10 Music Theory Tips For Bass Players

Learn 10 music theory tips guaranteed to make you a better bass player.
- Harmonise A Scale: • Music Theory: The 7 Ar...
- Relative Minor Scales: • What Are Relative Majo...
- Improvising With Modes: • Improvising With Modes...
- Tighten Up Your GROOVE: Rhythms, Time Signatures, Metronomes & Counting: • Tighten Up Your GROOVE...
- Making Music Using INTERVALS: • What Are INTERVALS & H...
- Triads: • How To Learn And Use T...
- Chords: • CHORDS For Bass: What ...
- Reading Music: • Reading Music for Bass...
𝄢 ✉️ Weekly email - get bass lessons, pro tips, industry news, and gear reviews: bit.ly/2KeoYLK [You'll get a FREE ebook with useful fretboard and chord diagrams, scales, modes, and arpeggios]
Buy me a coffee (or donut)! If you'd like to help support these lessons you can do so here: ko-fi.com/onlinebasscourses Many thanks!!
BOOKS
Creative Bass Technique Exercises: geni.us/bassexercises
100 Funk Bass Grooves for Electric Bass: geni.us/funkbass
📸 Instagram: bit.ly/2wP1mV5
🐦 Twitter: bit.ly/2IDfmqF
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#bassguitarlessons #bassguitar #howtoplaybass #learnbass
✅ If you like this video please like, comment, share and subscribe. It all helps me keep this all going.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Help support Dan's lessons!
If you've ever got something from my lessons and would like to support my channel you can do so here: bit.ly/OBCSupport
It all goes towards helping me create the best bass lessons I can for you!
Many thanks,
𝄢Dan 🙏

[@steveward6185]

Great once again. 8 hours of SBL right there in 20 mins! Done.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks for watching, Steve!

[@stevieffs]

Burn - but not wrong!

[@bassslapper-hc2me]

no

[@richardrichard5409]

Yup, spot on, SBL more waffle than Birdseye😏

[@180deuce]

Just was I was mad at myself for buying a new bass and thinking I’m not good enough for a new bass you motivated me and inspired me to keep learning and grooving

[@OnlineBassCourses]

You are good enough! Just keep going and you’ll steadily improve. A little bit everyday is all you need…

[@bobbyt2788]

When I first picked up base I had a hard time following any of this. After eight months, all of this is starting to make sense I appreciate your time and making these videos.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad to hear that. It does take time.

[@strakashagnasty]

Great tip on identifying the Relative Minor “from the three frets step backwards on the fretboard” - Just never “saw that solution…..👏

[@henrybonruiz]

Hi Mr. Dan your bass lessons are very helpful. I am a sick old man and your explanations are so helpful to keep my mind active and clear. All the best to you! Thank you very much.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Henry. Thanks so much for your comment. I wish you the best of health. Keep up the playing!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

1. Harmonise a scale: 0:06 2. Think In Formulas: 1:26 3. Relative Scales: 3:09 4. Learn the Dorian and Mixolydian modes: 6:03 5. Subdivide beats: 7:28 6. Time Signatures: 10:43 7. Intervals: 13:01 8. Triads: 14:10 9. Chords: 15:28 10. Circle of 5ths/4ths: 17:48

[@scottfrey3686]

IIghh I’m oil ftpiymy million nut jobs m

[@JuniperStudios]

This is the exact lesson I have been looking for for years. I already knew a lot of it but the way you present it I was able to use what I knew to finally wrap my mind around the rest. I have been the most mediocre bass in NM and now I think I can break this glass ceiling of my own ignorance and really play…thanks so much!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! You can do it. Just keep learning new things and applying to your playing. Play everyday or most days and you’ll definitely improve.

[@InTheGrooove]

Awesome work Dan thank you .

[@Intercity126]

One of your best lessons, Dan. I've watched it three times and learned something important each time.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks very much Andrew. I made it to be watched a few times as there is a lot in there!

[@nickruddle1528]

Fantastic!!

[@goatbeef1192]

that was one of the best bass lesson ep i ever seen / had on yt.. i cant believe how much info that was in a 22:17 min lesson. learned a lot! thank you Dan!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Wow, very kind of you, thanks! I'm going to do a few more a bit like this one on other topics so make sure to subscribe...

[@bassbella]

That’s so clear and beautiful ,thank you 👍

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks very much.

[@julienrocks7051]

This was very instructive . Thank you so much for your help, it would certainly contribute to make me a better bass player !

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I hope it does, Julien. Thanks for the comment!

