Julia answers your questions! | Bass Q&A Ep.1 | Thomann

[@holy_braille]

"Sing the bassline." That's the advice I needed. That's smart AF. Thanks a lot Julia.

[@lone-wolf-1]

I try that too since starting few months ago. Sounds funny with „ptnng ptnng, pnng dck-dck“ for the muted notes, or tack-ptack tangtang pack” for the slapped notes, but it helps...😂

[@BamBam_PDX]

That’s the secret to playing any instrument. If you can sing it, you can play it.

[@chaddevlin8545]

The most basic but most forgotten advice. I needed reminding!

[@deadxalive1955]

How she talks about the blue Bass gives me chills. This is passion

[@CesarDornfeld]

Hello, Julia! My name's Cesar Dornfeld. I'm from Brazil, and I'm learning to play the bass and I'm learning to speak English. I love your videos. It's very funny. Your pronunciacion is so clean, so sweet. Thanks a lot, Julia.

[@rocketreindeer]

I think your accent always sounds really cool.

[@immanuelkantholz9033]

About that pinky: I took violin lessons since I was 9 years old and piano lessons since I was 10 and quit both at 14 because I had an anomaly in my left pinky which basically made it impossible for me to use it on either of the instruments. I could move my pinky but whenever I tried to press anything with my pinky, like violin strings or a piano key, it got dislocated. Later I learned to play the guitar, but still couldn't use my pinky. (Since I'm a metal fan, that wasn't a problem. I just need two fingers for a power chord. ;-p ) One day I got a bass guitar and although it was a short scale I still wanted to be able to use all my fingers. So I started to use my pinky, but not with the tip, as you would on a violin or guitar but I laid it flat on the fretboard. It still hurt but it didn't dislocate that way. And I practised and practised and today I can use ALL my fingers. My pinky doesn't dislocate anymore, since the muscles around it got strengthened so much that they now stabilize it. I'm still a dead loss on bass though. :D

[@lone-wolf-1]

Interesting story! Thanks for sharing😊

[@kylestevens5835]

I’m so glad you didn’t give up great story thank you for sharing it!

[@eddierayvanlynch6133]

3:42 - "...sing the bassline first." Singing is an excellent habit for musicians! Jazz legend George Benson was an avid practitioner of using singing to develop better solo chops. In an interview, he said not to worry about how "good" you sound, just think about the tones.

[@genesisPiano]

Note what a jazz teacher said in a book he wrote: if you get in the habit of singing along while you play, you'll get to the point where you can't NOT sing while you play, which could be inconvenient for recording. You might want to pick up a copy of Dannhäuser's "Solfége des Solféges." Start with book 1. It'll teach you how to sing a line by ear using syllables to place each pitch so you can tell what note each pitch is in any given melody you sing. I don't know if I explained that very well. Look it up on Amazon and read what people say about it. Maybe that's clearer.

[@ctwz71]

We can tell by the way she plays the bass how much she enjoys this instrument. That’s why I subscribed

[@ricarcorpse]

Julia is one with the groove. BY far the most influential bass player in KZbin for me ( I know, Victor Wooten's words are pure magic, but he is not a KZbinr) Lots of love from Chile!

[@jerrymckenzie6205]

Her sense of groove is one of the first things I noticed about her playing, and it really stands out to me!

[@londonemski]

Great Q&A session. Love Julia’s articulate and thoughtful responses. Love to all my bass sisters and brothers!

[@bumpdunlop]

My Grandmother imigrated from Austria-Hungary to the USA in 1908 when she was eight years old. She made it across Europe and the Atlantic to New York City and then on to Chicago, as the story goes, all by herself! I got my music from her. She was a whistler on live radio! Translates to bass pretty well.

[@Jordynateurdebord]

Listening to the song and sing the bass line before you pick up your instrument is such a good advice! It makes me learn more songs quicker, the memory lasts longer and also it's much more fun to play without a chart. Great advice! Thanks!

[@rbk7876]

I'm a percussionist way back from the 70's classic rock era, all totally by ear. still jamming today at age 61, never a lesson one. You are an awesome bassist, enjoy your videos, thank you.

