How to become a First Pick Bass Player

[@samgodzwa7927]

I’m a church drummer. I’ve noticed that 99% of the time MDs or worship leaders tell you to play simpler, they either mean that you should play cleaner or play to the song more (e.g. don’t play intense grooves/fills during chill moments). If you watch top musicians, they aren’t playing simple, but they’re playing extremely clean and with a highly developed musical knowledge.

[@TheBbtlegit]

Exactly. I don't want to hear a thousand runs in a song.

[@NashvilleStudioBass]

Great advice for the intermediate to advanced players. When I was young and started getting good enough where I was bored with the routine pocket stuff, I started improvising “Too Much.” My band friends told me, “If you want to play lead guitar, switch to lead guitar, but for now, just play bass.” Best advice I’ve used for years and that helps me be the “first picked bass player” every time.

[@Aispirational]

Im a bass player for almost 5 years and i played boring bass so that my music director i played boring in bass and i realized that i dont know what todo in playing bass i make a lot of mistake but dont know how to get rid of it but i watched your videos it turns my mistake into a learning materials thank you for giving this to us

[@EricRunquistBass]

This is such a complicated topic. All the topics are a given, but being cool and easy to be around will get you on and keep you as a first call player. Im doing maybe 400 gigs a year. Great video and playing :)

[@kennethmaese4622]

As a church drummer this was very helpful for me as well

[@LeadGenWithDarryl]

Bro! I play lead guitar. Just because I love it but working with these musicians are difficult SOMETIMES. And I relate to all of your experiences on the very small level that I’m at. I wasn’t even going to watch the video because it said “bass” but you really helped me. Thank you.

[@daveweed2765]

Is this a thing in megachurches or what? I've only played guitar and bass with bands. And not in Church. I would

[@daveweed2765]

Screwed up on the key board but... I would think people would go to church to hear a message instead of wanting to see a show. Hell let kids learning to play do the music deal in churches. I don't think God would care if they messed up.

[@LeadGenWithDarryl]

@@daveweed2765 I’m not sure, I’m only expressing my gratitude for confirming that it’s at every level and it’s not just me. I don’t play at any mega church that’s why I was careful to say “on the very small level that I’m at”.

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Great advice, nice topic 👌🏿 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@JermaineMorganBass]

👊🏾😎

[@markjohnson9485]

As a guitar player who started as bass player, I understand what you're saying. The most important thing for any musician is knowing where the pocket and/or the groove is, and play within it. There's a time to be busy (a solo or written part), but when you overplay, you create musical chaos.

[@brentchapman9174]

Playing bass 11 yrs in church. I play less now but more notes in the groove and pocket. Run when song is running and groove in the pocket. Play more with 4 members and less with 10. Also depends if we have a cello or keys plays a good left hand... jmo. Great video

[@AlexiKaruna]

Your videos are so good... teaching how to think about playing and improving... teaching us to fish. Really appreciate and please keep it up!

[@PaulRussellDesigns]

Just discovered this channel for the first time today... I'm loving the 'street wise' approach to bass playing! Emphasis on listening, and then using what you hear in various contexts - so not a high emphasis on the theory which many of us untrained players don't understand completely, but practical theory which we can use to play better if we have a good ear. I've been playing in church for about 17 years, with a huge 10 year gap somewhere in-between, and this is seriously inspiring me to not just practice for the next service or event, but to put some extra time in to develop the detail, fills, lead ins, etc - my arsenal as you put it. Thank you for ACTUAL USEFUL bass developing content.

[@funfanacyland1172]

Thank you, for this all of us bass player can over play some time because we listen to so many solo artists. 😊

[@douglaswilliams1081]

Awesome lesson. I just started doing that very thing yesterday. Trial and error, do it while you practice!!!

[@joshjones9749]

The downside ive noticed from years of playing bass is everyone has an opinion on what they want from that instrument. You gotta do alot of ignoring sometimes and trusting your gut...assuming you know your stuff.

[@reigniteinchrist]

In any role you must balance obedience to instinct ratio !! So true!

