How To Learn Songs On Bass: The Easiest, Fastest SYSTEM I Use To Memorize Songs With Minimal Effort

[@davidcork5776]

omg i am overwhelmed

[@unclemick-synths]

Persevere with it. Seeing songs as I-IV-V etc makes things a lot easier.

[@treylem3]

From the perspective of a guy learning bass in my basement, our vocalist sometimes wants to sing in other keys, this is extremely helpful. Very helpful overall

[@donreinholz8121]

This is a lot to comprehend for a beginner but it makes sense for learning the bass line after one has a better grasp of scales and what number each note is at in that scale. Great video.

[@hugueninhank4168]

you also have to have a great ear..

[@johnkimble6454]

Incredibly helpful! I came across a bass at a thrift store and am "self teaching" with your videos. Thank you!

[@thumplife792]

It's been two years. How did the learning go? I hope you're out there gigging and having a blast!

[@Bassist-Beneath]

@@thumplife7924 yrs now and still nothing…i think we can safely assume our friend here switched to guitar :(

[@erstwhilerambler]

I really enjoyed getting to watch you work through a song. That was cool. I agree with some of the others, though, that it’s a bit overwhelming for beginners. I don’t know how long it was before I learned this, but once I did it definitely made a huge difference.

[@phoarey]

Thanks Luke. Totally agree. I've akways learnt songs for bass this way over the last 12 years. I don't have the ability to pick the notes by ear but you can get a leg up on Songsterr and tab sources then express it as 1 b3 4 b6 foe example then practice it.

[@gonzachambi3937]

Thinking in numbers is the best system. Gives oneself much more confidence. Makes everything more practical and simple! Great John Meyer tune by the way, as a song and as an example.

[@mtp4430]

When I started playing years ago, I used to write the (root notes) chord symbols on a piece of paper as I was figuring the song out. Then one day, a friend of mine with some musical theory/education to his credit, told me about the number system, and it made a world of difference. Now I could play songs I had learned previously in numerous keys. I could pick up a gig with a band performing 50's music for instance, and they'd call out Teenager in Love in B. And since I knew it was a I VI IV V, I knew how to play it in B, even though I learned it in C because of the number system. I think this video will be very helpful for all those young players currently learning how to quickly learn songs. And the beauty is that it works on all types of music. You will get some chords borrowed from other keys, but you'll cross that bridge when you come to it.

[@nyobunknown6983]

Since I play by ear here's how I learn songs. I listen to the song 2 or 3 times and then play along. Very easy. Playing by ear also makes playing in different keys very easy. That said it took me years to develop that skill.

[@johnwhite5485]

Sounds good for years from now, but how did you go about developing that skill?

[@nyobunknown6983]

@@johnwhite5485 Learning songs by ear and practicing all the scales, modes and arpeggios. If you rely only on reading or Tabs, you may never learn to play by ear. What I did early on was listen carefully until I had the song memorized before I even picked up my bass.

[@johnwhite5485]

@@nyobunknown6983 Many thanks

[@eknight101]

I've been playing bass for several years and I actually learned the number system first because I play by ear. If a fellow musicians start calling out C over F to the A minor and back to the B flat...blah blah blah, I will look at him with utter confusion because my mind just doesn't work like that. I guess pointing out every single letter on the fretboard in .5 second is a weakness that I'm continuously having to work on. But for now, the number system will do.

[@MikeKobb]

Really well presented. Clear, well organized, and helpful. Looking forward to looking at some of your others. Also, gotta love a Spector. :-)

[@anthonyfeltner762]

Awesome explaination of the Nash Numb Sys, I really appreciated the reinforcement of learned experience. So much easier when you develop your natural ear. I have been playing for 40+ years, so the information was redundant, but great explanation anyways! Terrific job, keep thumping..

[@schm4704]

Well done! I like this kind of instruction that takes the fairy dust out of things and boils them down to, well, craftsmanship :-).