[@timleonard2361]

Superb presentation. One of the best things I took away from this lesson is the relative minor to the major. I was learning the song "Snow (Hey Ya)" by RHCP and noticed that Flea playes A-minor to C-Major throughout most of the song. Only recognized this because of this lesson you gave. Thank you!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks, Tim. Yeah, that’s really important and happens a lot!

[@bobstranzenbach4700]

You make these things understandable for me. Thank you!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks, Bob! Cheers for the donation too.

[@joju5229]

Wow, can't say enough how helpful that was. Thank you Dan

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Very welcome

[@hugelavalava]

Great video mate, subbed 😃👍

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thank you!

[@robinkoutakis7020]

Awsome lesson!!!!!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks Robin!

[@amazingict1]

This is a top video.... recommended. Thanks Dan.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks Richard. Hope you’re well.

[@boyonbass]

Dan, I love to learn music theory w my Basses. U are sucha gifted player/teacher! Thx soo much for all u doo! Bless U/urs, dUg-Montesano WA/USA

[@OnlineBassCourses]

My pleasure, Doug!

[@allwynjl1227]

I love these lessons. They are the best bass classes online

[@OnlineBassCourses]

That’s very kind. Many thanks.

[@justinbalan587]

Thank you for creating this video. I now have a stepping stone towards my career as a bassist. Please do more.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Keep working hard and good luck with it. I'll do more so make sure to subscribe!

[@dannytetreault]

Love the channel! Very professional. Dan T.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks, Dan!

[@omeramrani2274]

I just learned the strangers things theme on bass thx

[@jonathanford4021]

After 20 odd years in cover bands simply copying bass lines now diving into some theory. This was great thanks Dan.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Happy to help!

[@jonathanford4021]

@@OnlineBassCourses Thks. Quick question on modes. If a song's in the key of say C major then the Dorian scale, for example, starts on the D. So is it referred to as C dorian (as we're in the key of C) or D dorian as it starts on the D?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@jonathanford4021 D Dorian. C Major is C Ionian.

[@jonathanford4021]

@@OnlineBassCourses Thks. So would it be correct to say D Dorian belongs in the key of C major because we know D is the 2nd note of the C major scale? I'll leave you in peace after this one! Modes have always confused me...as you can tell, so have never really dived in.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@jonathanford4021 you would be correct! I have a few mode lessons on my site. Go there and search modes (go to Free Lessons) and there will be lessons there that will help you even more.

[@counterfeitmistress7140]

As a beginner, this was very helpful. Thank you Sir. 💜

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad it was useful! 🙏👊👍

[@peterw3160]

That tone!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

1978 Fender Precision. Old school!

[@ramaitsemalebatso4149]

Hi. Dan. thanks..alot. for. what. I learn. from. you

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Many thanks for watching.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci beaucoup for this. I'll be doing a video for exercises and treatments for the low back but also the upper extremity, including the hands and fingers. I don't want to start my own channel, but if you want to show it on your channel... Stay tuned. My daughter is filming and editing.

[@sS-fs8pn]

great video again! How much muting are you doing with those scales?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I can't remember! I'm always trying to take care of muting in order to reduce unwanted noise and also to control note length. I have a video on it on my channel.

[@MetalthinkerYT]

Ff7 intro flashbacks there with that arpeggio.

[@baileygoodwin2002]

Omg sounds like the stranger things intro at around 50secs in hahah

[@oil_can]

Great lesson! It got me wondering about a couple of different music theory issues: 1) If you’re playing a song where the verses start on A minor and the choruses on C Maj, are you changing keys from Am to C when transitioning from the verses to the chorus or are you technically playing the whole song in the key of C and simply using the Am chord from that key when playing the verses? 2) The Circle of 5ths chart is a great visual learning tool but it only incorporates key signatures that use either the Ionian or Aeolian modes. How do you apply it when playing in the Dorian or Lydian (etc.) modes? Thx!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Great questions. 1) those are relative major and minor keys (they contain the same notes). If the progression is centred around a C chord you’re in C Major. Around Am, you’re in A Minor. That’s if the chords are from that key. 2) you just need to know the major scale modes. E.g Dorian = second mode of the major scale so DEFGABCD would be from C Major (no sharps or flats).

[@oil_can]

@@OnlineBassCourses Thank you for the informative response! My first question was more about the proper way to communicate or notate key changes. For example, if you were in a band and said, “Let’s play the Beatles’ Let It Be,” and the guitar player asked, “What key is it in?” would you say, “It’s in the key of C Major,” or would you say, “It starts out in the key of C Major then changes to A minor for the chorus”? In other words, does switching to the relative minor on the chorus constitute a key change or must you change the number of flats/sharps in the key signature for the change to be considered a key change?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@oil_can Ah, I see, You'd just say it's in C then goes to the relative minor. Quite honestly, some musicians would know what you're talking about and some wouldn't! But you usually just say song X in key X. If the song modulates, the musician can figure it out based on the starting key (provided they know the song - if they don't, you'd have to give more detail).

