Are most bass players TERRIBLE at playing bass? 😱😬

[@devinebass]

Hey all. LOVING the discussion around this video in the comments! Lot's of you are loving the vibe of the vid, and some are certainly not - and that's ok too. Something I think that might help clarify my point within the video... When I was teaching music / bass students in Universities around the UK, my job was to turn those bassists into bassists that could WORK professionally in ANY situation, and ultimately were hireable... i.e. turn them into awesome bassists and musicians... and to do that, I had them eating chord tones, harmony, groove and time for breakfast! Because without those skills they wouldn't have a chance out in the real world. ZERO. So if YOU have any aspirations of becoming a semi-pro or full time pro, being able to outline (and understand the harmony) is an absolute non negotiable. Take any of the world shaping bassists: James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, Jaco, Paul McCartney, Billy Sheehan, Thundercat, Anythony Jackson, Joe Dart, Pino Palladino, Victor Wooten etc... they ALL have eaten chord tones for breakfast. Ooo... and some peeps mentioned Flea... Flea went back to music school in 2008 (Uni of Southern California), coz he knows that the knowledge of how music and harmony works is GOLDEN... he was studying music theory / Harmony and composition. Anywho. Thanks again for taking the time to check out the video - for those of you wanting to reach that next level of musicianship, I HIGHLY recommend getting this stuff DOWN COLD! ... I LOVE all the feedback. The good and the bad :-)

[@uncledavesbadbass]

I noticed in Flea's playing on RHCP's new stuff, he is more melodic than years ago stuff. He and you have inspired me to grow. Might have to change my channel name I fear lol.

[@deemstyle]

Maybe I’m just too much of a beginner, but I didn’t hear you play a single chord in the entire video; I heard you play a bunch of notes (presumably those notes are the same notes that would make up a particular chord). Stanley Clark plays chords. Victor Woton plays chords on occasion, as does Charles Berthoud. Perhaps this video is simply above my skill set- but again, not such a great sales pitch for the class then. Could you make a follow up sometime that can help those of us who have only learned g, a, c, and d (on the E and A strings) understand what you’re talking about and how WE could gain value from your class?

[@andrewkarp5067]

I appreciate the mention of Anthony Jackson! He’s a true innovator and one of my personal biggest influences. Still can’t play like he does though. C’est la vie.

[@supadupahilton6848]

Vid says 'posted 6 days ago', but fretboard accellerator has no way to register?

[@iquevirtual]

Just a side note, Flea said that he was excited to go to classes after he signed up for the school, but he also said that when he arrived at school on the first day he thought: what the hell am I doing here? I'm a superstar! Fuck this!

[@johnpatitucci7919]

I've been playing bass for 35 years and as time has gone on I've realized that the more I learn the less I actually know. I started taking upright bass lessons locally so I can learn to read music and actually learn something worth while other than playing by ear.

[@kane6529]

That’s awesome John I’m 35 and really just started taking bass serious again I started on guitar at 16 but have just stayed decent at both not good at either! Learning to read is on my list as well and it’s cool to know it’s never too late!

[@getienne7015]

Are you "the" John Patitucci ? 😲 Love your humility

[@och70]

@@getienne7015 Probably not.

[@getienne7015]

@@och70 And you're absolutely right, it says he's a metal band's bass player.

[@och70]

@@getienne7015 Didn't seem very likely, considering John Patitucci's lengthy playing and recording career on both electric and upright bass.

[@Defmusicman1]

I may be the exception here because I’m a deaf bassist. I don’t play by ear, no matter how much I wish I could. So I had no choice but to do it the traditional way - scales, theory, sheet music, etc. I envy those who can play by ear but I’m glad I had a good foundation on which to build my bass playing skills. I’m not the best and I’m not the worst, I’m just a bass player doing the best I can. Keep on rocking, brothers!

[@Leo9ine]

Woah, that's pretty cool. I'd have you in my band!

[@Defmusicman1]

@@Leo9ine Thanks, bro! Appreciate it.

[@kickinkanga7026]

Dude it is as always grass is greener on the other side of the fence. I am a ear player and wish I knew more theory.

[@Defmusicman1]

@@kickinkanga7026 Just enjoy the ride and have fun, bro!

[@macbird-lt8de]

i play pinball by scent

[@rlacombe]

As a guitar player, who occasionally plays bass, this is spot on

[@marcuslee2186]

I was just thinking about how he could replace the word "bass" with “guitar" or "keys” and this would still be a solid music lesson. Outlining chords is a valuable music skill, period.

[@devinebass]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@NikkieRoxxx]

You are a STUDIO MUSICIAN!

[@rlacombe]

@@NikkieRoxxx so my live playing doesn't count?

[@rlacombe]

@@q-perspective8989 no ego? What a prat of a response.

[@nerigarcia7116]

I'm not a good bass player. I know nothing about theory, scale, chords and such but when Billy Bass from Parliament Funkadelic came up to me after our set at The Whiskey and told me he dug my bass playing, I didn't feel so bad. Even Flea and Watt, two of my faves didn't start off by knowing how to read music and such, they could just play, and that's punk rock. I mean I'm trying to learn all that stuff now at 52 but I didn't care about all that in my 20s. I just wanted to rock. You need it to progress but you don't necessarily need it to play, IMO. I guess I've always been stuck in beginner mode.

[@brianmoore2897]

Same.

