How To Play Bass In A Worship Band (or any band for that matter)!

Chris Brink speaks about playing bass in a worship band and how best to do so. Chris has played bass for some of the top worship artists around the world and shares with us some great insight into how to play bass in a worship band setting.
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[@Thurgor_Supreme]

In response to the intro: It wasn't because of a need or inability to play other instruments, bass is just the only thing that ever appealed to me. The way those deep tones rumble your bones and speak to your soul... Then you realize over time that you're more of a core band member than anyone, including yourself, gives you credit for. It's really the bassist and drummer driving the bus, everyone else is just filler and fluff. I hope any bassist or drummer reading this takes pride in that.

[@RootedMusicCoaching]

Again, thanks for the comment, Thurgor! I love your passion in playing bass! It doesn't always start out the way for everyone, but you're 100% right... When you realize what makes up a great band, it takes the whole team, but really starts with the foundation, which is bass and drums. Appreciate you watching the content and sharing!

[@nforngala2465]

Yes yes yes

[@MrAdarezzi]

This guy gets it

[@eugenedorsey5149]

P​@@RootedMusicCoaching

[@mikesteph7811]

Been playing bass for nearly 40 years now still active in my church worship team. God has blessed me with it I just give it back it’s definitely had a positive impact in my life. I’m 64 years old I’ll do it till either I’m physically unable or God takes me home. The player I’ve most looked up to is Abraham Laboriel another old guy like me who loves playing for Jesus

[@pmh1nic]

I've been involved in worship teams for 30 years. The bass is a critical part of laying down a foundation in the song. It's amazing the fullness that is lost when there is no bass player.

[@marvelouslabradoodles9572]

Praise the Lord for artists like you and the instruction you give. I just got asked to play bass at church and have played guitar and banjo for a while now so I'm praying for a smooth transition. Thank you so much.

[@128bigdave]

This video really helped me! I'm prepping to play for the church band (1st time to play in a church band and first time to play in 25 years) and this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you!

[@RootedMusicCoaching]

🙌🙌

[@samgarcia6506]

That’s exactly where I’m at right now! 😅

[@dementeddrewSA]

@@samgarcia6506 me too lol

[@GunDogMorgan]

I just started playing bass in my church’s worship band. Can’t wait to apply these this Sunday. Thank you!

[@benjaminiexpillor]

😂😂😂 great

[@meals24u]

Haha *Here on a Saturday Night when they ask last minute to fill in with Bass next morning!* 🤣🤙 Let’s Goooo!!! 🤘🤘

[@garyhess3139]

I just started playing bass in our worship team, having a great time..👍

[@scottfitzsimmons4744]

I really appreciate your videos! I have always loved bass. I love drums as well, and I have been playing drums for quite a while. I lost my site a few years ago and I can hear each instrument better individually now and I am really appreciating the base in a worship setting. I decided I wanted to play bass, and a professional bass player I know told me it’s probably the easiest instrument to play and learn while blind. Not easy, but easier than others. I feel my understanding of music and feel for it is helping me as I just begin. I was given a base for Christmas and I am really excited about the opportunity to play in a worship band! Thank you so much!

[@theidahodian4518]

Playing Bass with the Worship Band is one of the things on my Bucket List. I'm over 70 but thanks to your excellent video, I feel that I might just be able to accomplish it. Do you have any tips for finding the Letter named notes on my fretboard? Liked and Subscribed.

[@lewinwanzer]

As a long time bassist and have played many different types of music prior to being saved. God led me to a church to play on a worship team. It’s been different playing worship as a bassists than gospel or other genres of Christian music. I notice that the bassist doesn’t do much and plays simple as you say. I started really feeling in my spirit I needed to add more because we don’t have a guitar or second keyboardist. Great post..

[@Thurgor_Supreme]

One thing I've noticed since joining a church band (never done this style of music before and decided to expand my "eclectic-ness") is that the bass almost never plays during the intro or first verse. I guess that's just a common song-building tactic in worship music?

[@RootedMusicCoaching]

Thanks for the comment, Thurgor! You're exactly right - many songs do begin that way, especially slower or more mid tempo songs which make up the majority of worship music these days.

[@pleasantlindsey33]

I turn slightly toward the drummer so I can see his/her foot working the kick.

[@Nelz459]

Picked up the bass during COVID when our worship team's bassist opted not to wear a mask. Still on the learning journey to this day. Loving it! Thanks Chris for sharing your experiences. Means a lot, brother. God bless.

[@MarcG7424]

As someone who wants to play bass in worship setting this is so helpful

[@RootedMusicCoaching]

Thanks Marc!

[@miketabb8318]

I play bass on our worship team. Worship music in church and worship music ina concert setting are different for me .

[@jonasokiveta5924]

Praise the Lord. Just subbed. Blessinga from Niue Island.

[@gwheat63]

We use stems, click track..etc. Would recommend following the click more or just following the drummer? Sometimes I feel so focused on the click that I am less focused on the drummer.

