Basic Bass Plucking Technique (Beginner Bass Basics)

[@snworbatory386]

Guitar: NEVER mount your hand on the guitar its a bad habit Bass: now just rest your thumb right here and make yourself at home

[@splatentertainment7551]

They're different but similar lol.

[@realtonestar4342]

@@FSAPOJake true, I’ve seen pro bass players use their thumbs to pluck too. As a guitarist this is easier, but I don’t want to develop a bad habit so I’m trying to learn “proper” form first.

[@nathansguitars328]

@@FSAPOJake Agreed. The only caveat is that sometimes, anchoring for a guitar player can slow down progression once you are getting higher BPM. "Can" being the keyword as it doesn't slow down plenty of amazing players. You can argue it's true for bass players too

[@KP_Tunes]

Ehhh, mounting your hand on a guitar isn’t necessarily a bad habit as long as you have control over it.

[@helenebradley]

Right?! I can't believe we're allowed to get away with this 😂

[@akap]

The advice of resting your thumb on the pickup made everything else so much easier. Feels insane not to have done it before.

[@CameronKujo]

May I ask what you were doing before?

[@krisbang2382]

@@CameronKujo I for example had my hand floating over it like an idiot because I’m used to the NO TOUCHING THE BODY from a guitar

[@beezlebud]

This is SUUUUPER helpful. Especially when he showed you not to pluck upwards but across towards your thumb/next string. By far The best tutorial for bass I’ve found

[@Chiyo1994]

THIS was the "Beginner" i was looking for xD Thanks a lot!

[@BassBuzz]

You're welcome!

[@naughtymonkey1563]

me too :)

[@threezeldasandapit]

@@pluto488 ​what about Tina Weymouth of the Talking Heads. Or Kim Deal of the Pixies or Sean Yseult of White Zombie or Rhonda Smith who played for Prince. Take your pick of genres dude.

[@BackPorchPodcastSLC]

Same so straight forward loved this

[@Ekkos_echo]

@@pluto488 pls take your sexist butt out of here

[@analuisaleite5568]

i play for 5 years now and I could not get why I have never improved and always sounded like a beginner. now i get it. i was plucking it wrong all the time. what seemed like the simplest technique was actually what blinded me. thank you. A LOT. greetings from brazil

[@BassBuzz]

Glad it helped Ana!

[@heatherguggenheimer5676]

I decided to TRY and learn to play the bass while quarantining! Thank you SO much. Your lessons by far, are the easiest to follow as well as really understand. Hope that you guys are all well and safe. Thanks again!

[@BassBuzz]

Awesome Heather, have fun!

[@DungeonOfShame]

Picked up a bass for the first time in 20 years yesterday. It is NOT like riding a bike lol. This guys videos are awesome. This one in particular is a great foundation for plucking and has helped curb my frustration immensely this morning!

[@dinkmaster84]

This was the first video I watched when I picked up a bass for the first time 2 years ago. This past weekend I played my first live show with my very talented bandmates. Thanks for helping me get to where I am now with videos like this and your fantastic Biginner to Badass course.

[@Shyguy71588]

How are you and your band going now?

[@cheekieslokss]

So glad I came across your channel! I’m soon to be a beginner bass player, thank you for these basics.

[@BassBuzz]

You're welcome Yesenia! Glad to help.

[@msba5457]

@Jessica Sinclair from Lihue Kauai Hawaii...

[@juliogarcia9738]

you jamming now?

[@gamby16a]

Did you stick with it? I've played guitar on and off since 1988 and I want to figure bass out now! I hope you're an amazing player now, in 2024!

[@skeletondeathwizard5379]

I'm a ukulele/mandolin player who just bought my first bass a couple months ago and as someone who's relied mostly on chords for years, my hand placement and plucking technique is something I've really been struggling with. This was beyond helpful for me -- thanks so much for making your lessons so accessible and easily comprehensible!

[@JonnyCrackers]

Very helpful as a guitarist transitioning to bass. A lot of the skills I've learned translate over to bass, but playing with my fingers instead of a pick is definitely a bit of a struggle.

