The Top 7 BASS TECHNIQUE FAILS (and how to fix them)

[@demonpigs4]

Thanks for making me insecure about my everything on Bass. You're great keep it up.

[@aquilesbailo1547]

so gay!

[@arando4359]

Aquiles Bailo um, ok

[@arando4359]

Aquiles Bailo ?

[@takeonemusic5537]

all us bass players NEED to feel insecure sometimes, cos thats one element that can push us to be a better players

[@tonyanderson4242]

Oh? Have you been introduced to Glenn Fricker, yet? (LOL)

[@blacklotus5364]

Been playing bass for 11 years (guitar for 16), self taught, and I do every single one of these. At least I know what to work on now.... everything! haha

[@blholt10]

Same 😭🚶

[@maxwelledison9954]

How the fuck did you not notice there was something wrong

[@ronguy4420]

Maxwell Edison because I got very comfortable with it and it wasn’t a problem. Self taught here also.... Been there, done that.

[@sardinecakes8977]

@@maxwelledison9954 jeez bro the anger

[@jessesparks7424]

I'm a little similar to you in being a self taught bassist, but for a couple of years longer, and also came from guitar. I'm actually quite pleased to say that I don't do any of these currently. I know I'm bassically bragging, but I'm feeling pretty good about it right now. I could improve my dynamics some, that can always be better. It wasn't always like this. I was typically a 1 and 3 guy when fretting, but realized I could cover better ground by using the box style he spoke of. I just didn't know it had a name.

[@gidikalchhauser]

As a bass teacher myself I'd like to add a few to the list (guess you left 'em out cause you can only fit so many): - bent wrist (fretting hand) - bass hanging too low - not being prepared to use rakes whenever possible - fretting way too hard - applying to much pressure with the thumb of the fretting hand - lifting the plucking fingers too far off the strings - the "violin fretting hand" - not muting with the plucking fingers - pressing too hard while sliding - looking at the fretting finger while sliding instead of looking at the target fret - tensing up, pulling up the shoulders, bending the neck forward - ... Boy, I could go on and on :D excellent video!

[@fela001]

i dont understand point number three..

[@kingslaphappy1533]

fena hauhnar He means if you are playing a fast line that goes from a higher string to the next lower string or strings, you use the same plucking finger and just bring it down onto the lower string ( not alternating your plucking finger) so that it “ rakes” across the string in a downward fashion. Lets you play faster descending lines. Heres Scott explaining it better than me 😀 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3-kinycfrmaptk

[@fela001]

@@kingslaphappy1533 aaah, it's what i've always been doing!!!!! damn.. i've always thought of it as a noob-cheat of my own

[@JaMeshuggah]

What's "violin fretting hand"?

[@rileygoodenough5000]

Most of these sound like personal preference and not what's best for everyone. IMO. Not trying to offend

[@matthewshimek]

Time Stamps for the Video! 1:46 Flying Fingers [exercise] 4:22 See-Saw [exercise] 6:35 4-Finger Per Fret [different style] 8:05 Crap Muting [different styles] 10:56 No Dynamics [exercise] 11:50 Inverted Wrist [full] 13:14 Not using Hammer-ons and Pull-offs (and slides) [full] [Exercise] = Time stamp for the exercise [Different style(s)] = Different style for the session [Full] = Full session

[@Jo-si3ot]

ザヒーローマシュー The Hero Matthew thanks bro! Your Awesome!

[@wallacewinston3627]

Username checks out.

[@josephinecaruana3847]

Lovely video Scott Love watching you My thing I need to get better with is hammer on and pull offs there is not much sound when I do them I do have tiny hands

[@animorphtoto]

As a bass player for years I never realized how much flying fingers was holding me back, thanks for the tips!

[@timmoen1083]

“Flying Fingers” is my middle name, also “crap muting, “see-saw”....I have a lot of middle names

[@MrJeawa]

Yes same here

[@Rinneganlean]

Same

[@sarahkorver2439]

Lol same here

[@antibiotic3024]

@Robin G yeah we all are the same we all be the best

[@TheActualCaveman]

Good ole Tim "crap muting" Moen.

[@stereoroid]

#7 is something I find really important. One of my earliest influences was Geddy Lee, and his playing is chock full of such little details that elevate his basslines: ghost notes, grace notes, little slides and so on. I've seen some KZbin Rush covers where the player manages to leave all those out and play every note flat, and I want to cry ..!

[@Kylora2112]

Yeah, in a genre like rock and metal where expression is a HUGE part of sounding "good," knowing when to embellish your playing with grace notes and legato stuff (this is coming from a guitarist) makes you sound really dull and boring. Bends, vibrato, HOPOs, staccato...all of them are ways to elevate your playing.

