Bass Mistakes That Are SLOWING You Down

[@stephenbc1]

Adding timestamps for my own reference (and maybe yours too!): 0:21 Mistake #1: Practicing Too Fast 3:18 Mistake #2: Starting with Noodling 5:34 Mistake #3: Not Planning Fingerings 9:33 Mistake #4: Not Knowing Theory 12:44 Mistake #5: Trying to Learn Jamiroquai Songs (JK Super Hard Songs) Thank you for the quality advice as usual Josh!

[@jeffayoe7468]

thank you!

[@RaulRieraS]

Bonus tip: when everything else fails, don't forget to smile and move rhythmically as you play. Just remember that 90% of people doesn't even know how the bass sounds or would be able to identify it anyway

[@BassBuzz]

Yuuup truth

[@andreaholcock8992]

Grow dreads, people will just assume you know what you’re doing

[@grizz865]

@@andreaholcock8992 totally.

[@johnd5398]

@@andreaholcock8992 or that you ignore basic personal hygiene

[@patrickreiter3319]

😂😂😂😂

[@julianthesmooshyhusky8976]

My old band director said practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes permanent. Always appreciated that advice.

[@BassBuzz]

Ooh I like that

[@aidenreid2458]

now he is going to use that in a video i'm calling it

[@julianthesmooshyhusky8976]

All credits go to Mr. Jeff Slepak, he’s a pretty nasty trombone player too

[@mattjmello]

perfect practice makes perfect:)

[@kristynholding4628]

That's hands down the best advice I've ever heard

[@VideoGameStoryTime]

I love that not only do you teach bass, you teach learning. There are a lot of people on KZbin who think they can teach just because they know how to do something. You're the only online teacher I've found who not only know their stuff, you also seem to genuinely care about the learning process! Thank you!

[@straycat2550]

Didnt knew that you also play bass!!!

[@HollisJamison]

Even after B2B and practicing for 3 months I think this is the first video that made me realize "learning a song" is not about learning the notes and somehow hitting them in order, it's about memorizing one specfic sequence of finger movements to hit them the same way every time. Excuse me while I go re-learn the few songs I've learned so far!

[@vigorouslethargy]

My brain works better with patterns than remembering note names. I'm not a great player yet by any means, but I do see my progress speed up when I focus on memorizing the feel of a few bars at a time before moving to the next few.

[@piaten]

Nononono! What you're saying might be a useful skill to a limited degree. However, real music is alive, don't play like a robot. The trick is to always inject your feeling, your heart, soul and emotion into every note of every bass line, so that you're never playing the same thing the exact same way twice in a row. Even if you play the exact same notes/pattens as before, it should still always be alive and "new"!

[@jakefoxx7978]

@@vigorouslethargy same for me! I like to break things down into sections but between less-than-accurate sounding earbuds and a very beginner-ish ability to feel a song's rhythms and notes, I'm not the best at translating or improvising certain songs. At least the Songster tabs app has forced me to really get the pace of a song right and little by little come up with a fingering that works. Depending on how hard the song is to learn, I might grab a small portion of notes/ryhthms that one way or another repeat in a pattern and work on playing that slowly until it's right, or I might find a slightly easier song to learn. I've noticed when doings this way that sometimes my brain just needs to "sleep on it" so I might give my bass a rest for a day or a few hours. Call it what you will, but I more often than not come back to the bassline more capable of running through the whole song than before. To further test myself, I'd record the track with a microphone app and play along, and keep on trying until I got it right. 🤷‍♂️ if anyone out there can see this whole method as a way to create unhealthy habits or something, do let me know. For now it's the best I can do as someone who works all day everyday except for some free time on the weekends. That's my spill, cheers.

[@troycharbonneau8643]

I work best by remembering the key, then scale degrees and nuances like runs and slides. I do try to stick to one fingering for the most part, but it’s not set in stone. Being flexible that way makes it so much easier when the song changes key, or even if the band wants to do it in another key. I also think it’s a good idea to change it up occasionally, just to remain flexible and be open to ideas. If I learned it by fingering alone, I’d be screwed.

[@iflifewaseasy]

I'm autistic and just picked up a bass 3 days ago. Thank you for explaining (while also showing) the "why" along with the "what" and then also repeating the same idea using different words. 🥰 Yours is the first music related KZbin video I've been able to finish. 🤩

[@fercho2040]

I'm autistic too, been playing bass since I was 17. Your description made me understand why I like Josh's lessons, and I'm sure his soft, kind demeanor helps me too.