[@jevinday]

I decided to try bass because I love playing guitar with my fingers, and while I have found it helpful I didn't have the strength developed that you need for bass. And now when I go back to play guitar I feel like I'm gonna break the strings. They're two very different instruments

[@Enatural_7]

Thank you. I feared starting over ok a new instrument for years, and you have given me the confidence to give it a shot!

[@BassBuzz]

You're welcome Eric! Go for it!

[@SDGirl05]

And i decided to start with a 5 string bass smh. Im starting to see you need virtually no nails to play bass. Everytime i pluck it sounds like im using a pick.

[@aeroiugfhefsiughsidfugh]

I started with a 5 string too 😂😂😂

[@ethanfrangenberg7733]

Same 😵‍💫

[@sighxw7141]

Coped my first bass a few weeks ago, a 5 string Spector Euro for $300 at a pawn shop.🤤🤤

[@emissarygw2264]

I trimmed my nails back until they're raw and hurt, but I still hit my nail when I use my index finger :/ I think I have weird fingers where the fleshy bit attaches to the nails really far out.

[@CSSLZT13]

No joke, I just picked up the electric bass guitar around the end of March. Came across your channel, and I think it's my favorite for beginners, as your clear and visual teaching style has already taught me so much! Thanks a ton for your channel and keep it up!

[@JCDrums_13]

I'm a first time bass player I played along with the Plucking Technique "Play-Along" samples for hours. Thanks for this easy to comprehend lessons and, for me, extremely fun practice.

[@thesaguitarian9430]

As a lead guitarist learning to play the Bass without the pick, this video has really helped me a lot. I am struggling with getting a good balance rhythmically with my right hand, and the simple resting of the fingers to the thumb or lower string just unlocked something in me that it is now easier to play steady 16th note pedal tones. Thanks for this tutorial / lesson.

[@alflemon2783]

As a total noob of the bass who played guitar for most of his life, that "walking" pluck is a game changer, thank you.

[@kabatox]

amen, los muertos

[@Jasmine-et4zm]

Man I'm walking in Guitar center confident as hell because of these videos ! Thank you! Sending love from New Orleans ♥️

[@stonehaven2289]

Same.. I just went and bought a brand new Fender Acoustic Bass at Guitar Center the other day... I have been meaning to buy won and try to learn because my oldest son plays guitar and sings and writes good rock songs and he's the one who inspired me to want to learn to form a trio with him and a drummer friend from his last band years ago... He's been dabbling with solo stuff for a handful of years but to get a start on his career he needs a band to work with him... I've been researching bass teachers on KZbin for about a month because I wanted to see how hard it would be to start from knowing nothing about it.. this guy really made me feel like if I went out and got a bass I could watch him and learn to play... He takes it slow and starts with basics and so 2 days ago I bought it and I'm happy to find this teacher to start my musical dreams finally at 53 yrs old.. 😁

[@pauloing1pauloing167]

Timestamp on video description doesn't work on mobile 0:00 How to Pluck the Bass 1:06 Pull Across, Not Up 2:35 Play-Along Sneak Peek 4:18 How to Play the Groove 5:45 Slow Play-Along 6:37 Medium Play-Along 7:25 Full Play-Along

[@theinfinitecalling]

Thank you! I've been playing guitar for 32 years and bought a 5-string just last week to match my 7-string riffs. This video is a clear, concise, and easy explanation of the plucking technique, and I'm already way ahead by light years here. Thanks again!

[@ashyvlogs1132]

Exactly what I did. Korn by any chance?

[@JCBassCovers]

I'm not a beginner per say, but I am coming back after a 5 year hiatus so these videos have been a nice little refresher course to get the muscle memory back flowing.

[@faustonobregavillasboas8999]

Great teaching skills (specially for a 50++ living all the way down in Brazil). Thanks. Couldn't catch your name though!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Fausto! My name is Josh, and you can catch my name and the rest of our free lessons here - www.bassbuzz.com/lessons

[@jeffzzzz1955]

It's insane how much such a small tip ( 1:35 ) helped me so much!

