One of the Most Important Bass Lessons You'll Ever Learn

[@rollforever85]

I love your laid back and relaxed teaching style. It’s so much better than the typically hyper, high energy youtubers.. they can be exhausting to watch 😅

[@richbrownbass]

Haha! I totally agree, and thank you!

[@arpsyntharts5968]

exactly!

[@calebcroche]

yeah dude people really need to chill out.

[@brianmcawesome]

It's very bassist!

[@alyx4436]

Yeah its not even the high-energy thing that deters me, its the fact the most the time it is not genuine. This fake energy youtube/twitch trend is sad, like geez calm down dude.

[@ericbrocious6047]

I’m a self taught bass and 6 string player for over 35 years. And this is just the simplest and best explanation I’ve seen of how to get understanding of the fretboard. I learned a few things I never really connected before. Well done and thank you!

[@jaymanvegas8282]

I’ve never had a lesson, and followed three main steps. Know your fret board, play with drum tracks, turn frustration into opportunities. 20 years later I’m a happy bassist. Tip learn your octaves will help you memorize your fret board.

[@25094125]

10 years playing bass and after watching this, all of a sudden a light has just switched on in my brain🤘🤘

[@gainlovingcriminal]

Same here

[@psychedelicpigeon6089]

It took you 10 years to learn chapters 1 and 0 in some of the pretend books I'm referring to. I get starting out just playing but 10 years my dude. 😢😂

[@LawaBuayInstrumental]

@@psychedelicpigeon6089hes not alone. Ive been playing bass in church since i was 15. The only time im playing bass is at church during reheasel and event. Now im 32 and i just got cheap bass of my own and just started learning new stuff all over utube including this one. Lol. Having own bass is a game changer

[@frich55]

Thank you for the inspiration! You are an encouragement to me. I'm dealing with Stage IV Prostate Cancer and your lessons help me focus, exercise my mind and help me with my energy. I apply the techniques while praying and playing to Praise and Worship tracks. You're a blessing to me!

[@richbrownbass]

Your message is a blessing to me, Forrist. It makes me so happy to know that these lessons can help you, even in the smallest way. May God continue to bless you, my brother. I'm praying for your healing. 🙏🏾❤

[@paparuss9466]

As you’re inspired, your playing and praying inspires others. May the Lord continue to bless you with courage and strength. 🙏🏽☀️

[@bl9464]

Good luck with your treatment. I don't know you but you'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck buddy.

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

Hi Forrist, I'm just some guy out here, in Canada actually, who saw your comment and wanted to send his best wishes for a full recovery and a full life! I have walked a similar path, only mine was a tumour in the spinal cord, which was my lottery ticket to Free Seating for Life! (In other words: wheelchair-bound for the rest of my days here on Planet Earth.) Eh, it's not as bad as it sounds, really. All in all, I'm doing pretty well, my attitude and mood are both very positive, although they DID take a bit of a nosedive for a year or two in the beginning, I'll be honest. I play the bass every day, and that probably played a big part in me keeping my head screwed on tight. I hope, wish, and pray: may the same be true for you too, my new friend.😁 BTW, you picked a great instrument to combine your musical and spiritual callings. Praise, Worship and Gospel are all very bass-oriented styles and feature the best bassists to work an axe since Jamerson or Rainey! Chuck Rainey (Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, et al.) is my favourite bass player. How about you? Last Thing: As you probably know, our mental health plays a big role in our physical health. So "Chin Up!" and keep that smile on your mug, okay? All the best to you, take good care of yourself, buddy. Ciao for Now - JD, Montréal

[@frich55]

@James Davis Thank you for the words of encouragement. Yes, the process/treatments has been very challenging, but I will keep doing the 3Ps ( Pushing, Persevering and Praying). My favorite bass player is Marcus Miller.

[@robertsimmons8614]

I've been a bassist for over 30 years and this exercise is much harder than I thought it would be. Thanks Rich

[@ermoikavalko8705]

So simple it's hard to believe how much sense it makes.

[@WhereTheBASShasNoName]

It's funny how we musicians sometimes overthink things, when really music is in fact simple, to some degree. Like when we hear a really fast bass line or guitar solo, or a chord, we think "OH GOSH I'd never be able to play that!" Then you learn it and it feels quite satisfactory.