[@BecomeABassist]

Haha! Glad you like it Lap Joint. Thanks for checking it out.

[@treylem3]

Lap Joint Well said sir. My thoughts exactly. 'Fairy dust', lol, nice!

[@rickhenry1833]

Thank you for an interesting introduction to help in playing by ear. I got burnt out on tabs and have been playing by ear or watching other local & studio bands and picked up some really bad habits and hopefully your guide will help me get through this ! Love your Bass !

[@SentimentalApe]

I really like the idea of moving songs based on numbers since the shapes are the same everywhere. That seems efficient and helpful. I have two questions for you, Luke. 1) Is there a good method for getting started with picking notes out? I have a hard time figuring out what note I'm hearing, exactly. 2) Can you do a video for something in the progressive rock genre, like Porcupine Tree, Haken, Opeth, or Iron Maiden? Thanks. I love your videos and guide to the modes. You've helped invigorate my practice.

[@iknowyouarebutwhatami]

I use the same kind of technique on my mandolin when I'm blazing some bluegrass!!! Good stuff here!

[@chrislee633]

Hi I've been playing keys for years.Melody and rhythm come fast but harmony is slow so I've got into paying bass on keys.Your lessons are excellent,especially this one, I don't actually think in terms of numerals but I can sure feel the notes.I sing and play harmonicas,this will be my new left hand approach. As this is the root of any chords Im already feeling them in the right hand too. The last 2 days have been transformational.Many thanks,and all best wishes.

[@TraFalGarDLaW-rd4uy]

Thank you luke for this amazing bass lesson. You're video has given me direction for learning bass. 18:04

[@gowerdbrown]

This video was so helpful. You do such a great job at breaking down each song and making it fun to learn bass. I really loved your 5 Beginner Bass Line series. Keep up the great work!

[@BecomeABassist]

So glad it was helpful @Gower Brown and thanks for checking out some of the others too!

[@Bassic778]

Thank you for a very practical tutorial with a great demonstration!!!

[@obcmissions]

The 3 minor and 6 minor chords are relative minors of the 5 major and 1 major. The overall pattern hasn't changed, just the relative minors are substituted in the same order. Beautiful!

[@geofharris5546]

Great stuff Luke.. this of course leads to the Roman Numerals method (IV or iv) that indicates a major or minor chord.. Also good to see you're using 'Transcribe' software.. the best investment any interrogating musician could wish for - highly recommended and cheap! I couldn't do without it.

[@stevieffs]

Luke, this is a great video. I've been using the Nashville System for a few years and it revolutionized my playing. What you say about patterns is spot-on, too! Have you thought about encouraging people to do ear training? Thanks, buddy!

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks friend! I encourage all my students to improve their ear. It's one of the 3 biggest wins for any musician for sure. I've got a few videos in the pipeline that deal with ear training more directly coming out soon.

[@dokgu]

@@BecomeABassist got a rough estimate as to when?

[@OffTheDomeMediaGroup]

I'm late to this party. But, There are two key points to learning like this. 1. ear training. You have to be able to recognize the key signature of the song. 2. You have to look at the numbers as intervals also. ie.. the 4 is the 4th note in the major scale. But it's also the 4th to the root note of the song. When you train your ear, you'll start to hear the the intervals. You'll know what a 4th, 5th or an octave sounds like. In the song he's learning, he heard the C note and recognized the the other numbers or intervals due to his ear training as he said.. Awesome video.

[@WilliamMartinez-lm1sk]

Hello, well explained, great job, Thank you. 🎼🎶🎹🎵🎸.

[@jayvasquez841]

So helpful! Thank you. Are there a many tips you have to remember the chords within scales?

[@blueeyedsoulman]

This is great for generalized stuff but if you're looking to get in a tribute band, you need to get it perfect. Right down to tone and articulation. Since they're so big right now I thought I would mention it. Here in the states they are huge. I play in one.