[@guitarworks2546]

just an observation....not sure whether or not "Tablature" has benefited a lot of players ...the best players I know sit down with the instrument and LISTEN to what they are playing, and learn subtleties from other playes by ear and reproduce the noises they hear by trial and error...thus learning how to get the same results with their hands and fingers. I find it amusing when I hear players Like Billy Sheehan discuss his knowledge of 'theory" of playing...it goes something like this: " i can't tell you what I do...I'm just the guy who does it. I'm the one playing the stuff and I leave it up to someone else who knows about this stuff to analyze it and write it down....I can show you...but don't ask me what it is on any technical level...I have no idea." you have to invent your own way of playing....sure it helps a LOT to have someone show you where you might be developing "bad' habits so that you take a straighter path to better technique, but I would venture to guess that some of the most innovative and influential players had very few if any official "lessons". You tube is different....it has such a great variety of instructional material covering anything you can think of, so you are less likely to adopt some single instructors' idea of what is the "right way" to approach an instrument and you get to see someone explaining note for note (not always exactly perfect...) ways of how to play something. so keep up the good work...your input is very likely helpful to those who have lesser 'ear" skills and haven't yet figured out some of these methods on their own.

[@josephdrach2276]

@@guitarworks2546 - That being said,Scott is mentioning some things that fall under ease of motion and economy of motion.Is it really possible to move with ease if one grabs the neck like a wrench and keeps the pressure on while shifting?No it isn't and you can try it and see for yourself.Holding it more like he suggests and not putting way too much pressure on the strings allows for easy slides that sound good and don't hurt your hand.Try it and you can see that it's true.The practice of keeping ones fingers close to the fingerboard allows one to move just a little to depress a string.Try keeping your fingers 2" away from the fingerboard and play one fret after another up and down.Then try it low to the fingerboard.You can feel the difference, especially if you go fast.The less distance you need to go the easier this becomes.This is part of economy of motion.We accept these suggestions when it comes to doing a sport or a martial art but somehow music is not the same.It is largely the same.To move easily and quickly is a goal we share and these basic ideas are very helpful.

[@guitarworks2546]

@@josephdrach2276 i guess in all fairness..I am not a "teacher" and although I have been playing for 45 years...I have not given much thought on how other players may be playing "wrong" or with bad habits such as Scott describes. In analyzing how I play, I can't even begin to categorise a "Style" as such....I typically use 3 fingers (right hand) sometimes 4...sometimes the thumb...whatever....closer to the bridge, sometimes over the fingerboard like you might see entwhistle doing, slapping when necessary, chording, etc....all this just comes automatically after all this time and i don't give much thought to either hand's role or any special left hand movement to get the notes I want....it just happens. so to give credit, the exercises here might well help a few players out there get past some hurdles on a very basic level and again. this is where youtube shines in it's availability. I like to check out what other players post as tips 'cause you never can tell when you might learn something new or different to add to the arsenal....despite the fact that I consider myself a fairly accomplished player, I certainly don't know everything and continue learning little things here and there from all kinds of players..especially ones whose techniques differ a lot from my own.

[@josephdrach2276]

@@guitarworks2546 This is about learning from others.If you want to play using method you like,go right ahead.This video is about certain techniques and common blunders people make.If you want to play using only your forefinger on your fingerboard hand and grasp the neck like your trying to choke an animal,do that.Perhaps you use only the pinky on your other hand to strike the strings.Fine,I am not here to tell you off.We are sharing what works and doesn't for use and if you feel that if someone has anything to say about how you should play they are treading on your toes,hey,I've been playing a very long time and I feel like there is no end to what I want to learn and how much better I want to be.Your entitled to keep playing as you do.If it works it must be good.Scott is not bashing me or anyone else nor am I.I have been playing for 46 years,but I won't pull seniority on you, LOL.Do as you wish.I keep learning.You,keep doing what you want to do.

[@EndrzGame]

Been playing guitar/bass for 30+ years and I still catch myself doing 'Flying Fingers'.

[@stimpsonjcat26]

Well it doesn't affect playing so really isn't that important

[@sensationalleslie3237]

@@stimpsonjcat26 ultimately it slows you down, but depends on how fast you want to play..

[@stimpsonjcat26]

@@sensationalleslie3237 Yes but your hand will naturally stop doing this when you play faster. It is like finger picking. In slow parts you tend to have bigger strokes, then when you speed up your strokes shorten without thinking about it.

[@theTrend7]

So hard to get rid of,lol. 🐥

[@josephdrach2276]

Keep em close to the fingerboard.But sometimes people like to see,Flying Fingers or Dancing Fingers.It can be part of being a showman,in moderation.

[@Evanjb156]

So I watched this video then recorded myself messing around for about 10 minutes. Watching it back I found I'm guilty of the dreaded seesaw fingers. Couple of minutes running through your drills have dramatically made my playing feel more fluid. The ideas in my head are coming out cleaner than they had before. 5 and 7 I could definitely do some more of, but I've been slowly working them into my playing as I'm getting more and more comfortable on the instrument (7 months in!) Thanks for all the great work you do, Scott!

[@grantcampbell2462]

I got my first bass for Christmas and your lessons have been super helpful for getting me started. Thank you!