[@mjsmjs7905]

Lol, simple? Good stuff for sure, but almost as difficult as training your ear to be able to identify every tone.

[@Minnevan]

@@mjsmjs7905simple in theory

[@Taine2]

A teacher I had in NYC in the mid 90’s, Keith Carroll, was a huge proponent of using a metronome while playing and calling out the notes on every string from the open one and back down again. Seeing this lesson brought me back to a very important bass lesson I never forgot. Thank you, Mr. Brown!

[@tousonbb]

I often motivate myself by watching bass lesson videos on KZbin, but I have a hard time keeping up with them because I can't understand English very well , but your lessons are very easy to understand, even for a Japanese person like me, and the lesson content fits my skill level. I know that It is not so easy to get better bass skills , but I am confident that if I continue to learn from you, I will make steady progress.

[@omarjohnson223]

incredible simplification!!! Thank you!

[@disgruntledfaerie]

Been playing bass for 27 years now. An ear player, like you. This totally blew my mind. And it's so simple. Thanks!

[@bassomatic6055]

I do a similar thing where I pick a scale, start on the low E and ascend 3 notes per string, go up 1 step at the top then descend to the bottom doing the same thing, then going up a step, etc. Sometimes you get some inefficient fingerings, but by saying every note out loud and doing all the keys, you really learn where everything is.

[@philodonoghue3062]

Really smooth teacher. “We’re gonna do it in chunks of three.” Brilliant approach and not daunting at all.”

[@douglasbroder8733]

I agree with the importance of learning every note on the fretboard and believe the best way to do that is to read standard notation, which also provides a comprehensive way to understand rhythmic patterns.

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

Yup x 10. Incredible, isn't it, that the Italians invented this crap, what, A THOUSAND YEARS AGO (!!!) and it's still as useful and relevant today! I mean, you can use it to write down the most heavily syncopated funk bassline or even worse, a Bjork song (😂). Hoo-duh-thunk?

[@mattpipermusic]

I’m an ear player too and seeing you buckle down and re-approach your instrument this way is inspiring. And also you make it look doable enough that I feel like I could try the same thing without a paralyzing sense of dread, on guitar or bass. So glad you mentioned the connection between the 7th fret and the 5-string bass, which had never dawned on me before. I usually play guitar, banjo, and 4-string bass, and when I play 5-string, to keep from getting too confused I just think of it as a regular 4-string with a bonus lower string. I feel like this will help me level up if I put in the time. Thank you!!

[@richbrownbass]

MATT!!! Great to hear from you, my man. Thanks for the kind words. I'm working from the 7th fret to make myself more familiar with the 'twilight zone.' We'll get there, brother. All the best to you and yours.

[@earlwilliams8101]

Like what you doing wanna stay in touch thank you

[@selahmander]

Started learning the bass again, and I’m past 40 years old. Loving the vibe!

[@weatherviewer]

I’m a guitarist who started playing bass and absolutely love it! This is a great exercise for bass and guitar!

[@oweneaton8531]

I find that when you're musical intuition(your ear) and you're understanding of the harmonized major and minor scale meet, you'll really feel the confidence grow. Even when you don't know what the song is

[@javierdelarco5762]

Inspiring to see how someone of your level revisits the "weak points" in his playing. Pure gold this lesson!!! Thanks Rich!!!

[@DerylGallant]

Usually I don't like clickbait titles but this really is the most important lesson as a bassist and of all the students I've taught over the years, the ones that put the work into this are just simply more successful more quickly. Truth

[@Wintermute-088]

Its not "clickbait" if it gives you the information it promises to deliver.

[@alexl.9917]

Danke!

[@johnnyappleseed5029]

Man Rich, I've been searching for KZbin for several years for bass instructions that actually help. What I've constantly gotten were the same dry, long-winded, boring folks who seem more interested in showing me how "great" they are instead of helping me understand the use of this instrument. In other words, where have you been???? Thanks for putting things in a language that even I can grasp. New Subscriber for sure.

[@scottm7720]

32 years of playing and I’ve never looked at the fretboard like that. Subscribed for more content. Well done.

[@silencedones4421]

32 years playing but how many hours per week are you putting in?

