Getting Your Groove On With Only Root and 5th

In this lesson I show how you can limit yourself to practicing with only the root and 5th of each chord while still coming up with an interesting bass line. Lesson material available here: www.talkingbass...
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[@andrewhockley2579]

By far the best bass teacher I've found on the internet. Knows his stuff and sticks to teaching instead of nonsense.

[@Brookzplayzmuzic]

Try scott devine

[@markrodgers2976]

Yep, Scott's great, and Luke from Become A Bassist is also outstanding.

[@Shelsight]

@@markrodgers2976 agree. Luke and Mark are v similar in their approach. V to the point, nice blokes, and just seem to simplify things that I've been tying myself in knots over for ages. Scott is amazing too but obviously doesn't teach as much these days as he's built an amazing community and works to bring us world class content. I'm happy to have access to all 3 guys. The other teacher who is great is Josh Fossgreen. His videos def show his more offbeat Canadian humour & editing but never cheesy - he's just a naturally funny and super-talented guy. We're v lucky to have access to all these talented teachers, plus the more introverted but no less talented bassists & cover gurus: CoverGuy, Troy (tjh3113) and Constantine Isslamow. Wish they'd all been around when I was a 14yr old school kid trying to convince my teachers that a girl should be allowed to learn bass...! I've learned so much from all these guys.

[@davcevjovan6564]

@@Brookzplayzmuzic zzaazazazzaàsaaazzaazzaaaAazzzÀzazzàaaazzzaaazzzazzaaazzaaaaaAzzaazazzaaaaaaaazzaźzaźàźÀZAAAZAAZAAAZAÀÀZAAZAAAAZAAAzzazaaaaaaZzaaaaaazaaazaazzaaà

[@dlmblodgett]

This a great simple way to add color and movement to a simple progression. Thanks. I so wish KZbin existed when I was 12 and learning the first time.

[@patriciamcknight5258]

Totally agree with you!!

[@rtroiani]

This lesson changed my life! I recently converted to bass. I was am a 40 year drummer, also play guitar and keys, but took up bass when the band I’m in couldn’t find one. I was playing mostly root notes and using tabs when available, but just adding a 5th and octave in places fills up so much!

[@georgeharvey6826]

I'm 6 weeks into the bass and can't believe this lesson on 5ths. What a break through for me! Thank you!!

[@rpm750]

Mark thanks for all your instructions. I love your approach to teaching. Break it down, tear it apart, start slow. Think outside the box, yeah that box of notes in one position. Thank you for mentioning RHYTHM, this is to me the most important element of a bass line. The Notes give it motion and emotion. Rhythm is over looked way too much, it wasn't until this year that I realized that the groove(rhythm) is the foundation of any bass line, the notes give it the emotion, color and feel that is the icing on the cake!! Mark a whole series on rhythm and groove would be a great topic. Where to get inspiration for the groove, how the drummer and bassist work together to create a good groove, using the vocal cadence as the groove. Thanks again I owe you!!! B#

[@georgetrainor1784]

You are terrific Mark, I'm a drummer of 40 years and now I want to become a bassist! Thank you!

[@dustinf11]

This guy is just so pleasant. I wish I had him as a teacher when I was learning.

[@bubblebass8498]

It's amazing how amazing you can make just root notes sound! I'm a lead guitarist of 7 years and I'm trying to learn to play bass and I'm really thankful for your videos.

[@BigRedGrizzlly]

Hi there, Mark. I am a subscriber to your website, and I purchased the starter pack, which includes the beginner base and the fundamental lessons. I wish I had started this years ago. I am totally blind, and you described things so well that I know what to do when I’m playing along and learning the bass guitar. Keep doing what you’re doing, brother. Keep up the good work.

[@mynewsong9035]

IN MY OPINION YOUR ONE OF THE BEST TEACHERS ON KZbin. YOU MAKE LEARNING SIMPLE AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND. KEEP UP THE GREAT LESSONS.

[@Bultacoproteenie]

"You're" please, thank you!

[@timsterkhim653]

mynewsong this lesson is for someone that's hasn't got this far with their bass line move throw the neck freely like myself Mark just open a whole new page for us beginners and if your better then this move along and leave your half cent somewhere thank you

[@Petanifer]

Best bass lessons on KZbin.