[@justcameron4765]

the little “guy running across the strings” part really saved me! that was the one thing i couldn’t grasp from other tutorials, great video man!

[@Jragtard]

I've never played an instrument before and decided to buy a bass cause I like the sound. I found you the next day and I'm coming along nicely thanks to you!

[@BassBuzz]

Nice, welcome to the bass family!

[@EnchantedJewelzEmpire]

It took me wasting time on FOUR other videos before I found this one that ACTUALLY taught me something! My god where is the donate button bc you deserve a tip!

[@PeteJones81]

Very helpful! Been a guitarist for over 20 years but never gotten the hang of bass. Will definitely be watching more!

[@deanweld]

I’m normally a pick player but trying to branch out into fingerstyle as well. Very helpful to get an in-depth look at proper technique. The teeter-totter slap and pluck technique in a different video was also super helpful. A lot of players demonstrate slap, but don’t really drill down enough to the actual mechanics of the hand nearly enough.

[@SlutBurgerWithCheese]

This comment is a year old, any update on your playing? I am also a pick player and wanted to branch out from playing punk and post punk and prog stuff

[@deanweld]

As my fingerstyle ability continued to improve, I started playing that way more and more. Now I’m probably 70% fingerstyle, and it was absolutely worth all the hours to learn to play this way. Still use the pick though for all the songs I’ve learned by pick bass players.

[@SlutBurgerWithCheese]

@@deanweld any benefits that you prefer over a pick?

[@deanweld]

I just personally like the way it feels, and muting is definitely easier to control excess noise. When you pull through the string and your finger lands on the string below, you’re automatically muting that string. And after plucking a string with one finger, you can drop the other finger onto the same string to cut the note off. So you can get a tighter and cleaner sound in addition to the added warmth without the harsh attack of a pick. I think every bassist should play with pick and fingers because then you’ve got all the tone options covered except for maybe the slap stuff, which is a whole different thing.

[@SlutBurgerWithCheese]

@@deanweld nice, i find i gave a hard time knowing when to alternate between fingers

[@poppitron3609]

I've been playing bass for three years and have always used a pick, but I started to realise it was just making my life harder, so this really helped

[@bradpritt1550]

So I'm a metal guitarist who owns a bass . Lol. I recently decided to try writing riffs on the bass first and put my pick down and gave finger plucking a try......blisters on my fingers! Lol You now have me conscious of how my fingers contact the strings! Thank you

[@aaroncreel4697]

Filling in for a bassist as a guitarist who hasn’t ever picked up a bass for a gig in two weeks. Appreciate the high quality video for sure!

[@lydtoons2075]

That was honestly so fun! I've watched alot of tutorials for beginners but this one was different because you actually get to play something and I had alot of fun just vibing.

[@miscellaneousmastermind8817]

Dude thanks man! After I played in a few bars some people told me I sucked. And I tried SOOOO many techniques to be better but until now nobody told me how to pluck the bass. I was like "dude. How was I so messed up by suttin so simple?" Thanks man that's a sub from me

[@BassBuzz]

Glad this helped!

[@ghoulish4you.]

This really helped, especially since I’m taking up learning bass during the quarantine ty! :)

[@Aplustradomus]

❤❤❤💯💯💯💯✊🏾 I was so ready to give up....this actually made me keep going

[@BassBuzz]

Glad it helped!

[@diegoat8832]

I came back to this video after having immense pain strumming the A string while playing some songs by Mayhem, only to see that I kept trying to pluck away from the Bass. Now that I know your fingers are actually suppose to hit the string above. My hand doesn’t hurt anymore and I can strum waaaaaaaayy faster lol. Very good video, technique is so important, made my hand stop cramping up ! :3

[@ronready66]

now this is how you teach a beginner,Everyone I mean Everyone I watched skipped the plucking where to put your thumb all the BEGINNER things smh, subscribed and thank you

[@malegria9641]

I’ve had a bass for months and this has been super helpful

[@Philgoat2.0]

This is the only channel to learn bass from

[@adamrafferty]

You are an excellent teacher!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Adam!

