One Bass Technique Tip To Improve Speed, Stamina, Tone...Everything!

[@selofeals947]

This is a really important and needed lesson. I recently found it hard to practice playing fast riffs and this video was my solutions. Thanks

[@adamdavies1910]

I feel like this was written just for me!!!! Brilliant post, thanks Mark

[@bandbasics7249]

Yep, me too!!

[@TheTwangKings]

Hmmm.... it's these obvious things we never think of, that make a big difference - until someone points them out! Thank you Mark!

[@xaviergraysen1298]

i dont mean to be so off topic but does anybody know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I somehow lost the password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me!

[@jamiegenesis7342]

@Xavier Graysen Instablaster ;)

[@xaviergraysen1298]

@Jamie Genesis Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process now. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@xaviergraysen1298]

@Jamie Genesis it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my account :D

[@jamiegenesis7342]

@Xavier Graysen You are welcome xD

[@jefffreeman7695]

I faced exactly what Mark describes with my fretting hand. I started playing scales using only dead notes and harmonics (on those frets that produce them) to train my fretting hand to have a lighter touch. That worked. However, I appreciate the discussion of the plucking hand role in this process. I need to always use the amp. Thank you Mark!

[@mv9787]

Over the years I’ve decreased force in my playing - a lot! Still working on it. Drummers are good example of this. The best drummers can make the drum sound perfectly even with lowest volume. It applies to other instruments too. Plus too much force will cut down your technique. Good video again.

[@isabellec857]

Very useful information to balance the strength of both hands , right hand plucking and left fretting to control the sound . I was currently gripping hard too. playing too hard . I will change my way of playing. Also I find that the more relaxed you are the better you play. finesse is still needed when playing bass.

[@Gargaslicer]

6:16 The section about the tone, volume and drop-off in the envelope was useful. It's given me something new to experiment with. Thanks as always, Mark.

[@jimmychristensen7112]

As a part of my practise regime, i usualy spend around 30 mins where i focus on not touching the back of the neck with my thumb. I play some rifs/scales and keep my thumb "floating" free behind the neck. It help me to get used to play more "free" with my fretting fingers. It realy help a lot. Try it

[@ShatteredWindowpane]

I've never thought about doing that, I'm going to try it.

[@jimmychristensen7112]

@@ShatteredWindowpane its a good exercise. It help you to keep your fingers closer to the fretboard, so you dont waste time/energy

[@Patrickjohnphotography]

Great video. I always see people causally, lightly fretting thru the notes, while I feel like I am chalked clinging on an overhang, climbing Denali.

[@popcornlady1711]

Very true about how hard you press, it's a bit harder on fretless tho, you need some more pressure with the fretting hand. Still, you're right, it shouldn't feel like a hand in spasm 😅

[@PorchBass]

I would suggest that in a Gig we all get a bit excited. Don't have your action too low, leave something to hang on to in the heat of battle.

[@TheBillyLee]

I’ve been learning from your videos recently and this is a current problem I’m having so this video was perfect timing! Good stuff like always.

[@oldbridgemaker2094]

Mark, really appreciate this well thought out lesson. One thing: when I want to just pick up a bass and play for a bit without plugging in, I grab my acoustic bass. There's a lot of good ones out there now. You ought to get one, God knows you deserve it!

[@danielgarrachon6916]

Adverts about Guitar Apps: Its impossible to learn guitar of youtube videos. Me watching talkingbass.net: EXERCISES THAT WILL HELP ME IN EVERY WAY

[@arroraseliant8482]

I've always found it pretty telling that the one I've been seeing a lot presents a strawman version of KZbin, as if all instrument-related videos on here were just people shredding.

[@jmasno5]

I get too jacked up at the gig with the excitement of the moment. That is where I go wrong :) Before I know it, my plucking hand is cramped or fumbling on the strings. This coming from a bassist that has played for years. I have to work on this. And no, I'm not going to take downers before the gig ;)

[@damaco78]

the problem I have is with my picking hand, I feel pain in my tendons after a long training so I'll use this to correct my technique

[@cvanaret]

Eye-opening, thanks!

[@smithjohn383]

8:55 well, I just crank it up to ELEVEN!

[@ReXo31BbeaT]

Excellent advice thank you.

[@horseslovers3806]

Thanks mark this help a lot

[@fritzpageot8991]

Always thanks!!

[@hari9490]

You are amazing Mark ❤️

[@jasonbenford3427]

Thanks Again Mark!!👍 Great information!!💪 🎸🎶🎶

[@oneofthenorth]

What a bloody great set of tips! Simple ideas, that unfortunately can never occur to us mere mortals. I can already tell this is going to improve my playing immensely. Thanks very much!

[@mauriciocorrea4811]

Great advice!

[@juancamilomedinasierra5240]

Wow, I truly needed this video Thanks!!

[@Qance]

That's probably the most important thing of overall playing bass :) Thank You for Your time Mike!

[@davehein1418]

Mark, this is a fantastic video. Sage advice about picking lighter -- and something it took me much too long to discover on my own. I practice a lot without a proper amp (I used to use a small mixer and headphones, now I use an audio interface and headphones); adding a clean boost pedal at the start of my signal chain gives me the extra gain needed to compensate for picking lightly. It is amazing how much tension left my playing experience once I had that clean boost in place ... and it doesn't take much, just a little extra gain is enough.

[@forrestgtube]

Great post! I am guilty of playing too intensly. I'm going to try to use the techniques mentioned in this video.

