Reading Music on Bass Guitar [With Play Along]

[@DrunkenMackerel]

this makes learning sheet music easier to learn than i thought it was

[@OnlineBassCourses]

It can be with regular practice. It all comes together quite quickly.

[@npowejunior1]

I was intimidated by your videos at first because you play so skillfully and masterfully. Now you are one of my favorite bass guitar teachers.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks. Really happy to hear you’ve come round to it. Bass takes some dedication but, eventually, things click!

[@timothylarson3583]

The clef symbols tell you where that note is on the staff. The line centered between the two dots of the “F” is where the note F lies. In the case of treble clef, the center of the “G” swirl is where the note “G” lies. In some trombone music, there are two more clefs that are between bass and treble, alto and tenor. Both use a “C” and the center of it tells you where the note c lies. After learning this I no longer worry about using a pneumonic , the clef always tells you where to find your starting note.

[@surfskatefate]

thank you

[@lobbyrobby]

When I was in my teens I wanted to learn bass. I never did. In my 20's I bought a guitar but never spent time learning and didn't take it seriously. Now in my 40's I'm 1 year into learning the drums and enjoying it.

[@zurnalas7335]

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO. YOU MADE IT EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT

[@waynehereford7847]

I could always play by ear. But that skill holds me back when it comes to reading music. I will learn it no matter what.

[@OlimpiuVuia]

Thanks

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks very much!

[@Crozdog]

YOU SAVED ME! thank you for not allowing me to humiliate me in Jazz Band.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

😂 good luck 👊

[@davidlisteresq]

Great video. After playing for 20 years and always being put off by sheet music I think im finally ready to learn to read and Ill be using this video as my starting point.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I’ll do more on reading. I love it and I think it’s a lost/dying art! 🙏👍

[@npowejunior1]

Thanks!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! Really appreciate your support.

[@TrollfaceGamer-z5r]

This video was very easy to follow and made learning sheet music way more understandable. thumbs up!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

🙏

[@lucknerJacques]

Thank you for all of your lessons God bless you

[@klisher]

This needs a sequel. 👍👍 maybe put some rests in the next part. Great lesson.

[@blousug]

I started reading bass clef about a month ago with my instructor and it’s getting easier everyday. This is a great, concise video! The music is a lot more fun than in the book I’m using!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! It helps if you enjoy the sound of the music, I reckon. I’m going to write a few more reading pieces to practise.

[@blousug]

@@OnlineBassCourses looking forward to it 😁😁

[@beardedian1230]

although I will have to watch this multiple times I found this to be the best information on KZbin about how to read sheet music

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks - I’ll do more reading lessons.

[@kimmorgan379]

I've been plugging away trying to learn to read music on bass for over a year. I sight read that about 90% right. Thank you! I really needed to know I'd actually made some progress!!!!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Great to hear!

[@NMranchhand]

From Trumpet in Treble to Bass in Bass, thanks for a great start!

[@vdub1962]

Thanks for this. Haven't looked at sheet music in almost 20 years. Turns out I remembered most everything, but I'm going from treble clef instruments to bass clef so I thank you for this easy to follow and understand video.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

It’ll come back and be fairly easy to switch clefs. 🙏

[@patriciamcknight5258]

Very well done sir! i'm old and retired and just want to play for my own entertainment and to learn songs using sheet music sense I don't have a ear to hear bass in most songs, so thank for your time! PS using my wife'S COMPUTER

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks very much!

[@Ebbsy08]

This is probably one of the best or among the few best explanation and approach to how to learn notes and read them on a sheet paper that I have stumbled upon so far. I’m not a complete new beginner, I have learned to play a few songs but I could only read tabs and haven’t “mastered” reading notes, luckily you’ve helped me a lot through this video. Thank you so much for your simple but effective explanation.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeangillesguerlin3271]

I think read sheet is my biggest weakness in bass guitar, and overall i want to read properly. Thanks for puted your knowledge for our services. great lesson, i wish have a lot of lesson like this always.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I’ll make more!

