How To Use Ghost Notes On Bass [6 'Levels']

►► FREE: Get the tabs, notation and practice track for all 6 levels of ghost notes that I talk about in this lesson → becomeabassist.com/ghost-note...
Ghost notes on bass can propel a groove forward like almost nothing else.
Whether you’re playing anything from hard rock to smooth walking bass lines, ghost notes are an incredible way to propel a groove forward - and they just sound cool!
They can add a ton of rhythm, they can make your bass line stand out a bit more - they can literally take a bass line to the next level when you use them the right way.
And that’s exactly what you’ll learn in today’s video. Specifically, I’ll show you:
→ Two ways to play ghost notes (and how it’s best to combine them)
→ The ‘harmonic’ problem that ghost notes create (and how to fix it)
→ Six different ‘levels’ of a bass line that uses ghost notes
And of course, Arnie makes his most egregious cameo to date in this video.
As far as how much you use ghost notes, that’s entirely up to you. You might get to the 3rd or 4th level and say, “That’s enough ghost notes for me. Any more is too much!”
You might be the opposite! You get to Level 6 and say, “That’s it? Let’s keep going all the way to Level 42!”
Like I say in the video, that’s all a matter of personal preference and taste. What’s too much for you may not be enough for someone else and vice versa.
In either case, using ghost notes on bass to propel just about any groove forward can make any song feel amazing.
Good luck with the lesson and happy playing!
Cheers,
Luke
P.S. Make sure to grab the tabs, notation and practice track from this video to start mastering your own ghost notes. Get it all free here:
becomeabassist.com/ghost-note...

[@KeithCollyer]

The beginning of Pink Floyd's Time - the fast tick-tock - that everyone thinks is played on percussion, is actually heavily muted bass

[@BecomeABassist]

Woah - I didn't actually know that. Very cool!

[@blackromulan]

This has been the most instructive intro to ghost noting I've come across yet, Luke, thanks! Really can't wait to start practicing this piece and incorporating your tips... cheers!

[@lupevasquez5119]

Love this lesson! I can't wait to start work on this!

[@Xianpaul0523]

Its fun to use ghost notes at the snare part.

[@alecv8249]

Very nice video, as always!

[@jdb123ize]

The is awesome Luke. I been wanting to learn this style. I’m still haven’t difficulty, need more

[@yisa3615]

Learned ghost notes with give it away honestly it just makes the line so funky

[@BecomeABassist]

Absolutely!

[@jackie_treehorn2736]

Thanks, best explanation I have found :)

[@TwistTornado9]

I’m learning this to learn Roundabout by Yes haha

[@bulanoid6973]

Same

[@DMWoodworking]

Nice one. Thanks.

[@baddidoddy]

Luke is my go-to. Thanks for your content guys!!!! It’s saved me at least $3000 in lessons for fax.

[@davidhull6332]

Even your dog recognizes that a great bass ! Looks & Tone, 😀

[@k_b_s_keyz]

Love it!!!!!!!!

[@paulsc4689]

The dog made me like this guy so much more

[@BecomeABassist]

He makes me like me better too!

[@susanndiaye2180]

Love you dog ❤ he's very cute 🤗 also love you teaching 😅

[@bazmole]

Luke bringing the funk! Nice

[@maxiakra]

The level 6 is so catchy :D

[@michelleinwi6919]

Nice way to see the difference with and without. Also - hi Arnie ;)

[@danilo.raposo]

Esse Baixo é bonito demais..

[@camf8372]

For me, and I guess this is because I'm a guitar player, it's easier to really land those ghost notes with a pick a lot like that palm mute/chucking rhythm you hear acoustic players like Jack Johnson do. Again, that's just me

[@peterbarratt2415]

Nice one Luke.

[@BecomeABassist]

Cheers @Peter Barratt - glad you liked it!

[@amazingict1]

So useful... I didn’t know what a ghost note was so now can try it. Only been playing for 8 months so loads to learn. Thanks Luke from the UK.