[@machine-shopbilly6584]

This actually helps me quite a lot

[@gerryk9]

I've been battling medial elbow tendinitis for a long time from playing. This lesson will help. Thanks Mark!!@

[@humanidrome]

Mark, thank you very much! I was not aware of this problem, but I am almost sure I have picked too hard. I'll start practicing lighter right now.

[@craig1530]

I'm glad for watching this video it really helps me out a lot I often find I put too much pressure on the neck and wear out my hands a lot faster I know I need to get better at this it is definitely one of my weak points!!

[@camperstar6stringer]

Balancing the mind with total relaxation proves your point.

[@dendenveru]

Thank you! I really needed this.. I was not aware that I'm playing my bass in a very wrong way.

[@teartamother1892]

Really good lesson Mark. You explain everything clearly. Your a great teacher

[@brianengquist2110]

Good tutorial. Awareness of this issue is really important. I was getting lots of pain in my fretting hand before I called down a bit. It's also a question of style though (as you tightly point out. I don't know if Geddy Lee or Steve Harris (or the godfather of that string-against-fret sound, John Entwhistle) would ever take your advice at least when it comes to their picking hand. It would just kill their signature sound. I think it's important to talk about setting up your bass right too. If your action is too high your going to end up playing too hard anyway to compensate. I think this might be one of the main problems for beginners, just not having set the bass up correctly.

[@talkingbasslessons]

Steve Harris picks incredibly light. That actually contributes to his sound and stamina. He's talked about this quite a few times.

[@brianengquist2110]

@@talkingbasslessons Interesting. Thanks for the info. I'll look into that.

[@jeffreyyyy3052]

@@brianengquist2110 haha you got real quiet all of a suddenxD

[@RebieRebs]

This is important especially for new musicians who pick up the bass. I noticed that the more I played the less hard I hard to pick/fret, which just came naturally with more dexterity and endurance. Bottom line is, play as soft as possible while still having a good tone and no rattle!

[@oldschoolebm666]

Hearing mark's bass makes me realize I need to lower the action on my bass. Great video

[@rodneyfrreeman6134]

very good points on how hard you play.also the difference in sound

[@arkyump]

How about string height off the frets? What is the optimal distance?

[@vat_1989]

You sir are amazing. You are such an inspiration

[@ChinchiyaArrakena]

So simple an so important!! Thx a lot

[@jdmarino]

Excellent lesson and advice.

[@briano1325]

Perfect timing for this lesson. My fretting wrist has been killing me lately due to my kung fu grip on the neck - looking forward to trying this advice. Thanks!

[@darkgladiator27]

My wrist started hurting today as I played and you released this the same day. What a coincidence hahaha

[@LeoNovel]

As always!!! Great lesson!

[@petergabbitus9989]

There’s no better teacher than this guy

[@renatomelo2249]

loved the herbie hanckock

[@IsaBilal]

Very relevant to me. Thanks.

[@dentoncrimescene]

We should talk about the hard plucking. Because, I think its a pretty common complaint.

[@kintronico]

Great Lesson!

[@marklowe7431]

It puzzles the crap out of me that people can thumb this down. It's bang on.

[@MarkMarxonsBassChannel]

Great lesson 🔥✅💯😉👍👍

[@bassforkids4504]

I practiced my first year without an amp and found out later,using an amp.that I was plucking much too hard.Was kind of hard to break that habit and still have to stay aware.

[@talesfromthetoiletseat8295]

I have that issue I play unplugged quite a bit due to having a kid. Don’t want to wake up at night. I have noticed I play a crap tone lighter when plugged in.

[@rickyguitarman3839]

i´m struggling with muting the strings, i´m a guitar player and i used to mute strings with my left hand, on the bass however you have mute with the right hand which is VERY hard for me. Any tips? Thank you!

[@humanidrome]

Mark also makes use of his fretting hand for string muting. And he has an abundance of videos about string muting here on KZbin.

[@ShatteredWindowpane]

I recommend looking into the "floating thumb" technique. It'll allow you to focus on fretting and muting with your left hand when applicable, while being able to use the thumb on your plucking when you need to. This is especially handy on 5 string and extended range basses when you can't have your thumb anchored to the pick up/E string all the time. Cheers

[@rickyguitarman3839]

i've been practicing for 2 hours a day since i've posted this comment and yeah, i'm starting to get hang out of it! Thank you for the tips guys musician united all the way :)

[@sebastianolmedo7743]

Hi Mark would you happen to know any resource or apps to get sheet music for any song on the bass?thanks!

[@mv9787]

Amplified AND enough of gain 🙂 but don’t let it cut your good sound. The sound is very important and a good instrument

[@asddsa-uy9ko]

power u use to play more hard exhaust your hand and that tension and exhaustion limits your hand movement. if u feel that tension while u play, it means you're playing unneccesarily hard.

[@gurka3983]

5:33 whats the name of that song again. Can't remember for life of me!

[@Patrickjohnphotography]

My next band will be called. "Fret Rattle". FIRST!

[@victorskinner1998]

✊🏾🤙🏾🔥

[@Malyngo]

"That might sound like a real buzz kill". I see what you did there.

[@wadsofat]

Josh does mention these problems several times in his course, he just doesn't single them and out and explicitly focus on them like Mark has. Great stuff Mark!

[@Russell_Green]

Mark never gets old. Morgan Freeman-like)

[@ruby5667]

♥️🌹!!!