[@TheMemo659]

I've been playing bass for something like 37 years now. As a kid, my focus was speed and precision. I have been able to play fast & complicated stuff for a very long time. For the last decade or so, I've actually been learning theory and how music works. My biggest gains have come in the last 5 years or so from three things. #1 Consistent diverse playing. I've got two different projects going, so I've been playing with other people 2+ times a week for years now. #2 My hard rock band plays a few songs in drop D, and my garage jam project will routinely play songs in different keys depending on who is singing. Practicing transposing like this ALL the time has done fantastic things for my ear and ability to roll with what and where others are playing. #3 I've been working HARD at chords/triads on the A,D and G strings up around the 11th fret. It is pretty much all I do when jamming by myself these days. This practice is not directly beneficial to my bands, playing bass chords in a mix usually gets lost. But, it has done some absolutely magical things to my playing. First and foremost; I have finally connected my fret board top to bottom. Second; I can now hear minors, majors, dominant 7th chords, inverted chords and all the rest by ear. By being able to play those chords myself rather than just the roots, it has become WAY easier to frame the chords everyone else is playing. Third; I have always been jealous of acoustic guitar guys being able to one man band a song. I've now written a handful of acoustic bass/vocal songs I can bust out when someone sees my bass sitting in the corner and says "play me something".

[@nikkicartee879]

Honestly how I’ve always thought about notes on the board. Bad habit is after a while I stop remembering the notes and I just know the pattern that fits the note/chord I’m on.

[@AustinEugeneCFC]

Brother I’ve been playing my whole life, had lessons etc and you broke this down in a way that just made it click for me. I just want to thank you. Kudos to you and God bless.

[@dannirodgers2703]

Thanks! I am a beginner and am eager to learn.

[@jukes4499]

This is fantastic. 24 notes across 4 strings and you boiled it down to two learning tasks.

[@6minus3minus2]

I'm also an ear player, so this was super helpful! Definitely doing this exercise. I find the more I get out of my ear comfort zone, the easier it is for me to be creative, which is what it's all about.

[@miraraven999]

Thank you agree with the other about you being a very calm and easy listening ❤❤❤

[@scottjuhnke6825]

Rich, I haven't picked up my bass in decades, and have been trying for the last decade to pick it back up. I haven't touched it yet, but watching this, just once, mind you has clarified so many things for me. I can't thank you enough.

[@cowboygypsey]

This is brilliant , As a guitarist I've been playing chromatic scales as a warm up for over 50 years without ever thinking about what note I played, thanks for the wake up.

[@nathansherman5922]

im a novice to the bass as i sit in my room and try and learn this elusive creature off and on for the past two years playing along to videos . but i absolutely needed to hear you say that this is the most important lesson ever!!!! Thank YOu!!!

[@book3100]

Absolutely. I've been an ear player for a long time too. Lately I've been tearing down all the guitar chords and playing it on bass, but naming the notes out loud like you just did. Makes a huge difference. A great way to keep things fresh too. Just found your channel, subscribed.

[@richbrownbass]

Thank you so much for watching, and subscribing! That means a lot.

[@unclemick-synths]

Book, tearing down the guitar chords is a great idea - I'll start doing that.

[@book3100]

@@unclemick-synths it's a good way to know all the notes in the chord. Then you can start playing some different stuff. I'm experimenting with 100% harmonized lines. Doesn't always work, but it's a really fun exercise

[@gingervitus2377]

Advanced player here for at least 16 years. Mostly guitar, but I got my five string out and had a great time with this whole dang video! Especially that seventh fret B-E-A-D Thanks for sharing your scope, B-rown. You're one cool dude. 💯

[@bobbyt2788]

I am just getting started with Bass, started about four weeks ago. I’ve seen a lot of good lessons, and this is right up there with the best of them. Something else to put on my list to practice. As I learn the notes on the fretboard. Thank you for making this video.

[@oliverhosobe2956]

You are a real blessing to the musical community. You have a real gift for teaching! Thanks for all that you do, we are all so grateful!

[@richbrownbass]

This comment is a blessing to me. Thank you so much.