[@athan1453]

Hey there! I'm a 14 yo bass player and I've been playing bass for 1 year already. I volunteered to be the bassist at my school during Chapel, and I only just began to learn about using PraiseCharts. Apparently they provide Chord Charts for the instrumentalists. I'm a bit confused if I'm supposed to play a chord on the bass (which I'm learning them all within a week) or am I supposed to play the root note of the chord? For example like "Open Up The Heavens" by Meredith Andrews. Do I go up the higher note/chord or just stay the same? I am also self taught if that helps.

[@kay-mk2sl]

root notes

[@mrlandonsir]

Glad you're learning and volunteering in chapel. As you're practicing, keep in mind that the chord's root note is your home base, but you don't have to stay there. Anything in the scale theoretically 'fits', some notes better than others... if it's a major chord, explore a bit 'walk around' on the major scale or pentatonic scale of the root note, minor scale if it's a minor chord. (Practicing and playing around on your scales does help with learning them 😂) If it's a 4 chord progression song, using the other notes on these scales help you transition smoothly to the next chord. As you improve, just remember that your job as the bassist isn't necessarily to be heard audibly. You're successful if you're helping the rest of the band stay tight or 'in the pocket'. Best wishes!

[@mrlandonsir]

Also on slash chords like d/f# or g/d, try playing the bottom note. Although it's not the root, the chord is an inversion so other instruments should match the bass note with you

[@janclierinck]

Drums and bass...that is a good explanation of the sync between them! I am a worshipper, can't get my fingers around a six string guitar and played bugle so hope the bass will work better. What guitar would you buy to start with?

[@Thurgor_Supreme]

So one thing about worship music, you'll be playing low Eb and low D quite a bit. For this reason I would highly recommend a 5 string bass or at least tuning to D standard. Problem with going low is you need to extend the scale length to avoid sounding muddy and that doesn't really exist with budget basses. That being said, I would recommend a used Squier P-bass until you choose to be a little more "financially committed". They pack a lot of value for their price and they'll fit the worship style nicely.

[@CornishCockney]

Convinced me that I'm on the right track - I thought I was being too simplistic.

[@RootedMusicCoaching]

Thanks Keith! Glad to hear it was encouraging for you!

[@jerryg2757]

I always play slightly behind the beat for maximum heaviness

[@weesnowtv2876]

Thanks for sharing luv it

[@MovieRiotHD]

04:45 That's me completely 😂

[@wcvalentine5996]

Finally someone who actually gets it

[@wcvalentine5996]

Overplaying is a problem most musicians deal with, a lot has to do with not listening to one another

[@omaromar9427]

Is it ok to play some fills once in a while, like from a pentatonic scale

[@RootedMusicCoaching]

Absolutely! You'll just want to make sure the fills are coming from the pentatonic scale based on what chords you are coming from. For instance, when you go from a major chord, you'll want to play something from that major pentatonic, but when coming from a minor chord, you'd want to stick with a movement from that minor pentatonic scale.

[@omaromar9427]

Well of course

[@wcvalentine5996]

People who say “just play bass” don’t understand bass and don’t really don’t understand music much at all.

[@wcvalentine5996]

A little neglected? The real problem is how it’s viewed. Most don’t understand the bass and drum foundation. Almost as much is they don’t understand the Grace of God.

[@iplayguitarnbass]

Thank you for pointing this out. Bass and drum is so true and Jesus is even more true. GOD BLESS YOU.

[@michaeldubya]

I’ve noticed quite a few church musicians are less about bringing glory to the Father and more about being in the forefront.

[@RootedMusicCoaching]

To learn more about how we can help you learn to play the music you love, head on over to rootedmusiccoaching.com

[@sonofjireh3899]

What guitar is that?

[@RootedMusicCoaching]

This is a Breedlove Acoustic Bass!

[@dikoman516]

You just told the story of my life 🤣

[@creepymcpeepers]

I was realy good at guitar and still am but I always though the bass parts were kool in some rock songs so i started playing ass

[@gospeletim5202]

Great

[@mjmason75]

I mean, are there any other instruments necessary besides the bass, other than maybe drums? Naaahhhhh!!!! LOL. Good stuff!!!

[@JORDAN-ju1cz]

dude you talk a lot. appreciate your energy !!!!!!

[@dryshen5191]

A BASS ACOUSTIC?!?!?!?!?!

[@riotchristianradio7779]

I'm a new bass player

[@gearhed79]

Simple is why contemporary Christian music sucks. Band members that play licks on every bar and don’t listen for each other sound like garbage too, but there’s a balance there that really needs more exploration in the genre.

[@BrianT175]

Yep, it's not about being reductive and trying to be minimal as simplistic would imply. It's about playing the right notes at the right time. Not the least amount of notes. Which is a hard skill to learn.

[@RenardGarzaro]

In Gospel the Bass carries the song.

[@Kinyangya]

Talking too much 😢

[@PaulHeagen]

simple, not simplistic. There is a difference.

[@molungoziemolung3025]

Are you showing how to play or showing how you can talking this,? Only i can see is you talking.. Sorry