[@goobfilmcast4239]

I can't stop looking at your hands! Built for the Bass !!!!!!

[@joshuabrice3800]

I didn't realize you have other videos on Instagram. Yay more great bass!

[@Eyereole]

Re: the Austrian accent disclaimer: I’ll bet you could recite Arnold’s best classic lines from “The Terminator” much better than Arnold could mimic your favorite bass licks on that California TT!

[@moonshine7374]

YOU CLOUSE GIV DEM TO ME NAO!

[@srenjensen3817]

@@moonshine7374 🤣LOL

[@jeffslade1892]

"Ale be bark" seems to make it into every Arnie film and he lays it on a bit thick like it's an in-joke.

[@hpblack1953]

How trite and demeaning.

[@claudiusjelinek6063]

btw: frank lampard,who thought that julia is danish,was a world class soccer player and coach of fc chelsea....

[@ejo24]

I'd love a video on Jaco Pastorius, his style, songs, etc. Dude was a legend

[@45scienceproject]

Cello background before starting bass? Hey me too! I knew I liked your style, Julia. Really informative video. Cheers!

[@blainekelley816]

So cool you mentioned singing it. As mainly a trumpet player, I was trained ‘if you can sing it, you can play it’ as ear training technique. That certainly helps me on bass too!

[@genesisPiano]

You might want to pick up a copy of Dannhäuser's "Solfége des Solféges." Start with book 1. It'll teach you how to sing a line by ear using syllables to place each pitch so you can tell what note each pitch is in any given melody you sing. I don't know if I explained that very well. Look it up on Amazon and read what people say about it. Maybe that's clearer.

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

She is super groovy! Glad I found this. Her happiness and excitement about music is such a joy!

[@DaveM-FFB]

It's pretty amazing that you can listen to a song once or twice and start playing the bass line after that. Having been a musician myself, I can't wrap my head around that level of skill. Thanks for the video!

[@teesmith4844]

I can't read sheet music. So, I play by ear. I also listen to the bass lines 2 or 3 times before playing it.

[@cgdrum]

Thanks for the Q and A Julia . it is always a pleasure to see you play with a fresh perspective.

[@springcreekfarmer]

I tried several short-scale basses recently and settled on the Gretch G2220. I changed over to flat-wounds, did a set up on it and I find it to be perfect for my situation. The sound on the Gretch was more full and the pickup selections actually make a discernable difference in the sound. I'm new at bass, for the most part, but with 40 years of guitar experience to influence me. I'm an ear player that understands theory and can read some and it's been lots of fun learning new songs from the perspective of bass. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. 🙂

[@wanderingfirbolg6738]

That just cracked me up, the mention of Schwarzenegger's accent because my mother, who comes from the east part of Switzerland, right next to Lichtenstein, has an accent like that. Thanks for the upload! Cheers!

[@flogginga_dead_horse4022]

Have to agree, learning by ear makes me remember better

[@ditzygypsy]

I love the way you explained how you learn the songs. The bass is my favourite instrument to cue from for both rhythm and sound. I’ve worked as a writer’s demo singer since I was 14. For some songs, usually the pop songs in larger established studios, you have hours and maybe more than one session, but for country demos especially, they want three to five songs in a few hours! I don’t usually get to hear them beforehand and I’m usually learning them through the talkback mic. Over they years, I’ve learned that my first take is the one that I sort of muddle through and scribble weird marks on the lyric sheet. The second take is maybe verse by verse, then a few punched in fixes, but then I say “roll playback”, listen, and then tell them roll the tape and record and do a third take. Country music people are always happy enough with take 2, but I always say “Record take 3 and this will be your keeper”, and it always is. I can always remember if I’ve heard a song in my life even once, but even if you’re not like me, you can learn that your ear is your best friend and should be exploited to the max so you can work quickly and effectively.