[@DancingFlnger]

I picked up a guitar (with zero knowledge of ANY instrument) and it started to dawn at me what I was getting into. Every video I saw made me feel like an idiot .... UNTIL I SAW THIS! .. Your explanation is the first one that gave me a ray of hope! Thank you so Much!!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Wow - happy to hear that! Glad it helped.

[@kathyfoster3177]

You are always such an inspiration. Your lessons are thorough and well paced. Thank you for becoming a teacher and all these fabulous lessons you create and share. This one is truly award winning. 🎸

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Wow that’s high praise indeed, Kathy. Thanks so much!!

[@surfskatefate]

Thank you for your channel!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

My pleasure!

[@girmaybass68]

Thank you for making comprehensive beginner's material! Very helpful!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad it was helpful!

[@donhtb1]

Thank you im a beginner trying to learn bass guitar. This lesson was great

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BenD_Bass]

Thanks Dan! Reading is next on my things to learn so this was definitely helpful.

[@ThePaintedEye]

This makes it very easy to understand. Thank you!!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jaydarn784]

Definitely helps as someone who grew up knowing only alto clef from playing viola ! I am so new to bass clef and I can only really learn this stuff by being hands on!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

It’s the only way really!

[@leewaggers4733]

Superb video Dan, well produced and a massive array of information provided in an understandable format. Thanks very much 👍

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks for watching!

[@MatteoCanella]

Hi Dan, you're definitely the best bass youtuber I found till now. Your way to explain fits so well with the lessons of my bass teacher and it complements them. Thank you so much!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks very much for your comment!

[@Im-Just-a-chill-guy-fr]

I just want to say thank you so much because your video really helped me out so much.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks for letting me know - that’s great!

[@jamesscarselletta3446]

Good video. I learned from this. Informative.

[@vagabond7883]

This was an excellent tutorial! You covered so much in such a short timeframe.

[@johnanderson1018]

Great video -what I have been looking for, great explanation on reading music

[@farsights1702]

I played the tuba when I was in high school over thirty years ago. Now, I want to play the bass guitar.

[@jansnaphaan2188]

Again this is a great help in understanding reading!!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad it’s helpful!

[@1Ratrod]

AMAZIIING, I AM A BEGINNER LOOKING EXACTLY FRO THIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

That’s great! Keep up the playing.

[@MisterGrooves]

Great lesson, Dan

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thank you!

[@xcjfn]

Hey mate, I want to say I've been putting off learning sheet music, as I can already play bass with just knowing chords, but I applied for a gig as a theatre cruise musician and I have to proficiently learn sheet music, your lessons are extremely well structured and very easy to learn from, thanks for this - super helpful! :)

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! Good luck with the gig.

[@rogerioreckel6335]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@hansdewit3114]

Wow! So much information, but brought so clearly that even I can understand! Brilliant!

[@joshk6008]

Thanks Dan, can't wait to work alongside this video after work today.

[@ian11hendri03]

WOW!! THANK YOU Dan!!! this is FANTASTIC!!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad you think so, Ian!

[@susanrudge5817]

An excellent lesson.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thank you, Susan.

[@joaocarlosw12]

Amazing.

[@ezracox1601]

thank you so much this is so helpful!

[@albertoscarduelli9130]

Thanks a lot Dan, perfect summary! Very helpful.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks, Alberto.

[@AdamZuk1982]

Great lesson, thank You.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad you liked it!

[@SwashBuccaneer]

Glad this is back. Was watching yesterday and it disappeared

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Yeah. A section was out of sync so I re uploaded. All good now although I lost some views!!

[@SwashBuccaneer]

@@OnlineBassCourses Ah, so I wasn't crazy and there was some sync issues. I thought it was my tablet so I refreshed it and then it said it was gone. :D

[@jansnaphaan2188]

Thanks Dan

[@johnlennon1049]

Fantastic!

[@thadfulmer]

Great video man thank you.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad you liked it!