[@Readydaer]

Samesies! I’m about to buy a bass myself and these lessons are helpful for preparing

[@iflifewaseasy]

@@Readydaer omg do it! 🤩 I got songster app for the tabs to kinda see what's up with the fingers and strings. I'll have to write down the tabs to remember them. KZbin let's you slow videos to 75%, it's choppy but works. Then I bought songster to get BT audio and speed reduction. I totally love my Ibanez bass... Everyone who hears it say it's the cleanest bass they've heard. You're welcome to follow me and ask questions on my newb bass stuff. I probably won't know what but I can at least say what I did.

[@Readydaer]

@@iflifewaseasy I see, thanks for the info!

[@suzichee6193]

im autistic too this is exactly why i like his videos omg!

[@LovelyBozo]

I am a freshman in highschool and I started play bass about a week ago, I decided to take music theory at the beginning of this year and already having the experience with that class has helped me with understanding scales and the fretboard so much. Music theory is a huge help and I would recommend taking a class to anybody.

[@BassBuzz]

Congrats on starting bass!

[@susancallhutchisongoodoldtunes]

Good on learning theory in high school! I waited until I was a college student, and literally everyone else in class knew more than I did. But I can honestly say that what I learned in my music theory classes has stayed with me for the rest of my life. I'm almost 70 years old now, and being able to THINK in music and COMMUNICATE in music has made my life richer than it would have been without it. Oh, and I started playing bass about a week ago, too!

[@iduncanw]

If you're reading these comments wondering "should I get the Beginner to Badass course"... YES, a thousand times YES. The course is awesome, you'll play heaps of styles and riffs and have a plethora of backing tracks to practice to. Excellent video Josh 🤘😎

[@DerFeomanthar]

I second this opinion.

[@Davey-Boyd]

Third. It's awesome!

[@barondavis5692]

You’re just Josh’s close family members. 😊 It’s good to hear buyer satisfaction rather than buyer remorse.

[@ralhamami]

Hahaha, I really enjoyed this one, and it was amazingly helpful. I'm definitely getting the course.

[@troddy3925]

My Son is almost done with the course, anybody have anything or anybody else to recommend to up his bass game even more?

[@xbjrrtc]

Fingering consistency is key. I also never struggled with BUT I recently injured my pinky and have been using just three fingers while it heals. I've straight up gotten the yips and forgotten how to play songs that I know cold, all because I tried to switch to a new fingering. I'll be so glad when my picky gets back online! 😂

[@rbrown2925]

Great advice (and humour) as always. I'd like to add something a music teacher told me years ago: there's two types of practicing. One is for technique where you stop and correct mistakes as you make them; the other is to practice performing where, come hell or high water, you keep in sync with whatever tempo and place in a song that a backing track requires (which is a lot more of a challenge than just getting back in time with a metronome). Performance practicing is surprisingly hard to do but it teaches you the skill of how to keep the music flowing, which is essential if you ever want to play with anyone else. It's the musician's equivalent of being a figure skater who's fallen down and they have to get back up and carry on--and not with the next step after the one they flubbed, but to get back in sync with the music that's moved on while they were splattered on the ice.

[@rbrown2925]

@BassBuz_Official Sounds good but not sure what to do…help!

[@nyx5724]

This video was really educational and fun to watch, and you did a great job with the editing. It's so exciting to see how much you've improved over the years! :D

[@Stormtrooper990]

And how much he has made us improve too :D

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Nyx!

[@plusmin09]

Just some different perspectives on a couple of these points: While watching live footage of the bass player of whatever song you're trying to figure out is helpful, keep in mind that they aren't necessarily the epitome of technique just because they are in a band. Also, often times performers will compromise good technique while playing live for the sake of an entertaining performance. Barring your finger is the last resort on bass! The chorus on Hysteria for example, would be more comfortably played with your index and then middle finger. Josh has bigger hands, so it's easier for him to barre. Barring is very straining for most people, especially across multiple strings on bass, and lower on the fretboard. Do what is comfortable for you. Nice progress on your video content Josh! They feel much more refined and smooth

[@1harky01]

You are very understandable for non-English speakers even without use of subtitles. Thanks for your lessons!