[@deckardfinley1471]

Flea started on trumpet, he absolutely had a grasp of theory and could more than likely read.

[@nerigarcia7116]

@@deckardfinley1471 I watched his instructional video where he specifically said he couldn't read music. Probably now but not back then

[@Sweetnuglyproductions]

Honestly it’s not about being good or bad im tired of people saying good or bad I been a bassist for 15 years done shows wrote music and recorded tracks been in a few jam sessions held my own and been in tons of bands and in one. Now working on an ep it’s about improvement and getting better and learning all kinda of different music this stuff is good to learn and know but honesty bass and any instrument is has hard or as easy as you make it I even took lessons and I used to not think I was good but my teacher said I was better then most his students so have fun enjoy your instrument and stop comparing your self to other players because every one has their own style it’s not about being good or bad it’s about your own style and challenging your skill level

[@ultrawizardyeahyeahyeah]

Copium

[@envaleorex7361]

I started playing bass 4 years ago at the age of 65. I took Scotts advice at the time and grounded my bass playing totally in learning jazz standards. I should say here that I already understood music theory as I completed a music degree many years ago. I am very grateful for Scott advising this approach. Playing straight ahead jazz has several strengths. First is literally forces you to emphasize playing chords and secondly (only secondly) the various scale options related to chords. I'm totally convinced that jazz standards are the best way to learn the whole Fretboard in all of the inversion patterns of various chords. But more than just this jazz forces you to get really good at laying down an extremely steady beat required for the swing style. This steadiness then translates well into learning more complex styles of music like funk and so forth. You timing can't be off even a little and still "swing." So even if your going to play rock or country or whatever, you've got the underlying chordal structures under your fingers. Plus you've got the basic pulse for any stye. That is the bass function in most popular music styles. So thanks for the advice Scott and I think you're on a good theme here.

[@envaleorex7361]

@23element115 I'm not likely to be playing in 20 years - but thanks.

[@envaleorex7361]

@23element115 I don't have any interest in guitars - with those little bitty strings and frets. Bass is all I ever wanted to play. I'm a rhythm section type person.

[@stuartmoore6310]

@@envaleorex7361 news flash, the guitar is a Rhythm instrument. Yes it can be a lead voicing instrument but it primarily is and always has been considered in and of the Rhythm Section

[@SirFooplesTheThird]

I suck at playing bass but i'm still having fun playing along to the songs i want to play

[@paulgallagher1932]

playing along to records is a great way to learn and play by ear!

[@MrDaneBrammage]

I started playing bass on blues and early rock and roll tunes of the 50's and early 60's, where nine times out of ten the bass is outlining a sixth or dominant 7 chord. In those genres the role of the bass in carrying the harmony is very clear.

[@enoodle]

Practicing triads through circle of fifths is now my practice GOAL. Thank you for repeating this information and making it understandable for us Terrible Bass Players™

[@tmbrwn]

Keep with it, because the payoff is worth it! :)

[@YippeeSkippie426]

That's just a start. Triads, but now with the seventh, in two octaves, played forwards and backwards (meaning starting on the last note of the second triad with seventh and played in reverse), in all keys, in Maj, Min, Aug, Dim...and really listen to them while you're playing through.

[@LittleManFlying]

The faculty advisor for an ensemble I was in during college was Mark Henry, a generous, brilliant, extremely even-tempered, and very patient bassist with the Boston Pops and many others. We learned modes, sure, but focus was always on chord tones and strategies like knowing guide tones to outline chord qualities across changes, no matter what instrument we played. I was a guitar major, and learned how to approach chart analysis and improvisation from the perspective of a virtuoso bass player. Nothing in this video would have been controversial.

[@devinebass]

Thanks for sharing, Russ! :)

[@scottkretsch4887]

One of the more applicable lessons from Scott in understanding how to move away from just playing roots.

[@UccelloProject]

The theory/harmony concepts were clear to me (thanks to my first guitar teacher) but, when I started on bass I was a guitarist switching to bass...strike one. My main two influences were Jaco (strike two) and Les Claypool (strike three) 😂. It took me a long time to learn the "role" most conventional bassists need to fill. Now, after decades of work, I play upright/electric basses with some great musicians and know the job I'm there for. Then when I go to write my own "bass up front" music I can enjoy all the innovative stuff that initially inspired me...knowing what to do when was my biggest lesson. Just my two cents and personal story. Btw, I love Scott's Bass Lessons and regularly learn a lot from you guys-thanks for all you do for us bassists!!!❤

[@kane6529]

Took me awhile to learn, you slap a da bass and the band will slap a ya face 😂

[@UccelloProject]

@@kane6529 haha! much more succinct!

[@devinebass]

Thankyou for the support dude! 🙌🏻

[@BestBassTabs]

This lesson SO important. Chord tones are what creates the solid foundation for everyone. EVEN WHEN YOU ARE SOLOING. Chord tones are king!!

[@phoenixwright824]

someone had to say it

[@hyppo00]

OBJECTION!

[@devinebass]

🙈🙈🙈

[@robotariancod3]

@@devinebass there are people who pay thousands of money on universities to learn stuff like that but u r just throwin a legit lesson out to the pubic

[@chaoarecool]

I think Scott is right but his explanation of what he is trying to communicate is poor. He is saying that players should not limit themselves to what idea they have in their minds to what they can do on their instrument and that they should seek to improve themselves and their knowledge of their instruments

[@wimbusbert1249]

I think his explanation was pretty clear and concise (although he probably could have cut the second half of the video). I don't see how you came away from the video with what you're saying.

