Do you think it’s easy to play bass?

[@jimduncan6478]

Interestingly...at least to me...I watched this video today after spending a considerable amount of time working on the relatively simply bassline to Eric Clapton's version of "I'm Tore Down". I have played that line for a number of years and just recently started analyzing how well I was playing it. I suddenly realized my line was all over the shop relative to consistency and accuracey. I am never going to be a professional player; however, I do want to be the best I can be. I am making it a part of my daily practice routine to play that line with a metronome at a slower pace and focus on consistency throughout attack through release. Thanks for this video about the importance of these elements of playing the bass; much appreciated.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Thanks for sharing that, Jim. I love “Tore Down” too. Dave Bronze!

[@RafaelStrangiato]

Duration of notes and the quality of the spaces between them... that is so important for feel. Notice the bass on Superstition, those aren't full quarter notes, there's just enough space between to give it that oomph, that soul or groove or whatever you want to call it. Groove is in the heart 🎵

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Yes! Thanks, Rafael.

[@ericmailer6722]

I’ve always tried to see the bass line as a melody, for me it just makes it flow more.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

A good way to look at it. Case in point: Paul McCartney! 😁 Thanks, Eric.

[@s.d.d.6063]

As a former pianist (I studied it for many years when i was younger, taking exams at a music school) I can confidently confirm that playing the bass is as much a challenge as playing the piano. I may have been a better pianist than I am a bassist now ... but for sure I am a much better musician now than i was back then and that's thanx to the bass. Ty for the vid 🙂

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

You’re welcome. Thanks for weighing in!

[@bigfoot-id8bv]

I play a bunch of stuff poorly, piano, guitar, mandolin, ukulele etc bass can be easy, so can ukulele, so can guitar, they’re all kind of the same, like anything practice regularly and they’re fun and easy. Suggestion; pick a specific time every day to practice (in a fun way) for 15 minutes, that 15 minutes will usually end up at least an hour or two.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Great approach, bigfoot. Consistency is key! 😀

[@bassbuffricky]

This man is speaking words of wisdom.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Thanks for your kind words! 😁

[@gb-tm9vg]

Loved this video. I play, as I call it, by braille this comment may or may not resonant with viewers. As I don't play in a band I don't worry about sitting on 1,5 that much. If I feel it yes, if not I tend to be more melodic on base. A 2 string bass forces one to be very creative on where to find notes in the scale and then outside of the octave. I am probably a teachers nightmare. I try to play 1 or 2 hours a day. An ironic twist today. I went to my garage feeling like some rock and roll. I thought I'd do some Robin Trower. I plugged in one of my 2 string bass guitars and started. Wasn't feeling it. Switched to guitar, still wasn't feeling it. I turned off the music, sat in my chair. After 10-15 minutes I put on some Don Williams. I plugged in my 4 string bass, an instrument I don't play very often, and surprised myself with how well it went. Keep in mind I hadn't listened to any Don Williams in at least 20 years. Just some nice straightforward bass lines. Strange. The lesson. Go with the flow. The soul knows.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Wow, gb, what a story. I can definitely see how a 2-string bass would force you to be very creative. And disciplined! And the mention of Robin Trower made me smile. Thanks so much for weighing in. You made my day! And you gave me some good ideas too!

[@joannalewis5279]

So true. Timing and dynamics are what makes bass hard

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

It’s only hard at first. Keep at it. Thanks, Joanna! 😀

[@jamro217]

After listening to the "it's easy 'cuz it only has four strings" rationale for the last fifty years or so, I'm inclined to respond to the posted question as such: "Is it easy to play the bass? Yes. Is it easy to play the bass well? No." The same is true for golfers, karaoke singers, and many other acquired skills. Almost anyone can do them, few can do them really, really well. It is interesting to hear you talk about the attack and release of notes, Jon. From a lead guitarist's point of view, these are what determine your voice. Trying to stand out in a sea of aspiring guitar heroes means you have to offer something unique and memorable. Analyzing what makes a solo great versus being just eight measures sans vocals is important. Adapting the same principle to the bass (albeit for a different reason) is brilliant. This is the kind of subtlety that separates mediocre players from good ones. Thanks for another thoughtful insight. Take care!

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Great points, Robert. Thanks!

[@HomeOnTheRange]

Every not I play is everything, and to stop and think about it is for the guitar player or someone with the luxury of laying out. Me and the drummer have work to do. Great episode! Thanks!

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

👍😀

[@northyland1157]

as a former middle school tuba player I sorta get some of what was said. But on the other hand I'm clueless.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

You don’t have to swallow everything all at once. Start with just one thing. Then, when you’ve got that down, try another. Baby steps. Hit me up with any questions, northyland. I’m happy to help! Thanks for weighing in.

[@ivanoroman3166]

Io credo caro signore che lei abbia davvero ragione e competenza,grazie dall,italia in particolare dalla provincia veneziana.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Grazie!

[@admarhermans1]

It’s much harder to make one decisive (possible) wrong choice taking a band somewhere, than it is to take the music wrongly (if such a thing exists) together as a band. We’re the pianists loud left hand: it defines shit totally. We therefore can never sleep. Our demeanor is our coping, our mask😄! 🤫

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Ha! Thanks, Admar! 😀

[@WickedFesterBand]

Hard to play? No. Hard to play well? Yes! (And I’m a guitar player)

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

👍

[@torgomax]

I can't get my fretting hand to work. 😥

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Sorry to hear that, Jeffrey. Thanks for letting me know. Contact me through forbassplayersonly.com and let me know what’s going on. Maybe I can suggest some things for you to try.

[@skrillah6259]

Anyone who thinks bass is easy can show me them ripping some iron maiden.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

😀

[@mariodelosa6326]

My personal favorite? You don't play chords on a bass. Uhm, yes you can, just not nearly as often. And by the way, yes you need to know chords in order to be effective.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Your second sentence clarified what I was going to say about your first. 😂 Thanks, Mario!

[@mariodelosa6326]

@@ForBassPlayersOnly My pleasure! I am sure an entire video could be created on chord structure and how it relates to playing bass.

[@jobiazgarza9571]

bass is objectively easier than guitar or keys. a one root note line played with the bass drum beat can work. to be good on bass is hard. to be great on bass and write lines that support the melody and do not detract is extremely hard.

[@ForBassPlayersOnly]

Thanks, Jobiaz!