[@josephhughes9490]

Julia I love your blue baby bass. You are just incredible as a bass player. I believe female bass players are rare making you even more phenomenal. You are Austrian I know and I absolutely love you and your shows. You were born to play bass. Thanks Julia

[@guillermodelnoche]

I was taught an exercise at Berklee to separate the ring and pinky fingers into their own powerful fretting fingers. Starting at the first fret G string and alternating to the D string play the pattern 1st fret G# on the G string, 2nd fret E on the D string, 3rd fret A# on G string and 4th fret F# on the D string. Do this using each finger per fret index through pinky. Take that pattern and descend to the E/B string in first position and ascend back up to the G string before moving up a half step to repeat the entire pattern. Take this pattern to the twelfth fret and back. This exercise builds alternate string plucking, muscle memory, tendon release for four finger independence and is a perfect warm up before going on stage.

[@MrPoco1]

You are a pleasure to watch where ever your from . I am learning a lot about the way I play from you

[@janethouse1779]

thanks, great video! I'm a guitarist from USA -- I really like the way you describe working on songs, I've been working from charts, but I've noticed how much better I feel playing songs I know from memory. I look forward to trying your learning method!

[@philjy1683]

Woo! Osterreich! I lived in Austria for a semester. Incredible country! Makes sense, where I recall Austrian German much softer.

[@PeteCarlton]

Please do more of these, Julia - it was very helpful. Thanks!

[@kevinmitchell8650]

Great musician and presenter.

[@applejacks971]

My first drum teacher in grade school told me "If you can say it you can play it". 42 years later I still use that lesson. Interesting you do the same thing with singing the bass line first!

[@anthony_shay]

Thank you Julia! I'm new to playing the bass and watching your video has really inspired me. I love your enthusiasm and the joy you have when you play. Thank you so much!

[@cathyoliveri1681]

For a short scale bass I use a “67” Gibson EBO.Plenty of bottom but with an equalizer can get pretty much get all tones I need.

[@krsboss]

Question for the next Q&A: I love the energy and enthusiasm you bring to the bass, are you in any bands or do you have any recorded work? Eg. On Spotify or something!?

[@raymonette9345]

I really enjoyed your answer on how you learn songs. I never thought of singing them first. You’re right - I sometimes lose the nuances and it’s only when I go back and listen afterwards that can hear what I missed. I’ve got a new setlist for an upcoming festival and I’ll give this a try. 🌹❤️ from Canada.

[@samstanley935]

Thank you for the video. Always pick up something and creates ideas.

[@espiritodanatureza]

I adore you playing Bass. Thanks for bringing us good vibes

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

5:20 Q and A stops Chic video starts Chic video ends Q and A stats again but "We are family" plays in the background

[@calzaondrums]

You're closer to me than i could possibly image!🇮🇹

[@josedealba2352]

We will never know what is in the pineapple xD great video Julia

[@alanscharrer5255]

Thanks Julia

[@danieldacosta4350]

Loved that - really interesting, thank you!

[@MrJeffcoley1]

“I don’t switch basses. I play only one instrument.” An excellent approach to many things in life

[@NadjaBusiness]

Basses* It is not Baseball

[@MrJeffcoley1]

@@NadjaBusiness F*ing autocorrect.

[@Codename-B]

"I dont want to have like another bass, I want to have THIS ONE!" Well, that's love Julia.

[@beatlebass64]

3:11 "Okay, next question, yeah?" ☺️

[@notbugs]

Hi Julia! I would love it if you could make a video with some bass lines from the studio group Change which were played by italian bassplayer Davide Romani. He is one of my heroes who most people don't know about. For instance the song Paradise from the album Miracles. Another song i love is It's A Girl's Affair from the album Glow Of Love where you also find some other great tunes like A Lover's Holiday and Angel In My Pocket.

[@ericmuniz8741]

Fooled me as well. I thought you sound very Dutch. LOL. I love all your videos. You are so talented. God bless you.

[@RobsAquariumRoom]

Thank you for sharing your Q&A I have learned a lot of techniques from your lessons. Keep playing and sharing.

[@primosch_art]

Danke für die coolen Video‘s Julia! Schöne Grüße aus Vorarlberg 😉👍

[@gothic8]

Julia, You are totally awesome! I am sure the world is no aware of your beautiful talent and please when this cover, find a lovely band and tour the world!