[@freestyletow1]

Wow

[@javvieh]

SO the mnemonic for flats is the reverse of sharps. when the pattern is played for sharps on the fretboard it's easy to remember.

[@anuradhabodhinayaka7228]

Dear sir, your lesson is greatest, I'm Sri lankan

[@OnlineBassCourses]

🙏🙏🙏🇱🇰

[@davetuttle9701]

Hope all is well with you and yours. Starting on middle C go up a 5th to G but if the G is played below middle C it's a 4th. A circle of fifths assessing works but doesn't if your drop below the starting tone/1?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Hi, Dave. Hope you’re well. It still works and follows the pattern. A G is a G wherever you are (different pitch obviously).

[@davetuttle9701]

@@OnlineBassCourses Thank you very much. So the circle is based off ascending no matter the octave? Thanks for the great videos.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@davetuttle9701 I tend to think of it from C and just go clockwise in 5ths for # keys and anti-clockwise in 4ths for b keys. Then I use this shortcut patterns on the bass to speed up finding keys (although I know them automatically by now!).

[@davetuttle9701]

@@OnlineBassCourses Thank you very much! Stay warm, safe, and healthy.

[@Joetime90]

If you're playing in a punk or rock band and wanna embellish the chords, but can't figure out what key or progression it is, where do you start if you know the root notes?

[@Joetime90]

To further elaborate, just all power chords.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

This is a great question. Honestly, I recommend learning how to find the key and knowing the underlying arpeggios! I’ll do a lesson on that. But, until then, you go by instinct and ear. 5ths will almost always work, octaves will always work. Then you play around with a few other notes and use your ears to hear what sounds good or not. It’s so much easier if you know the key though! Again, I’ll do a video so make sure to subscribe.

[@Joetime90]

@@OnlineBassCourses of course! I just subbed. Perhaps make a video for being a bass player in a garage band setting where it's all power chords and you gotta apply basic theory to try to imply the key and scales.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Good idea!

[@purplebass5275]

Great Lesson Thank you. I thought I understood at least something about music theory until I look ed at The Rolling Stones song ‘Brown Sugar’. The song is supposed to be in the key of C major and sure enough it starts and ends with a C major chord. Where I’m confused though is that the song uses the notes/chords of A#,D#, and G# none of which of course are in the C major key. In fact it uses as many chords outside the key as does within the key. Can anyone enlighten please?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Without taking a close listen right now (I’m on a bus!) it’s just one of many examples of songs that don’t stick to chords within a key. Also the Stones play loads of blues based tunes which use dominant chords which is a slightly different vibe. That’s more where the mixolydian stuff comes in. I never think like that when playing these songs though! I might do a video on the song...

[@purplebass5275]

Online Bass Courses Thanks Dan. By the way ‘On a bus’! That’s not very Rock n Roll: should be private jet ha ha ha!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I’m working up to that. Next week: taxi!

[@freddieteopiz8036]

I like to more arpegios

[@marketing3d]

This P bass sound insane! Is it on flats or rounds?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! It’s well worn in rounds (Elites Players).

[@ronniefrutschi2011]

Do you think blues players p,ayedwith fheory?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I don't really know what that means. You seem a bit anti theory! It's not theory vs. anything else in particular. Timing, taste, tone, feel, musicality. These are probably the most important aspects of music. Theory is only one element. However, it can really help. I think a lot of amazing players don't have a clue about the theory they're using and that's totally cool.

[@buzz6775]

Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father Much easier to remember for me.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I learned those ones too but they make little sense to me! 😂

[@jasoncherry3404]

I’m a mess, I really have no rhythm. This will be my biggest challenge.

[@sandeepchintha1288]

Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father

[@nigelnix1]

I use "charred" feet, the blanket exploded after all.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

You don’t know how confused I was at this comment until I saw which video it was referring to!

[@arneberg9072]

I'll come back later -- ))

[@arneberg9072]

Hej, now I'm back --- )))) ....it's funny coz I've wonder, "where did I wrote tha?" Coz I emembe yr responce, n' tha was a very nice thang to do ---

[@kraeutemall]

Whot?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

?

[@TheGilmourJones]

Need my bass player to watch this! His idea of backing is chromatic riffs that in no way fit the key or even set melody. Ya know pretentious before quality.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Go easy on him! But, yes, hopefully he can play some bass lines you all want to hear.

[@samsonhollo4478]

Your good but flet is no seen clear