[@fredspence1582]

Luke, I wholeheartedly agree with this approach. It is the difference between learning the notes of a song and learning the music. Can you recommend an approach to efficiently capturing this in useable charts? I use Guitar Pro for complete note by note transcription but this takes time.

[@bassforkids4504]

I never had much trouble learning songs by almost exact notes off my albums 35yrs ago.This system seems to take just about as long.I am quite familiar with the number system and it is good to know though.

[@dougarnold7955]

At 4:40 the A flat sounded way cooler...yes this is a great approach that I guess a lot of people don't think about. I've thought of it this way most my life because the notes are troublesome to work with, plus the numbers are the best way to break down or build chords or scales. Awesome lesson.

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks so much for checking out the lesson Doug - and you're totally right about numbers as they relate to chords and scales. It's an incredibly useful tool.

[@hozerino]

Subtitles: "Hey I'm Luke from Become A Bassist (...) We're going to listen first (...)" Subtitles after a while: [Learns song]

[@nickgivent3157]

Wow! I want to do that! But I'm still learning how to hear the notes using the advice you had about learning by ear! But eventually, I'd like to know the scale degrees like this! Awesome. I'll see what happens in year. ...of course, I am trying to learn metal songs, which are more intricate. We'll see. Lol

[@ReverendHellbilly]

I love that you did this.cheers

[@mkri1000]

Excellent video. Plain and simple. On to analyzing the next John Mayer song !

[@BecomeABassist]

Let's get to it!

[@juliomedina5976]

Thanks for new material for me.Hope to improve my performance with this Nasville number system. Good luck to you.

[@Kmaczzz]

Good video. Tx. What about key changes?

[@ryandirkse4374]

I love this channel!!!

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks so much @Ryan Dirkse. Glad you're into it!

[@midhlajpm2164]

Very simple for beginners 👋

[@jeffbobila]

What program or app are you using here? I like the format! Looks like a perfect tool to learn songs! Looks like it's called (Transcribe!)

[@treylem3]

EXCELLENT tutorial and system of learning. EXCELLENT. Thank you

[@jed_shred_guitars]

So helpful!

[@tonysimmons5729]

I guess I have always done this because about the first tune I learned was in Cmaj and started with a Dm7, then a G7, and then a Cmaj7 so the guitarist buddy I was being mentored by said this was a 2-5-1 chord progression in Cmaj. And I have used it ever since.. That was in about 1980. I believe the tune was from Steely Dan and it was not complex, which I would find out later made that like, the ONLY easy Steely Dan tune ever.. might have been Do It Again.. 🤷‍♂️

[@swimminginthestars_]

we’re trying to learn still into you in my class band but it was super last minute and the drummer asked me if i could learn by ear and the shame i felt saying i couldn’t o+< i just started playing a few months ago and i like to think i’m learning pretty fast but i fr was so humbled.

[@bassomatic6055]

While I generally agree the Nashville Number System is great, I think you glossed over a few points. 1. Your ear has to be solid enough to figure out the key. 2. You need to be comfortable with intervals and those patterns on the bass so as to transpose to other keys. 3. You didn’t discuss how you would chart that song to take into account the subtle variance. 4. No discussion of how to handle riffs, etc. Don't get me wrong I loved the material, i just think there's lots more to consider before you can make statements about how much time can be saved.

[@brucesmith9144]

This is nice for the chordal structure of the song, but as a bass player, the rythym is paramount. What are your recommendations for learning rythym in songs?

[@BecomeABassist]

Good question Bruce! There are lots of different ways to approach it. Bass lines can fairly predictable in their rhythm, and if they're just following the kick drum pattern, that's a good place to start. In the song I learned in the video, I was kind of following a half note, 2 8th notes, and then anticipating on to the next chord type of pattern. Some bass lines are just one rhythm the whole way through - think nearly any AC/DC bass line or a 'four on the floor' kind of line. There are also lots of rhythmic figures that come up a lot in bass lines. I'll be putting out a lesson about those in the new year sometime. It can also work to double another line in the song, although you have to be careful with this. Not every cool lick is going to work and sound good when it's transferred to the bass.