[@BassBuzz]

Good to hear!

[@alexvthooft]

Understanding music theory massively speeds up my learning at the moment. I often find patterns whilst learning the bass because of it. That helps a lot and it helps me find my way about the fret board. For example finding the roots when playing/learning the minor pentatonic scale over the entire board

[@BlackJackLopez]

Lots of thoughts in my mind right now. But this one might be one of the best, mind-blowing, mind-expanding videos I've seen to date. Honestly, as a 'forever beginner', I ENJOY challenge too much. Which doesn't mean I always succeed, and here you've just explained to me exactly WHY. So, thanks for this, it's an excellent guide to start correcting bad habits! I still have to learn how to play slap in a few weeks, so I'm still in deep dip, but now I know I can make a plan. And that's a start.

[@BassBuzz]

Glad this was helpful Manuel!

[@lovelakland]

I have to stay that you are one of, if not the most humble teacher of bass and music that I've encountered on KZbin. Thank you sir. Keep on doing this for the music world. We need you.

[@BassBuzz]

Thank you! Will do. :)

[@jayfoghino5392]

Sometimes I will change up fingers back and forth during a song due to cramping or hand strain. Billy Jean is a good example of playing the same riff for 5 minutes without much of a break. I alternate between my ringer finger and pinky.

[@hh-lu3wo]

@@jayfoghino5392 I'm not a specialist but I got some of these too, I tried pressing less harder and it hurts way less

[@troycharbonneau8643]

Nonstop octave jumps would do that to me. What helped immensely was fine tuning the neck and lowering the action. And trying different positions on the strap.

[@axelr9075]

I've been stuck on # 4 for a while now. I have a decent knowledge of music theory learned from watching videos and reading up on it - but actually applying it while playing is a whole different beast.

[@zg2964]

One of the biggest issues i had in my teens is just comfortably jamming with some one with out being super rehearsed and i only had the capacity for like 3 or for songs. This is why im trying to stay disciplined on studying practicing music theory at least a few minutes a day.

[@killjoyturtle8363]

I appreciate your content so much, josh! I purchased your beginner to badass course back in 2021, got about 70% of the way through it, and just fell off playing for the last couple of years. I'm just getting back into it, and I've been doing all of this! As a self-taught-bassist, who has felt so lost trying to learn an instrument on my own, your content has given me structure and tips that have helped me more than anything. I consider you my teacher, and you have taught me so much. Thank you for doing what you do!

[@BassBuzz]

Glad you're getting back into the course! 🤘

[@scottexexable]

I’m a professional symphony clarinetist, and just started playing electric bass! I love your beginner practicing methods.

[@BassBuzz]

Nice, welcome to the bass family Scott!

[@davidlawrence3425]

For #2 I consider starting noodling for a few minutes as warmup. Agree100% with finger patterns. Plan ahead makes songs easier - especially when you can roll on a 1/5 sequence. Another great video - thanks!

[@BassBuzz]

Yep, a few deliberate noodles can definitely work as a warmup! Thanks David.

[@troycharbonneau8643]

I agree with noodling first. If you’re not warmed up enough to do a familiar noodle, you’re not ready to take on something unfamiliar yet.

[@SonOfTheLion]

I always loved Theory because it really did feel like you open up a massive world of patterns and improv with relatively little memorizing or tedium.

[@johng9393]

good to hear that you love theory .. i'm a long time pro ( keyboard - bass and sax ) who studied theory from jazz and classical pov my request for you as to help me be a better teacher . Can you go into more detail as to how theory helped you ? btw I read much theory - some of modern theory i think is off putting to students . i'm not a fan of the way modes are taught . anyhow any details on how theory ( what aspects of theory ) has helped ?

[@transformationgeneration]

My wife caught me slacking off in here on You Tube but once she realized I was working on bettering my fingering technique, all was good. :) - that aside, you have the #1 best Bass videos on YT.

[@waterboyrene1241]

I’m genuinely happy that picking up the bass and looking for KZbinrs, the bass community has the best teacher.

[@MonserratFoster]

I finished reading "the talent code" not so long ago and I found it a fascinating and practical book that has definitely changed the way I practice

[@BassBuzz]

Totally! He's written a lot of great stuff.