[@pakillo92]

Before opening this video I was like "a groove with only root and 5th? you can't call that a groove!". I was so wrong. Great lesson, helped me know my fretboard much better! Thank you

[@user-go3ed9nm4k]

Hi, you are really the best Bass guitar teacher in KZbin. Your videos are helping me a lot. Thank you!!!

[@glenfair5272]

Great lesson. Who knew you could get so much out of two notes.

[@MoeJoe974]

Thank you so much. I’m just coming back to the bass guitar after years of a hiatus. Your lessons and manner of teaching is exactly what I need.

[@mikecurtis11]

Great video lesson. I came here to improve my left hand on piano

[@alexvanslyke855]

I went from playing mainly guitar and switched to bass. I was always ok at learning/ writing simple songs, I have been playing guitar for 12 years but I never really knew what I was playing because I didnt put in the effort to learn theory. In the past 2 days watching your videos I've probably gotten 5 times better. I have a good grasp on where everything is on the neck and what I'm playing. Thanks for these videos, friend

[@TuanTran-hj6kv]

Thank you. Your lessons introduced me to the bass world. They are easy and simple to understand and follow.

[@marcobeitia1731]

Buen profesor, Larga vida,,,,, gracias por tu trabajo desde Barcelona

[@paulmcfarlane9441]

Simple down to earth explanation and demonstration, pretty cool.

[@eveeludbrook]

Thanks so much for these videos! I'm a piano teacher, but have just started learning bass guitar. I've got a good knowledge of scales and such but the rhythm elements and finding my way around the fingerboard has been a totally new area for me! You teach super clearly and it's great fun playing along with your tutorials! Thanks! =D

[@bluesfansally7097]

your explanations are very clear, thanx

[@JPrana]

I love your channel. You're a great teacher. Thank you

[@markbass354]

Mark Ive learned a lot from you over the past 5 years , much thanks

[@tjsogmc]

So then. I learned more from you on a KZbin vid in 20 minutes than I did in 6 months taking professional lessons. I should have given my money to you!

[@rossco420]

What a great teacher . Superb bass player 🤙🏽🎸

[@SimaStrahota11]

Awesome lesson mark! Cheers

[@gmawn]

Thank you so much. You make THE difference.It's fun and clear.

[@Dpurpleface]

Brilliant lesson this - I’ve learned a lot from it thank you!

[@MyCovertNarcissism]

Fantastic video Fergus, really enjoyed this one.. amazing as always.

[@gregorylakics4138]

Oh thank you for making these videos. These are the best. You are amazing. And I have learned so much more from your videos. I am now an avid subscriber. God Bless you. Thanks and keep making videos please....

[@daver3856]

Very nice. Thank you for sharing with us. You make it seem so easy. I guess I have a lot of work to do.

[@Bigbaloooo]

Why would anybody give this master bass player a thumb down? Two thumbs up!

[@MetallidisAndreas]

Thanks.Greetings from Greece.

[@garethcross5085]

Great lesson took several goes to get it thanks

[@ramdosc]

Great lessons. Thank you so much.

[@nordeluschoulmy]

You are a great teacher keep it up

[@bluesdelux123]

Thank you great lesson and well explained.

[@5slight]

This is great. It really helped me understand some of the music theory. I play a bit of guitar and I know how to pick out root notes to play on bass but I wanted a way to make it more interesting. This explains perfectly how to do the basics to make the bass way more interesting than just the root note. Also helped me understand more about guitar as I didn't realise that a power cord is basically a 5th and octave. Don't really know what a 5th is though. I have very little music theory knowage. Thanks for the videos.

[@anonanon5791]

Root is 1 then count up. If key is A, then root is A and 5th is E, but I don't know about sharps and flat.

[@sparkeone]

Mark , Thank you for your easy to understand lessons . I am new to the Bass guitar , and I love the feel ! I do have some questions though ,.... there seems to be many ways to play a riff , and I'm confused as to which is the right way ......do you know what I'm trying to say ? ..... like , one could prolly play a riff on just one string .... but there are other ways to play it using 2 strings or 3 .... how dose one know the correct way if they all are hitting " What sound to me as " the same note ? Also , is there a way you could incorporate like a Go pro into your videos, to see what your playing from a players point of view or like a fret board that shows the notes that your playing .... maybe a split screen with one ? I find myself having to back up the video a couple times to try to see your finger placement ....you do say what notes you are going to play , and that IS NEEDED to learn ..... but as a newbe , a visual reference to Know finger placement would be AWESOME ! Thank You, Mark.

[@danielkong8314]

Good lesson.