[@transformationgeneration]

Such a nice guy. Funny as heck. I play bass in a moderately decent Beatles Trib and you have no idea how much better I've become using your hints and help. Thanks buddy, Vintage 1967 Hofner 501

[@BassBuzz]

Glad I could help, do Paul proud!

[@rev9guitar]

That hi tech super special angle got me. 😂

[@MarcG7424]

Got my first bass yesterday and this was the first place I came to because I remember what Josh always says about learning bad technique and I wanted to start off right thanks Josh

[@DJANGELAJOneS]

Awesome instructor! I haven’t purchased my bass yet, but your videos has given me the courage to pursue this endeavor. Thank you for sharing.

[@BassBuzz]

You're welcome Derrick!

[@Zu89]

Thank you for this video. I've been playing guitar for years and juat bought my first bass. I really enjoy the plucking technique.

[@michaelanthony9068]

I love your videos. I wish I could find an intermediate plucking lesson to get me out of my plucking/string skipping rut. Thank you ! Keep ‘em coming.

[@blitzaqua2907]

My dude you have recently doubled my technique even though i played amateur bass for 4 years, thank you

[@emmlol725]

I just got my first bass today and your videos are soooooo helpful thank you I can't wait to keep learning more

[@BassBuzz]

You're welcome! Congrats on your bass.

[@pixel-hy4jx]

Congrats now your cermet will grow

[@emmlol725]

@@pixel-hy4jx yes

[@AaronClark-ep8vz]

perfect video!! I started with a 5 string because my uncle used to play bass and when he passed I got his basses and they were both 5 string. now I wish I bought a 4 string because now I can't play on a 4 for anything when its all that's available. and also it creates one less thing to focus on since you don't have that low B string. for those staring with a 5 string a good tip is practice moving ur thumb to the B string when you play the a to keep that b muted. this was An amazing video though thank you

[@adenaroach6265]

This was so much fun. Exactly taught the way I learn best. Excellent teacher.

[@uly1981]

You're a great teacher! just got my first bass (at 39, due to lockdown or midlife crisis?) and your videos are a great resource

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks! Congarts on your bass. :)

[@Darylrb1983]

Pretty much the same with me, bought mine last year to take a break from drummer, the covid happened and thought "welp no better time than now to learn something new"

[@Eric-dd8bk]

Here is me doing this on my electric guitar cuz I don't have a bass but I do record bass lines on a guitar and tune it all down an octave. You can actually get a decent bass tone if you add EQ and a bass amp sim. Oh and compression. Would love to have one soon though. If I can afford one. Always relaxing and soothing to visit these basics once in a while. Thank you and I love your blindfold bass comparison videos.

[@nickkapatais]

Not a bassist but came here out of curiosity. Mad respect for you guys.

[@sophiemcdoogal6691]

this was so incredibly helpful I learned another one bites the dust in only a few hours but I just couldn't get the portion of the song on the A string, and ive now realized I was plucking completely wrong, thanks you!!!

[@elizabethlarson9655]

I love how you use these very basic exercises to also let us beginners play some music. It is very encouraging and fun!

[@BassBuzz]

Glad you enjoyed it Elizabeth!

[@MrAmenefes]

Just bought a bass last weekend. So thankful for this channel. also, i have a way of remembering the strings notes but its kind of weird.

[@BassBuzz]

Congrats on your bass Pedro!

[@cafeine]

that hi tech special angle made all the difference for me as a beginner (2nd day)..thx!!

[@BassBuzz]

Welcome to the bass family!

[@ryoaev]

Hopefully your channel blows up soon coz it's great. Keep the good work

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Toby!

[@jenschristianroll3289]

agree!!!!

[@bassplayer8252]

This is probably the best beginner Bass channel, thanks man!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Cedrick!