[@ad_zira31]

Your style of explaining makes things simple. Really loved the content

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks for the support, rock on!

[@tomgriffin1672]

Great video, all your videos kick ass! im an older guy that played metal in early 80s at 18 years old, quit playing , picked back up at 40 for a couple of years and gigs, quit playing again and now picked back up at 50

[@matthewb8229]

Watching this video, I realized I've been avoiding most of these mistakes because of singing in choir all through school (my conductor in high school...the football players would have rather been at practice), but then getting the fact i'm not pushing myself to advance beacause what I'm doing is fillilng the needs of my band.

[@unclemick-synths]

Yes, it's important to go beyond the needs of the band. Some stuff stays personal but now and again you can bring something to the band that you wouldn't otherwise have thought of. Even if it's an "only play what's on the record" covers band you could still bring new songs that the others might not have thought of.

[@igorpedreiralapa2922]

These mistakes may slow my progress. But i came to see this video as Quick as possible!!

[@BassBuzz]

:P

[@Davey-Boyd]

I just finished todays practice on Beginner to Badass and then found this waiting for me! Cool! Plus I can't recommend Beginner to Badass enough. It's great, I learn so much and it's fun too. Josh is a great teacher!

[@butterflygrove6724]

I'll put in a plug for Josh's Beginner to Badass course. It's what started me on my bass journey and having seen a lot more material since then, I still feel it was the absolute best choice I could have unknowingly made at the time. It's a great way to get started, and I hope that Josh will follow up with another structured class of more advanced material. I find that my skill is a series of jumps and plateaus - and that's not bad, as long as I get off a plateau in time. The plateaus give time to get really good at a certain level. This video pokes me to be more efficient at making that jump to the next level, and it's great stuff. One point on fingering - it's not just about watching someone or efficiency - it's about how *you* want something to sound. A C on the E string sounds more full than a C on the A string which is a bit punchier. There are times when each sounds better (even in the same song), and maybe not where the efficient fingering would point. And then yeah - practice it that way over and over so it's just programmed in and feels right.

[@Churro_Flaminguez]

Fantastic video as always-remove the bass-specific references and this is a solid plan for consistent gains in many instruments. I'm a guitar player and still haven't applied them all! Consequently, my chops have been stuck at the same level for years, but I intend to change that soon.

[@stuff6597]

this is for everyone who says playing bAss is easy xD

[@davidapodaca6827]

School of Rock made it look easy

[@AaMo59]

@@davidapodaca6827 aye that’s facts

[@GoodGod93]

I wish😭

[@lundsweden]

Yeah, it might look easy, but try and play like Jaco Pastorius!

[@RockBand2Freak78]

The way I see it bass is much harder because it has to be perfect. You can slop around on guitar and get away with it easy. Bass has to hit firm, and correct, every time.

[@ChrisJones-tm5ji]

Best advice I ever had. Practice doesn't necessarily make perfect. But practice always makes permanent, including your mistakes.

[@Gosuminer]

This video, I think, is one of the best things for any novice bass player to invest 16 minutes into. I've learned two other instruments before and found everything to be valid and crucial.

[@yota6207]

You quickly are becoming my favorite instructor! Just beginning on the bass. Seems to be too many that think they can teach or ones that go so fast you can't keep up. Thank you Josh and crew!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Yota, welcome to the bass family!

[@tigerscott2966]

Good time to see this video. I am stuck as a bass player. Almost 4 years of playing bass every day. Still have not learned the frett board. No music theory either.

[@wayneswan3092]

So, I picked up guitar about 2 months ago, but then I decided to give bass a go before I get too deep into guitar, just in case I might find myself liking it better. And I gotta say, so many of your tips, I wish I'd heard for guitar in the last 2 months.

[@Emarah123]

Oh man, mistake 5 hit hard. During my first year of leaning bass, I tried to learn some parts from Dream Theater's Metropolis 1 and it took me years playing them consistently since it was way to complicated and my mistakes just got wired in...

[@zg2964]

one better from primus and higher ground rhcp is what i did this on, i got ok playing the chorus of them before i quit playing but man did i waist a lot of time lol. So baked in now though i don't think i could ever forget them.