[@arneberg9072]

Who should we thank the most : KipJones or Mark ---

[@juditharmstrong6267]

Hi been doing your courses, and just going back over them, after a break from bass. I have just realised I would love to hear the Bass more and not so much of the backing track so I can hear the correct rythmn. Any chance some one can help me out there?

[@antoniekevangorkum8330]

Thanks so só much!

[@carlboiter6901]

thanks

[@reynaldoherrera8908]

Dude thanks you help me a lott🤓

[@m.m.3190]

best dude

[@jorgealbertodiaz1113]

what kind of bass that you use in this video??

[@christian53050]

Look it up !

[@bluubloodra12]

Nice ! 🔥🔥🔥

[@bcheezy1]

what kind of pickups do you use man? ll of your basses have great tone...im looking for some new p bass PUPs...

[@LilDreama530]

How did you find out that; C Am F G were the other places you needed to place your finger on??? I know C(the root) and F is the (Fifth) where did Am, F, G come from?

[@zackbrown1525]

F is not the fifth it's the fourth. You can use the major scale of the key the song is in the determine the diatonic chord progression. C is often used in examples because it has no accidentals. C Major scale is CDEFGAB. So as you can see, 'G' is C's 5th. You can also build chord progressions in C. For any given major key, the I, IV, and V are major, the II, III, and VI are minor and VII is diminished.

[@originalkhawk]

i notice your bass has the same problem as mine, the E string vibrates against the neck of the bass sometime's. any idea on what causes this problem and is there a way to fix it? the sound of the string vibrating against the neck realy trows me off while playing

[@pashow6486]

+originalkhawk I think that would indicate a low action

[@talkingbasslessons]

+originalkhawk The bang you're hearing is actually me whacking my hand against the string to give an indication of where the snare is and imply the beat when playing unaccompanied. I do have basses with a bit of fret buzz because of low action but this bass isn't one of them.

[@grampzstillkickin7252]

Excellent Thank you Thank you

[@iwuvbatman]

Hey mark. Im building a bass and I like your pups. What are they?

[@iwuvbatman]

Edit* Never Mind, saw your comment :)

[@iwuvbatman]

Edit* Never Mind, saw your comment :)

[@arneberg9072]

It's like - if I only learn to use this fluidly I'm then ready to conquer the world --

[@juditharmstrong6267]

I find it really hard to do the rythmn

[@davidfisher3264]

OK - SO IM NEW AND I ADMIT IM A LIL LOST- STARTING AT C - DEFG - G MAKES TH 5TH - WHERED TH A COME FROM??

[@dooberbear66]

The chord progression is C Am F G. You need to treat each chord as a temporary key. Thus, over C, your root and fifth = C and G just as you wrote. For the remaining chords, your root and fifth will be over Am = A and E, over F = F and C, over G = G and D. Hope that helps.

[@arneberg9072]

Approximately 'bout five hours just to Get/understand this C - thang ---

[@surfstrat59]

This is exactly what your band mates want to hear you play. If you start getting all “Jaco” on them, they will throw beer cans at you. Trust me.....🎵

[@thrillaspirit]

mike stratocaster well, depends how and WHY you get „Jaco“. In terms to your meaning I could apply that to all band members, except the drummer of course (sarcasm)

[@flobeeonekinobee2353]

mike stratocaster yes full ones ow!!

[@Psychprogrock]

I've been told precisely so by the guitarist and the drummer.

[@gristams3439]

i go les claypool on them and im in a folk band. and yea they....uh yea do what hes showing u

[@bryanallenguitar6714]

then get new band members. Of course you should be tasteful... but you cant groove a funky tune playing just the root dude....

[@kennedyjones4039]

Thanks so much for the terrific lessons Mark. Your teaching skills are absolutely A1 and I couldn't be more thankful. Keep up the great work!

[@davidcousins7143]

Hi Mark. Thanks for all of your uploads, the content is always so well explained that I never struggle to follow it. Just watching a few of your vids has improved my musicality and understanding no end... Just wish I had started this journey 35 yrs ago, but then, you probably wouldn't have been around to help :o)

[@CallMeVanou]

Awesome lesson. Every bassists should learn this before attempting slapping or other fancy things. It is the essence of groove.

[@noctisocculta4820]

Thanks Mark, it's all starting to come together for me now. Such a neat little trick, yet so powerful and good for all skill levels.