[@RustyKnorr]

One is taught in accordance with one’s ability to learn. I think it’s you that’s the issue, not this genius educator. This lesson was perfection.

[@KrisDuerinckx]

the only thing he is saying is this: as a bass player you need to be able to play the root, third and fifth of every chord all over the neck, right away ... (any other interpretation is trying to look for reasons for not having to learn the basics ... 🙂)

[@Funkybassuk]

Don’t be scared of that chord progression: I - IV - iii - V7/ii - V - I - V. Also, you’d want to think about playing the b7 on A7 and G7 and not just the A or G triad to get the flavour of the chord. If you’re already playing roots and 5ths most of the time then you only have to learn the 3rds to complete the triads or the 7ths for the 7 chords - so don’t panic.

[@TheBigPineappL]

This comment makes me feel so much better. Thank you... lol

[@dancassidy7471]

Very kind comment..no sales pitch and a motivating factor for those who may feel intimidated by this presentation

[@KrisDuerinckx]

it's the A part of St. Thomas (Sonny Rollins), as you probably know

[@someoneoutthere7512]

The perfect book for this… Chord Studies for Trombone by Phil Wilson and Joseph Viola. It’s a Berklee series book for trombone and since trombone is a bass clef instrument it is also perfect for bass and includes everything Scott is talking about!

[@JeremyAndersonBoise]

Great book! I have played through it

[@optiTHOMAS]

Nice! I play trombone! I might look into that book! Thanks! 😎👌🏻 im trying to learn more instruments, mainly the bass guitar as the bass clef you mentioned! 👍🏻

[@craigmurray1017]

Agreed. I am a music educator. I teach this very concept. Groove is good but stability is imperative. Get it Scott!

[@greenjoseph4]

You’re absolutely right. I had an instructor who had me just practice chords because he said that’s what bass players do, they play chords.

[@justxull9278]

I think what every musician should know is that there is no one way to play. Context is key, and to play well you need to listen, and dont just follow one formula. Playing roots, and doing it well can sound killer! But it can also sound less than ideal. Music is an art with endless ways to express yourself. AND THAT! Is why music is so great!

[@martineder7530]

Right, man!

[@mickeybreezy]

Here's my problem with learning the bass. When I watch videos like this, the demonstration at the end of how to use the technique, you would never play like that during any song. It has always baffled me that every bass instructor demonstrates in this way because it's always way busy and constant notes with few rests and no songs are like that really.

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

👏👏👏 Totally agree

[@skyusstarlet6514]

I like the tough love, I think it’s definitely an important element to improvement. If you don’t see it yourself you could go years, a lifetime without someone bringing to your attention. Plus it’s SUPER satisfying to spot problem areas and clean them up all shiny and new. Or maybe I’m just a nerd 🤓 but I think true cool comes from building strong (nerdily attentive) foundations like Scott’s lesson. 😎 rock on!!🎉

[@blousug]

Once you hit what the basis of a harmony is and how it functions in a song, everything is gravy. The circle of 5ths and 4ths is so handy.

[@devinebass]

It sure it! :)

[@MadMagicPaul]

I'm so glad I got to play in a 25 piece big band for a decade. I learned so much - and I don't think there was a single tune that had me just plugging away on a root note. Walking bass everywhere!

[@devinebass]

I would have LOVED to do that! Big band is the BEST... check out the Michael Camilo big band, it's outrageous!

[@MadMagicPaul]

@@devinebass The only downside is after all that time - I have real trouble reading in anything that isn't a flat key! Those transposing instruments are annoying! :D

[@dwm1156]

Can confirm! I got a recurring gig playing in a pit orchestra for musical variety shows, and it was a blast! I got to play a lot of music that was extremely varied with brass, winds, strings, rhythm section and piano. We always had a few big band numbers and those were my favourite, that and the jams after rehearsals and performances. Magic. Oh, and I sympathize with the flat key conundrum, but luckily, my first instrument was Bb trumpet, so the keys never bothered me - drove some guitar players crazy though.

[@Familyguy91091]

This video really helped me apply actual riffs to the triads. Before I would usually end up just playing roots, 5ths and octaves. Thank you!

[@devinebass]

Awesome, Kyle :)

[@electricdawn2258]

Knowing the triads and the chromatic approach to those notes is helping me immensely right now getting back into the bass. I wish I had known this stuff better way earlier (I knew chords and stuff, but not this way). Thank you!

[@devinebass]

Glad you found this useful!! :)

[@MysticMindAnalysis]

Thank you so much for this! I've been playing for nearly 3 years, and it's only in the past year I've learned what any scales are. I know what the roots and fifths are, and sometimes I may be able to get a minor third in there. But as much as I love learning songs from tabs, they tell you nothing about the underlying theory that make them work. I go to a mental health music group once a week, and the teacher is always telling me to keep it simple so I can get a good foundation for the rest of the "band" to play. I'm going to ask him to write down what's in the chords he frequently uses, so I can do better bass fills!