[@WilliamOfUrnge]

I'm coming back to playing bass guitar after a few years so I've appreciate your videos! I know I'm a bit late to the party, but one tip I've found helpful is recording yourself (video is best, but audio is still great) and watching/listening to your playing. A teacher of mine told me to try that a while back. I'm very critical of myself so it also helped me get better at recognizing what I was doing right as well as points of improvement. Thanks for all of the quality videos!

[@beornthebear.8220]

I have a training video that runs through the modes starting in G, both one- and two-octave. I run through this frequently. it not only keeps my fingers in shape, but it helps me recognize what notes I need in a new situation in any key. I practice a lot of songs, but this is my "Get on the ground and give me twenty!" I also love the 5 string bass for the ability to go up and down the strings with less fret changes. I also have a sans amp mixed into a pedal board so I can practice at night with headphones. This way I don't drive everyone crazy when I trying to figure out a difficult riff 40 times in a row ("no..please stop!") In the early 70s, I learned songs, some difficult, and I kept working at it until I got it. However, it took me longer to make up bass riffs of my own. I don't have any issue with making my own bass lines any more.

[@jaredraga]

That actually sounds great! Is it possible to hook us up with that training video?

[@toddwalker4301]

Great tips....especially the first one. It's amazing how fast you can learn a line when you start super slow.

[@BassBuzz]

Totally! So much less exciting at first though. :P

[@dinocharlie1]

You mentioned learning something from every song even easy ones, and one for me that I learned about how much of a difference muting notes makes that some of my other music loving friends don't seem to be as aware of was Sunshine of Your Love like you mentioned. He lets those last few notes ring sometimes and sometimes he mutes them pretty quick and realizing how big of a difference that makes for the feel of a song really helped me learn the place a bass often takes in rock music in particular but how feel as a whole is perceived in music

[@michaelrogers7512]

Josh you are the best bass explainerator in the universe! Many thanks for making it fun to learn bass on many levels!

[@villusive]

this is on point for me, I consider myself an intermediate bassist but, I admit I have to rlly work on my technique and slowing down while avoiding noodling LOL

[@troycharbonneau8643]

When I was young and starting out, one of the first bass veterans at a jam session told me he would learn a song by figuring out the bulk of it by the time it was over. Of course that was just the first step. I do that in a way. I’ll learn to play a first take at full speed, even if there are some wrong or missed notes, just to get the rhythm and flow down. Because that’s important too. Once that starts to become comfortable, I’ll notice most of the wrong or missing notes, then it’s not hard to make those adjustments. Then after awhile I might notice a few more nuances and refine it a little more. The more I play a familiar piece, the more I am open to ways to improve. Rather than be weighed down by hard learning all the time. If I waited until I had it perfect before playing it at full speed, for fear of developing bad technique, I’d never get there. At some point I gotta jump in or get thrown in. I’m certainly not a pro, I’ve got a full time job plus overtime, but it happens to be what works for me. I do agree with learning to play scales fluently in the various shapes, and learning the money notes first. Meanwhile some simple songs can be fun. When I got my first bass for Christmas, first thing I played was “The Unforgiven” while sitting on my bed. Then I went at it with major and minor scales for a long time, which developed fretboard learning, coordination, fingering, plucking and muting all at once.

[@andyhinds542]

Guilty as charged! I'm 55 and feel like I'm now learning bass all over again.

[@lundsweden]

My favorite part is how this dude travelled into the future, when he was older, then back again to the present. THAT, my friends, is the true power of bass mastery!

[@BassBuzz]

Once you can play Teen Town, time travel is child's play. :P

[@guybayo2002]

I find it comforting to realize I was doing all of these from day one without even thinking about it :))

[@tobyfealy5832]

hey, I've been playing bass for awhile and I've never had any training besides these vids, now I've got a band and can play hysteria. thank you.

[@MurderTechnique]

Like most beginner bassists nowadays, I subscribed to a handful of KZbin channels to try to learn how to play the instrument. Of all the channels I've subscribed to, yours has been the most helpful. You are an excellent teacher. And the extra mile you go to make the videos entertaining helps keep the leaning fun. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. You're a household regular, lol. If I ever run into you I'm shaking your hand and buying you a beer. 🎸

[@michaelrogers7512]

Josh you are the best! You make learning this chunk of strung up wood and metal to a 60 year old newbie a lot less stressful! Your channel is awesome and thank you! You funny man!😂😂😂🎸

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Michael!