[@leomadou4663]

You just made my practising so much easyer. Thank you for making this Video.

[@neiljohnsemaning6227]

Dude this is freakin' game changing for me thanks

[@Havanacuba1985]

Transcribe is the app

[@GazAce]

Interesting system Luke & thanks for posting this. I'm trying to learn the bass parts to Al Di Meola's "Race with the Devil on a Spanish Highway" & it's doin my head in lol. I've got most of it but it's the initial quick riffs that are quite a challenge. Not sure if this number system will help. Check it out if you can spare some time, it's an incredible piece of music & worth breaking down. Thanks again 🎸👍🎵

[@ivanguiscafre]

thanks, usefull video bro!

[@DanielLizzama]

You are a master Luke.

[@n00dyl69]

this video made me subscribe to your channel..thanks man

[@pastorsharonjackson9530]

Thank you so much am trying to watch you on my phone and its hard to see where you are putting your fingers when you do the one two three can you please show your fingers more and say this is one like for instance 1st string 2nd fret like that

[@jamesdenny4734]

not simple at all

[@Amjad-bader98]

Agreed

[@peedot39]

Before I clicked I knew it was too good to be true

[@marinuskroon252]

Hello Luke I like youre lessons. Can you tell me wich type or modell youre Spector bass is?

[@BecomeABassist]

In this video, it's a Spector Euro LX

[@oldleatherstocking3185]

Great video!

[@BecomeABassist]

Cheers friend!

[@MelianResurrection]

Any website that gives you the numbers without having to figure it out or can convert the regular to the number system?

[@brianmorrison9937]

I'm assuming the website is down? I can't get through. I would like to learn this way.

[@DanielLizzama]

Happy New Year Luke!

[@Agogo57]

I'm thinking you said the key of C, but I could have missed it, but Thanks so much.

[@BecomeABassist]

Like I said in my other comment reply, I do say the key of the song @Agogo57 - at the 6:49 mark. Perhaps you missed it the first time around

[@alberthodenyjoseph6260]

What music software is that? I need one where I can slow down a song

[@lowe3103]

Great info. Really easy to understand. Have a question. What program is that your using to play the song?

[@BecomeABassist]

It's a program called Transcribe. You can check it out for free here: bit.ly/2GQb8dT

[@MattTheLizard]

Any tips on doing this in a LIVE setting?

[@BecomeABassist]

Doing it live is definitely trickier @MattTheLizard, but still possible. Longer term, getting better and better at the process in this video will make it a lot quicker naturally, but a shorter-term workaround would be trying to look at either the guitarist's chord shapes or the keys players' left hand. Depending on the style of music, both of these things may be more useful ('cowboy' chord shapes in country music) or less useful ('shell' voicings in jazz where neither instrument will play the root). In case you need it, I have a video on the most common 'cowboy' guitar chords in this lesson: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWOXZ5udestrfJY Something _else_ that can be really helpful with internalizing how each of the different chords in a key 'feels' is to learn to sing the notes of all the chords within a key. For example, if you were to sing even the most basic version of the exercise in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4GQXp-PaN2qqrc it would likely help a ton.

[@MattTheLizard]

@BecomeABassist Wow, thank you for your time on this in depth answer.

[@benjisandk]

Such a cool system, Luke! How would you write down these songs? Just note the original key and then write down the numbers in the verse, chorus etc?

[@BecomeABassist]

Exactly @Benjamin Pedersen - Some people just write out regular numbers, while others prefer Roman numerals.

[@benjisandk]

Luke from Become A Bassist Cool! Thank you! 👍🏻

[@9thchild358]

My problem is, despite being able to whistle and sing pretty well, I have absolutely no ability to play by ear. When you start calling out the keys and key changes around the 8 minute mark I got completely lost.