[@JustinDAMusic]

Exactly. Sometimes the problem is not that you aren't playing well it's simply that what you're playing is not to the specific MD's taste.

[@mtgjax]

Or let the spirit lead you.

[@JCBassCovers]

I still remember looking over at the guitar player to see him shaking his head in my old church band whenever I decided to do something a little crazy LOL I was a kid that felt like I had something to prove, though.

[@TheBbtlegit]

Most professional singer's want you to play the song. Remember they hired you . People pay to see them not you.

[@folushooyekunle9735]

Thanks so much for a thorough breaking down. You've exposed me to the secret of having your already made familiar licks. It is matter of putting it at the appropriate time and place...!!!

[@cedricpatterson7055]

Absolutely right on time Bass Players Pastor The Bass Whisperer 😂 In a season of chasing greatness, your material is always packed with juicy golden nuggets.

[@beatrocka5]

That "go to" lick at 9:45 is so simple, but something that I needed!! Awesome info in here!! Thanks.

[@TyroneCCloud]

Hey J, that was a super fantastic lesson that I needed to hear, a different approach to getting out, but still be in the flow and groove of the song!

[@clvortex92]

Thanks, this really helped, getting back to it after being away for awhile

[@jdms_yt]

Jermaine, thanks for creating this lesson! A music mentor of mine once described the groove and approach to "fills" of a legendary gospel bassist we both admired (Joel Smith) as "very musical" and "he doesn't waste any notes". I think this relates to what you're teaching here. I really appreciate the point about "recovering".

[@DeyquanBowens]

That groove was wild! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@JermaineMorganBass]

👊🏾😎

[@OlandoMcCall]

Recovery, never thought of that!

[@Lymanity]

I'm an admirer of church/gospel bass, but I had a similar conundrum. My solution is to meet in the middle. I "play the bass" and then I add bits of melodic phrasing inside the bassline. It's not exactly a walking bassline, but it allows me to create more variation between songs, especially if the writer didn't use very distinguishing progressions between songs.

[@bhanana2023]

Thanks for this premiere. I know it gonna be helpful to my bass life.

[@JermaineMorganBass]

Happy to help!

[@bhanana2023]

Thank you very much. You're my mentor and I would plead with you to help and train me through my bass learning journey 🙏🙏🙏

[@corascuts]

Jermaine Morgan thaaank yoooouuu sooo much!! I'm a beginner bass player and you taught this well. This is very good info!! God Bless you!!

[@oRBz_NZ]

I'm fairly still new to Bass playing, but back when I started I always wanted to go mad crazy on the bass cause I've been seeing videos of cool bass players doing their thing. So during that time and I remember it vividly, our keys player (which he is our music band leader) will always take me to the side and tell me to stop doing all that movement, stay calm and listen to the music, I was actually sad because I thought people liked it, he also added you'll know what i mean the more you play. So during my bass playing journey lol, I started to get what he meant and it's exactly what you just did in this video, but I also added a bass players domain is in the praise songs, leave the worship to the keys and elec/acou guitar, but add your bass touch to the mix. Trust you'll be recognized, just the way you'll play soft, but adding that extra groove to the worship songs will be ear/eye catching

[@galvinferguson5336]

The way you broke this down is really good! Thank you for this video!

[@DevonOCase]

I like your approach in this lesson. Blessings.

[@kevinobianwu4664]

I had the same experience couple of years back 2019 even last year when I was playing for a new church.

[@excellenceinyou]

Create your own exercise out of your own lick that’s a amazing tip ‼️🔥love this content Jermaine. Great to see always my brother

[@JermaineMorganBass]

My guy 👊🏾😎

[@mcdeepend]

That's an old well-known Chick Corea exercise.

[@JermaineMorganBass]

@@mcdeepend Wow! That’s great to know. Ironically, I’ve never heard it. Like I stated, I just played a simple pentatonic scale. Hopefully you enjoyed the content.

[@mcdeepend]

@@JermaineMorganBass I did man, I just meant he would create his own exercises out of his licks/phrases.

