4 Bass Guitar Drills You Should Do Each Day

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This unique bass guitar lessons program contains a complete syllabus design exclusively for the beginner to intermediate bass player.
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In this bass guitar lesson, James will show you 4 bass guitar drills you can do everyday. These can slowly but surely improve your playing.
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About eBassGuitar
Hi, I’m James Eager, a professional musician & online instructor. Over the past 15 years, I’ve taught 1000s of students.
eBassGuitar is the only video bass guitar lessons website dedicated to helping startup & aspiring bassists develop into the musician of their dreams.
#eBassGuitar #basslessons #bassguitardrills
www.ebassguitar.com

[@thosenerdymetalguys3027]

Thank you! I have been stuck in a daily routine of learning songs, but learning nothing about theory or good technique. This is exactly what I have been looking for.

[@ebassguitar]

Fantastic! Combine both and you’ll get great results :-)

[@Amorcaecus-Est]

Played bass all my teen years and then dropped it for 8 years. Your videos have been helping me get back into the swing of things.

[@ebassguitar]

So happy to hear that

[@josephnaja]

You're an awesome coach. Thanks ✌️

[@Rustinho]

This is exactly the sort of practice exercises I was looking for. Really well explained. Perfect for a relative beginner like myself.

[@ebassguitar]

That’s fantastic!!!

[@rosemaryblues7232]

Hi James, I'm a drummer who plays some rhythm guitar. I've just bought a short scale bass, so I'm glad I've found you online. From what I've seen in your videos thus far, makes me feel I can really make some progress. Thankyou.

[@ebassguitar]

My pleasure!

[@tdtrecordsmusic]

arpeggios remind me of studying etudes on classical trombone. Only using 1 bar out of the whole book. I remember in that book it was just a bunch of arpeggios, but the notes would change around to reflect whatever scale was on study.

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing that! Cheers!

[@kehindeadeyemoadeyemi3090]

Wow!!!! What a good instructor?

[@movntn]

Wow I’ve been looking for a video like this for so long! Thank you so much for making this 👊

[@ebassguitar]

You're welcome Jacob! Hope you enjoyed the video!

[@ahmedqadir]

James, this was very helpful. Thank you!

[@ebassguitar]

My pleasure!

[@kenportwood8712]

Thank you. I got a lot out of your video.

[@garethpitt5772]

I love these drills: they have got me moving down the fretboard and away from my fear of opening it up:)

[@MrNathan791]

Your video training was excellent. I’m doing the different scales exercises for speed and for the strengthening of my fingers. Your 4 daily exercises for speed and hand shape will get me there faster. I really enjoy all of your videos. Thanks mate.

[@ebassguitar]

The pleasure's mine! Glad you're getting something useful out from the video! Best of luck with your bass playing! Cheers!

[@gregpaterson8596]

Great stuff all your videos real helpful

[@ebassguitar]

So great to hear!

[@Bird_the_absurd]

Thanks dude, I’ve been playing for three years now but I need better practices, appreciate it

[@noelsonic]

First time viewer and immediate subscriber. My left/right coordination is improving after years of hiatus (no good excuses) but I am miles away from being able to play and talk others through what I am doing, as you do in the video above. Phenomenal. I'll be using these drills from now. A good structure is the only way to improve and keep improving 🎸💪

[@marioaudenaert4066]

This is a awesome video for practice ..Thanks !

[@ebassguitar]

Glad you like it! Cheers!

[@BassedInVegas]

Great video. Thanks !!!

[@ebassguitar]

Thank you!

[@jasoncherry5849]

I’m looking to really improve all of my techniques, this lesson was very helpful. Thanks mate.

[@ebassguitar]

My pleasure Jason!

[@TheTwangKings]

Thanks James!

[@ebassguitar]

You're very welcome! :-)

[@thenodrumdrummer2923]

I learned stuff. Thanks!

[@ebassguitar]

Great! Cheers!

[@johnhooper1492]

Good starting warm ups!

[@ebassguitar]

Definitely! Hope you find these drills useful!

[@ThePuppiniSistersOfficial]

Finally a good practice routine! Bravo James. (From Marcella)

[@ebassguitar]

Glad you get something useful from it. Cheers!

[@vansullivan236]

Great, thanks!

[@ebassguitar]

Glad you like it! Cheers!

[@danielfowler9432]

James have been watching you just playing songs , but now that you have broke the technique down and explain it this way , I now can see that it will help me to .

[@ebassguitar]

Glad to know that this will help you! Cheers!