[@MrGwg11]

Make it look simple... Mr. Brown, I'm floored! Thank you for this

[@danroberts9050]

I did it a different way. I simply learned all of the notes (and their names) by learning them on the sheet music. I made up a bunch of exercises where I'd use quarter notes and I'd play two notes and repeat them in the measure. So it might be C E C E/A D A D etc. You'd be surprised how quickly you not only can read the notes on the page, but you also learn the note names too. It's only taken me a couple of months to get them all. Now, in truth, I don't read music well so the next effort is to practice various rhythms but at least I know what the notes are and what they are on the staff. Very helpful.

[@pdbass]

B R I L L I A N T lesson, my brother!! 🙏

[@richbrownbass]

That means a lot coming from you, brother Paul! 🙌🏾

[@adriannavarro388]

Everyone hush... Two legends are speaking....

[@richbrownbass]

@@adriannavarro388 Paul’s channel is my favourite thing on the KZbins!🙌🏾❤️

[@adriannavarro388]

@@richbrownbass Yes, he's channel is also one of my favorites. I am actually subscribed to both channels...

[@jjtpo69]

It's very important to have such deep lessons about your instrument because, If you understand something better, you get better at it. Thank You.

[@LiamWald]

Thank you Mr Brown. Great lesson. Simply stated it is important to strive to be a conscious musician so that you can always find your way back home after tangential excursions.

[@_B_E_A_D_G_C]

This channel is the reason why I can survive back to back YT ads

[@highlandphotography6231]

Rich, I’ve been playing bass since 1978 playing most styles of music. I came over from piano and one of my teachers had me say the notes when I’d play. It did help me learn the notes on the keyboard. Why I never thought of this I don’t know but it’s brilliant. I know the fretboard but it was hard getting there so I may just start. Never too old to do something new if it makes you better.

[@mickeybreezy]

We've been dancing with Mr. Brownstone. He keeps knocking. He won't leave me alone.

[@ZachHarbison]

I used to play bass and guitar when I was in hs, years later I'm starting to find love for the instruments again and this video is exactly what I was looking for

[@ItsMeA3k69]

This video has read my mind. I've been playing bass for 15 years and have always played by ear. I need to step my game up

[@BeatboxCookiex]

I used to play years (around 4 years long), I 100% only played with tabs. I stopped playing 4-5 years ago because I was unmotivated. I could play many songs by tabs but it didn't feel like I know anything about bass and it felt like I would lie everytime I say "I can play the bass" Now 5 years later I forgot every single song I could play and I want to start again but with another approach. This video helped sooooooo much! I thought it is witchcraft how people know their notes on the scale but it's so easy! Thank you!

[@acresd]

As a beginner bass player for 10 years or so. I’ve never been past the 5th fret. I was taking lessons but the guy only taught basic stuff in the first 5 frets. Thanks for making this easy to understand

[@martyswaney1098]

Very important lesson. You have to know the neck to communicate with others learning songs.

[@noahthedrummer12345]

Thank you Rich, your such a great mellow instructor. No pressure. 😊

[@michaeldubya]

Just came across your channel. I’m new, infantile, to the bass and playing music. Our church had been with a bass player for several months. After prayer God answered with a great deal on a 2014 Squire Jazz. Got it in April and countless hours of KZbin videos later started playing with our Praise Team in late June. Everyday is a new discovery, the proverbial light bulb goes off in my brain. I like your smooth approach. This video will really help with knowing the fretboard and maybe I can ditch my cheat sheet.

[@codymcelveen8215]

Just got back into the bass after 8 years. Back when i was playing i never had access to anything like these videos. Will definatley donate!!

[@Law-hi8un]

Love this! I’m a 52 year old novice. Just discovered your channel. Glad I did because I will be back. Thank you

[@bglichauwe]

Wow! When a plan...meets in the middle!! Just investigating tetrachords...which is leading me, finally, to circle of fourths/fifths. Puts me smack-dab in the 'middle' of carefully naming each note I touch. Timely My Friend!! Thank you!!

[@BrettCaporn]

What a brilliant lesson and teacher I have just found! Thank you!

[@4deuce31]

That was a pleasure to watch. You have a gift. You can't teach someone to be a teacher. You either are or you're not. Im going to start doing this after 30+ yrs of playing & gigging.

[@amgauctions29musicgearandm31]

I’m excited to practice your revelation. Thanks.