[@BlinkTF2]

a bass guitar is one great christmas present

[@jasondee5357]

It's been almost a year. Still playin?

[@robertayala2152]

I got one this year!

[@brodsworth4966]

I just got one for my 16th bday today

[@Funkybassplayer]

Same here. Just bought a fender precision bass this weekend and I’m watching all these videos about techniques

[@josephdrach2276]

I agree with just about all of this since I also teach bass guitar.To add to the inverted hand/wrist-this sometimes includes holding onto the neck as if it were a wrench and trying to slide smoothly.Obviously it's counterproductive to do so and most students are glad to be corrected.About the "box" system.Classical technique,such as is used on the bass fiddle and typically on the fretless bass guitar works well on the regular bass guitar(the one with frets).I don't call it the box system because it can be part of learning classical fingering.Up to the 12th fret,one uses the forefinger,middle finger and the pinkie supported by the ring finger to depress one position each(C,C#,D,for example).Open strings are more common and at the 12th fret and above one uses all five fingers one the fingerboard.The use of the thumb creates amazing possibilities!I also use the one finger per fret method outlined here and it's excellent as well.For fretless I feel that classical fingering is the way to go.Insofar as dynamics and rhythmic improvement go,a metronome is a Must.Also buy drum books.They have a wealth of rhythm in them and you can accent them at different points to practice dynamics.There are also drum books for odd meters and these are also very useful.Practice shifting!Start with an E on the E string and play all the notes in key of C (no sharps or flats)all the way up to the highest note available on the G string and back down again.Try soloing on one string.Then solo on another until you have done all of them.This helps with shifting and fingerboard awareness.Even though I try to keep my fingers low to the fingerboard I am aware that in some cultures and subcultures seeing the fingers move up and down and flutter is considered a good part of the performance and for certain audiences,I will toss in a bit of "finger dancing" but not to the point where it messes up my playing.Thanks for all the advice you've given in your many videos.They are very useful.

[@richardbartkus4192]

Scott, Thank you so very much! I was a professional Trombonist and have been fortunate enough to have performed with many celebrated artists. Several years ago I had a stroke and as a result some eye problems that prohibited me from playing much trombone as the back pressure was verboten according to my Retina Surgeon. I performed and recorded with many A Player Bassists whom I got some great tips from, but have NEVER been able to get my muting under control. This video has helped me tremendously and with practice the muscle memory that comes with the hours of repetition I believe success is in my future. Thanks Scott! Hope to thank you in person one day!

[@ColonelRPG]

It's so interesting to see how all of these fails also apply to the guitar.

[@Mardial]

what kind of gloves is that? and where can I get that kind of gloves? I'm suffering hyperhidrosis so my palm can't stop sweating whenever I get too excited. it might be helpful for me to practicing with gloves

[@AmarSagoo]

Although he doesn't talk about what specific kind it is, here Scott explains why he wears them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYC5eKV9d8qkn6s

[@jaseschick8853]

You can find them on Amazon, look up guitar gloves

[@swannautiluskayk4642]

got the same thing, total lifefucker

[@barhatny]

I suffer with "i dont have bass yet" :D

[@brettzolstick989]

truly a tragic tale

[@ahmedmiladi9362]

Same here buddy!

[@ahmedmiladi9362]

@Xavier M ADAMS I'm happy for you man

[@hexyko4850]

Same, no bass

[@alexev4560]

For all who still suffers, Check Thomann.de for Harley Benton real beginner BASSes. Pretty much affordable ones. Also, cheap but playable ones are STAGG, I got B300 Jazz Bass, they have P as well, but not sure about their sound. I setup action and pickups height on my JJ and now she sounds great. Also, take a look at CORT Acton Series PJ in most, 4-5 strings, shortscale 30' Junior single humbucker. Not sure about classic models P and JJ. Lowest JJ too much expensive, and lowest P's look too much questionable.

[@tywallace8343]

I'm getting way better,I totally got this video. I used to struggle with alot in the beginning, and being self taught. I conquered all but the Dynamics, that tends to bring back old habits, especially if I'm learning a new song. Maybe I'm just trying too hard,and it sabotages my practice.

[@imperiousquartermaster6009]

Having played bass for 35 years with only 3 years of lessons in the beginning, I can honestly say I'm good on the wrist, hammer on's and offs, improving on the muting, but he nailed me on the first 3 and I appreciate the techniques to practice to fix my bad habits.

[@oneofthenorth]

I definitely suffer from seesaw and inverted wrist. Very mind-blowing to see why I struggle with stretches! You are a great teacher, and clearly a phenomenal player - thankyou for sharing!

[@Nundalose]

I'm just starting off with the bass (no instruction/teaching) and i'm pretty sure I"m guilty of all of these. Thanks for the tips!

[@dcut74]

Thanks for the videos, I've played guitar for 20 years and switched to bass, I naively thought at the time, oh it's easy, you just hang out on the tonic. I learned that was wrong by listening more, but you are helping me fine tune my playing.