[@garyferguson9934]

Can't go wrong with these exercises, they are a great platform to step up to the next level. Don't underestimate the relevance of using the click track. Hence why it was used in all of the exercises. KZbin has click tracks in most bpm's. Nice one James, hope your good. Look forward to your next video. They are great for filling in any holes in knowledge and technique. Have you made a "tapping" lesson yet? Know it's a tad advanced, but would appreciate some basic pointers.

[@ebassguitar]

Hi Gary Thanks for this I’ve never really explored the tapping style...

[@mcleary9615]

Thank you so much 🌟

[@ebassguitar]

You're very welcome! :-)

[@herbertcagejr9833]

Excellent lesson, James!! Thank you!!

[@ebassguitar]

My pleasure Herbert!

[@ebassguitar]

Cheers!

[@ezekielgskeen8607]

watched you before, But! this was outstanding! Hope your turly well in these days and times, THANKS You FOR YOU Awesome TIME! Salute!

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks so much - I really appreciate that :-)

[@StickPeopleMovieInc]

I do a warmup exercise similar to your exercise 1. The difference is I do it chromatically. I start with include the open E, then 1st fret (F) 2nd fret (F#), 3rd fret (G), 4th fret (G#), then shift to open A, 1st fret, 2nd fret, 3rd fret, 4th fret, open D, 1, 2, 3, 4, open G, 1, 2, 3, 4. Then I go down - 3rd fret on G string, 2nd, 1st, open, 4th on D string, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, open D, then 4th on A string, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, open A, 4th on the E string, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, open E. Then repeat back up and down. I find this useful for clean fretting, and it's a bigger stretch at low on the neck. Plus with alternate 1st and second fingers for plucking, I get practice raking as I change strings. I start off about 60BPM 8th notes and pick up speed on each repeat until I lose cleanness. Then I back off a hair and continue at the maximum I can to produce clean notes. This increases my coordination between right hand and left hand.

[@bobfitzgerald8232]

Good stuff. Thx

[@ebassguitar]

Glad you like it! Cheers!

[@flowtographycg306]

Thank you!

[@ebassguitar]

You're very welcome!

[@SCACCOMATTO100]

Dear James hope you are well,first of all thank you so much for all your hard work, your enthusiam and passion in your teaching, your methods are second to none,i have found the perfect bass teacher , and yes i have finally seen the light and i am converted and will follow your advice and will practice the way you are teaching,it's the only way to improve my playing,there are no shortcuts,it has taking me a long time to realise all this and only you have managed to do that, thank you so much, i have subscribed for now i am preparing myself by practicing my scales , as soon i am up to scratch i will become a member of ebassguitar, dont want overloading myself and be overwhelmed with it all,i have a family,a job ,and not enough time to practice,unless you could suggest me a slow programme i could follow,your suggestion it's welcome, thank you once again,keep good work going,and hope to hear from you,take care ,Tony.

[@ebassguitar]

Brilliant! Thanks so much Antonio... The quickest way I’d recommend to get some serious improvement is to actually get off KZbin and use the focused program... it’s easy to get lost in here with so much info!

[@michaelskipworth6433]

Thank you

[@ebassguitar]

No problem Michael! Cheers!

[@hank3266]

really very helpful exercises for me. Thank you James !

[@Powwer69]

Do you play rock music or mineral music Hank?

[@hank3266]

@@Powwer69 what is Mineral music?

[@Powwer69]

@@hank3266 was trying to make a breaking bad joke because of your name and picture... lol

[@ebassguitar]

Glad to know it's helpful, Hank! All the best!

[@operasinger2126]

Bravo!

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks!

[@abbysiegel1637]

Thank you for these drills. I do a variation of drill 1 as follows: I start on E string with pointer finger on F and pluck string and then middle finger on F#, ring finger on G and pinky on G#. Then I go in reverse order and repeat several times. Then I move down one fret and do the same all the way down to the 15th fret. I then reverse going down the fret board. then I switch to the A string, etc. I'll do this several times increasing my speed. I particularly like drill 2-4 for doing two-octave scales over the fret board.

[@ebassguitar]

The awesome thing is there are so many variations!

[@jimkerak6404]

@@ebassguitar there's a book called bass fitness that's full of these variations, I recommend it.

[@raulgarcia8063]

This guy's a genius......I learned everything I needed to know in this video then I did in years from other ......AAAAAAA+.......

[@ebassguitar]

Very kind of you! Glad you learned something useful from the video! Cheers!