[@JermaineMorganBass]

@@mcdeepend Ok cool! gotcha

[@armyofone1890]

You are my new best friend,. Thank you for the honest video.

[@jacalab]

THIS IS SO ON POINT!!! KEEP THIS COMING!!!

[@JermaineMorganBass]

💪🏾💪🏾

[@richardweston8541]

Thank you brother, I was listening to you on Thanksgiving day and I’m exactly where you are talking about trying to stay in the pocket but not getting the first chair. I will definitely implement these skills. You were blessing to me today. Richard.

[@nichalausrook2397]

This was a great lesson, it's like you said all the things I was thinking. Nice to have a plan of action, thank you

[@robertcamp1606]

Really well organized & presented vid without much wasted talk!! Nice fat, warm sound w/round strong bottom! Really like that kind of warm fat(but clear, not muddy) tone! Keep grooving! Thanks!❤

[@stephenmitchell2979]

Great lesson Jermaine. Thank you

[@JermaineMorganBass]

My pleasure 🙏🏽

[@stacyfields743]

Been a minute. You always bring weighted insight and context. Thx J,like I been knowing you for years.

[@OdgeBrown]

All this valuable advice is appreciated brother!! One thing I like to do is record my practise sessions while I experiment over a track then listen to it a couple days later. When you hear it back, you hear it in "third person" from the outside with the rest of the mix. You learn and feel how well your ideas fit the groove 🔥... or kill the groove 😅. Often, ideas/runs/licks/changes that seemed real simple at the time end up sounding more magical than the advanced stuff you've laid down 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@JermaineMorganBass]

Exactly 🎯

[@Theo-bill357]

Soooooo timely, so helpful, can't thank you enough!!!❤

[@jdennis94]

thanks for sharing! this was very helpful. Awesome teaching

[@64jazz]

Bruh, Jermaine - EVERY time I check in with you/you're video's I step away with even more knowledge, insight and wisdom than before; Thank You Brotha Man, Much Appreciated.👊🏾

[@JermaineMorganBass]

My pleasure 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@rickyshinobi2303]

Great video. I just got my first bass, so I practice more at home and went with an Ibanez SR505e, but wow, that Fender looks and sounds amazing! I hope this 505 lasts a while, I want something that will last and that I grow into.

[@lawrencerogers8823]

Great bass. I sold mine and regretted it so I’d say hang on to it

[@patrickroyster6564]

Hi Jermaine, I want to express my gratitude for sharing your amazing gift and talent with us. Your teachings are valuable even for intermediate bass players like me. Although I'm not at the top of my skill level, I'm always eager to learn more. Your ability to break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand parts is incredibly helpful. I pray that God continues to bless you with more opportunities to share your talents and gifts, so that we can raise more believers for his Kingdom. Thank you for everything you do, and God bless you.🙏🏾

[@the-nige]

J8st found you and subscribed. Great video (honest, practical and insightful) and looking forward to other lessons :)

[@andyestrada229]

First time here, Thank You for sharing I subscribed

[@michaelweymouth4015]

Love your direction as it’s giving me a lot to consider as I’m considering coming out of retirement to play bass again. Nice guitar strap. Any data on it? Thanks 🙏

[@JermaineMorganBass]

Thanks 🙏🏽 jermainemorgan.net/jm-signature-straps/

[@conquerormike293]

Always looking forward to your videos cos I'm always constantly learning from each and every one of them. Thanks a million sire

[@JermaineMorganBass]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@64jazz]

^THIS^!! Jermaine is the Truth! 👊🏾

[@petermanoharan5685]

Hi Jermaine - thanks for this. Really helpful for me.

[@JamesEarl-g3d]

Taking this lesson to the drums and hopefully in a year I'll be one of the most called drummers in my area

[@emmanueltemilade2547]

Absolutely fantastic video man! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us! This encapsulates the balance between letting loose and staying in the pocket PERFECTLY 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Even the advice about practicing your “licks” as routine - excellent advice man. Thank you !