[@sashalaney7608]

You can try memorizing the notes on the e string. Then you'll know how far to move over the whole key structure that Luke elaborates upon in this video.

[@tjp1451]

You can learn that, it just takes some practice. And there are some tricks. A LOT of the time...not always of course but a lot of the time...a chord progression will move up by a 4th. In the I-IV-ii-V progression, there are a total of 4 chord changes, including the turnaround from V to I, going back to the beginning of the progression: I - IV IV - ii ii - V V - I 3 of these 4 changes are moving by going up a 4th: I - IV (in the key of A that is A to D), ii - V (Bm to E), and V - I (E to A). (Note that using roman numerals like that is also helpful because if they are upper case, it signifies a major chord, and if lower case, a minor chord. So again using the key of A, chord ii tells you two things...it's the second note of the scale (B) and it's lower case, so minor = B minor. If you're in the key of C major, chord ii is D minor.) This is why the bass guitar strings are tuned in 4ths - E, A, D, G. Those are all 4ths. So a lot of the time, all you need to do is move up a string on the same fret. B to E is 2nd fret of the A string to 2nd fret of the D string, etc. And note also that going up a 4th is the same as going down a 5th. i.e. Going up a 4th from A lands you on D: A-B-C-D. Going down a 5th from A also lands you on a D: A-G-F-E-D. If you get stuck on which chord to play next in a progression, try going up a 4th (or down a 5th). One ear-training trick you might try is to find melodies that you know very well which contain various intervals, and remember those associations. For example, the first two notes of the Star Wars main theme is up a 5th. If you hear two notes played that sound like the first two notes of Star Wars, you know it's a 5th. Up a major 6th is the first two notes of My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean. Up a 4th is Here Comes the Bride. Up a minor 3rd is O Canada (I'm Canadian so yeah...). Down a minor third is like the school-yard teasing nyah-nyah if you know what I mean. And so on. Those are what I use, but there are lots of examples. Eg. if you don't like Here Comes the Bride for a 4th, try O Christmas tree. Anyway, hope that helps a bit and good luck!

[@nelsondavis1122]

You just need to take it slower or move to much simpler songs. i usually start my student on a few nursery rhymes (i know it sound a little ridiculous but most are really simple), and then move on to songs they will like to play. Start simple and listen to lost of songs!!!

[@ProMediaLLC]

I looked at your pdf file "The Ultimate Guide to the Modes for Bass" and now I'm more confused than before.

[@BecomeABassist]

Did you have questions Brian? If so, just email me and we can sort them out together

[@gman4real17]

What are you...Rain Man? Sorry, my brain doesn’t work that way. Good video though.

[@pranavjohn2571]

How did you know which number to play

[@aka_risky9021]

yeh that's what i wanna know

[@obcmissions]

Just put the numbers to the chords you have as he explained. Then when you know the key or the root of the song, then you apply the same numbers to the new key. It is a bit advanced, but it does work.

[@nickgivent3157]

Using the scale. Listening for how many scale degrees it changed.. do, re, mi fa so la to do... From do to fa, for example. See?- he numbered the scale degrees: do is 1, re is 2, and so on. Practice your scale! 🤘

[@Mike_LaFontaine75]

So, once you learn sight singing intervals its the easiest fastest system. I also wonder about minor keys.

[@congerscott6064]

Tabs for me, it seems that is the only way i can learn a song.

[@robertowharton5737]

What kind of software do you use to fast forward and rewind the tunes?

[@barrybass8434]

Luke, What is the computer app that you use in your videos to listen to and dissect songs?

[@BecomeABassist]

It’s a program called Transcribe, made by a company called Seventh String. It’s a great program - I use it all the time and recommend it highly.

[@mjrmandor1136]

What kind of bass is that? looks cool

[@ludwigfan3013]

It could be a Warwick. That would be my guess

[@alecv8249]

The whole process is fine, but given a song, how do you know what scale to use? You could have C maj, as D dorian, E phrygian, etc... How do you perfectly know the key? I fear this process works for very very simple songs... But I am not sating it isn't useful!