[@TaylorWestOfEverything]

My very first assignment from my bass teacher was a choice between Distant Early Warning and Tom Sawyer... Uh... I do love my teacher! A huge Rush fan, He's incredible and we worked on some easier pieces after that, but that was pretty overwhelming right off the bat. I still can't play anything by Rush. So, don't get discouraged if your teacher gives you something that you think is too difficult, it's okay to ask them if you can find something else, and if you show them how you picked your songs they may get really excited about it. Just have an answer other than "it was easier"

[@BassBuzz]

Haha, lol. Sometimes teachers are way too excited, I've definitely done that to people too.

[@clockworkangel4026]

🤣🤣 I'm right there with you! I asked to learn Working Man. I figured it's the first album, Geddy hadn't achieved Bass God status yet, so I might have a snowballs chance on that one. Lol

[@renagralheer6928]

You are a fab teacher, just working my way through your online course, love it, daughter keeps complaining as i have taken over her room as she has a big screen 😊 thanks

[@BassBuzz]

Haha, thanks Rena, and tell your daughter I'm sorry :P

[@ronaldwilson9525]

Great tips as usual Josh. I’m still working on the course albeit very slowly (I’m on module 5) but now that my work schedule has tailed off I’m determined to finish by spring. Best money I ever spent was getting your badass course. Thanks for your hard work and determination.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Ronald, enjoy the rest of the course!

[@TheRimeOfTheAncientMariner]

Great tips! Also, KZbin has made it 1000 times easier to learn songs than back in the day when we had to keep rewinding the tape and trying to hear through all the other instruments in the song to figure out what we were trying to learn. No excuse these days to digging in and learning songs.

[@atheist4life229]

I know you're a bass teacher, but I am a guitarist who watches your videos because they have at least some (sort of?) relevance to me. But not only that, your teaching style is really freaking good and often the concepts can apply to anything in general.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Matt!

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Like John Myung said, practice can even be, connecting with the instrument. That doesn’t mean don’t follow the steps Josh gives I remember that Jamiroquai Tee in school! 🤘

[@themadmanjoker1]

The crazy thing is I wrote down some bass chords and all the notes on the bass.I've had my bass for 2 years. I feel like I unlocked a whole new world.

[@sevgian]

I wasn’t expecting to fall in love suddenly with a funny, humourous, smart and talented youtuber. Just came here to get some bass tips 🥲 Now I have to be very busy for watching all his videos just to have some more tips.

[@erkicman]

As someone who hit a plateau, this was one of the most helpful bass vids I’ve seen!

[@Rad85PRO]

@BassBuzz 15:14 Hey Josh, at the time of this comment, the list you mentioned is not showing up. Just a heads up :) Also, thank you for all you do in this channel!!! It has been helping a certain struggling 2-week old bassist a lot

[@victorcurtis6400]

Yes, I was also looking forward to this list. Thank you!

[@BassBuzz]

Added, thanks!

[@victorcurtis6400]

You are AWESOME Josh. I truly appreciate all the hard work you do to help people get better!

[@duchessofdementia]

dude I'm so happy you demonstrated with bach. these are the two things I actually play and practice with - your beginner to badass course and bach (I'm a classically trained musician on a keyboard instrument). delightful, mwah. chef's kiss

[@BassBuzz]

Nice! Yeah Bach on bass is so fun. And horribly challenging at times. :)

[@davidpetersonharvey]

Excellent video. Students can often jump ten bears at a time but it's student dependant. You've given them the best advice.

[@1904style]

Probably the most helpful bass instruction video I’ve seen in a while.

[@Mrr3nato]

That transition at @3:18 is impressively well done and smooth 👌

[@k4frol]

The strato as Cypher... I mean... that's some top-notch guitarist-bashing. That's the quality content we come here for XD chef's kiss!

[@Evelynpadilla11]

Josh you're amazing! Ive made more progress with your videos in three months than I have the last two years :,) thank you! I learn something new everyday

[@nooberus9241]

Thank you for always motivating me to practice bass just with uploading another video! :D

[@royltytube]

The fingerings are the main issue for me. I'm always playing things differently. Since I'm not in any band, I just put on Pandora and thump away. Sometimes I hook in and sometimes I don't and the frustration is because of not really have a set way to use the fretboard.