[@chanticleer6161]

Great lesson & video! Thank you, Rich.

[@caseymurphy5574]

Thank you, I've been playing self taught bass for years but mostly just playing songs. I've always been intimidated by scales and improv, these exercises are helping remedy that!

[@dylonlabrador]

This really changed the way I look at my bass playing. Thank you so much for this video.

[@stevegross9477]

I like the sharps/flats ,, sharp notes climbing the scale and flat notes descending the scale .🎶

[@dukeofearl4117]

I’m 74 and played bass since I was 16. I’m like you, I’ve played by ear, but lately I’m studying music theory and learning all the neck notes. Your suggestions are great. I hope to be playing music until I’m 100.

[@barelyenormous2349]

playing guitar for ages, just switched to bass and you demystified the twilight zone in one sentence. I am in your debt and you have have new subscriber.

[@richbrownbass]

Thank you so much. Welcome to the channel!

[@gigfy6010]

The first five frets, the most important area of the fretboard on the bass, great lesson!!

[@andreg5216]

"...relaxed teaching style. It’s so much better than the typically hyper, high energy youtubers..." I am happy to agree with that. A very helpful video, thx.👍

[@markr.w8044]

I'm going to do this exercise for 5/10 mins a day. I bet in few weeks I'll be able name the notes much easier. Thanks, Rich.

[@pierrelataillade7564]

Rich..... We appreciate your willingness to take the time from your busy life to sit with us..... we want to play just like you. I like the choice of bass that you have and have just like yours.... Its a lot to take in but I want to play just like you...... thanks for your patients....

[@shaiaroshas4511]

I love your attitude towards growth! Thank you for the video, you are awesome!

[@ktwoa]

You are so patient…thank you for your insight!! See you again soon!!

[@kenn1on]

Just starting my journey, this videos fills like bless from above

[@audio_video115_Gaming]

im a 24 year old 5 string player this is somthing ive been trying to verbalise for a while and im grabing my bass to play along one thing i have considered is writing note names on clear tape and putting it under the fret board temporarily to help with visualizations first sharps then flats since i learned to read sheet on tuba

[@josephromano7867]

Once again rich is the best and he makes it so easy for us!!!!

[@altron1009]

Excellent foundation for someone just starting out playing bass like myself, makes total sense, like learning to crawl first before walking, thank you for sharing this important knowledge.

[@leokim951]

Used to play the piano as a kid and now trying to pick up the bass for last few months. I don’t know why I ever thought of this, for a piano I wouldn’t even need a second to tell you what note is what, so having that same understanding with the bass fretboard seems like an absolutely an huge advantage

[@MESTTEATR]

Dziękujemy.

[@sheireland3737]

I just picked up a bass for the first time yesterday. And I started doing the “name the note” automatically from fret 1-5. Because that’s how kids learn violin. They have to name the notes. In fact they write them on little stickers until they get it.

[@Philomath9ether]

I started my path in high school with cello/DB and my teacher employed a similar method and tested our acumen with flash cards ( I'm old(er)😄). When I picked up the electric bass in my late 20s I practiced breaking notes/arpeggios ( in 4ths) between frets 1-5, 5-8, 9-12 etc. I test my memory/speed in finding all of the notes with a tool ( free) online called Random Note Picker. Revisiting the basics/ foundations ...and great exercise to build fretboard confidence. Great teaching is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@wjamyers]

4:07 is when I thought "oh, dang, how'd I never notice THAT before?!?" Good stuff.

[@sambraithwaite9094]

HOLY CRAP!!! Your quick explaination of note layout blew my mind!!!

[@michaelruxton3247]

I really like the comment about thinking of the 7th fret notes as the open strings on a 5-string bass. That makes that whole chunk of the neck wayyyyy easier to understand/visualize. Thanks!

[@mpdjr77]

Oh Man! Mr. Brown, I am a beginning beginner 😜 bass player (on 4- and 6-string bass). I was hooked, within the first four minutes of your video, by your suggestion to play the first five notes on each string, reciting out loud each note up and down the neck. This is genius for me because it applies to the 6-string, as well, and, I believe, will expedite my facility on the more challenging instrument. Of course, the remainder of the video is the cherry/whip cream combination on top of the sundae! Thank you, so much, for this lesson. Blessings, Grace and Peace 😊

[@tonyseel12]

Thanks, Rich. I started with Double Bass in high school, and bought an electric four string maybe twenty years ago. I just started playing it regularly and I can use all the help I can get. I'm really a trombone player/lower brass, so bass playing is a challenge.