[@gurmot]

I’m at a very similar stage to you and have recently stopped using tabs other than occasionally to hear how a bass line was originally played. I recently stumbled across the Moises ai app and use this to upload my playlist and then remove the bass part of the original track and take note of the chord progressions which are automatically displayed on the screen. Then it’s a matter of having a fretboard layout cheat sheet to hand - this method really works but more importantly it forces you to recognise chords, find root positions on the bass and then I use triads to fill my own bass lines around the chord progression. I finally feel like I know what I am doing and why. Scott’s triad table halfway through this video is very helpful but I learned this from the fingering position rather than note names. Rock on!

[@gallaxyquest]

Just started the Fretboard Accelerator and it is brilliant💯🌟. Genuinely brilliant. I've noticed that I'm playing in general more fluidly are a really short time. I'm chuffed 🎉

[@devinebass]

AMAZING :)

[@ghosttownreview1531]

Understanding this will allow you to think of bass lines melodically as well. Example - if a slow and mellow/moody song was following Scott's chord progression I might play a smooth descending line like C / C / B / A / A / G / G / G if it serves the song. Understanding the notes in the chords helps me quickly identify lines like this so I can be more creative.

[@BrianRistola]

I have been working through the material in the Fretboard Accelerator course for the better part of a year. It is excellent. Going through (and growing in) this course has easily been the best thing for my playing in 20 years. It takes work, but it has really been rewarding, and I find myself playing more than ever, and actually moving forward in my playing. Muchas gracias Scott.

[@nathanielmabis5803]

I think it's also important to note the genre of music one is playing and the way you would approach bass in that genre. I for instance am in a black and doom metal band and what we play is as far as you can possibly get from the kind of stuff you play in your tutorials

[@alfrednewman4496]

It's really not. Someone with a good understanding of this stuff would play BM and Doom all the more effectively.

[@felipelopes7664]

watch al cisneros playing bro

[@nathanielmabis5803]

@@felipelopes7664 seen Sleep twice(favorite band) and Om once, trust me, I follow the smoke

[@archerdoubleO]

As a drummer who's also into bass and guitar: thank you for the ít's *everybody's* job to add groove!

[@xpatsteve]

I always looked at it as keeping the beat with a melody (i.e., chord tones). That's been my approach for nearly 50 years as a bass player.

[@janetowens1310]

Watching too many KZbin videos by different teachers can be confusing for people. I learned to play bass back in the early seventies well before the internet. I found an odd little book that showed scales and modes in a pretab sort of way. I devoured that book and learned some bits off my favorite records. I was on my way. Never played in a straight up cover band but in many blues,jazz,weird improvise situations. I'm sure I could have been better if I took lessons from a good teacher but there were none around in the early seventies where I was. Guitar teachers were the people who gave bass lessons. But I digress. Just wanted to show one way to learn bass and I'm sure there are many more unconventional stories out there. Good video, sir.

[@anthonycaraffa2422]

Tremendous lesson Scott. You’re a great teacher. I thoroughly enjoy these lessons.

[@coltonclement]

This makes so much sense to me. Switched from guitar to bass about a year ago and this is definitely an approach that I feel is going to help my playing a tone. I actually realized that some of the best lines I’ve written so far I came up with sort using this idea by mistake but I’m definitely going to keep it actively in my mind going forward.

[@bobs1540]

First thing I always tell folks is……you complement the song and hold the beat over all. No showman ship unless you got the back bone done. Sometimes, especially in metal. Your job is to help make that band be heavy as hell. And maybe you can’t deviate because the song can’t have it. That’s ok. Bring the heavy 🤘🏻

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

It brings immediately to mind how I was educated as a teenager that somebody wanting to be a bass player is better advised to learn (at least rudimentary) piano or guitar beforehand. Knowing chord voicings and how to apply them from the low end is more important than most would care to admit. That’s one of the reasons why Sting is so well liked. He isn’t the most flirty base guitarist ever, but he has definitely been known to incorporate the knowledge he gained as a guitar player in his base playing.

[@ennytiss5674]

You don't NEED to play another instrument to play bass, learning theory itself would do the trick

[@Clebardman]

@@ennytiss5674 I would have said the same thing ten years ago. Bass player only, fingers only. Realistically tho, there is no reason whatsoever to NOT learn to play guitar. I'd say the same thing about other instruments (Drums especially)... But guitar, really, no reason to pass it up. It's basically the same instrument, and any complete bassist should be able to use a pick and strum a few chords on a guitar for those bass-less songs. My life as the only dude who works before reharsals (typical of bassists) is soooo much easier since I can just sit on the drums or grab a guitar and SHOW my lazy mates wtf they're supposed to play. They usually end up practicing anyway when they start feeling too insecure (^:

[@ennytiss5674]

@@Clebardman I never said there is no reason to learn guitar. What I am saying is if you want to learn bass first, you dont need to start with something else. I picked ukulele after the bass and it still helped me a lot with strumming and introduced me to chords, and now I am trying stuff on drums too, but my theory classes from years ago is what helped me the most.I still think that it is not a NECESSITY to learn another instrument BEFORE learning bass. Go on KZbin looking for how shapes and intervalles work and you're good to go for the start. No pressure.

[@Clebardman]

@@ennytiss5674 Oh I agree, might as well start with bass then grab a guitar when you wanna dive into some aspects of theory. The ability to play full chords just makes learning some things easier IMO.

[@WizardOfArc]

Carol Kaye said it’s all about chord tones

[@devinebass]

Big up Carol!