[@funfanacyland1172]

You have the same bass I'm playing right know at my church right know. Even though I have have a 4 5 and 6 sting bass. I play at Snellville community church in Snellville 😅 we're on Facebook all week long 😮

[@JCBassCovers]

I played bass in my old church's southern gospel band from when I was 15 til I was 18 and yeah that first part sounds extremely familiar LOL

[@Justoj895]

Man this helped me so much!! I really appreciate your content.

[@stevenarthur3]

Great teaching ...Blessings

[@DeafBassist]

These are some GREAT tips! I’ve been playing at a church every Sunday for several months now. I’ve been getting the songs transcribed for me, but I still remember enough music theory to be able to analyze what the bassist is doing and why.

[@godwinmrema8239]

Thanks Man for time informative lesson for growing..

[@hongmingxu7708]

imho, if u dnt have the time to watch this video completely, the summary is at ard 5:59

[@basslinephunk3441]

Jermaine, thanks brother. The information is always so valuable. 👍🏿

[@eliabecosta6382]

Hi Jermaine! Man, thank you for sharing with as you knowledge… it makes a lot of difference for us. God bless you!

[@MTPLawnService-tt5eo]

Wow! just subscribed. Great lesson.

[@creepymcpeepers]

I enjoy the bassist who don’t do the typical bass player thing

[@bknown1]

Well put from the intro

[@karlb8069]

Very well explained sir! I haven't played since 2011. This was so encouraging and instructional.

[@matthewreginaldo6791]

We got the same bass Brother! Cheers!🎉

[@jmoosic]

LOL Jermaine must have been sitting in my congregation....I've been playing bass for 2 churches for about a year and didn't realize I was hearing the music and not listening to the music....Thanks Jermaine

[@JermaineMorganBass]

😂

[@allgems]

I enjoyed your breakdown of that track. I'm a non-singing Bass Player who free lances for gigs and on many of them I'm subbing for someone. There are so many factors that determine why you may or may not be getting the 1st calls. My own formula is to always try to play what makes the song sound it's best, but I also listen to the other Band members and especially the guy who's paying me if he wants me to do something different. If it's a close decision talent wise, the player with the most personality and positive energy will probably get the 1st call.

[@itumelengselinda]

I like your bass tone. Do you mind taking me through your amp and bass pre amp settings?

[@ITakeTheVisual]

Such a great teacher. Thanks brother!

[@andyejembi7531]

Practical and relevant lesson, as always with J Morgan.

[@JermaineMorganBass]

Thanks for watching

[@reynoldmartin7244]

This was excellent! Thank you

[@caio5210]

Im not a worship player, i am actually not welcome in most churches because i am trans. But i am watching a ton of worship bass content recently and it is very insightful. Your videos specially. I really dig what some worship musicians are doing, even thought i find that the music and its genres can get a little pasteurized and cliche from time to time

[@TheCaptainSeven]

I don't go to church, but I appreciate the lesson dude.

[@mil-w5x]

I like that Bass this sounds great

[@antnyf13]

Great info 💯 I appreciate your knowledge and expertise

[@cezaralopes]

I've just arrived at your channel. Great content 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I don't know if you already talked about it but could you help us beginner/intermediate bass players to get a tone so loud, strong and clear as yours? Thanks

[@curtiswilliams3241]

Thanks Jermaine. You're all in my head musically lol

[@benhicksbass]

Ive always been a funk, jazz, and R&B bassist, but these past couple years I started playing in the church, i originally was trying to be super busy like a lot of modern gospel players, but I recently started working at an old school style black church and they always get mad at me when I go crazy on it 😂

[@psalmmesiona8325]

We have something in common man... like damn!! 💯 Thank you very much for sharing your skills, understanding, and the context of how you play the bass in-a-pocket or out-of-pocket. Now, I understand that a lot of people play bass "aggressively" wherein they're just repeating the same chord progression of course.. but they're like out of the groove to that particular song.. and what happens next is they're told to go back to what was he/she was playing to not "ruin" the vibe/groove of what was he/she supposed to play. We don't have CMD. I am the MD myself. Hahaha 😆

[@edwardeatmon325]

Great information bro🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@XrizShowdaddy]

You are God sent. God bless you.