[@aaronstephens402]

Great video. I can't recommend B2B enough. I finished the course and still go back to it to practice. I have to agree with trying too hard of a song. I've attempted a couple and within the first two bars, I'm like NOPE. Keep posting videos Teach.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Aaron!

[@johng9393]

Hey Josh one of your many admirers here I've admired Jamerson forever one day about 3 years ago i fantasized i was doing a session ( you know i've recorded many times ) on the incredible song Aint Nothing Like the Real thing Now i always knew how great james was .. but when i attempted to play it... it dawned on me HOW MANY LESS THAN PERFECT BASS NOTE CHOICES there were ... 10000's . the harmony is easy for me ( keyboardist ) so it was 100% about his note choices . this leads me to idea of opening up idea of BASS CONCEPTION. or whatever term you wish to give it. all the notes i tried to play were "correct " but were not as smart or hip as Jamerson. and this adds up exponentially as the short song progresses. i'd love to open this topic up. using that song as a start. in the infamous key of Eb! WHY are his notes better! thanks Josh

[@BassBuzz]

Hey John! Yep, that'd be interesting to tackle, he had a way of picking all the best notes!

[@frankkay6457]

Watching a Jamiroquai cover 5 years ago inspired me to pick up a bass for the first time. And I have made EVERY ONE of the mistakes you describe 🤣 and I'm thinking, it's been 5 years...where is my progress?? SO, I bought your course! Wish me luck un-learning some of these hard-wired bad habits!! 😉

[@BassBuzz]

Hope you dig the course Frank!

[@marcoperez1309]

im so thankfull w u. I've been playing the bass since 3 years ago by my own n I make a lot of these mistakes. this is so helpfull thank u a lot

[@Marfman]

#5 has summed up my past year with the bass. I've been trudging through "Hysteria" and "Overkill". This week, I tried "Du Hast" on whim and was amazed at how good it feels to actually be able to play a song.

[@BassBuzz]

Yeah, it's important to have some wins!

[@JasonRennie]

My group put "Hysteria" on the set list. I tried hard for a ~week, then started to feel like I was getting tendinitis, so I threw in the towel. There's a (much) more experienced bassist who occasionally drops in and plays Hysteria while I watch with amazement. It was slightly sickening at first, but now I'm comfortable with the fact that songs like Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone are much better for where I'm at :)

[@antoniopizarro7670]

Awesome! Sloth speed practice is great. When practicing very slowly, watch the plucking hand, because you will cross strings and alternate differently, so match that as well.

[@argonwheatbelly637]

I do that with drum fills. My kids are amazed, because they hear me counting out loud, even.

[@kristine2829]

BASS SLOTH - love this addition to the BassBuzz video characters

[@BassBuzz]

Just hope he can make it to future shoots in time! His commute takes hoooouuurrsss.

[@overlightth]

Nice! I usually practiced on my brother's bass, as he was the only one who had an electric bass, typical P-Bass model. Last year at Christmas, I decided to get one too, only since I didn't want to get the usual electric bass like everyone does, I decided to get an acoustic bass. And I'm not talking about an upright bass, but literally an acoustic bass guitar. By the way, will you bring this topic up in the future? If that's not a problem for you 😅 Well, that's all I had to say, bye 😄

[@mrsteel250]

Thing I love about this channel is it seems like clickbait (too good to be true) but every time I click I learn a bunch of useful things

[@BassBuzz]

It's not clickbait, it's a whole click meal. 😜

[@josephstine4871]

Thanks Josh. Gave me a new perspective on my practice routine

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

I feel so good about your mentoring in this video. It's been very helpful

[@flamethegame1]

I have a pretty funny thing about the fingering tip When I learn stuff, i just think "play the 5th fret of the E string" and then, without thinking, one random finger presses it And when i play it the next time, i might use a completely different finger! And surprisingly, it never really causes me issues

[@BassBuzz]

If it works it works! I don't plan fingerings as much anymore either, but it's really important early on to avoid scrambling.

[@rorymckenzie8598]

HOW to learn is key. Great job Josh!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Rory!

[@M.Mindbender]

Training slowly with a metronome ! Thanks for mentioning this

[@johng9393]

josh you rock theory question. anything to add to seemingly contradictory theory ( it's not a contradiction) 7ths resolve down a step leading tone resolves up a step ( 7- 1 )

[@pederhalvorsen2289]

I don't know what makes me the happiest most . . . That Josh threw in a dig at the 4th Matrix film, or that he used some sound clips from Silent Hill 2 AND MGS3 in this video. 😁😁😁👍👍👍

[@piopio3288]

I shall follow this path, sensei, because You know it well and show it well.