[@serialvapist5807]

I just started bass a couple weeks ago and I suffer with 1 through 7. In all seriousness though, I've seen your flying fingers videos and been working on that. The most helpful one for me as I am right now is the seesaw, once I heard that I realized I've been doing that.

[@dantrovato]

Inverted wrist... that really solved my issues... it reduced the "sliding hand" and the between the thumb/ forefinger cramp... Thanks and don't ever stop teaching...

[@nickellis6530]

Hey Scott - Thanks for the video ! I was really worried when pressing play on the video that I’d be ticking all 7 boxes aha ! I’d say myself I struggle to keep my pinky and ring finger floating over the strings - it’s like a combination of 1&2, my pinky and ring finger will seasaw between themselves when I’m using them. Something else that I’ve seen a lot of people do - myself included is when playing in the ‘box’ technique I loose most ability with my pinky finger and sometimes even hide it behind the fretboard the higher up the register I go. Another note - something you very lightly touched on is the dynamic difference between hammer-one and pulls-offs. My hammer-on game is strong, but pull-off technique feels quite weak and you mentioning about want the same volume between the 2 has made much sense in what I need to practice with! Furthermore - Thank you Scott ! Having watched loads of your videos I cannot say thank you enough for all the free content and great advice !

[@terenceguerrero2834]

Amazing how much translates to traditional acoustic strings like double bass, cello, viola, and violin. Really like the descriptions for all 7 technique fails, and I am definitely using 1 & 2 for my students, with credit to you of course!

[@Liztonicedtea]

Just watched a recording of myself - I do the flying fingers!!! Thank you for providing the exercises - I will be practicing that!

[@briancherry8088]

After spending the last few years watching your videos, now is a great time to revisit some of these and see how far I've come. 1. Fixed it - for the most part. I have a snappy pinky, so its ON or OFF, but Ive learned how to keep it on strings that arent being used, which helps muting too. 2. Gotten way better at it - still have to think about it sometimes though. 3. 4 fingers seems like a good place to start, but not to hold on too tightly. Will watch for that. 4. Very mindful of this. I tend to use multiple fingers - it just feels more natural. Aways in progress. 5. I think Im pretty good with this. 6. Inverted wrist helps with thumb muting on a 5 string, but otherwise it feels unnatural to me. 7. I find I use too many hammerons and pulloffs - they have been a crutch, but only recently have I started to pull-off properly. As always, thanks for all of your help. I really appreciate you've been there every step of the way!

[@pauldean8577]

YES!!!! I win!!! I get all 7!!!! :D :) :| wait a sec... this not good ... er?! Scott? I should have gotten 0 right?

[@YRTEverything]

Epic

[@YRTEverything]

Epic... In this particular test, you should score 0. :)

[@lampshade3610]

i do believe so

[@ArriGaffer]

All seven equals 28! :)

[@dougarnold7955]

Independent picking fingers is what I'm working on a lot now. I've also been incorporating a flat pick with the middle and ring finger as plucking fingers...about half a year now...it's working quite well. I was a flat pick guitar player for years so utilizing the fingers is a new challenge. I also drill; plant, pluck, stop alternations with the M&R fingers. Planting is not taught a lot but I encountered it when I experimented with classical a little. Plant pluck stop is a great way to control time and note duration. When combined with alternating flat pick strokes I've found a lot of new to me approaches. Thanks for the video. I'd like to add that the opening of the hand is for fast runs. Closing your grip on the neck is good for some riffs. Also, a lot of teachers don't teach 'thumb over' playing which was popular with 60s and 70s players especially. If you fret with the thumb (over the top of the neck on the lowest string (E) your hand will open and if you get good with the technique you can handle some very good runs. It's an excellent way to handle riffs that would be harder without it. I naturally went to thumb over when I started as a kid but my older brother used the proverbial ruler on the knuckles so it was years later before I came back to it. Watch Richie Blackmore play for example of a pro who uses thumb over proficiently and was classically trained in his youth.

[@laura-leekelley4864]

Funny, some of these posts. I've been playing bass guitar at a pro level for... wow, 38 years now. I'm also a classical violinist, trained, 2 degrees in music. Worked in sessions, studios, and played most of my waking hours for many many many years professionally. My pinky isn't right next to the board most of the time, I do flying fingers. It's intentional. My pinky is shorter (so are most), and weaker, and I do a lot of hammering in my left hand. The technique I master years ago has a very even tone between the fingers no matter which one is hammering or just playing normally. I don't disagree that in theory many of these ideas are nice to do and, if they work for you, should reduce muscle use. However I've had zero issues with my hands, fingers, tone or ability to play fast, or complex chords, or any style of music. So, I mean, good ideas, and you play brilliantly. Some of these are not hard and fast rules, however.

[@astrolabellc7195]

Even though you have a short pinky you still have to use it! I have long skinny fingers and you can certainly play better than I can, but you must use that pinky. That's what the pinky toe is for, wanting more!