[@100atongo]

Thank you!

[@davidcarter655]

what's the name of the church and Md you was referring to? Great stuff here....

[@emwilliams97]

I am thinking about trying bass. Would I need an left handed one. For picking and slaping and right hand for the tabs. Since I am right handed.

[@massagedude3487]

Teach me both ways!

[@mulondoalbert4557]

Thank u so much

[@OlandoMcCall]

Brother you should have more subscribers. You put together incredible content, trust ill be paying for your assistance shortly.

[@JermaineMorganBass]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@tafaramatangi3642]

Nice content .. But I have a request .. May u please please do a review on the sadowsky bass guitar and the sandberg bass guitars.. I'm a gospel player and I'm just weighing my options here.. I can't afford a fender 😂😢

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

Check out Sire. They have incredible basses. As a matter of fact, I’ve decided to go with a Sire V5 instead of a Fender Jazz.

[@tafaramatangi3642]

​@@mjolnircarlssen4211was thinking of that but I need an active bass😢 I don't know why I just need an active 😂😂.. I guess I thunk it sound good .. what about the squire active deluxe jazz guitar

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

I think Squire Classic Vibes are outstanding basses, but please know that the Sire V5 and up do have a preamp in them, and are active. I’m a Fender P Bass player, and my Sire P5R is the best P Bass I have! I have a professional-level Fender P Bass, and my Sire P5R (which cost less than 1/2 what my Fender did) is an overall better built, better feeling, best sounding and the best playing of my P Basses. Disclaimer: I did replace the Sire Marcus Revolution pickup with a Radioshop 63 P Bass pickup. It’s the overall best sounding P Bass that I’ve heard. Radioshop pickups are absolutely stellar.

[@abeekusimpson3150]

​@@tafaramatangi3642the majority of the basses sire makes are active basses the V3 V7 M2 M5 and M7 are all options for active basses that are more affordable than a Fender Jazz

[@zenupe84]

I just saw your video. Thank you

[@rayhilldirwayi4271]

Amazing lesson mate!

[@JermaineMorganBass]

Thank you!

[@krismorgan1405]

This is a W video thank you so much

[@josephlove5140]

I''m ole and new school so I grew up around Andrew Gouche here in L.A. and Louis Johnson, Larry Graham and Verdine White. Listening to the gospel cats and fusion cats and jazz cats and R&B cats Neo Soul cats its just music just listen to music and play from the heart.

[@siyabongathembinkosimngome8869]

Hey Jermaine Siya here from South Africa Out of topic question... Most South African Church Bassists run to Yamaha TRB and you like other Americans and are glued to Fender which is known to have a raw sound... Is there a reason why as I thought certain bass guitars are known for certain Genres

[@gabdragon]

Great great pedagogy

[@maurice7274]

Thank you very helpful

[@JermaineMorganBass]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@myronbird8904]

Thanks Bro!👍

[@DarkShaman667]

I am getting called a lot lately for gigs and I am getting frustrated, when I don't have enough time to fully transcribe all the songs. Then the band mates are like: "Just play root notes, it's fine." But I know, I got the gig because I am not just playing the root. I occasionally tell the keyboard player or even the guitarist what to play and when, because I know how the song goes. Critical listening and accurate transcriptions are the reason, why everyone wants me to play for them.

[@BrandonMeeksMusic]

Step 1. Learn the song correctly. Step 2. Show up to the rehearsal/gig on time and do what was learned in Step 1. It’s crazy how many talented musicians can’t complete these two steps.

[@edwardpollard4744]

Very good 👍

[@JermaineMorganBass]

Thank you

[@OgagaOkwah.]

Wow! That intro is real.

[@guitarslim56]

#1 piece of advice: Be nice. That's how you get called back.

[@RoadKing-ky2bs]

You're right, and a lot of people don't realize this. It's just like a job interview: people who may have lacked a bit of skill and knowledge would get the job offer because they had a great attitude and sunny, pleasant disposition. No one likes an arrogant Ahole or someone who has a negative attitude.