[@peterikonomou1479]

Great lesson for getting the ageing fingers moving again

[@ebassguitar]

You're very welcome! The stretch will come over time. :-)

[@DruEllz]

I can spend hours doing variations of the first exercise even after all these years! Very therapeutic! Can you put the bass higher in the mix James? Can barely hear it when you're talking.

[@ebassguitar]

Will definitely take note of that for the future videos! Glad you're getting something useful from the video! Stay tune for more!

[@ielectrofreak2825]

This has helped me after only a week, I used to pick up my bass and just play randomly, no timing, not even trying to learn a song, I just played noise. And although I did learn a lot through just that, these drills have improved my overall playing.

[@ebassguitar]

Very happy to help :-)

[@ebassguitar]

Glad to know that! Always happy to help!

[@stromaeg1427]

Thanks!👋👋👋

[@ebassguitar]

You're most welcome! Cheers!

[@Ty1on3twelve]

Drills beyond the first drill can't happen the first time you pick up the guitar. At least not for me. I need to practice drill #1 first for a week before I move on. I want to master these drills but it's going to take some time.

[@ebassguitar]

Best of luck with your playing. All the best!

[@marcausburn2201]

Bro. I literally thought you were holding all four fingers down at the same time! 😂 I was getting frustrated because I was having a hard time reaching with my pinky. Lmao

[@ebassguitar]

Haha! Keep going man...

[@heywardhollis1160]

You should be able to do that after some practice.

[@yantheyam5622]

@@heywardhollis1160 if you have smaller hands it's possible but you will strain your tendons. I've been there. Just play clean and use all your fingers.

[@Noel_Tamura]

I can't do the first excercise without feeling insane wrist pain because my hands are rather small. How do I combat that? It really hinders me from even trying to practice as it's extremely frustrating, painful and unfun to do so

[@ebassguitar]

The pain is an indication that your moving forward! The stretch will come over time. Start with the small frets then work up to the bigger one as your hands expand. Best of luck!

[@Lucas-su5ng]

I actually use two variations of your first drill. The first variation starts on the 1st to 4th fret on the E string, goes up to the g string, and after that I'll change my hand position so that I am at the 5th to 8th fret now, and I do that all the way up to 21st-24th fret, and after that I work my way down. The second variation starts on the first fret on the g string, going up to the fourth fret one fret at a time, and then shifting my hand up by one fret, doing that over and over until I'm at the 21st to 24th fret, and then I go down. And that I'll do for every string.

[@ebassguitar]

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing that, Lucas! All the best!

[@chasingsunsets380]

Great lesson I do it similarly but I break it into 4 days 1 the 4 finger thing, but I shift up 1 fret each time I get all the way down or up till I have covered 12 frets then do it backward 2 is the scale thing for 30 minute 3 is the third 4 is reading music for 1/2 an hour Then I find a lesson and practice that all week My last 1/2 hour is playing songs That takes me an hour each day, 30 on finger exercises and thirty on lessons, after that song saying does not have a time limit. On the rest of the week it is usually jamming with the radio or friends. Great lesson

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing that! Cheers!

[@casperl6812]

No BS, straight to the point.

[@ebassguitar]

That's how I do it! Cheers!

[@user-es9yj4jb1v]

My variation is, when moving up or down a string, only move one finger at a time. For example, after playing G G# A A#, the first finger moves to C, but the other fingers remain on G# A A#. Then the second finger plays C# while the first finger remains on C and the third and fourth remain on A and A#. And so on. A little harder, but it helps train the fingers to move independently of each other. It’s a bit easier if you start higher up the neck, say, on the 8th fret.

[@ebassguitar]

Great stuff!!

[@junkmail5417]

Dang, if I do this every day, I might be good !!

[@ebassguitar]

Give it a go!

[@cheva649]

Hi James, thanks for the vid first of all! But I’m stuck on the first drill, it doesn’t seem my pinky can stretch far enough to reach the final fret. Any tips? Thanks again!

[@ebassguitar]

You are most welcome! The stretch will come over time. Start with the small frets then work up to the bigger one as your hands expand. :-)

[@Malliboy]

That's 3 months of lessons right there.

[@tom28753]

It’s important to do scales to a metronome or backing track. It can be boring but it definitely helps.

[@ebassguitar]

I would agree… it’s important to first learn them out of time then use the click to bench mark your tempo :-)

[@joeferraro1594]

Hi very helpful I understand the first drill but the apegio I find confusing I’ve been playing bass 6 months things like C major I don’t know how to find on the fretboard?

[@ebassguitar]

Learning some basic music theory will really help you along here :-)

[@jamesi.1636]

Serious inquiry: I don't have a 3rd finger. In the first exercise, should I go 4th finger 5th fret to 4th finger 6th fret by sliding or picking it up from the 5th fret and setting it back on the 6th fret?