[@astrolabellc7195]

Even though you have a short pinky you still have to use it! I have long skinny fingers and you can certainly play better than I can, but you must use that pinky. That's what the pinky toe is for, wanting more!

[@nootnoot1725]

I've been a bass player in my high school pep band. And I must let you know that watching your videos have helped me learn so much! Thank you for making these awesome videos! Keep up the great work! :)

[@quoncy]

Never thought about this "box system" of 1 and 4. It is really helpful! Please do a lesson on this topic! You are great, Scott. Thank you!

[@ainsleystones4600]

Indeed Scott. I've been teaching bass here in Sheffield for many, many years and I agree completely with these points. Good man!

[@devinebass]

👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@tywallace8343]

Thanks Scott! Been following for about five years now, since I started actually playing daily. You are doing good stuff for the rest of us trying to learn 👍🏽💯🎸

[@89MAGGOT4LIFE666]

OH MY GOD! Thank you so much for #6 I've done this the entire time, and wondered why I had no range, you're the best!

[@blacktongue1000]

Opposite to the 1 finger per fret system, I see SO many people avoiding their pinky while playing. Stretching 4 frets with the first 3 fingers like a madman.

[@inedibledorito]

When practiced right that 4th finger is so helpful. Used to play folk guitar, decided to go into classical guitar. Oh dam was that a challenge with the pinky. Glad i learnt that prior to bass!

[@ryanlangrehr2717]

blacktongue1000 I do that a lot

[@brenlouissurio2404]

I don't use the 1 finger per fret on the first frets (1-7) because my hand is small. For those frets I use index, middle, and pinky. I find it comfortable to not stretch the ring when it's to far.

[@josephdrach2276]

@@brenlouissurio2404 Consider learning classical fingering.It was invented for the bass fiddle but lots of bass guitarists use it especially on fretless,though it's just fine for a bass with frets.Until the 12th fret one uses the forefinger one one note,then the next note is held down by the middle finger.The next note is held down by the pinkie,Supported by your ring finger.Lots of open strings and shifting involved.Get a book on the method.Simandl and Nanny both have good books on this.Get both or a good teacher.Good for small hands.Above the 12th fret,All five fingers can be used.Study and try it.

[@brenlouissurio2404]

@@josephdrach2276 I'll try it thanks dude. I do consider myself as a guy who easily adapts so I'll probably get used to the "proper" way once I study it.

[@flandyc4513]

I was so focused on thumb placement with the fretting hand I didn't notice I was inverting my wrist! Ty so much!

[@julia-pg3xh]

Started playing about 4 days ago and I have mostly all of these problems, but I mean I'm playing for just 4 days so enough time to fix it!

[@Mar.Escobar24]

I started playing 3 days ago and already wanna play this good 😂

[@timothysawyer-garza6372]

Great video. I'm one week in self taught and I have made all of these mistakes. This video will expidate my process of fixing those mistakes. Thanks mate!

[@kylehawkins1644]

Love your work Scott, you’ve really helped me develop as a bass player and your videos on technique have really helped me weed out my bad habits

[@justinfrancisco5869]

Sea saw and wrist are my big challenges. I played guitar for years and just started playing bass exclusively. The transition of techniques you’ve helped me through. Thanks!

[@katinabreunig6444]

Me: first one is probably fingers Scott: flying fingers! Me: even better

[@marksextonmarkeaux4181]

Call the cops!!! this is it!..period!The Best and most profound teaching on this subject I have ever experienced in 62 years! Thanks you so much for this!! Im a drummer that is rethinking everything differently about my crappy bass playing. There may be hope after all!!

[@16-BitGuy]

Just started learning bass two days ago. watching this makes me feel struggling trying to get all of that right to make it feel all natural to me. I'm frustrated. It is so helpful and yet intimidating.

[@anthonyguess2744]

Hey go to blues bass for beginners,. It makes learning fun

[@djdankmemes9257]

Technique doesn't have to be perfect to play, it just helps. It's more important to play. Use technique to enhance your playing. Enjoy playing first! :)

[@16-BitGuy]

@@anthonyguess2744 good idea! :D

[@16-BitGuy]

@@djdankmemes9257 thx, dude!

[@donh5794]

Don't let it get you down. I just started too. It's good to know what good technique is and fixing what you can in the beginning. At least you know what to work on if you have problems learning to play.

[@Truegreen-b4s]

I play drums and some piano. Just got a bass and wanted to make sure I get off to a good start. This video was excellent. Thank you.

[@jacobwong38]

Scott, out of curiosity, why do you play “I Want You Back” the way you do instead of playing all of it in position 1? Is it a tone thing? I guess this can lead into a more general question - when and why do bassists choose to move up or down a fretboard when they could play it entirely in one or two positions? Is there a method to this? Thanks!