[@bambomg2795]

GREAT LESSON. TQ SO MUCH DAN... U ARE THE GREATEST

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks for watching.

[@bobcharlton9970]

Brilliant lesson Dan

[@OnlineBassCourses]

🙏

[@mitzicowell]

Nicely put together! I love that you're using the rhythmic figures commonly played on bass instead of abstract, unnatural exercises.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@WDXash]

Vital stuff. Thank you

[@josephinecaruana3847]

❤❤ so grateful thank you Dan

[@OnlineBassCourses]

🙏

[@cuzzo142]

Superb lesson Dan ... thankyou 👍

[@OnlineBassCourses]

My pleasure!

[@travel4work]

Thanks for this! huge help for us who are eager to learn sight reading!

[@SimulacronX]

THANK YOU is all I can say, so helpful

[@OnlineBassCourses]

🙏

[@thomassteckle]

Very helpful intro, thanks man!

[@tocacrush]

TY for this very helpful video. It was so helpful that I just subscribed to your channel!!! You cleared up a lot of questions I had with reading music.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! I’ll do more reading lessons.

[@tocacrush]

TY!!!!

[@aina6992]

thank you 🫡

[@karenlamacraft362]

Very good teacher

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks, Karen. Appreciate that immensely.

[@A8nobodybusiness]

Thank you

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Thanks for sharing Dan much appreciated 🎶🎵🎸

[@asiflazaro3773]

Thank you so much, good teacher.

[@williamloredo595]

🙏🏽 this is great! Thank you so much 🙏🏽

[@jamesmock8431]

You did a great job in explaining this.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks, James.

[@josephinecaruana3847]

Excellent ❤

[@MsRouder]

Отличный урок! 👍

[@danielalosoya6523]

Very good! This helped me alot!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

🙏👍

[@nunyabidness2143]

Great video. Im learning bass and am sick of tabs. This is really going to help me with getting rhythms down while reading. Thanks so much

[@OnlineBassCourses]

🙏👍

[@gregorywilliams744]

nice pls do more sight reading right reading thx

[@OnlineBassCourses]

👍

[@gregorywilliams744]

Do u teach sight reading privately

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@gregorywilliams744 Unfortunately not - sorry. But I am hoping to put together a premium reading course that would teach everything I know with loads of examples.

[@spezifisch4468]

I already played the clarinet for 6 years before I started bass (that is nearly 4 years ago) so I can fluently read sheet music, no problem, but in the treble clef that is, I still have such a hard time reading sheet for bass (I have to convert from bass clef to treble clef in my head)

[@OnlineBassCourses]

It gets much easier don’t worry.

[@angelolansangan5918]

Hey! Amazing video, but i kinda got lost at 11:20 when you explained about the f sharp, i didn't quite get what made it an f sharp?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! It’s an F# because the piece is in the key of G Major. We know this because if you like at the very left - the key signature next to the 4/4, you see one sharp - an F#. So that means any F you see in the music is actually an F#. It saves you having to write and read # every time.

[@angelolansangan5918]

@@OnlineBassCourses Thanks for clarifying! I see it now

[@matthew1040]

Hey Dan, what should be a condition to use the other notes(position) in the other part (fret)of the bass? Thanks.

[@matthew1040]

Hello Dan, making my question understandable. If I follow your teaching here, the E string will be used only upto 4th fret because the 5th fret which is A will be played on the A string, this goes as well to the A string which can be played also up to 4th fret C# because the D note can be played on the D string same as D strings can be played only up to F#, the G can be played on the G string and the G string play the rest of the notes upto 2nd octave if the bass is 24 fret. With this scenario, the 5th fret and above will be useless for the E,A and D string. Kindly also let us know. Thanks.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

My answer might be annoying but it depends on what I’m playing. I quite like to play closed positions with no open strings. If I need a higher note, I’ll play in that position to avoid unnecessary shifts. But sometimes, I might want to slide. This all dictates where a bass player will play. There are definitely no useless positions though or no go areas or anything like that!