[@shipsahoy1793]

You can add chord inversions, secondary dominants, modal interchange, tri-tone substitution, and key change facility all to the basic stuff😉. Love you Josh (platonically of course!).. 🥳🎸

[@BassBuzz]

Mhmm love chowing down on a tasty tritone sub

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@BassBuzz I hear ya! 😉

[@johng9393]

hmmm theory is not a mystery for me- an old guy professional keyboard and bassist so if you don't mind my saying you ought not just play tritone subs when ever i would use them carefully even ask a keyboard or guitarist ( assuming you respect their musicality ) player their opinion but you CANNOT switch roots without risking the weakening of the progression i've know tritone subs and upper structure chords since my teens. actually this is a worthy study 1. yes. you CAN substitute every time there's a dominant chord but 2. Why is this generally not a good idea !

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@johng9393 of course the arrangement, harmony, whatever, needs to serve the song and requires cooperation between the players. My point was that the knowledge and understanding of the application of these concepts and the ability to hear it happening on some level is important for the bass player. Keyboard players and guitar players also have the responsibility to stick with the changes worked out at rehearsal, just as the bass player shouldn’t take it upon himself to play games with the harmony willy nilly. Band teamwork should be a major issue in music study. Every role needs to be understood and respected. As Josh pointed out, many of us aren’t “play by ear on the fly” prodigies, and lack of cooperation between band members will quickly lead to bad blood and wasted effort. I like to believe that there’s a reasonable amount of wisdom out there that no musical device, like substitutions for example, should be over-utilized.

[@crawlnstall512]

Great start to my day seeing a new video. Love it. Also that white/purple bass is BEAUTIFUL and I think it gave me some gas

[@BassBuzz]

GAS alleviator - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKmVp6CEfMt-otk

[@feliscatos4435]

Great video. Looks like I'm gonna have to buckle down and change some of my practice habits.

[@tacyellow]

Picking up the bass again after a trying to learn it a year ago and all of these videos are awesome! You've really sparked my interest in the bass again. Thank you for being an awesome teacher! Keep up the great work!

[@tigerscott2966]

This was an experiment for me. My older brother played bass as well as Jaco Pastorius all by ear. He was ahead of his time also, he just didn't compse or read music either.

[@TheShonz]

What a value, these are such great pieces of advice! Even while knowing this just being reminded helps solidify how important it is!!!! Thank you

[@emilbergdahl3063]

So many bassists play dirty while plucking due to bad fingering technique. You however always play clean AF. Best tip today if you ask me. 👍🏽

[@adamvandor3172]

I´m an intermediate bass player, played for 15 years sometime in my spare time. However any time I see your videos, it makes me grab my bass. Really motivating, and very widely covered all bass topic. Keep up the good stuff!

[@mrbungle7586]

Great video Josh. Obviously there's lots of aspects to learning the bass. The most important things I believe to develop/practice and helps other aspects of your playing in so many ways, you touch on in the video is learning to read and count. Another mistake is to neglect and I see it a lot, ear training. To me, this is the most important one and is a huge asset. Cheers 👍 🎸

[@BassBuzz]

Big time! It's a slow burn to work through the early stages of ear training, but the payoff is massive.

[@TILTMATIC1]

got my first bass today esp TLD b10 im loving your videos thank you

[@kwt7667g]

As always, thanks Josh. Would never have picked up the bass in the first place if not for your channel.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Ken, glad I helped get you on the bass!

[@TheLadyCelery]

These videos always put things in such great perspective for me, and make me so excited to get back in the practice room so I can play better! Thanks Josh!!

[@BassBuzz]

You're welcome, glad they're helpful! :)

[@jonbeargenx]

From a way to much Doodling guitar player I have been stuck on my progression on guitar. I picked up the bass today (it's been sitting for around 8 years and collected dust) to actually try and play some bass. So totally fresh on bass but with a bit of guitar knowledge that hopefully will benefit me. Thanks for the video, I'll keep dropping by. :)

[@BassBuzz]

Glad you're dusting off the bass Jon, welcome to the dark side!