Left Hand Technique For Bass Guitar (Beginning and Advanced!)

[@stuartspray8580]

At last - a teacher who teaches rather than constantly demonstrating their playing skills. I refer to such 'teachers' as suffering from FVS (frustrated virtuoso syndrome). Thanks.

[@AaronKaiMCDNLD]

yeah i really hated those, like every video they made starts with them going all sorts of crazy on their bass. we get it you're a great player, now can you please teach me how to develop my technique asshole

[@henryfreeman7748]

@@AaronKaiMCDNLD I hate those showoffs too, you have to listen to a bogus concert before they begin impart divine instruction FVS, indeed 😝

[@belledarling2365]

You must have watched lots of SBL

[@realobama1100]

Go to his new channel bass buzz, he tries and fails miserably at comedy now.

[@paulmarclalonde3834]

The best all around teacher out there. Amazing skills Great communication No ego Down to earth great guy👏

[@Joey0367]

Josh, this is like traveling back in time for me. Look how young you were, WOW!!! You’re an excellent instructor and I want you to know how much I appreciate your tutorials. Nobody and I mean nobody explains technique and execution better than you. You use different camera angles which is priceless for learning hand positions. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with fellow bass players, your teachings are invaluable. 😃

[@Kaizer737]

I always thought I had to press on the middle on the fret to get the correct sound, turns out I had to press on the end of the fret!! Thanks for the information!!

[@Hartztoons]

Nice video. I'm lucky to have stumbled across the video. You really took your time to explain the stuff. You're a good teacher.

[@joshfossgreen]

Thanks, glad I could help!

[@julesdemoor7151]

thnx man! I had been struggling with my descending scales for quite some time.

[@TheOneshoe]

Another good video for starters, I was lucky to get it almost right from the start without any tuition in my crucial starter years playing. However when id been playing a few years decided on lessons (to get fingerstyle and fretless) i had done well not to get bad habits in an age before you tube.Which goes back to my point people like this guy doing free video lessons is great and can't be beaten - just wish we had PC access like today in 1982!!

[@kylelikeskjvbible]

I been playing bass for years, and never really started having trouble until learning GNR's Paradise City, so much time spent in first position with fast notes alternating from first to third fret.

[@kylelikeskjvbible]

+Karl Beerman I have short stubby fingers by the way.

[@sbingham1979]

Your concise and very lucid teaching approach is very much appreciated!

[@joshfossgreen]

Thank you!

[@derek_williams]

Great - that answered loads of questions I had. I'd seen tons of videos with professionals using their left hand in different ways and didn't understand why.

[@steelybeatz6382]

AWESOME lesson! Thanks for sharing, Josh.😀🤘🎸🥁🪘

[@SG-nd9bf]

"Don't be a pinky racist" words of wisdom lol

[@LEOsoulMonarch]

We don't like pinkies around these parts. The only pinky I've ever liked was the one in my research folder. 😏 I'm joking. Lol. He's giving awesome advice. I won't be a pinky racist.

[@bobt5778]

Excellent - you communicate your ideas very well. Thank you! I realized with some horror that yes, I have flying fingers! I'll try to be a little more stealthy...

[@joshfossgreen]

Thanks Bob! Glad I could help you catch some flying fingers. :)

[@ReasonpTv]

thank this was a very informative beginner's video

[@Daniel-Munoz]

thank you soooo much for this video. I knew my left hand technique was wrong when my hand would keep hurting after playing. turns out I was placing my thumb in the wrong spot. very informative 😁

[@joshfossgreen]

Glad I could help Daniel!

[@sweetandfoxy7899]

Ohhh!!! This is exactly what i was looking for. I honestly need help with my left hand. Its just all over the place looking like a spider all spread out. i really wanna work on it badly. Its been a month now but i dont get to practice everyday. If you could only see how i play you could see the struggle especially that i just jumped into a difficult song right away

[@Jose_diazlife]

Thank u, great tips

[@nae_on]

Omg, the moment when he said Basskateers(idk how to spell that) my mind went "Miska Muska, Mickey Mouse" lmao

[@GrowingPack]

"Efficient Laziness" --- Nice!

[@BlackMetalBass]

Been playing 10 years and still found helpful tips in this video. Thanks for uploading!

[@joshfossgreen]

Glad I could help!