[@charlesmwolf]

i love how spot on the rant is scott. I think that the first 'serious' steps for a bass player to take to learn is to find out how to "dance around the chords" but so few bass books actually talk about it in this way. it comes from the years of being told their jobs are everything else but the chords like the rest of the group. which they are not wrong but they often forget that its the chord they need to know to ground themselves to the rest of the party. Once they learn the chords being played, it becomes a lot easier to know what notes to play to effectively dance around the notation they are bringing.

[@dj.crooner]

This advice is a piece of gold. Thanks!

[@VeitLehmann]

This was an awesome explanation of a great approach to playing the bass! The one that I actually used from the very beginning, unconsciously. I'm not a fast player, I can't do a lot of tricks, but somehow I still keep getting compliments on sessions and people enjoy jamming with me. With this approach, you can basically play anything, even walking bass just falls into place. If you can hear the cords and project them as patterns to the fretboard, you're half-way there. Then listen to what the singer or soloist is doing and fill the gaps with those notes, maybe come up with some responses or counter melodies, just using those notes and patterns, that's where the magic begins to happen! Sure, articulation and groove are just as important, but you have another great video on that topic 😁

[@ogKalmari]

My first bass arrives next monday so I'll be watching your stuff a lot after that! I bought bass because I've been drummer for a while now and I have always wanted to learn music theory better. Since I like to play bass a lot and I learn theory a lot easier if I can do it with the help of instrument that I like, I think bass and this channel works perfectly for me!

[@hardway1746]

Guitar = makes people wanna sing along Bass = makes people wanna get up and move, dance Drums = keep every one in time

[@jaidee9570]

I was in bands on and off for 15 years, in that time only one drummer had an internal chronometer that kept time correctly. The rest used to rely upon me keeping time so much it was irksome. One guy was so bad I had to give him his own monitor speaker! Needless to say the guy who could drum in time allowed me to develop more as a bassist than any other. I wasn't ever that good, now I have arthritis in my hands, I'm beyond bad. 😧

[@hardway1746]

@@jaidee9570 one reason I started using a beatbuddy pedal as a drummer or just not have a drummer at all.

[@marcblum5348]

"Drums = keep every one in time" Do not agree at all. Every member of the band, including vocalists, is responsible of keeping the time. If you rely on the drummer to do that for you, I suggest you to go back and work hard on your timing.

[@The_Copper_Element_Itself]

​@@marcblum5348well, when the WATCHERS are grooving and dancing, their rythm is usually set by the drums, other instruments aint gonna be individually recognized by your normal joe to perfectly follow along.

[@marcblum5348]

@@The_Copper_Element_Itself Timing and groove are heavily related but not the same thing. The thread is about timing. Let's stick to that.

[@AHMETASTON]

Technical purpose of Bass, joins the seams/gaps in the music. Musical purpose of Bass, same as any other instrument. Musical effect of Bass, 'punches holes' in the music, how fantastic is that!!!.

[@ditmarvanbelle1061]

Yeah. He's on to something here. I used to be a keyboard player, therefore I had a different approach to bass. But that baggage in the back of my head surely helped a ton!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@nonotesnelson]

s video could have saved me so much time years ago but I'm glad to have seen it now. Great video as always man, think I was up until 5am watching your content this morning just legendary stuff

[@crankjazz]

I outline the harmony, keep the band in time, imply the chord changes, and act as the musical director.

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@Clebardman]

Hahaha that's pretty accurate, from my experience. For some reason guitarists/keyboardists/drummers/singers are always late, didn't work on the song, they want to go smoke a cigarette 5 mins after the reharsal started, they noodle on their instrument all the time while others are trying to talk about the goddamn song, etc.. And somehow it's always the bassist's job to slap the crap out of everybody and make sure something constructive happens. Sometimes I'm tapping the beat for my beginner drummer while yelling chord changes at my guitarists and singing the chorus for ma singer, and I'm like "wait a second... What the fuck was I supposed to play already? ^_-" I remember I ended up tanking a BUNCH of performances at some point a decade ago because I was just so overworked from having to manage like... 5 different bands of lemmings at once (^% If I was still playing seriously nowadays I'd just be like "ok but I wanna be paid thrice as much as you" lmao.

[@derfdoerfler260]

Overall message is important here, folks. Everyone in the band benefits from knowing chords tones. "Everyone's job is to make the groove." 👍

[@glewcifer]

Great stuff. Perhaps doing this vid with a 4 string would have helped with the overall message of accessablity? Because looking at a Fedora 5 String (although it's a fantastic high-end instrument) instantly gives the impression of high-end, clever, accomplished musicianship - which is what Scott is all about - but the beginner is easily bamboozled by that extra string. It seems a bit "professional" and goes against the "this is quite straightforward stuff" message put across in here. I really appreciate the SBL ethos, but as a low-end luddite who struggles with theory - I am guilty of all the points raised - it's harder to translate to my fretboard with that low B (?) string in there. This isn't a criticism, just a comment on the first impression, keep up the great work.

[@devinebass]

Thank you for that feedback! That's a very valid point!