[@ebassguitar]

The 124 technique should work fine… I would slide the 4th finger. Most box shape stuff should be playable…

[@created3612]

If I do this everyday will this help me with soloing and riffs or do I have to do more? thanks

[@ebassguitar]

This will help you install basic technique into your playing so you can apply it whatever musical skills you want

[@davidwinokur2131]

Variation on the first exercise. On my 5 string I start on C on the B string and advance one fret as I change strings. When I get to the G string I continue the ascending pattern and one fret advance while descending on the strings. Do this and end up high on the G string. Then change to the descending pattern and do it all in reverse. Finally, flip the whole thing and start on Ab on the G string, follow the same patterns and end up on the B string.

[@ebassguitar]

Awesome... there so so many places each of these drills can be taken which is really exciting!

[@jimmysantino7975]

hey great vid. the "buzzing" is a common thing isnt it? on other videos i dont hear these sounds is it because of a DI ?

[@jonsirola]

Late random answer bro but, mostly, yeah. Your string height and neck set-up also influence how much your bass will buzz. For instance Stuart Hamm's bass is really low in terms of string height so he gets lots of buzz. You can make it part of your sound in some types of music. Lastly, once in a master class a bassist approached string buzz when changing your hand in the fretboard, he said it can be an aspect of your practice if you pay attention to it while doing exercises like going up and down chromatically on a single string. Not sure how this can help you but hope it does 😁

[@hughlittle7651]

Your bad ass bass player 💪 my question is I’m a drummer and play a bit of guitar but am a lefty and and learned guitar to fret with my left I’m going all in on bass so should I learn the bass with right hand fret gust a question I wish to maximize . I’ve always felt I would be better guitar player with my right hand fretting ? Only asking your opinion also drumming doesn’t matter which way the kit is set up 😂😂😂👍

[@ebassguitar]

It’s really down to which feels the most natural. In my experience players tend to prefer one way over the other even if they are a lefty when they write. I’d go to a store and try a few out. One way will speak to you!

[@robertfmorton]

Really helpful, thanks. How do you set you tone?

[@ebassguitar]

Generally flat... both pick ups in the middle. Roll off the tone a little. Sometimes I’ll add a bit of bass on the amp or on the bass That was recorded in passive Hope that helps :-)

[@FrankCosbyNo-Relation]

Never thought I'd see a werewolf playing the bass 😅😅

[@ratwhisperer28]

What do you do if you have small hands and you fingers can’t physically stretch that far? :( I can only do three fingers

[@ebassguitar]

The stretch will come over time… :-)

[@ratwhisperer28]

@@ebassguitar are there any exercises for hand stretch?

[@ebassguitar]

@@ratwhisperer28 Start with the small frets then work up to the bigger one as your hands expand. :-)

[@TraesHisTraxx]

Great advice. Noob here...Musicman Sub

[@ebassguitar]

Glad you get something useful out of it. Cheers!

[@SVRockChalk]

Still trying to git the fourth finger on the fret board.

[@ebassguitar]

It’ll come… :-)

[@TheArizonaAssasin]

I’ve been teaching myself Bass at my own snail pace for about 7 years but I’m not very good and haven’t tried any exercises, so my question is- “how many times daily should I practice these exercises?”

[@603POV]

As he said even 5 minutes a day will help but you can do it as much as you like. Most people recommend at least a half hour to an hour of practice a day

[@ebassguitar]

It depends on your pace! I would suggest 5 minutes a day will help!

[@russbuss98]

I get so used to a certain way, then can't progress in skill and have to undo what I taught myself to get better. "you must unlearn what you have learned"

[@ebassguitar]

Do what you have to do. Any specific help you need why you need to unlearn what you have learned already?

[@MrCHI2cool]

I can't seem to spread my fingers far enough apart for the first drill. I can't get all fingers on the fret at once. Is this an issue with my technique or am i just hopeless?

[@ebassguitar]

Start with the small frets then work up to the bigger one as your hands expand / get used to the exercises

[@mayj0lly]

i physically can’t get my 4 fingers on those frets without shifting to each one - can barely reach a 4 when on a 3 lol, will the exercise still be effective with shifting?

[@ebassguitar]

Try it further down the fretboard where the frets are smaller

[@playalong8701]

I agree try it higher on the feet board. Start on the twelfth fret if that’s what it takes. Then as you feel comfortable move the the eleventh or tenth fret. Continue working at each point until you’re comfortable. Then move down the fretboard toward the headstock. Just don’t move too soon. If you get a chance check out this jam track I made kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqKsd6GLr92aaK8 it is an A E F#m D loop. You could have a lot of fun practicing along with it.