[@Dapno_]

I guess it would be wrong to boil it down to one reason as everyone has their own reasoning, personally however I do it for tone. Say you're playing for example the main Riff of "The Chicken" by Jaco (key of Bb major): Playing that major 6th on the g string will sound pretty bright and ring out as it is an open string. You can also however slide from the perfect 5th (third fret) to the major 6th (fifth fret) on the D String, which gives it a different attack and the tone of a fretted note higher up the neck. You should try out playing the same lines, same octaves in different places around the neck. You will eventually hear the difference:)

[@thegamingbadger1190]

Hey there. I'm like 3 weeks into learning how to play bass and I want to say that your lessons are super helpful. I'm Trying so hard to practice good techniques from the beginning and it's tough, but I'm so glad that have these videos to help me avoid bad habit. Thank you so much. Keep up the good work.

[@eduardoferreira1963]

This is the most beautiful bass I've ever seen.

[@atlaslasair4772]

This video has stuck with me since it was released. It has taught me to be more conscientious and train myself to put my pinky down when I'm playing.

[@DontCallMeEdith]

Me at every single one of these: hahaha, I do that

[@sparkygordon92]

Massively underrated comment. Hahaha😂

[@theTrend7]

🤣😂

Great points. I, a newbie, have been simply running up & down the fretboard using all fingers, emphasizing the ring and little one. My wrists are both damaged so it's difficult, but it is working. No flying fingers, they are too busy! btw, this lifelong 70 y/o drummer is totally in love with my new bass. I just LOVE bass. Can you believe it?? I feel like a kid again. I find it difficult to coordinate both hands together after drumming for decades with separate movements for each arm. Now I must make the pluck match the fretting...quite difficult for me. Old habits or just old dude?

[@lucymerlier7354]

#8 : the crooked plucking hand wrist. 100% guilty of it because I got used to playing while having a bit of nails...

[@lucymerlier7354]

Also : crap muting definitely happens sometimes on the 5 strings or while slapping :/

[@lucymerlier7354]

Oh and I sometimes get a tiny bit of inverted wrist on special occasions. I guess it's because I started on guitar and used that "thumb over the low e string" thing a lot...

[@MaurycyHartman]

Why did I think "ploocking" in my head?

[@mattcartwright8474]

Lucy your 5string muting technique sounds like it needs work. Instead of anchoring your right or plucking hand (if you play right) thumb on the pickup, anchor it on the low B. That will keep the low B muted while you're playing the E and A string. If you have to go to higher strings move or drop your thumb down to the next highest string while keeping your thumb layed against the lower (in pitch) strings. That way your plucking hand thumb is muting the lower (pitched) strings while you play the higher (pitched) strings. This is called the floating thumb technique. Takes a little getting used to but it's the difference between extended range bass players and those that say "Jaco only needed four strings"

[@mattcartwright8474]

Every time I see someone who says they "can't play more than 4" I ask them to play, always always they have their thumb anchored on the pickup or thumb anchor. Those look cool but not good for technique

[@andrewhoffman4993]

I've been playing bass intermittently since I was 12 years old and still have problems with "flying fingers" and "inverted wrist". Videos like this serve as a great reminder of the basics. Thanks Scott!

[@kraigompls]

"Fretting hand? You're discriminating against fretless players!!!" :-)

[@Dracu666]

😀

[@zedrseven]

Surely calling it a fretting hand is more relevant for a fretless player. Your fingers are taking the place of the frets.

[@maxwelledison9954]

@@zedrseven big brain

[@sabandija486]

Are you a feminist or something? Lol

[@reubennb2859]

Better than 'necking hand'

[@BoredPodcaster]

Number 6 is definitely the biggest issue for me, and until you confirmed it, I was only guessing that it was where I was positioning my wrist (been watching a while, and noticed your wrist position one day, and noted that I didn't do that, and that could contribute to not being able to use all my fingers). Sadly, I started getting into bass before I discovered your channel, and picked up a few bad habits like that. I am, however, working them out of my practice, and now that I know about number 6, I can continue retraining my fret hand to feel comfortable with the position. Thank you for the video, I watch when I can, big fan. I look forward to the next one.

[@crowolfe290]

Dynamics are definitely my sticking point.

[@jackill2611]

Amazing! I've just found some problems with my playing, and now I can improve!

[@elkayezs8wslkwaterfountain826]

I wanna hear scott do a vocal impression of gordon ramsay

[@flanozors]

I just started playing bass a couple of months ago. This video helped me a lot because I literally just jumped into it without practicing the basics. Thank you!

[@squashmylemon4614]

How have you progressed over those months? I’ve just started out legit two days ago and wondering how long to expect to become decent ahah.

[@flanozors]

@@squashmylemon4614 number one was getting used to the string size lol. Ive been learning how to play guitar over the years and my fingers would tend to slip because they weren't used to it. Pressing down and getting a good, clean sound out of each note you play, even if you have to slow down, its something to practice a lot too because you dont want the bass to sound flat, if that makes sense lol. 10-15 mins a day man of practicing techniques or fundamentals (not jamming out) will give you results in a month. Be conscious of the instrument, feel it, see it in your mind when you close your eyes, see yourself playing it.

[@davehein1418]

I don't use hammer-ons and pull-offs or slides much ... yet.

