saša Matić)
Learning the bass guitar with one of the best bass players in the region is an exceptional experience. Vladimir is always ready to selflessly share his knowledge and experience, which he gained over the years at Berklee and playing with top musicians. We worked on the things that interested me the most, Slap/Pop technique, jazz harmony, creating "walking bass" lines and odd rhythms. His instructions regarding the correction of the Pizzicato technique of the left and right hands were especially important to me, considering that I have been playing the guitar for many years. All in all a phenomenal experience!
Vlada Bojić
Gitarist/Bassist

Click on the video if you want to see more comments from former and current students:

These are some of the most common questions related to attending and enrolling in a bass guitar school:
There is none. The school is open for new students all the time, but enrollment continues as long as there are vacancies. The maximum number of simultaneous participants is 5. When the number of places is filled, a waiting list is created if there are still people interested at that moment.
When a student finishes attending classes, the school accepts the first person on the waiting list.
Of course, this applies in both directions. It is important that if this happens, we inform each other as soon as possible.
The same applies to being late to class. We are arranging a new class date immediately.

Generally, NO, only if it’s really necessary due to unexpected circumstances. ONE CLASS PER WEEK should be the recommended pace of class attendance. Sometimes it is possible to schedule “one class in two weeks” but that requires two students with the same need. 

No, because the prices of the sets already include a discount for paying in advance, according to the number of lessons in the set. On the other side, if, for example, you want to take Set 61 (6 hours), but it is too much for you to allocate so much money at once, you can take two Sets 31 (2 x 3 hours) and thus make the payment easier for yourself. Of course, in that case, the total amount for 6 hours is slightly higher because the discount is a little smaller.

Before equipment, you’ll need FREE QUIET SPACE with ENOUGH LIGHT.

These are the necessary items:

  • Computer – Desktop or Laptop
  • Bass guitar
  • Tuner
  • Stable internet
  • Webcam
  • Microphone (preferably Condenser)
  • Sound card /AI ( Audio interface ) with two (2) hardware audio inputs. One input for the microphone and one for the bass guitar.
  • Headphones, regardless of whether there are monitors (speakers) or not.
  • Installed GOOGLE MEET application with “tl;dv” Chrome Add-On (for video recording), appropriately with the computer and sound card. There are tutorials on the YT channel for setting up all sound cards.
  • Installed WHAT’S UP application on the computer through which scripts or notes for work arrive during class.
  • Metronome. Any kind: online, mobile app, or hardware device.  Mob app or device metronome must be located near the microphone. 

ONLINE LESSON PRICE LIST

The regular price of the LESSON is 3,500 din (30e).

PROGRAM PRICES
SET 31 (3 lessons) – 9,400 din – 80e                            11% discount
SET 61 (6 lessons) – 17,100 din – 145e                     19% discount
SET 121 (12 hours) – 30,700 din – 260e                 28% discount (BASSBOOST 1)

ONLINE LESSON PRICE LIST

The regular price of the one hour CLASS is 80e.

SET CLASS PRICES

SET 31 (3 classes) 230e                           
SET 61 (6 classes) 450e                  
SET 101 (10 classes) 720e            

OFFLINE LESSON PRICE LIST – LIVE

The regular price of a LESSON is 4,100 dinars (35e), and a TWO-HOUR is 5,900 (50e).

PROGRAM PRICES
KOMLET 31 (3 hours) – 11,000 din – 93e                             11% discount
SET 61 (6 lessons) – 20,000 din – 170e                     19% discount
SET 121 (12 hours) – 35,400 din – 300e                 28% discount     (BASSBOOST 1)

SET 32 (3 two hours) – 16,000 din – 135e                   10% discount
SET 62 (6 two hours) – 28,300 din – 240e                 20% discount
SET 122 (12 two hours) – 49,500 din – 420e 30% discount (BASSBOOST 2)

Choose one of the offered SET classes VLADABASS bass guitar school, click on SIGN IN and start discovering your new musical potential.
See you on the video link at the first class!
 
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Payments for online classes can be made using PayPal and WesternUnion services.

For any additional questions regarding the programs and the way the school works, you can contact me personally via email at vladabass@gmail.com or through DM at my social media profile pages, links are bellow.

Founder of VLADABASS school

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