[@joshfossgreen]

Ivan, it depends on how much I'm gigging, at least every month or so. Depends on the quality of the batteries too, I might try using higher-end batteries soon and see if it makes a difference.

[@Engineer16b]

Really helpful! Keep doing what you do!

[@joshfossgreen]

Glad to hear it and will do!

[@videomaniac108]

Thank you Josh for this very interesting and informative video. I've been playing for about a year and my right-hand technique and sight-reading skills are doing pretty well, but I know that I really need to do a lot of work on my left-hand technique. I'm going to incorporate your advice into my bass sessions from now on.

[@jockabilly2731]

Thanks for this video as it explains a lot in a very clear way regarding left hand technique, I find I sometimes bend the strings slightly when I play is this ok or should this be something that should be corrected cheers

[@horaceknights6047]

Thank you Josh I learnt a lot from you

[@byronhedghill2570]

Great teaching i really gain fr this lesson

[@NodakSavage]

Man, i have such a hard time keeping my thumb relaxed. I’ve been playing guitar and bass for months now and my thump knuckle where t joins my hand is so sore. I’m trying to be more mindful of it but it’s tough. I just can’t seem to press hard enough with the fingers without “squeezing” the neck between thump and fingers.

[@MLynn33]

Extremely helpful -thank you! You're a great teacher!

[@thedon4800]

Thanks for the lesson it paid off for sure!

[@joshfossgreen]

Good to hear Don!

[@krzym1]

Tbh I find my ring finger weaker than pinky (altough it's pinky that keeps rolling under the fretboard ;) ). Nice video, will surely try that descending excercise

[@RoboMelt]

Incredibly helpful video. Answered all my questions. Thanks!

[@pikoszkyandras5312]

You mentioned az 10:35 this practises takes month to do properly. But how many hours per day? What do you suggest, how many hours do I practise per day? Thank you!

[@captainkoo]

Excellent instructional video!

[@DiegoVansante]

Great, thanks for the tutorial on bass technique. Great instructor,

[@Jma952]

Also, squeezing a 16 inch softball helps with increasing hand/finger muscles.

[@stormbringer67]

Can you do a video on the left hand positioning and muting WHILE playing a song? So I mean no technique kinda lesson, but a lesson on what the hand does (and does NOT) while playing.

[@nunolance23]

It would be great If you could also do a video on using a plectrum or pick

[@joshfossgreen]

nunolance23 I would but I'm not that good at it, lol! Only used a pick on 2 or 3 gigs in all my years.

[@eleanor.m4164]

Awesome video!!! Thank you for the help :)

[@tumayirgas]

Now I know where that horrible sound comes from! Had to press towards the end of the fret! Thank you!!!

[@kennyo7564]

Another great video Josh. I scoured youtube for a good, all-encompassing lesson on left hand string crossing technique and am having trouble finding one. I'm looking for tips on when to jump, bar, or use multiple fingers to cross strings on the same fret; and not just for the index finger but for all four. It'd be much appreciated if you could point me to one or create your own. Thanks

[@manningcustom]

the one finger per fret or not thing is messing with my head. coming from a lifetime of woodwind instruments not having a designated finger for each not is very odd. So, when learning major scales where do you start? one finger per? Is there a book that will also tell me exactly what finger on what fret?

[@nanirocky7727]

I didn’t quite understand about keeping fingers pressed down and prepared. For example if you are playing major scale and you are descending from G string to E string. You start at G string by pressing 3 notes down. That’s fine. But after that when you have to jump to D string. Are you pressing again all 3 notes down and then pull the fingers off?

[@petrusvaldo8186]

Are you from bassbuzz?

[@ton3341]

yes he is

[@ericdelrio4614]

dope velvet underground tattoo!! also great tips for all bass players

[@ditto303]

Thank you

[@Lostindaydreamsx]

My Ringfinger tends to bend to my middle finger.. so my pinky has to stretch even further. How do you practice this?

[@Targemq8]

Cool, Baby Bass Buzz.

[@EphemeralProductions]

Josh: I am 43. And just NOW really trying to get serious about the bass! (By serious I mean actually practicing and therefore learning. LOL) Would you say that there's any differences or "tweaks" that an older person my age should consider, when beginning? Considering that hand muscles and joints, and possibly even joints in the arm, may not be as limber or "bounce back" from strains as much? and any other general tips for an older beginner?