[@itsthe773guero5]

my favorite frâulien xoxox ..i am of austrian descent und ich liebe ananas auch!!....i have gained so musical knowledge from you ...danke und bitte nie aufhören

[@SinnGread]

I am also a "Have one Bass" person . your awesome !! thanks for sharing your talent with us

[@ral7013]

Schwarzenegger doesn't have a "typical Austrian accent" , but a rather extreme Styrian accent (That's also Southern Austria, but not where Julia is from :-). Not that many Austrians speak like him, I'd say.

[@StuntcatTV]

Every Austrian speaks like Arnie, especially the women. 🇦🇹

[@thedaif]

@@StuntcatTV You mean, Looks like Arnie!

[@Bob-66]

Today around the City of Graz we don't speak such extrem accent as Schwarzenegger, he grew up in a time where the children didn't get educated by German television ... ;-)

[@anaratimchenko2455]

The blue bass suits you very much! 🎸💙

[@ednaldojose8343]

You are amazing, love you julia!

[@el_nestorvgc]

My first language is Spanish, and yes I like your accent too : )

[@joshkny]

Now that we know, you have to play some Falco basslines.

[@rastanz]

Those are some long and detailed answers, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@mightyV444]

Oh wow, bit of a coincidence! I once was in love with an Austrian-Italian woman who also was born close to the border, but on the Italian side! Also a musician but a singer, not a bassist. Me, I'm German (People always guess I too am Dutch, or from South Africa! 😆) and I live in NZ where I'd also met her, 5 years ago 🙂

[@pjthomas3973]

I could listen to her allllll day 💙

[@jamesmathew6236]

Pineapple is a suspense now!!

[@etiennecfourie777]

Exactly!?

[@VedunianCraft]

Lustig! Als Wiener hab ich den Akzent auch nicht erkannt...dachte zuerst an Island...

[@Luggi83]

Absolut. Man hört ein bisschen das kärntnerisch-steirische "Gebelle" raus, aber sie hat definitiv keinen typischen österreichischen Akzent. Hätte sie auch eher in den europäischen Norden eingeordnet :-D

[@MichaelEdwardLee]

7:13 I like you more when you talk about normal things like enjoying playing bass

[@josevasquez0716]

I just watched the Bernard Edwards video. Fantastic! However, only 3 songs? Chic deserves a second video. Also, have you thought about doing a Kool and the Gang video? Robert “Kool” Bell has killer base lines. Keep it up, Julia.

[@DJKhrome]

Julia, I want you to consider covering an old school classic rock hit from 1978, “Straight On” by Heart!! That song is one of my favorite Heart hits that has one of the best bass riffs I’ve ever heard from a rock band!!

[@strat0871]

I've been learning basslines exactly like you for decades, to me it's the best way. About short scale basses, I have a Squier mustang I bought at Thomann a few years ago, I like it for instance for some speed old rock things with a pick like " I saw her standing there" from the Beatles, (check that nice bassline) much easier on a 30" scale, and Paul Mc Cartney's Hofner is one ! Cheers.

[@henrychinaski2890]

Great video, thank you Julia, you rock.

[@LeeJoRo]

Thanks Julia. keep those ghost notes coming

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Wow, Julia is so attractive. I could watch her videos all day long. And I only sat this with the most respect. Nothing creepy. Nothing sexist. She’s just a great presenter .

[@paulruez7906]

Doesn't matter where you are from , You are Fantastic 😁

[@dchan023]

Thank you for all your videos Julia. Just a quick question, do you ever perform standing up? Like you, I seem to find sitting down with the bass resting on my crossed right leg as it is most comfortable for my right arm especially when slapping the bass. Whenever I try to slap whilst standing up, my right shoulder hurts. I'm not sure if this is something you or anyone else experience and if there is something wrong with my technique!