[@matthew1040]

I see, thanks. So, it looks like I can use any position as long as it is logical. No Strick rules on what string to use.@@OnlineBassCourses

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@matthew1040 That's a good way of putting it.

[@heavyd9154]

thanks

[@matthew1040]

Hello Dan, making my question understandable. If I follow your teaching here, the E string will be used only upto 4th fret because the 5th fret which is A will be played on the A string, this goes as well to the A string which can be played also up to 4th fret C# because the D note can be played on the D string same as D strings can be played only up to F#, the G can be played on the G string and the G string play the rest of the notes upto 2nd octave if the bass is 24 fret. With this scenario, the 5th fret and above will be useless for the E,A and D string. Kindly also let us know. Thanks.

[@davenandrew7292]

Great❤

[@marejapt8620]

Could you explain at the beginning why is key signature F sharp - G major or E minor?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Yes that’s right. It’s because it’s the key of G Major or E Natural Minor (relative keys).

[@petermcguinness5281]

Oh yeah 👍

[@alistairmunro4670]

Dan, if I purchase the " From Beginner to Bassist Course" can I use an Acoustic Bass Guitar as a total beginner ? For family reasons I dont think an ordinary electric one is an option at this point .Thankyou.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Hi Alistair. I teach on a 4 string electric so you can follow along easily enough. Everything will translate to a 4 string acoustic bass. I use one a lot to practice and love it!

[@alistairmunro4670]

Thank you, that's great news! Alistair

[@mr.t382]

Hi Dan! For many years I’ve used Encore to chart a ton of bass lines. Long story short, they stopped doing upgrades and it won’t install or work on my newer Mac. Do you have a recommendation please? Thanks mate!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I use Guitar Pro. MuseScore is also quite decent and free.

[@sandbar83]

Hey Dan love the channel! I can read treble clef no problem (I played saxophone for 10yrs), but I'm having trouble transitioning to bass cleff. I've always just used tab but really want to be able to sight read and be a more competent musician! Any advice?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

The ONLY tip is to read bass clef music every day or as close to that as possible. Obviously, learn what the bass clef notes are and where they are (follow the link in the description of this video). Then read bass clef music regularly and it will click surprisingly quickly. Good luck!

[@klisher]

If you can read treble clef, for bass clef it's just the same except it starts one line higher (instead of FACE in the gaps its ACEG. and instead of EGBDF its GBDFA.. one line higher)

[@unclemick-synths]

Hydroman83 Same here, I started out by thinking in terms of landmarks. E.g. E on the bass stave is where C is on the treble stave. The top line is A, the middle line is D, and the bottom line is G. Then I use the GBD-FACE mnemonic to branch away from the landmarks. It works for lines and spaces. So taking the E on the spaces, C is the space below and G is the space above. Similarly, for the G on the bottom line gives B for the line above. This gets really handy for reading chords.

[@TheMusicianTom]

Same here. Treble clef reader.

[@cuzzo142]

Hiya Dan I don't understand on the open strings at 5mins 12 sec...the G string is in the space. I thought you said that it would be on the line. Thanks in advance Mike

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Hi Mike. Depends which octave. There’s more than one G. The G on the E string is on the 3rd fret, the open G (higher in pitch) is on the top space.

[@cuzzo142]

@@OnlineBassCourses hi Dan...yes I get it now... many thanks for your quick reply 👍

[@alexluna6810]

Hey Dan; im having a hard time playing the accidentals while reading; there are many times i play a natural note instead a b flat or c# etc any advice? Thank you.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Unfortunately, there’s nothing to do but practice reading every day. It will become clearer!

[@donh5794]

This is a very interesting and useful video Dan! Why are some notes such as the D and G open notes and others show with the note beam facing down with note facing opposite direction/side (180 degrees)?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I’m not quite sure which bit you’re referring to… you can play A, D, and G open strings fretted if you like.