[@jharon11]

I have a tremor and my left hand is quite uncoordinated... so I have to make the best of my capabilities... probably no Jamerson riffs, but your simpler (physically) lessons have been a godsend to me.

[@Nobody-11B]

Ever try wearing a tight stretchy glove? It gives the nerves an overload and sometimes stops the tremors.

[@jcchuah8257]

Hi Mark, Thank You For Lesson, Is Well Explain For Me. Thumb Up Like.

[@berrytaft4779]

Hey Mark, Congrats on 100G's. Thanks for the Understandable lessons.

[@juditharmstrong6267]

Berry Taft (h

[@Twothink]

You are a good bass teacher.

[@brunocpimenta]

His lessons are so great and so much more about music in genereal than bout "just" playing bass. I watch it even without my instrument in hands, for the sake of really feeling good and learning in between daily routines.

[@sbdreamin]

Mark, I LOVE your instruction... so clear, concise, and properly ordered. You are really a very fine teacher. I'm gonna join your all access pass.

[@nathanbotha1199]

Guitar player here, but I like the idea of applying this to guitar for soloing. As the rhythm player plays each chord, I could play the root and 5th of each chord as a simplified way to start soloing - any thoughts on this?

[@am3986]

C Major scale: for this scale progression: shouldn't we use A instead of Am for the 6th chord? Could someone please clarify? Thanks and Thanks Mark for the lesson!

[@ranjeevdutt5502]

Horta De Ebro the 6 in a major scale is always minor. For bass it's the same root note, so it doesn't really matter.

[@rina5221]

A major chord has C# in it, which isn't in C major

[@juditharmstrong6267]

Hi Sir , I don’t seem to be able to download any of the free lesson material. Great lessons Thanks

[@bigmikec9]

What kind of bass is that?

[@Neil-qf6df]

Hey Mark...where can i download the backing track? I went to the website and signed up but couldn't find it.

[@ephyman78]

Thanks so much, I am improving because of you!!!!

[@christian53050]

All clarity and thoroughness here...but what is going on with the thumbs down?? Are some people getting satisfaction from some troll action?

[@SinnethSoul]

Simple & practical. Very good teacher.

[@rcmakingtracks18]

Mark your awesome. Thank you.

[@sanumusic007]

Very Useful Lesson, Thanks :)

[@Neil-qf6df]

Hey Mark...where can i download the backing track?

[@mr.c7522]

Great lessons remds me bit of legz akimbo

[@davidwezigondwe8691]

Great lesson... simple but very handy.

[@vilhoeskelinen7881]

This was just what I was looking for! Thank you!

[@callixtesenani2032]

You're the best one,I really love your lessons.

[@timothywestsr1412]

What about using the root fifth for major to minor key change

[@alirosamusic]

Hey Mark. About the pizzicato you teach near 24:17, could it be done with fingers 1 2 2 2 instead of 1 2 1 1?

[@lazanlazan5658]

Thank you man!

[@boshrek4759]

Halfway through this lesson and I'm loving it!! Your my go to guy now!! Thank you

[@rosengurung9107]

Thank you

[@HeriBassista]

Terima kasih for tutorial

[@gunnslinger7774]

The Monster Mash.. It was a graveyard smash... Great lesson... Great lesson...Learned a lot...

[@Allampedupscxd]

New bass player, new subscriber. Great job explaining the movements. Thank you!!

[@XDproductionsXD]

Your LED lights on your pick ups always mesmerized me. I just discovered what you look like. Love ur lessons…

[@rekintoloco]

Just wanted to say thanks for all your videos! you really know how to explain things very simple. who knew that only with root & 5th you could do so much!!

[@MyCovertNarcissism]

Mark I recently came across "tied notes" in a song, could you explain and demo a little more in a future video, thanks.

[@noeltolentino9890]

Agree with most of the comments here. His lessons are less blah blah, more of tips, demo and instructions, very easy to follow

[@michaelcosta930]

I hear a slight difference in measure 4 and 5 in the tablature from what you are playing on the video - there seems to be an extra note on the vid. Am I hearing things?

[@tyrunabraham7454]

your explaqations are very clear, thanx I love your channel. You're a great teachers. Tanks your

[@anthonraj6168]

Thanks Mark, this is what i was exactly looking. Very clear explanation and straight to the point. Great job

[@rogerdshrubber6557]

I’ve seen a lot of different tutorials. Your videos break it down just right Better than all the rest. Fo sho 🤘🏻