[@WizardOfArc]

I like the tip to sing the bassline first 😁

[@dietmarschlichtherle7061]

So sympathisch und super gute Musikerin 😀

[@duncan-rmi]

I have nerve damage in my left hand (intravenous anaesthetic) & lost use of pinky & ring-finger for a while. the movement & some of the control is back, but no sensation... the exercises you describe (for 'metal from china') are exactly what I've been doing to build confidence & strength in those fingers. on short-scale basses- listen to colin moulding or tina weymouth with the small fenders, or jack bruce & others with a short gibson or a fender VI. there used to be a middle-sized fender too, one of the early 80s MIJ precisions (maybe a squier or JV fender) that had a 32" scale length. the low E can be a bit floppy (I've just put a set of tapewounds on my fender VI...) but you adjust to it eventually.

[@nwolf9591]

Love the Q&A video

[@DemskePaul2017]

There are also finger strengthening / hand grip exercise tools that fit into the palm of your hand. Each finger has a spring loaded button to press down on. I have one called Grip Master, which was made in 4 or 5 different colors / models, for different resistance levels. D'Addario makes them too.

[@geraldanderson7576]

Julia...you're my bass crush. Love your videos.

[@clausm2203]

Great video and nice to get to know a little more about julia and her basses and thanks for that pinky finger exersise

[@benmaguire4098]

Hey Julia .. you really missed an opportunity in this ' Content ' you should have answered the " where are you from ? " question right at the end & then you could have said " I'll BE BACK " .. LOL .. I agree with you about Short Scale Bass But I started with my two biggest heroes on Bass ( while growing up B4 I knew about James Jamerson ) They were Jack Bruce & Andy Fraser .. Both played Gibson EB 3 .. & were incredible musicians ( sadly both gone now ) Jack a short Scottish guy who could sing a melody that was unrelated to the bass part & in harmony with the song theme also an inspiration for me as I was Born in Glasgow too & am also short .. lol Jack studied Music & claimed Bach was the best Bass player ever ( I think I got that right ) . Plus Andy Fraser who at 15 years old was writing Bass lines that changed Pop music & in the three short years of " Free " he wrote some of the most wonderful Bass lines .. memorable & innovative . But those were my formative years . One last point The person who wanted a stronger ' Pinkie ' Finger .. As a partially disabled person / spinal problems & arthritis .. I would say yes you have given good advice but if you want to overcome a problem sometimes you have to use another technique . For example I cannot fret with my 1st finger so I use my 2nd finger for most of my playing & I combine the strength of ring finger & pinkie finger together to be able to Bend notes .. I also tune down a step & I use my first finger for Harmonics . Famous players like Django & Tony Iommi ( I know both guitar players ) found ways to overcome problems . I Don't think you are likely to get much Taller .. But sometimes the Best things come in small Packages .. You always inspire me & like my latest inspirational discovery " The Pocket Queen " has said its about knowing how to get in the Groove or Pocket . Lol If anyone out there knows any different please let me know But as far as I know the term originally came about from " slang " & with Musicians who used to play Billiards or in America " Pool" & to " put that ball in the Pocket " Which ' One ' might say after striking the ball & B4 it got to the hole in the corner " " That's in the pocket " Jazz guys what can you do with them . ? Ps I now have a P bass as well .. Peace & Love to all at Thomann stay safe all .

[@sneaquie8587]

Loved your Q&aA Julia! Cheers from Canada

[@mykhedelic6471]

Julia has her sheet down. She kicks arse.

[@Napalm6b]

thoughts on small small hands and the pinky: I find my reach dramatically changes depending on my thumb position, and staying relaxed allows me to move all over the neck quickly so I don't have to go for uncomfortable stretches. I switched to bass because I found that I can fret notes with much flatter finger shapes which takes stress off the pinky so I can use it more effectively.

[@PooNinja]

Commodores top 10🙏🏽 4:55 damnit I so wanted to know!!🍍🤬 6:42 they don’t make short scale pianos but it’s whatever fits best full sized or 3/4 they are all fun sized

[@jaimesolorza4186]

Thank you

[@RonenNissan]

Grüsse aus Wien ! (ex Bassist, jetzt Dirigent , Bearbeiter und Gitarrist ) tolle Videos !! besonderes das über EW&F

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Vielen Dank und liebe Grüße!