[@victorleyian5689]

How do you that this is a 5 or 2 or 1 when the song is playing

[@dguyiop8]

Experience

[@BrunoNeureiter]

Training

[@ronaskew]

No difference between NNS and roman numeral system. With RN you have upper/lower case for major/minor.

[@daan.v4556]

what software is that looks useful to learn songs?

[@Agogo57]

The number system you are teaching is great but without knowing what key the songs are in I can't use the numbers.

[@BecomeABassist]

I have a few lessons on how to do find the key of a song @Agogo57. I'd recommend starting with this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqWVY5h_n954mMU

[@alexanderringsby]

It works for learning simple songs, try this method with something like dream theaterr, it wont work with memorizing 70 chord progressions for one song...

[@SentimentalApe]

It still works, it's just not easy because they do so much in almost every song.

[@estebanarielromero3207]

de quien es esa cancion?? como se llama ese estilo? me gusta.

[@ishmael_03]

I'm pretty good with getting the notes by ear but I don't know cords or notes. What is the right way to learning those 2 things?

[@captbss]

Can you do this with an iron maiden song. Because that song is weak

[@BecomeABassist]

Absolutely - you can do it with any song. The point isn't the song you use, but the process.

[@Generalbas1972]

IMPORTANT NOTE: this method ONLY works for songs where the bass just have to play (yawn) root notes. If there is a specific bassline that needs to be played this won't work.

[@BecomeABassist]

Thanks for the comment friend, but you can still use the number system for learning specific bass lines. You’d just have to convert the notes of the line into numbers. Once you get the hang of it, it’s super simple. P.S. What’s wrong with root notes? Lol

[@Generalbas1972]

@@BecomeABassist haha there is nothing wrong with root notes - for some songs for others it's doesn't really add anything to the song. And i meant that if you are a beginner i wouldn't advise using this method when trying to learn basslines or riffs for that matter and i feel that this video is mostly aimed at beginners who haven't had a ton of experience in playing gigs and such. Btw a little fun note in the 2nd verse when it went to 3-6 before the chorus i called that before it happend lol

[@user-hy4cn2rs9u]

@@Generalbas1972 but knowing that each number has a tendency towards a certain chord type depending on the key/mode, 'just' knowing the root notes actually lets you understand the harmonic structure and figure out the rest of the notes. For example, if you're in C and someone calls a 5, you can probably bet there's a B and a D in that chord, and maybe even an F. It's not just which note the root note is.

[@Generalbas1972]

@@user-hy4cn2rs9u to be honest it's been 5 months since i watched this video and i don't remember anything about what the "system" is, so as much as i would love to understand your comment and debate with you about it. I can't cause i have no clue what your comment is about (or mine for that matter). But i'll just say you're right :)

[@longsnapper5381]

This is a pretty advanced way of learning songs LOL. I'd rather memorize from sheet music or tabs.

[@BecomeABassist]

That's fair. What do you do if you can't find tabs or sheet music though?

[@longsnapper5381]

@@BecomeABassist Hopefully find covers on KZbin. Songsterr has 99% of what we play. Understand, I'm not discharging your method but for me to sit at the computer and say "That's a 'C' and then he goes to a 5' is just not happening.

[@BecomeABassist]

That's interesting @Longsnapper 53 and I totally understand. It's probably a lot easier and convenient for you to use tabs/covers/Songsterr - no question about it. I'm curious though - had you ever tried to figure something out by ear? And if so, how did it go? And if not, would you ever give it a try?

[@longsnapper5381]

@@BecomeABassist I wish I could, Luke. I'm 60 years old and have been playing for 3 years.My band plays strictly covers and we have not run into a situation where we can't find enough info to play a song.The internet is a wonderful resource for musicians.