[@britlips]

Agreed

[@NicHasegawa]

I know it’s kind of off topic since we’re talking about chord tones, but you also don’t even have to play anything on the first beat of the bar which can be awesome! 11:38

[@tevohub6913]

By far one of your best videos mate, you can achieve sooo much with sooo little... Greetings from Argentina

[@trfmusic902]

Been in music education in some way all my life playing bass and im gonna tell you knowing chord formulas and triads will be a very powerful weapon to help you learn songs quickly

[@palooski227]

ALSO I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS MAN YOU HELPED ME SO MUCH IN THE BEGINNING AND YOURE STILL HELPING 2 years later

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@HonchoHundo]

What’s weird is if you go onto Scott’s bass lessons and delve into modes the instructor is very adamant it’s NOT* patterns and to stray away from pattern recognition He strongly reiterates it’s about intervals and intervals only that shape sound I’ve honestly never been so conflicted lol

[@champ6436]

well i mean if you only learn mode and chord with patern without knowing what are the interval that compose this mode then you will be stuck each time you have to play more horizontaly plus you will have to google everytime you encounter a new chord whereas if you really know your interval then you can really be free around the fretboard.

[@bassmaiasa1312]

Well, I think it's all about where the half-steps (one-fret) are. That's how Anthony Wellington explains it. There are only two half-steps in a major scale (3-4 and 7-8). In each mode, those half-steps get shifted. So the one-fret in the fingering pattern gets shifted. So yes, the theory sinks in better for me when I think of intervals instead of just finger patterns. What's the difference between ionian, lydian, and mixo? 1 and 4 have leading tones (half-step between 7-8), 5 has no leading tone (flat seventh or dominant 7th.). Phrygian and locrian have descending leading tones (half-step between 1-2). Just rote memorizing 7 finger patterns would make me sick. But the way Wellington explains it, it's all one wholistic pattern, not 7 mindless patterns.

[@mcliffe26]

But chords and patterns are just intervals. A major triad is a major 3rd and a minor 3rd. A minor triad is a minor 3rd and a major 3rd. The key is learning which intervals you need. I don't think Scott here is talking fretboard patterns, but rather harmonic patterns between the notes that make up the chords.

[@devinebass]

Hey Honcho, great spot! I think you're speaking of Rich Brown (badass player!). Anywho, yes - there are multiple ways of going about this... intervals, patterns, notes... Rich loves intervals, Gary Willis (monster player) like myself loves extensive patterns, others love notes. In my opinion, it's about finding what works for YOU, and not what works for someone else. For me, patterns are by FAR the easiest way of scaling the neck, intervals, yep I think about those too, notes yes... but only as a starting point to a pattern of interval. All that to say, find what works for YOU, and lean into it :)

[@HonchoHundo]

@@devinebass I actually somewhat know Rich Brown personally he’s the one who got me to pickup the bass again about 12-13 years ago when I first saw him with larnell Lewis at the Rex in Toronto hahah It’s been about 2 years since I’ve registered SBL but wasn’t him though! The modes lesson instructor I’m referring to was British and I believe his name started with a “P” 😅

[@tigerscott2966]

Absolutely! My brother was a gifted bass player and stage Performer. It just came naturally for him. Aside from that, the business of band Promotion, marketing and long time Goals didn't appeal to him.

[@McGuire40695]

I said this years ago on your videos, but I love watching your content, especially now that I've been playing bass for the past 4 years. Guitar's my primary instrument, and it has been for the past 15 years. I'm always writing and arranging music working out chords. At times, I even write piano parts even though I've NEVER played tat instrument. I took up bass so I could work my technique out better for basslines I was coming up with. I 100% agree with you that understanding how chords are made is CRUCIAL to being a great bassist. It seems likes most bassist just think "let's play the lowest root note of whatever the guitarist is doing" just like a lot of guitarists think "oh, I'm playing modes" when they're just playing the same pentatonic lick over different chords lol. Even when I'm jamming and playing bass in the one band I'm in, audience members always come up afterwards and say "what a great job you're doing. How do you do it?" I always respond with "I'm a guitarist first, and I just arpeggiate the chords."

[@Pierre50mm]

My double bass teacher is very good at playing and teaching. He always said to me - same with the great Ray Brown: KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid. Since bass sets the foundation (the base), it defines rythm and harmony to backup the band. I mostly learned jazz with him and I've been in 2 amateur bands playing hits from the '60s and '70s ( jazz, country, folk, latin and pop) quite succesfully. For 2 weeks now, I work with a church choir singing very traditionnal music (more classical?). Sometimes, I must deal with 3/2 and 2/2 rythms, wich are new to me. So, I have to count the rythm to match that music. Still learning.

[@normg2242]

I don't have a clue about scales, modes or even where the notes are on the fretboard. But I can hear where all the half note steps have to be. Been outlining chords all my life, not with knowledge or theory, but just by being able to hear them. I never know what scale I'm playing at any moment. I just know by ear that it fits...

[@estarling8766]

You're the man !

[@normg2242]

@E Starling ... I must admit though - it does get problematic when our keyboarder or guitarist asks me what chords I'm playing. Usually I don't have a clue. Then I play it for him and have to let them figure it out ... lol

[@Clebardman]

@@normg2242 Definitely works for 99% of pop music, going to have a real bad time if you hit a jazz jam tho ;) Chord grids are the simplest form of musical notation, and they'll really make your life as a bassist much, much easier if you learn to read them (which takes about a week honestly)

[@normg2242]

@Clebardman ... Believe it or not - I am in a jazz band, but I have to admit - I tend to get lost during solos in songs with more complicated chord sequences, like "All the things you are" or the Latin stuff by Jobim....