[@alexfithero]

Quote from my basd teacher. Dont EVEN PLAY BASS IF U CAN'T PLAY HAMMERONS. U can put YOU ON HAMMERS ONS.

[@patrickdehertogh2080]

thanks i appreciate the free advise, been working on flying fingers, 3 weeks now you bring attention to all my other faults, i really do apreciate your videos, just learned how to do a pull off properly. thanks scott

[@shawnbiery7331]

I feel hopeless. I seem to have a mess of problems with technique. Tripping over my fingers. I’d like to add I just picked up the bass two weeks ago.

[@JoshusBarber]

It's been a month now, how has your bass playing gotten?

[@donh5794]

How is your bass playing now. I started last month and better at knowing the fretboard and working on theory and technique.

[@1badsteed]

So practice for few months using good technique, focusing on playing correctly. Then it becomes muscle memory...

[@gundam7401]

Thank you for this info. As a kid, I didn't like playing the guitar cuz 1 it wasn't a kid size one and it felt huge to begin with , but also i noticed my fretting hand was scrunched up and resting on the board. I figured that when i was older, u world have that reach. But a nagging feeling was telling me that it was not enough and my hand positioning needed to be altered. Thank you so much. This and other things u mention really relieved my stress.

[@bjames692]

I just bought my first bass yesterday

[@bartzijtveld632]

me too, a little while back.. to be honest, I'm just waiting for covid to stop so I can take some bass lessons irl instead of youtube tutorials

[@wil94976]

I think I struggle most with flying fingers and see-saw. Both of them aren't as bad as the first few months I started playing and I realized how much it was holding me back when I started to play guitar as well. This is a great video, thank you!

[@greglee50]

Hi Scott I’ve got a fender p bass , which fender rumble do I get , cheers

[@james-lt8ry]

greglee50 I find the rumble 40 to be a nice size one to get

[@acoolname]

This is exactly the video one needs toward clean bass playing. Thanks. Love it.

[@lancepria5495]

Scott:Did you see any point where my finger was sticking out? Also Scott: immidiate deep NOO

[@justincatlett]

Great video thank, I am playing for 3 months now and I suffer from 1 & 6 this video will surely help.

[@NexusBecauseWhyNot]

Him: Next. The inverted wrist. Never hold the the base like this. Pull the wrist down a little. Leave some space. Me: Ok, but how do I do that? My hand cramps hard and because of a mild tremor I cannot hold the hand in the air... Him: Okay! So, number seven... I know my problem is a more specific one xD but I have tried playing with straps, without, sitting, standing, I simply cannot hold it like that and still apply enough power to the fret so it doesn't buzz any time I touch it. I know that this is the solution, there's a multitude of guitar videos explaining the same thing too, I just don't know what to do with this xD

[@olabystrom5265]

I got new strings called ”black nylon tape wound” strings and didn’t put them so high above fret board. This has elevated my play so much because they are sooo easy to play with! I also suffered from inverted wrist because rounded wrist cramped up when holding down strings.

[@PeranMe]

Oh man, I’m so guilty of several of these... thanks for suggesting exercises to help relearn!

[@sakehump7536]

Was that in “sea Major”?

[@paulreid3273]

Good stuff when i first started learning bass a friend who was a very good classical guitar player pushed my to have good hand position. thumb behind the neck and playing with all 4 fingers. I struggled trying to do that everywhere on the neck. Your box comment on fingering made perfect sense. I went to that out of ease of playing but always thought I was wrong. Thanks

[@vkavcic6]

please send me name of this bass guitar.....and you have ,flatround string '?

[@CarlCumby]

That is an FBASS VF Series 4 string, made by George Furlanetto in Ontario, Canada. Roughly $3700 USD starting price currently.

[@IAmNumber4000]

Thanks for the cool tips James McAvoy. Never knew you could play bass too :)

[@josephfuentes2251]

Whats with the glove? Just curious!

[@salongaucher8597]

probably skin reaction to the strings. some people have that. question is: why only one hand? maybe to protect the neck? maybe he has a bionic hand :P

[@Hagen55555]

He got a video about that glove, check it out

[@ΣτέλλαΓκλαβέρη]

Hi. Yesterday my first bass finally came and i played technically everything wrong. From now on you're my teacher. You are awesome! Thank you!!!

[@djfglobal3377]

Number one key to success: practice,practice and then practice a little more

[@ugubu5359]

I have a birth-defect that makes it impossible for me to use my littlefinger when i play bass since it is much shorter and curved sideways than an average littlefinger. So i can only play with 3 fingers.

[@jockojohn3294]

You need to master the sliding technique......

[@swissarmyknight4306]

Well, that's one more finger than Django Reinhardt and three more fingertips than Tony Iommi. If you want technique tips, the Simandl Method uses 1-2-4 fingerings in the lower register, but I do them 1-2-3 and I think you could too.

[@takeonemusic5537]

nothing wrong in that

[@estebanb7166]

So... Don't use it. Problem solved.