[@GregFries]

A million thank yous for the pinky and ring finger exercises!!! I've been playing for like a month, and my ring finger always performs poorly. I never even use pinky.... Over time, hopefully this exercise yields big results. Thanks Julia!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hey, but take care and don't practice too much! Short intervals :) // Cheers, Julia

[@AlexiKaruna]

This is a great video... I love the tip to sing the bassline before picking up the instrument. I notice that I often have unclarity when I get to the middle of a line about a note or two, often passing tones and I think singing might help me there. Gonna give that a shot!

[@billyelliot78]

I'VE BEEN TELLING EVERYONE SHE'S PROBABLY AUSTRIAN NOT GERMAN. I don't know how I knew that but I think Austrians tend to draw out their vowels longer than Germans. Kinda like the difference between U.S english and English spoken in England.

[@dickydoes]

You mean English and American English?

[@edredBryan]

Thanks Julia; this was fun, entertaining and also informative. Stay safe. Be well. Peace.

[@markdavis4754]

Great lets hope to get a few more of these Q&A videos. I love the fun elements you put into your video like the Dancing, singing eta. and the clear information you give. I agree with you on the short scale bass I never really liked to play them. but also I have played a 35" scale bass which I did not like niether. Its got to be 34" for me. Talking of short scale bass how about some of tTna weymouth's bass playing on talking heads for another video.

[@garychin7980]

Great to hear your advice on singing the part. I have been doing that for difficult passages to get it solid in my head after failing to pick up by ear. For tough rhythmic things I have to sometimes have to write out the notation. So glad I discovered your channel. I love your Top 5 approach for efficiency and the content you have selected. You actually look like Jaco when you play his stuff!

[@genesisPiano]

You might want to pick up a copy of Dannhäuser's "Solfége des Solféges." Start with book 1. It'll teach you how to sing a line by ear using syllables to place each pitch so you can tell what note each pitch is in any given melody you sing. I don't know if I explained that very well. Look it up on Amazon and read what people say about it. Maybe that's clearer.

[@ShlomoNizin]

You're very inspiring. Thank you for your videos

[@madtheghost337]

You are awesome!! Love the top 5 bass line videos!

[@kijekuyo9494]

I was also curious about your views on the short scale. I went from long (Fender P-Bass) to short (Squier Jaguar SS), and I regret I didn't make the change sooner. There was no Jag SS when I started, but I would buy the Mustang if I could go back in time. I'm surprised you (Julia) can hear such a distinction between the long and short. I assumed the short scale was inferior until I tried one; however, my Jag sounds really hervorragend, and it still has the stock pickup. I can understand your love-at-first-sight for one particular instrument (the blue California bass). I once picked up a Jazz Bass in a store, and for many years I regretted not buying it. I'm happy you got your one true love!

[@nolarino]

Thank you, very good info.

[@dekrev]

Ooh! I’m gonna try that! I play guitar but I usually try playing along right away - I’ll try singing along next time ❤️ thanks! My Aunt lives near Vienna! Haha - Austria is amazazing 😈

[@goodandbadtimes]

Julia... if you wish to know who was the most influential Rhythm Section in what evolved from the "Beat" era music ( '60's), and became "Rock and Roll", then please listen to the work of the band "Free". Particularly of Bassist Andy Fraser? In 1968 at 15 years old, he was a founder member of the rock band Free with Paul Rogers, Paul Kossoff and (for me), the greatest Rock and Roll Drummer, Simon Kirke. Like you, Andy Fraser trained in Classical Music and he wrote some of their best songs and their biggest hits, including "All Right Now". He did something we all felt, but we didn't know what to call it... but if "felt" different? He and Simon Kirke influenced us all to want to do more, better. Julia, please listen to his Groove. It changed our Music. Truth. Shout out to Jimmy the Vampire.

[@guitaristssuck8979]

Free: the band who was ripped off by that Australian band

[@jimmycampbell78]

I love Free. One correction. The guitarist was Paul Kossoff, David Kossoff is the name of his actor father. Peace.

[@goodandbadtimes]

@@jimmycampbell78 Will correct. Thanks mate.

[@Offenbacher64]

Viele Grüße nach Österreich aus Deutschland. Frohe Weihnachten und ein gesundes neues Jahr.