[@DestroyIhosh]

Just got my bass yesterday, loving my new teacher

[@BassBuzz]

Congrats!

[@musicgeniusful]

You've inspired me to start learning guitar as from today. Quite a clear & precise tutorial.

[@northerngiant2915]

It’s interesting starting from this video and then checking out other beginner plucking videos. Others are clearly using thumb anchoring, and they pluck into the string above, but they either mention these things in passing, don’t mention them at all, or do some odd half measure where they explain part of what they’re doing. Long way of saying I’m really glad I saw your video first! Excellent work.

[@BassBuzz]

Ha, thanks!

[@renemejias2986]

My favorite bass teacher on the internets!

[@ChudLife]

Best part of the plucking technique he taught is that you are simultaneously learning how to mute the string you rest on. 1:37 I know a lot of bassists that still get this wrong. So if you're practicing this then you're already ahead of the game.

[@kinnusai4432]

I've been playing bass for 23 years but never had a lesson in my life. I suddenly got this weird thought today... "am I doing this wrong? Let's find a youtube video or something to find out". Turns out, yes I've been doing this wrong for over 2 decades. I feel like a total noob trying to get this really basic thing corrected now. Problem I'm having is that I mute the string I'm resting on and then immediately pluck it too when I pull the finger off again. Kinda disheartening to be honest.

[@ellieosteen]

When I have my thumb on the pickup for more than a couple of seconds, it starts to hurt. Am I doing something wrong or is that normal?

[@BassBuzz]

Sounds like you're just pressing too hard, happens to me too if I get too tense. Take some of the weight off your thumb with your arm muscles, that should help.

[@tdavis2257]

Thank you for such a great breakdown of this! Definitely helped with my playing. You're a great teacher!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Tricia!

[@Madel1ne444]

Imma buy a guitar bass soon! I didn’t find any teachers to teach me so imma use your videos! They seem to be very helpful!❤️

[@joelhughes5939]

Thanks

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks for the support Joel!

[@chickoyanin2559]

Great lesson. Thanks for his channel. BTW, what was the riff BassBuzz played at the very beginning of this video (0:00-0:06)? I liked it..

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Chicko! That riff at the beginning is just a made up thing in A minor. :)

[@zennor_man]

Just found your fine channel....just what I was looking for...really like your posts.....subbed!

[@joyalami_sp]

I’m getting a bass soon and I’m worried. This channel has encouraged me.

[@BassBuzz]

Don't worry, it's fun! :)

[@mOrgan3tt3]

I never comment on youtube but i want to tell you ty so much for you videos. My bf gift me a bass for christmax cause i always wanted To learn it. But its kinda hard alone, and play a long can be fast boring or hard to me. But thanks to you its less difficult to get it. Big thank you for your work, your tips and all you do. With peace from a noob Josh bassist. Ps: sorry if my english is not good, am French, so i hope you understand what i would have meant 🙂

[@BassBuzz]

Merci Morgane! Et je comprends parfaitment votre anglais! :)

[@oibal60]

I just signed up for your full course! IM IM IM

[@bigbombsbass]

Hey I love your videos! Seriously the tip about anchoring your thumb on your pickup has helped me so much especially with my wrist cramping up and all around just getting a cleaner sound, thank you

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Camilla, glad that helped!

[@shaquilleoatmeal8268]

Finally a real beginner video

[@locsei105]

Very nice teaching method, straight forward anyone can understand. You make us believe we can do this. :D Actually I am a drummer, but I always wanted to learn some bass and become more than just "the musicians best friend". If you know what I mean. :) Thanks for the great tutorials! Greetings from Hungary.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Attila!

[@glennrocky7403]

Thanks for this. This helps a lot. I am an absolute beginner on bass guitar. Your explanation is very clear and easy to understand. You are a good teacher! God bless!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Glenn!