[@thomasfioriglio]

Hi Arnie! I find these easier to do when playing with a pick

[@BecomeABassist]

Totally - especially if you come from a guitar background, playing ghost notes with a pick can feel a lot easier

[@WhoCares_Official]

Illegal

[@WoutervanTiel]

become a better bearded bassist. yeah! great lesson

[@BecomeABassist]

Haha! I'm going for the epic isolation beard!

[@jeredalmeida1880]

What a beautiful Spector! Fight ya for it. 😜

[@BecomeABassist]

Bahaha! Deal.

[@jeredalmeida1880]

@@BecomeABassist Cheers, mate!

[@surge-tech9381]

I practice for so weeks and I still can't do ghost notes. Starting to get frustrating.

[@bk3328]

I hope you are keeping at it. As long as you keep practicing you can assure yourself that you are never going to sound this bad again! I am trying not to get frustrated learning barre chords on guitar. I have to be patient and really celebrate the baby steps.

[@surge-tech9381]

@@bk3328 thanks. Preciate it

[@Afobeats]

@@surge-tech9381 update?

[@Whitewolffire10]

funny that this video comes out now because i just learned how to play my name is mud by primus which goes beyond ghost notes and it's so muted that it basically becomes percussion

[@jeredalmeida1880]

Look up Tom Jenkinson (Squarepusher). His technique utilizes ghost notes in the most elegant way.

[@steveachelis]

At the beginning of this video you say ghost notes can be percussive only (without a tone) or very short notes. I sometimes see the former described as "dead" notes (no tone) and the latter described as "ghost" notes (a tone that is quickly muted). Is the common terminology? Is the tab notation the same for both? It seems like an "x" on the tab has to be a dead note (by this terminology) because you otherwise wouldn't know which note to abbreviate.

[@BoppinParty]

On forums, I hear ghost notes mentioned with many other concepts. I'm confused. Is it optional notes, shortening notes, damping notes, or muting/scratching?

[@alephn3utr013]

not optional, but they help you develop your style. it is a very good technique. Play it. Play it now!

[@febinlawrence5589]

How we notate it ?

[@MAVIEGUITARS]

4:25, I found it extremely difficult to mute the notes while playing fast, say an 8th or 16th notes without sounding like harmonic. Case in point, Hotel California.

[@suevanetten9390]

Is there any difference if you palm mute them? (If you are a pick player)

[@grahamf695]

I think James Jamerson used to do that. Listen to some Marvin Gaye tracks such as What’s Going On?

[@azaleafbsb1793]

Puppyyyyyyy

[@rottingsexsymbol]

So when the notes say 1x it’s a ghost note on the first fret but what does it mean when it’s just x? Do you just play any random note?

[@overlandart3731]

Do a dead note

[@kristofermccormack6]

Please repeat the lesson, I was admiring the doggo 😢

[@wilfredomendez3450]

What happened to the other dog? just curious, nice tutorial by the way and thanks for sharing

[@BecomeABassist]

Which 'other' dog are you thinking of @wilfredomendez3450? Arnie is the only pup that's ever been in any of my videos.

[@jamessteinhagen4969]

Doggo!

[@marshwetland3808]

Maybe no ghost notes in Bach cello suite, eh? Thanks, Luke.

[@BecomeABassist]

Just the ghost of J.S. Bach himself @marshwetlan3808 lol

[@Aegianlulz]

Those ghost notes are 2spooky4me

[@Whitewolffire10]

spooky

[@BecomeABassist]

Such spooky - many scares

[@thomasfioriglio]

LOL, I slowed the video down to 50% just to get the notes down, and Luke sounds drunk. 😂

[@BecomeABassist]

I might be...haha

[@ErixSamson]

Come on, Luke... come over!

[@BecomeABassist]

As fast as I can!

[@rangerraph2578]

Hello

[@BecomeABassist]

Hey

[@marceli155]

bla bla bla bla bla bla !!!!!👎👎👎👎

[@BecomeABassist]

Ditto