[@josephdrach2276]

@@swissarmyknight4306 Simandl teaches the classical method which could be adapted as a good way to play if you have three fingers on your fingerboard hand.The classical way allows one to use the thumb from the 12th fret up.Hey! Try it!(ugubu)

[@KevinDuvernay]

Thanks for making this video. In my 45 yrs of self taught bass playing i make pretty much all these mistakes with exception of crappy mute ( mouse pad mute..trick from a Cuban musician)and inverted wrist i still do it occupationally but I've been working on it.. it's a wonder i get work 😂 I'm getting on the other 6 immediately.. thanks

[@davehein1418]

I miss the brown paper reveals ...

[@dougarnold7955]

That's funny.

[@DJBennyswift]

I honestly like this video, I have a couple issues since I’m starting on Bass, I always find myself messing up number 6 which makes sense, of course there are other numbers such as all of them, but I’m really digging your videos Scott thank you!!!

[@robertwatson5104]

That’s it I give up

[@16-BitGuy]

I feel the same.

[@theokieway4921]

I never realized that changing my wrist slightly like Scott was talking about would give me that much more ability to maneuver around the fret board quicker, it truely does, thanks scott

[@lucyhill512]

The Glove is creepin' me out

[@djfglobal3377]

It does look like that’s the hand that’s not allowed to get sun . . .

[@mooneyes1114]

Thank you! I thought I was the only one who was gonna say something!

[@harrybrooks8514]

Thanks to Larry Bateman, my teacher over 50 years ago. He told me to avoid those pitfalls, and I’ve tried to do so ever since. Nothing will clean up your playing better than this.

[@pearldavis2640]

I suffer with hammer ons and pulloffs

[@francotter1199]

I had that exact problem with the flying fingers when I started to learn the guitar, and then I learnt to use every finger and thumb, it makes it so easier to play and change chords too

[@nightlust]

5:26 anyone having some old school Doom vibes? :p

[@leereber2189]

Man, definitely inverted wrist was a really helpful explanation, and also hammerons/pull offs is something I have been working on

[@rodolfo7413]

why am i watching this im a guitarist

[@someguynamedphil2349]

Tip number 6 about the inverted wrist helped so much!!

[@ArtoftheBass]

Man I didn’t realize how much I struggle in my bass playing. I am mainly playing the drums for my church right now so I have been out of practice. I picked up my bass the other day and I was completely sloppy. Looking at this video I would say I did at least 3 of these mistakes. The main one being the usage of hammer ons and pull offs. Your videos are inspiring me to get back in to practicing more on my down time. I am going to study hard and really take my bass playing to the next level with your help

[@mattleok]

I sorted most of these out some time ago through trial and error. Great to know I'm doing the right things and not totally blagging everything! Thanks for the all the inspiration Scott and team. You've got an older bass player back into it like never before. Always something new to learn or something I need to refine and also a lot I should have learnt a long time ago! ...Back to scales, modes and arpeggios that I didn't learn properly 30 years ago! Absolutely loving your content.

[@anthonyguess2744]

Your inverted rist fix is great. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. God bless

[@faamecanic1970]

Being a new bassist I suffer from flying fingers and see saw the most. Didn’t really think of the see saw until your vid. The see saw is causing me to have un-intended hammer ons...so this will be very helpful. Thanks for the great video Scott!

[@alexeirio]

Thank you so much for bringing the inverted wrist to my attention! I didn't even realise and suddenly playing is a lot easier. I thought it was just because I had smaller hands!! I also struggle with the seesaw too ): keep it up, you're brilliant!

[@nellieemmataylor7280]

I loved this video! I've been playing the bass for about 2 years but I've only been playing avidly for the past 5 months, and I noticed I do so many of these techniques fails! Definitely gave me some peace of mind about how to improve my skills on the bass. Thanks!!

[@DokterRekt]

It's inverted wrist, I didn't realize that's why my fingers aren't as composed as yours until I was doing the hand stretching thing with you, great tips as always

[@hla0roo]

I find it fascinating to reflect on these points as a guitarist! I also see the "flying fingers," the "Inverted Wrist," and "No Dynamics" friggin' everywhere -- even on pro players! The 4-finger/fret doesn't apply so much given that your hand can *technically cover as many as six frets at a time. The compact nature of the instrument lends to some different fretting techniques that make bass MUCH more difficult -- and that doesn't begin to cover the animal that is mandolin. I'm personally hindered further by the fact that my hands are a mite small for a guitarist; bass becomes a totally different ballgame. Very helpful for my own conception of how to play bass. Having a clear list of technical issues is helpful to me in terms of how to help my own students though, so kudos!

[@cbpeddie1]

So glad you said, “it’s a pull off, not a lift off.” Subtle important distinction. 😊

[@saulbetesh2229]

Guilty with pretty much all of them. at least some of the time. I'd say to use an amp when practicing and actually listening to yourself play in order to work on dynamics. I find that when i dont use an amp i mash the strings in a way that is detrimental to to proper form, volume, etc.