[@DaneAdrianSmith]

i love that you give us time to play along

[@zinnprojectbig]

Thanks!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks for the support Scott! 🤘

[@mattdog1982]

I have played with a pick for years. This has changed everything

[@reiii.1757]

Omg Thank you, I'm having hard time plucking bass guitar because I'm out of sync and I want to pluck faster, thanks for this

[@-Starlight]

Hopefully i will learn something....i want to start play bass and i just find your channel...your channel is great: great conntent,animations and stuff.......i wish there will be more tutorials😉

[@BassBuzz]

There will be many more! :)

[@-Starlight]

BassBuzz can't wait to see it😉

[@thereaperdoesntknow9320]

Doopa Doopa dooo XD thanks so much for this dude, I've been Getting lectured for playing with my thumb instead of finger style and this is exactly what I needed

[@sfdjeo]

Love your videos, thanks much! Perfect for being stuck in the house! Any chance you can do a video about muting notes? I'm needing some tips on keeping the strings from ringing out after they're played. I know to use my fretting hand to mute them (or sometimes I use my plucking fingers), but any tips would be great!!!

[@burningbassist]

Definitely sending my friend to this video. You're a much better teacher than I am lol

[@ellericker2722]

This was a very discotastic beginner lesson. Thanks!!

[@lick1476]

had to come back to this video after all the blisters I've had on my right hand. thanks for the advice.

[@alexanderdeadmansche]

I find it really tough moving from one string to another while plucking like this. Love the vid btw very helpful

[@lanagaylechandler1948]

HA! I did not care for plucking because I was doing it wrong! Thanks for teaching me the right way! I like it!

[@BassBuzz]

Another disciple for the Church of Fingerstyle!

[@brad6952]

Yo! Thanks man your videos are the shit!! Dude you broke down the scale so sick man clicked immediately! Thanks man!

[@TheGodseye76]

Ha! LONG time guitar player learning NOT to play like a guitar player. Appreciate the lessons, man.

[@padiemusic]

What do you do when something like a 16th note messes it up? Should you start on you index or middle finger on the new bar?

[@BassBuzz]

It depends on context! It's a good idea to explore both options so that no matter what happens, you're prepared.

[@fernbeorn]

Just started bass less than a month ago and loving it! Your videos have helped me get off to a great start (played guitar for years just not bass). Even with well trimmed fingernails my pointer finger still hits the strings but other fingers don't have that problem. I really just don't have and 'finger' below the nail, but only on pointer finger. Any tips on techniques or even products to try? I thought I'd try a non plastic pick to try and not have such a bright tone at least.

[@BassBuzz]

Try plucking a little further towards the pad of your finger (further from the tip), or pull your wrist back a bit to change your hand angle. You should be able to find a way around that eventually!

[@FrankDeLalla]

My first bass lesson! Thanks man. I always pick my bass parts when I record, but Davie504 has made me feel so ashamed to use a pick, that I watched this video. I feel like a real beginner bass player now! :-)

[@zemanno]

And yet, he recently played with a pick. NOT EPICC!

[@FrankDeLalla]

Norbert is right.

[@stevehtml5490]

Frank D

[@baalrog887]

If it's good enough for David Ellefson it's good enough for me. (for real though I just think finger picking looks cooler)

[@FrankDeLalla]

@@baalrog887 👊😂

[@optiTHOMAS]

Like a lil dude walking along! 😅🤣😎👌🏻 good stuff, man! Interesting and helpful to follow!

[@sirmanbuns2726]

Thank you my bass made a vibrating noise and now i know why i kept making it go up not across so it just went up than back down and hit the neck this really helped alot

[@coltonpugh9669]

The intro riff caught me by surprise and now I can't stop playing around with it 😂 it's got somewhat of an Iron Maiden vibe to it.

[@oliscurra]

I would love to learn that intro of yours. Do you have a lesson on that?

[@needchange6388]

Absolute genius ! i will be subscribing soon !You have a gift for teaching and simplifying !

[@iloveturtles693]

About to get my weeks in a few weeks time! And i suck at trying to pluck so thanks so much for this video! This’ll really help me lots! All the mistakes you were trying to prevent us from doing was i was doing my whole life lol