[@דנישושן-ס5צ]

I'm Danny from Israel..I really love your lesson the simplicity and honest back to the roots of what it is all about.very interesting and purely good and very clear ...thank you very much

[@richbrownbass]

Thank you so much for watching, and for your very kind words.

[@hectorgarza5842]

Excellent!!! There is not another word to describe it!!! Appreciated!!!

[@benwilliams8742]

Dude I love this! I sorta reached the same point in reverse, after going to school and working almost exclusively from printed music for years and years thereafter, I reached a point where I realized my childhood/teen abilities to learn and play by ear had turned to trash from neglect. At that moment I just started back at the beginning, and devoted my full attention to learning, and often re-learning hundreds and of songs (now), just by ear and memorizing them *without the charts was actually much easier, as it turned out. Some more complicated stuff, being able to write it out to learn it (or to teach it to others) is helpful, but learning both sides of your music like this takes you to an amazing new ability level in both. Bravo!

[@benkempf]

I appreciate your videos. I have always plucked my sons bass for years. Just messing around and a lot of budda budda budda on the E string.... I bought myself a bass last week and have been watching yours and a few others videos. With this video, I was able to learn all the whole notes on the fret board in 1 day. Your videos are slow enough but remain interesting. They are obviously well thought out and communicate the topics cleary... thumbs up. Edit: I found it really simple to learn the notes one string at a time and singing them while I play. Singing helped with the memorization and I used a digital tuner to check myself the first few times.

[@OlettaLiano]

Good lesson. My music teacher made me learn the note names of the neck twenty-seven years ago. Every bassist should be able to do it. Also, not every 5-string and 6-string basses are tuned to low B. I tune my 5-string from low E to high C, and six-strings from low E to high F.

[@terrybass3613]

That was cool .Thanks

[@terrybass3613]

❤

[@gregjackson1256]

Keep up the great work!

[@richbrownbass]

Thank you so much, Greg. Will do!!!

[@michaelstram]

Its so good to mention going up with sharps and down with flats. Even though so commonly we don't say Gb, but its super important. And once you look away from the board and have it layed out in your mind so you can use that and muscle memory to land on a note with your eyes closed and KNOW the note before you play it...

[@opendoorproperty]

U have a new subscriber here. I'm looking forward to seeing more of yr lessons.

[@yveshonore6739]

Hey Rich , thanks a lot . You are a good instructor. At 67 years old l am still learning how to become a better player. And l learn a lot from your lessons. As an ear player that will help me very much .

[@richbrownbass]

Thanks so much, brother Yves. A great musician will be a student of the music for the rest of their life. I'm so glad to know this helps. 🙏🏾

[@zioziozie]

Just bought a bass last week. After long searching of how to play/memorize fret video, this one is the best method. I'll try to learn this thanks

[@ExtremelyAverage1]

That may very be the secret that everyone has been KEEPING TO THEMSELVES! Thank you for this. A very simple approach, but still complex with the naming of the notes. Truly appreciated sir.

[@fraliubass]

your method of remembering the note names of the frets is a realistic foundation.I sometimes use the chromatic tuner on my bass to see what note I'm playing thinking that eventually I'll become more familiar with the note names by memory.I enjoy playing alongside a drummer and I'm a drummer also but supporting a good guitar player on the bass is what really stokes me so when the guitarist asks me to play a specific note I want to know where it is. Thank you for your time and I'll be on the lookout for more. ✌️😎

[@celinebanna4457]

What a gentle and kind way to encourage me to back into learning music theory:)

[@philipmcadam5339]

Hey Rich, thank you. Great to have another excellent lesson on getting the basics down. I believe that you can never do the simple things too often. Peace and love.

[@teldrah]

Knowing this should be a no-brainer, but I bet many excellent bass players (guitarists as well!) would have to take a moment to think if you pointed at a random fret in the twilight zone and asked them what note that is. What a great lesson, thank you!