[@gregdziadurski7876]

Longsnapper 53, It all depends on what you want to do with your instrument and how far you want to take your musicianship. If all you want to do is to play other people's songs and solos, then you memorize tabs and learn other people's songs from youtube. If you, however, want to write your own music, improvise, or communicate with other musicians during a performance, you need to develop your ear. And there is no better way to start than figuring out songs and solos by ear. Tabs, youtube tutorials, etc. are nothing more than crutches. The earlier you chuck them, the better, cheers

[@earldean2799]

I found your video helpful but a bass does not have a b flat minor chord it's just a b flat the minors are for guitars although, if your using scales then that's where you could go into a b flat minor

[@BecomeABassist]

I'm not sure what you mean by the phrase "a bass does not have a b flat minor chord" @earldean2799. If you play a Bb, Db and an F on your bass, then you've played a Bb minor chord.

[@michelledaley55]

Progression for that song.

[@cornesmith]

I see in the comments, to most players this is totally confusing playing like this, because musicians have learnt to think in terms of chords and not scale degrees. But once you figure this out and practice playing all your songs in this way then everything becomes a breeze. I've been able to teach myself to play with the chord degrees (number system) with piano and guitar. Even my tabs for songs only have numbers on top of them instead of chords. I also only think in terms of scale degrees while playing a song. And on guitar this makes playing any song stupidly simple if you use a capo and you translate your chords to numbers. Because your chord sequence stays the same irrespective what key you are in.

[@chadlpnemt]

Well, this is a good idea, but I'd still be fishing for the notes. 1, 4,2,5 means nothing if I don't know what the notes are when I hear them. To listen to a song just go, that's a 4, that's a 6, that's a 3....I can't do that. I can find the roots and start fishing around the scale and then number it, but that's not what you're teaching here, so it's me just fishing for the notes as usual. Maybe one day I'll get it but...

[@adhdgaming5729]

Does this only work for major keys?

[@BecomeABassist]

No - you can absolutely convert the system to work for minor keys as well. Some people prefer to think of the minor as the '1-chord', but a lot of people still kind of convert everything to a major key in their minds. Whatever works for you is good!

[@Hellion73]

Read that the first thing to learn any song it's to discover the root/base notes on bass, as you said, then how the song is constructed, but the worst part, for me at least, it's to discover the fills and memorize the whole thing. Memory isn't the same after a while 😂😡. Besides, many players doesn't follow "theory" on their playing, to exemplified, you can come up with some from AC/DC, but things like Yes are a pita 😱

[@BecomeABassist]

Hey Oskar - if memorizing the exact bass line note for note is giving you troubles, try just learning the big picture stuff. When I was learning the song in the video, I wasn't paying attention to the tiniest details, like the fills and everything like that. I was just trying to play the line in a very functional way. Very few people are going to notice if the bass line isn't 100% like the original recording, unless of course, you're doing a tribute (where that's kind of the point) or there's a bass fill that's crucial to the song, but those are very rare.

[@Hellion73]

@@BecomeABassist Hey man, yeah, you are right, but sometimes i tend to be very "compulsive" about the melodies behind the main lines 😁. And about the memory issue is, that when i was younger, i learned by hearing whole songs, but now at 45, it's a little bit hard, don't know why 🤔. But, as you said, we didn't had the resourses like you chanel, back in the day, which is awesome. Thank you for that 👍

[@SDRockman]

Does this guide only talk about modes? Does it not teach anything more about theory other than just modes? I want to come up with my own music so I need to know theory, but people will need to know more than just modes.

[@dmtproduktionen5500]

Modes are the fastest way of making bass lined. I find them more useful than chord tones.

[@unclemick-synths]

Rockman. You don't need to know theory to compose your own music. Make up tunes and then make up stuff that sounds good with them. Theory just helps you understand what you/others did a bit better.

[@markdooley2715]

Get the song on utube then slow the speed down on your settings,simple

[@Agogo57]

First in order to use the number system you should have to us what key the song was in first.