[@joshfossgreen]

You're not that old! Recommending exercises etc. isn't really my field, but I'd say making sure you're "warmed up" in a way that feels good and eating a plant-based low-inflammatory diet is probably a good place to start.

[@EphemeralProductions]

In other words, being a vegetarian?:)

[@joshfossgreen]

You caught me. :)

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

The andy warhol banana! So cool!

[@joshfossgreen]

:)

[@JetBob84]

Thank you!!!!!

[@pilotreg]

Ngl he reminds me of Josh from bass buzz.

[@timtimbohughes4060]

Great video👍

[@michaelnayona5612]

Hey Josh I'm a bass player but i don't have a bass guitar but i wan't to enhance my skills by my own instrument .

[@davidmannings1947]

He speaks , you can understand

[@karvatupsul2175]

at 4 mins on video.. what if my fingers dont stretch even that much? like they barely can be on four frets which are next to eachother and my pointer and middle finger gap stretches so much already, is there any solutions for non stretchy ?

[@timothybroomell5013]

I'm left handed and I'm not use to using my right hand for the frets its kinda frustrating for me

[@someky4340]

I'm also left handed but I had to learn bass guitar right handed cos... I had no alternative. But it gets easier... And faster.

[@joaosilvestre2783]

8:29 Every single time I do that, instead of hearing the note that is higher up the neck (pinky note), I just hear a muted note or dead note. I have tried holding down the previous fingers harder or softer, but it doesn't change anything, it still sounds muted. Help, pls What am I doing wrong?

[@ivantadic2804]

nice vid! :D btw. i have cirrus to how often do you change batery's ? i play evry day at least 2 hours and i'd put 2 durasel baterys month ago and they dead today.. >sry for my bad english

[@santaisgruntinginmycloset9422]

I'm ambedextrous but I e always preferred my left hand,I've also wanted to play bass

[@artemeir]

does it get easier to spread your fingers or can my bring my ring and pinkie finger together or is that a bad habit?

[@joshfossgreen]

It definitely gets easier, developing finger independence is a good long term goal, otherwise you're limiting your left hand's potential.

[@rkimball6]

Absolutely, it does get easier. After playing professionally for years, I took more than a two-decade hiatus. Now, I'm having to learn it all again. It does come back much quicker when you have a foundation in the basics, but Josh is essential to my "come back" and will be a vital education source for you, too.

[@bassforkids4504]

My fingers don't spread apart well and won't all stay down on the fretboard when playing,unless I want to hurt myself.Hasn't hindered my speed and cleanness in playing.I do try and keep my fingers as flat as I can for muting stings.Like the teacher said, find what works for you without undo stress or pain.

[@NickHarman]

Seems to me as a beginner that you really have to force your fingers to work. They don't want to but like most muscle things they do eventually start to do it. Some pain in the early stages is inevitable in any muscle related work, the thing is to know when its bad and when its ok.

[@bassforkids4504]

Good advice for a beginner which I'm not.Maybe 30yrs of heavy weight lifting has something to do with what my fingers and wrist are capable of now.

[@NickHarman]

@@bassforkids4504 Well Im 58 and tying to start the bass and I find that I have to force my fingers to do what they have never done before. At the moment it seems impossible but U am sure it isnt!

[@bassforkids4504]

I'm 66.

[@hdguppies]

For real? The pinky will get as strong as the others? How long does that take for most people? Thanks!

[@user-cr9lp9vk7b]

I just started playing bass and when i put fingers down it makes an horrible sound (he mentions it at the start of the video). Any tips?

[@MsCellobass]

I am a lady cellist and it just seems that my fingers are not big enough for those wide frets!!

[@joshfossgreen]

+Picco bow You can try a short scale neck, might feel better. Shouldn't be any worse than cello!

[@Ojgville4l]

+Josh Fossgreen Do the short scale necks still sound good?

[@joshfossgreen]

Yep, short scale basses are legit instruments, just check out Stanley Clarke with his short scale Alembics.

[@Mezurashii5]

Any tips for pulling off multiple notes in a row? I was wondering if there's some gimmick behind it that makes it easier. The situation I mean is, for example: 5th fret pulling off to 4th fret, pulling off to 2nd fret.