[@Clebardman]

@@normg2242 You play bossa without reading chord grids? O_O You sir have good ears, forget what I wrote earlier hahaha.

[@blackfeather35]

I concur completely with what Scott said. I used to be in SBL school for a minute. I learned a lot in the short time I was there.

[@s.menester2600]

Here in latin america, most of the folkloric genres(cumbia) outline the chords on the bass, so it is something familiar to me. I suck a lot playing bass, but outlining chords is something i do well enough.

[@gurmot]

I wasted the first year or so of my journey bass drifting around different types of face to face and online learning before figuring this out for myself. I even gave up SBL as I just couldn’t orientate my learning around any foundation for my role as player and therefore how to build my approach. This video should be repositioned as an essential foundation for al players, especially new ones as it just makes sense and puts everything else in perspective.

[@hoythendrix]

So helpful! I’ve played off and on since fall of 2021, but I’ve played guitar for five years. I will say playing bass helped me play guitar when I thought it would be the other way around. I’m looking to progress in my bass playing more so than guitar now.

[@stuartholme4457]

I play chords. I carefully select which note(s) of the current chord I will play. Sometimes I play two of the notes in a chord at the same time!

[@MattAllsopMusic]

Scott jammin away and playing superb as always. I agree mostly with what your saying. However, it does depend a lot on the genre of music being played! I think it is still relevent to every style, but in some cases far less. Having that great Bass line playing away is cool, but if you have too many instruments doing a bunch of different melodies playing together... it can sound a bit Sh*t as well. Again, depends on style etc...

[@jefflea05]

Yeah that’s cool and all, but sometimes you just have to nail down the rhythm while holding the root, because that triad stuff gets heady and doesn’t serve the song at all. I have to agree that we should all know chords. But if we take Scott’s argument at face value, “its’s everybody’s role to do all the things”, and so an instrument is not defined by any role. And we’re back to square one and we haven’t learned anything. Sounds like a great way to get people to sign up for your just-so-happens-to- be-open-for-enrollment class though

[@nautilaz]

Yep, you just have to use your ear for whatever the song or band are doing. Sometimes the song requires some jazz lines like he plays, but a lot of other times, it won't fit the song. And yes, groove is everything. Sometimes I think Scott struggles with this.

[@stuartholme4457]

But how do you "outline chords" without knowing how chords are constructed and named? How can you know how chords are constructed and named without knowing the major scale? Learning the major scale first is the way. All of the terminology - names of the intervals, what is a "triad", etc, all based on the major scale.

[@jollyroger1009]

I had a great bass teacher in my local area who lived and breathed this stuff and hammered it into us from day one. So watching this video I'm quietly smiling to myself and thinking "Thanks, Dean" 😊.

[@waldemardaninsky2428]

Lou barlow blown my head at a Dino jr. concert. Just chords all the time. What a gig, holy Molly...

[@bryce4503]

Lol

[@devinebass]

🔥🔥🔥

[@andyb7855]

Been a fan for a few years, this is the single greatest bass lesson I've ever watched on KZbin!!! Thanks dude!

[@TheSugaflyy]

He's absolutely right. I got lucky and got to learn from some great people and they hammered this into my head. I practiced to be good at this. People would always think I'm doing fancy crap and i all I'm doing is running around in the chords. That's why when I mess up I can cover it up real well. I always tell people you can get chord charts online, friggin books, but they get mad because it takes a little more work. People will buy the most expensive equipment, but won't take the time to learn something that can make them sound like a great bassist.

[@markhenryramsey9132]

I’ve been playing on/off for 30+ years and you’re right, I’ve been mediocre for years and just starting to get ‘better’.

[@pantone804]

To say this is an awesome program is an understatement. I was lucky enough to come across SBL and the fretboard accelerator when I first started playing bass a couple of years ago and it really helped me build a solid foundation for my playing.

[@petercorbett3794]

As a teenager I’d been playing guitar-guitar for 3-4 years, competent but felt as though I’d hit a wall. I was at a singer’s flat one morning, idly picking out bass lines while he got ready to go out, he burst into the room, ‘Mate! Mate, you’ve got to switch to bass! I’m telling you THAT is your thing!’ I switched to bass! Never switched back, still a basshead 40 years later. There are some fecking terrible players out there, many couldn’t hack it on git-git and went to bass, couldn’t hack that either! When I switched I also bought a little keyboard and really started to sharpen up on the basics, reading, all sorts of stuff I’d neglected. Many people switch to bass and become bone-idle. It had the opposite effect on me.

[@adamjohnson5307]

This just lets me know I’m on the right track. I love finding bassless backing tracks on KZbin and practicing triads to create basslines for those tracks

[@michael_emm]

Thank you!!!! Syncopation in the bass lines.

[@grantkoeller8911]

4 triads Major triad Minor triad Augmented triad Diminished triad

[@bassmaiasa1312]

major third-minor third minor third-major third major third-major third minor third-minor third The augmented triad is accidental and doesn't actually exist in a major scale. In a major key, there are 3 major triads (1,4,5), 3 minor triads (2,3,6) and 1 diminshed (7).

[@ChrisHayworth100]

I once had a guy who wanted me to play the root notes in 8ths for every song. Needless to say I was glad I never got the gig. If you want a bassist for than get a beginner.