[@BecomeABassist]

I do say the key of the song @Agogo57 - at the 6:49 mark. Perhaps you missed it the first time around.

[@gingerbread-woman]

And what about learning walking bass lines? 😅

[@BecomeABassist]

You can apply the exact same process. Jazz musicians will pretty universally talk about things in terms of the number system, although if you had any specific questions about it, I’d be happy to help you out.

[@gingerbread-woman]

@@BecomeABassist In a walking bass line there can be a lot of variation and it can become somewhat arbitrary, even if there are sections and the chords are repeated. This makes it difficult to learn.

[@BecomeABassist]

@gingerbread-woman - Are you talking about learning specific walking bass lines? As in - transcribing the notes 1-by-1 as they appear on a recording? If so, that's not what this video is about; it's about learning the _songs_ and the structure behind them, which you can absolutely do if you're wanting to play songs that use walking bass. If you're talking about transcribing specific walking lines, then that's a different story, and in that case, I'd recommend these videos as a starting point: This video goes over the transcription process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXi7npWcjJKhhaM And this one will show you how to apply that to bass lines: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGfdp5mijpyNbZI And if you want to create your own walking lines instead of transcribing them from recordings, this is a good place to start: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f57WqKChg5KslcU

[@bassdaze]

so if internet was out when you were 16 what are you like 5 now?😁... at least you found your passion early in life ole whipper snapper

[@marlonnuevas5735]

Finding notes by ear?

[@BecomeABassist]

I have a lesson on that exact thing right here Marlon: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWPddYJofrmgrNU

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

Very useful formula, indeed. But a very, very boring formula as well, hehe. Unfortunately ubiquitous today. Ohh the boring masses and their boring formula. 🤣 Regardless, thanks so much for demonstrating this!!

[@frostriver4547]

This is the best way to learn an easy progression. Works great, until you’re trying to duplicate John Paul Jones lines 😬

[@dougarnold7955]

I think the thrust of his point was to learn 65 songs in five days and improvise lines and so on but of course if your trying to nail the exact moves of what your covering it would require a lot of intense study. (and in that case a lot of times tabs are inaccurate to what the artist is really doing. Tabs are often an approximation and I found it frustrating over the years trying to learn my favorite songs and artists approach with them.)

[@frostriver4547]

Doug Arnold I totally agree with everything you’re saying. I have found that Songsterr is pretty accurate if you can handle the electronica if it all

[@BecomeABassist]

@Frost River - you can convert individual notes into numbers as well. It doesn't just have to be chords. For example, the main riff in Dazed And Confused could be converted into: 1 - flat 3(up the octave) - 2 - b2 - High 1 - Low 1 - 7 - natural 6 - flat 6 - 5.

[@frostriver4547]

Luke from Become A Bassist absolutely, and I’ve been known to use a capo on my 5 string to move keys before. I play in a cover band that tries to play as per studio, or some designated live recording. It’s more the classic fills that are hard to “find”. For audience appreciation some lines need duplication rather that interpretation, like The Song Remains the Same, and The Ocean. And, yes, even with a half step down, numbers work if retuning isn’t an option. It’s all positional. So once the starting point is established, the progressions or lines are relative to that. Thanks for your reply and your well communicated lessons!

[@JonnyBass1981]

Chromatic approach to chord tones

[@toksick3597]

No entendi como hacerlo por que lo explica muy rapido

[@ZLink0692]

This would be helpful if I knew the note names and not just the string and frets

[@BecomeABassist]

Hey friend - if you need help with all that stuff, I have some videos that I think will be helpful. becomeabassist.com/learn-your-bass-fretboard-the-musical-matrix/ becomeabassist.com/learn-your-bass-fretboard-all-of-your-notes/ becomeabassist.com/4-ways-to-learn-your-bass-fretboard-faster/ They're all about learning the fretboard as well as the logic and structure behind music as a whole. If you have any questions about them, just let me know. I'd be happy to help.

[@climbedashorerockband]

🤙🔥👹