[@joshfossgreen]

Yeah, like I said in the video, make sure all the fingers you need are pressed down in advance, in that case probably pinky, ring and index. Press them all down, then lift your pinky and then ring finger as you go. Still take practice, but it's the only way to roll for doing that stuff fast.

[@Mezurashii5]

Josh Fossgreen You have to pull off, not just lift the fingers for the sound to not die out, I thought maybe it's a wrist thing or something D: Thanks for replying tho

[@joshfossgreen]

Oh yeah! Didn't read you carefully enough. Yeah, good pulloffs take some finger muscle. I'll try to do a dedicated hammeron/pulloff video sometime!

[@johnmurphy5531]

Josh..your thoughts on fretless basses,, have an older bass in which I might dig out the frets, ala Jaco, do they sound better, are they easier to play

[@joshfossgreen]

John Murphy Hey John, I'll hit that in the next Q&A! In short, definitely not easier to play because you have to worry about playing in tune.

[@borgshadow13]

you may put some wood in there to see where the frets were - more work surely but may look and sound better when there's still a visual implication where the notes should be (saw a beautiful vintage fretless on T. with painted fret markings, very nice)

[@PackoPunchToTheLimit]

Any thoughts on using a plectrum? would it be wise to start off with or without one for bass since ive played acoustic guitar and still am practicing with one and ive gotten use to using a pic.

[@joshfossgreen]

PackoPunchToTheLimit Depends on what kind of music you want to play and what bass players you like! I personally rarely use a pick, so my advice will be biased towards not using one. Fingerstyle is definitely appropriate across more genres. But you don't really have to choose, you can practice both!

[@PackoPunchToTheLimit]

Thanks ill try to revolve around both

[@peterzelaya9948]

Hybrid picking has a very unique sound. Good enough reason for me to have a couple lying around.

[@Ulghart]

I started practicing and learning a few weeks ago, basically using these videos and other guy, online. I am trying to do everything in the way it is supposed to be, meaning, the position for my thumb in the back of the neck, pressing the strings with my fingertips, going slow and using a metronome. Yet, my hand HURTS. Mainly, the muscle that moves the thumb, it really hurts. like I have to play for about 5 minutes, and take a quick break to stretch my hand and rest. Is this normal ? What typical "newby" mistake could I be making? Thanks beforehand to anyone who can help me !

[@bruhman4509]

Ulghart It was a problem that i sturggled with too, but basically I think the cause of the thumb pain is from pressing against the neck with your thumb. Instead try placing it and use it to balance the hand instead of helping your other fingers to press the strings. Edit:Just check if the thumb has any pressure/tension while playing and gradually relex your thumb until there is none

[@Ulghart]

@@bruhman4509 yes, every time I press one string, my thumb does the the same on the opposite direction, like the "action, reaction" principal from physics. It's the natural movement that my hand does. Think about it, everytime you close your fingers against your thumb, (try it holding nothing in your hand, like the "Italian" che passa?) the thumb presses naturally against them. How do you avoid that???

[@bruhman4509]

Ulghart I just gradually tried relaxing my thumb until it felt comfortable. If you were to have your hand completely rested, thats kinda what you want to achieve in the thumb

[@bruhman4509]

Ulghart It also helps to imagine you are pressing “against” your body if that makes sense. This is all hard for me to explain

[@mimsy1111]

EPICO !

[@fcb9950]

Great stuff but McCartney plays with his thumb wrapped around the neck on the E string.

[@henryfreeman7748]

Josh I notice you're looking at the camera, not your hands,is that muscle memory or what? I look at my hands some and this makes me slow and causes me to make mistakes advice please ?

[@joshfossgreen]

Hey Henry, yeah I have lots of practice not looking at my hands. A lot of it is muscle memory. But I still look at my hands when I need to while performing (and so does everybody), I just try to free up my eyes as much as I can.

[@henryfreeman7748]

@@joshfossgreen thank you for your response, muscle memory, ok😜 so its like singing and playing too this to, is a challenge, more practice...more practice

[@andrazmehle7257]

I physically can't hold my hand like that, my fingers just bend weirdly and my wrist hurts like hell.

[@rkimball6]

Give it time and keep practicing what is hard for you now. It will come and get easier. Promise.