[@FollowTheLion01]

Good video. I agree that everyone needs to know the triads and be aware of them when picking notes to play, including any transition notes between one chord and the next. I think maybe it's a good idea to show the minor 7ths written on the board. A G7 chord really isn't a standard triad made up of harmonized thirds, because it has a minor 7th in it, but it helps to know that the A note is in the G7 chord. So G7 includes G, B, D, A. Sometimes you might want to emphasize the A. Of course, there's an almost endless list of what can be taught in music, so you can't include everything in one video. 😂

[@bass_journey]

I am taking this course. It is really good. Packed with information. It takes more than 6 months beinng honest. Be prepared to spend a year to complete it maybe a bit less. But is worth it. In 1 month I was able to memorise the whole fretboard pretty much.

[@rankpa]

I’m 81; just bought a little Kala Ubass. Only goal is to have fun. I’m thinking about the bass as another way to enjoy some songs I like - by stroking fingers rhythmically on strings (instead of just tapping on my knee). Meanwhile I’ll work at learning how to shape those strings into chordal tones with my other hand. As I see it, each chord (i.e. ‘harmonic space’) has one root. The root combines with 3 possible ‘5ths’ (at diminished interval, at perfect interval, at augmented interval). Then there’s two ‘3rds’ (a littler ‘minor’ one or a bigger ‘major one) each of which, like the root, can be combined with its own ‘5ths’ interval (again in diminished, perfect, or augmented flavors). There’s more to it than that, but what I outlined ought to keep me busy until I croak.

[@inkblowout]

Great video, and I agree 100%. I think what can also help bass players is if people start looking at songs they like by chords, then they can implement stuff they like from the music they like into their own music/riffs.

[@tiococo]

There's a famous saying that you never know what chord it is, unless the bass defines it. Having a deep harmonic understandment and learning to identify tonal functions by ear is a must if you take your playing seriously.

[@Bassplayingypsy]

Stick to the root with bomb timing. Safe way to NOT get fired, or end up on the list of horrible bass player. Don't forget. Learn basic theory and how to change chords with just one note. Be it "the correct note". If you don't play drums. Learn basic drumming patterns and apply it on bass. This all together will keep you off that horrible bass player list. Simple right? If so, why are there so many horrible bass players? Get to it guys and girls. Oh. Learn all chords and play those as well. Triads are your friend. But learn 7th chords as well. Good luck. And stay on these lessons from Scott. Fast track to getting all of the basics down to be that bad ass bass player.

[@nicgundy]

YESS!!

[@devinebass]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@NerdEmoji1067]

I think there’s more to it than just outlining chords. That is the main point of a bassist but it also brings the song together and makes it sound full. Without bass songs sound kinda floaty and weird.

[@ledorzejean-etienne3747]

Best way to get inspiration with bass, look at Chris squire playing rhythm and harmonies and his attitude.

[@noahsanders6577]

brother i would credit you with being my educator more so than my actual teacher. keep it up and pass the torch

[@taynehenry6924]

💙 this Scott! Been playing for 20+ years and I'm not across all invaluable stuff. Need to get it into my playing pronto 🤓

[@nyobunknown6983]

This is so true. I played bass for a few years studying scales and modes and was getting nowhere before I took up keyboards as a second instrument. It was while learning chords on the keyboard it hit me how important chord tones are for bass playing. This happened about 40 years ago. After learning keyboards my bass playing improved 1000%.

[@britlips]

When you do the groove at the end , are you just doing the C triad or going through all of them?

[@PhatSimey]

Great video! I don't play bass, just drums and bit of guitar, but have learnt a lot from this. 🙂

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

and you are right 'know the role of your instrument in a band and style'

[@Ben-bt6oc]

Listening to the bass part on 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick'... and thinking just how well Norman Watt Roy's playing marks out the harmonies. Though those never never-ending semiquavers are also deserving of respect

[@guiguiyom8787]

I love this kind of first step lessons that's too often skiped. As a self taught player full of bad habits, at leats i'm good with this one (thanks to SBL :) )

[@SteveWeltman]

Scott, this is completely logical and very approachable, but like everything, will take some effort and time to get good at it (I claim no expertise in this). Grooving is hard, and you make it look easy. Also, I really appreciate your posts. You make me think a lot about the way I think of the notes I play and why I play them that way.

[@alainbrasseur7083]

It's everybody job in the band to groove! 200% agree

[@bondibox]

The only thing I would add to this is it's the bassist's job to help anticipate the chord changes, so ending one chord with the leading tone of the next chord sounds pretty good.

[@RustyKnorr]

Drummer here. Scott is speaking TRUTH!!!!!!!

[@zacbotham9476]

This was a realisation to me a couple of years ago (10 years into playing bass) and it changed my whole approach.. for the better

[@jdodgebagpiper8036]

I had “hacked” it for 20 years. Thought I was doing OK… was told I sounded great and held my own. It scared me because I didn’t know ANY theory… except chord tones from being a rudimentary guitarist. I started at the major scale, beat it to death, along with the modes. Once the “goal posts” became obvious- the middle notes became more natural due to the modal theory. Short story long, it got me out of the box, and gave me many more options. My biggest hurdle was my right hand. Your videos on economy picking totally helped with that! A couple years since I’ve restarted my journey and I’m very comfortable with my bass now! It’s easier to learn things correctly than it is to unlearn bad habits! :) Happy bassing to all!