[@bikenboatdude6122]

Nice mug

[@ebassguitar]

Cheers! Ebassguitar.com/merch if you fancy one

[@therandomman6647]

Exercises like the first one is why having extended range is amazing, although I'm practicing for a reason so time to ignore my favorite string 😭

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing that! Cheers!

[@allenmarsden2594]

Well I was a pretty good bass player in the 70s and 80s haven't until recently held one let alone played sooo 😁 not quite like riding a bicycle 😏

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing!

[@questelohim...]

👍👌

[@ebassguitar]

Cheers!

[@blacksabbathmatters]

My pinky is useless but ill give it a go 🤣

[@willkershisnik5893]

Has your pinky progressed?

[@ebassguitar]

It’ll come… :-)

[@agapeguy777]

I wanna be James, when I grow up (if I grow up.)

[@ebassguitar]

Not something I hear every day!

[@tylerhoeseph6388]

but my hands are too small to keep them on the frets

[@ebassguitar]

Start with the small frets then work up to the bigger one as your hands expand / get used to the exercises

[@Zain-xg4kn]

it would easier to understand if you write the note on the screen.cos I cannot read your fingers.

[@ebassguitar]

I'll keep that in mind! Many thanks!

[@notsure1350]

I'm a beginner. I do not innately know scales just because I touched a guitar.

[@ebassguitar]

Hey! If you like you can try Bass Lab PLUS. it's a membership program where you can learn not just the scales you need but a lot more courses available!

[@chaosopher23]

...put your finger on the G string... yeah, we know what you meant! :)

[@charleswillis-nx4rt]

I don’t have drills…I call it wipeout…just let it ripe for about 5 min…

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing that Charles! Cheers!

[@wumbo6116]

my fingers aren't able to contort the way that the first drill is done

[@willkershisnik5893]

Practice practice practice

[@ebassguitar]

Start with the small frets then work up to the bigger one as your hands expand / get used to the exercises

[@dearconspiracy5504]

when ur starting out w a 6th string🤧

[@honeydarlin5905]

Cool, but u do realize you’re lifting your first finger on your first drill when the drill is teaching you to keep your fingers down right? Or am I tripping?

[@ebassguitar]

Yeah… I can see what I’m doing… I’m pivoting on the 4th finger to prepare for the note on the next string… Kinda the next stage of depth when playing this exercise

[@jacksonmorris9234]

Bro my fingers do not move that far apart you lost me at step one

[@mugi215]

I have the same issue lol

[@ebassguitar]

Start with the small frets then work up to the bigger one as your hands expand / get used to the exercises

[@jeffsmith50001]

Why ?. Get to know where the notes are. Noodle around. Dont practice, play around. Dont buy a metronome, timing is inbuilt, you either have it or you dont. Be unique. Scales are for snails. Joy Division or Working Mens Club Band. You now have a choice. No charge.

[@ebassguitar]

My view is time can be developed…

[@ankhvanhorris7316]

I Gotta Take a God Damb Shit

[@ebassguitar]

Enjoy!

[@TheGuitarrmann]

Bro, you said, "leave the previous fingers on the string as you press the next fret", but as soon as you start doing the exercise to the metronome, you lift the fingers UP after pressing! You are doing just the opposite of what you are saying we should do! The thing is, lifting the finger up is natural when trying to attain mobility. Just sayin'...

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for pointing that out Wallace! I will definitely look into that.

[@turbot9]

Dude, those eyebrows. Wow...

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks man! I love them Check out ebassguitar.com/merch

[@marcausburn2201]

😞 sounds like you’re teaching people who know music how to play... Hard for us who don’t know what scales and string notes are.

[@ebassguitar]

I do lessons for the beginner to intermediate bassist... so the lessons are between those levels :-)

[@0tf850]

There are plenty of resources out there for complete beginners.

[@johnberry4601]

Go to his first few lessons for beginners. It is awesome. I am a new learner and I use what I have learned a lot. Eat and drink grapes. Buddies close and extra friendly. Once you watch the videos you will know what all of this means. Josh is the best out there, IMHO.

[@GothicCatholicism]

As a beginner, This video didn’t help at all.

[@ebassguitar]

Then perhaps you need to check out my beginner book? That ensure the basic foundations are in place Rick

[@davidjacobs5486]

Awesome, thanks!

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks man!