[@bruhman4509]

Andraz Mehle It is WAYS more comfortable to play like that than whatever i was doing before. So much less strain on my wrists. Def worth it

[@cassietad3178]

im a beginner but my hands are hurting too but its starting to get better the more I practice, I can feel my hand getting stronger. Ive really small hands so they get tired easier but its getting better!

[@Silasssssssss]

Thanks, this video was very help full! I will stop being a pinky racist

[@TPR-wx1yj]

What is that piece by Bach that you're learning?

[@joshfossgreen]

TPR8473 You'll find out next week! :)

[@whydoesgoogleneedmyname6839]

I've been playing for 30 years and I still double up my ring finger and my pinky, and I hate it. I've learned how to navigate around it. It's a hard habit to break.

[@Doremimi922]

My pinky it's too short and it's difficult to get it to there, what can I do :(

[@polinalily2085]

May I ask something? Everytime I practice there is pain in 3 rd finger..is it normal after a few years?

[@joshfossgreen]

Pain isn't good! I would work with a teacher or a physical therapist and figure that out!

[@polinalily2085]

@@joshfossgreen Thanx :)

[@ruffolom]

Don't be a pinky racist! lol

[@simh8687]

7:06 how do you mute your strings?

[@KuzuTomoki]

Pretty much all left hand guides make my wrist hurt so I don't know who's advice to heed, lmao

[@LeeVerner]

Your comment is a year old so I imagine you've already found your answer but yes, for many of us he bends his left wrist far too much. If he never develops a wrist problem, and some people won't, he's one of the lucky ones. You need to search for videos with phrases like "neutral wrist" or "wrist angle".

[@Lizkretschmer]

don't be a pinky racist 😂😂😂 subbed bc you're cool haha

[@Crackhouts]

Cool slug tat, brah.

[@joshfossgreen]

:P

[@seed2338]

when i was starting i dont use my pinky but when i started using it i cant use my ring now lmao gotta fix that bad habit

[@josiahsmall7757]

when i play my guitar my thumb hurts and i dont know what to do about it

[@Idontcommentonvideos]

I had the same issue, I found that if I consciously relaxed my hand (don't squeeze too tight!) it would be fine. Was a very frustrating week for me before I solved it

[@josiahsmall7757]

@@Idontcommentonvideos ok I'll try that

[@NickHarman]

After careful watching I have concluded my left hand is half the size of yours, my little finger is half the size of yours. No wonder I find fretting so hard.

[@Nikosi9]

Look for a short-scale bass... There's no reason to have to go through physical pain to play a musical instrument...

[@yeremiapurnama28282]

The tatto on ur arm is it the velvet underground? Cuz it seems like it lol??

[@cubeography]

wait this is the guy from bass buzz

[@ryuuzSd]

is that a banana on your arm ? Nice video thanks :p

[@eltorpedo67]

H-Djo en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Underground_%26_Nico

[@Good13man]

👍🙏❤

[@pxofpxof7782]

*THE "QUICKER STUFF" AT **8:46** SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE NO TECHNIQUE AT ALL*

[@ozzieburt2350]

what if you were in a fire and your pinkies won't stretch like the rest of the fingers??

[@joshfossgreen]

Do like John Cleese and "adopt, adapt and improve" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ommpqmqArLiNaLcm41s :P But seriously, if you have nonstandard physical parameters, you'll have to adapt standard technique to fit your hand. The principles are the same - economy of motion, efficiency, coordination, etc.

[@cnaber9827]

Just tell me why got a banana on your arm :D

[@ttutle948]

pinky lives matter (PLM)

[@martinyable]

Noo! Please use 1 finger per fret ,always !

[@reneemendoza9428]

How da hell u gonna use more than four fingers?

[@zscools4915]

Using also your fifth and sixth fingers on the left hand when playing ! ))) Vvvveery useful.

[@plageran]

me being a dumbass dedicating a finger to each string..... *facepalm*

[@bustabass9025]

The lesson is fine...what's up with the banana tattoo? (Scratchin' head)😕

[@joshfossgreen]

Muah hah hah.

[@bustabass9025]

@@joshfossgreen Uhhhhh...okay

[@rogier5591]

@@bustabass9025 Welcome! To this comment section's episode of "Can you guess the band"! [ Th* V*lv*t Und*rground ] You may submit your answers down below.

[@harmonicparadox2055]

I'm not a pinky racist. I'm just a digit bigot.