[@donh5794]

@@OnlineBassCourses I am referring to 05:04 where you show open string notes. I wondered why the note lines/stems on some notes face up or down? Also at 03:28 the D, E, F, G and A the note lines/stems face down.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@donh5794 ah, I see. There’s no real rule and sometimes it depends on whether notes are beamed together. But, if a note is on the middle line, the stem can be up or down. If above the middle line, it tends to go down. If below, the stem goes up. It’s to keep things neat and tidy but it can, technically, go either way (and doesn’t change a thing about what note it is or what the rhythm is).

[@donh5794]

@@OnlineBassCourses Thanks Dan, that's good to know. That was a long standing question that I had. Actually it helps me with learning to read when spotting the D note right away in the middle in some arrangements. Although, I understand it does not change the note.

[@LoFibeats0701]

Change my life

[@colinscott147]

Hi Dan, just a question regarding music written when using modes: so if F Lydian is the key shown as C major and use accidentals on the altered note or is the key shown as F major. What is the convention for modal music, you often play/teach Lydian and Mixolydian pieces. Is A minor shown as C. Actually probably better to use key/mode that have sharps or flats originally as example, but C easier, for me. Hope this is a video idea for you in your music reading series.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Good question, Colin. F Lydian is indeed in C Major so there would be no # or b notes. F Major is nothing to do with F Lydian. A Minor is the relative minor of C Major so both contain no # or b notes. I'd write modal music related to the parent major key (if talking about major modes). So, D Dorian (key of C) would also be no # or b notes in the key signature. That's how I'd do it and how I like to read modal music.

[@colinscott147]

@@OnlineBassCourses So the piece would only be identified as modal by context (the relationship between key signature and the note that feels like home?)

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@colinscott147 yeah, pretty much - and what your ear is telling you. Loads of people would read something perfectly well without knowing that information though… i reckon it probably does help.

[@JasonNketiahAmponsah]

Pls what’s the name of the sheet music you played

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Just something I wrote.

[@TM-jo4wz]

Nice

[@rifleman7313]

I just started to learn how to play an electric bass guitar a few months ago. However the only music I have learned to read is tablature so far. Which is unfortunate because when I just play I never know what notes I'm actually playing. Any thoughts or advice?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Yes! Learn to read music and/or learn to play simple bass lines by ear. Also learn the basic scales that make up the bulk of bass lines you want to play (hint: it’s major, natural minor, major pentatonic, minor pentatonic). I have lessons on all this on my channel and website.

[@Ampwich]

My confusion is where each note belongs on the staves on the fretboard...if that makes sense. Like with the piano, each key is a note that has its own place when reading sheet music. Sort of seems that way with the bass, but then there's a whooolee lot of frets that are seemingly left out of the equation.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

It’s because on the case you can play the same note in several places. That’s not the case on the piano. So you have options on bass. But, a note is a note. Just learn it and link it to the various patterns on the bass. Check out my free reading course on my site. It should help.

[@Hitnrun69ify]

Dan, or anyone watching. What kind of Amp is that in the background next to the lava lamp? It looks like a tube amp. it's right above the head of that little character with the bass...lol

[@OnlineBassCourses]

It’s a Jules Monique which I use in conjunction with the cleaner Avalon U5.

[@Hitnrun69ify]

@OnlineBassCourses I stumbled upon your videos yesterday in search of something farley simple for my daughter of 9yrs old can learn from.

[@ProperCrusader]

You have the exact same bass as mine

[@OnlineBassCourses]

1978 StingRay? Cool!!

[@edonato60]

I don't think you fully explained what the letters on top of the staff is for and how it informs the bassist. for example- Em, C, Dm7, etc Are those the scales? Are those chords? Sorry- I'm a total beginner and not sure what to reference and what to do when I see those letters on the top.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

They’re chord symbols. I’ll do a full lesson one day - very useful!

[@dante5247]

Im here because im in 3 extreme grindcore bands (2 on bass, 1 guitar), but want to join Jazz Band

[@joelocascio3910]

Why does no one teach the lines ABOVE the staff?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I do teach that. Not for this lesson though as it would be too much. It’s very easy to learn though: it’s just a continuation of the musical alphabet.