The Biggest Myth About Playing Bass With a Drummer

Unleash your inner drummer!
That’s the feeling you get jamming along with your favourite drummer - bass amp cranked, laying into every kick drum pattern. But some bass players don’t do it properly.
In this video Ian Allison and Steve Goold break down some common misconceptions about the concept of “locking in” with a drummer. They’ll also guide you through some rhythm section challenges that will sharpen your focus and help level up your sense of rhythm. The trick is to think like a drummer!
As always, see you in the shed…
Scott :)
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[@shamsam69]

I wondered why Scott was doing a fake American accent for far longer than I should have

[@gdluacan]

it's not Scott

[@SpurgeonFleischer]

😂😂

[@Apophis392]

Same! For real 😭

[@speelbergo]

lol beat me to it.

[@Cola.Cube.]

And lost his glove. Got me too. 😂😂

[@matthewb8229]

3:20: The old "know when to not play" technique. I use it so much, that most of the time, I just stand there. In fact I just stand there at a very high level of ability. It's really the best part of my bass playing.

[@zadokmotorfreight2423]

Lol!! That's the best comment I've seen in awhile!!

[@fred512]

😂😂😂

[@palemale2501]

Yup ! we say less is more (I sometimes joke our silent gaps are the most musical bits we play). Also does no harm to miss out the bass in just the entry chorus or verse - it adds texture to the mix

[@DGlesterH]

Love it! More videos about the bass player - drummer relationship please! I feel this topic isn't discussed enough. The key to a rock solid rhythm section is being one with your drummer, and not every bassist/drummer are compatible. When you and a drummer lock in, it is a special thing! Keep up the great work guys!

[@rodolfojanssen4696]

I guess you didn't get the point they are trying to show...

[@donh5794]

Seems like the drummer can also lock in with the bass player or either one can step out and come back in as long as the other one knows what to do in those situations. Very interesting video. I'm still learning.

[@DGlesterH]

@@donh5794 absolutely, it goes both ways. Every relationship is a give and a take and the Drummer/Bassist one is no different. Knowing how and when to do either is when you really are grooving.

[@KevinOMalleyisonlysmallreally]

I just wanna point out that Ian's energy in all of his videos is so great. Like he's crazy positive and open.

[@FrankTurk]

Ian's enthusiasm and energy are incredible. So positive and also so intent on communicating good content. Not just a love fest but always an actual lesson.

[@andresvasquez2700]

agreed! i vibed with him the whole time!

[@iCombs]

I’m lucky enough to know Ian personally and what you see in these videos is basically what he’s like all the time. Could NOT be a nicer guy...always brings a wellspring of positivity and good vibes along with him.

[@Maxdemon98]

Conversation between musicians, no matter the technical level, is always fasinating. And with the right attitude, it feels like building something great together.

[@DanielFFA]

Scott looks, Different. I'm aware it's not scott just play along.

[@McDoinky]

Finally a break from “duuuuuuudes”

[@davinchaffin6839]

he does, it must be the glasses

[@deluca9340]

Seems like they have a fairly strict dresscode for bassplayers in SBL

[@taipolar333]

he's not wearing the gloves

[@theTrend7]

It may be the glasses....🤣😂

[@5BBassist4Christ]

Couldn't agree more. I've had some drummers be like "Dude, lock into my kick drum. The reason you exist is to accent my kick and make my kick more punchy." And I'm like, either: A: "Dude, how am I supposed to lock in when you're not keeping a consistent beat?" B: "Dude, that rhythm closes off the resonance of the bass, or is more tricky to count on bass than drums." or C: "You know, I don't feel that serves the song or the groove." It's not a hardfast rule that should always be used. It has its time when it is exactly what is needed, and other times when it is not what's needed.

[@BassDad77]

“I totally felt that, and enjoyed it”

[@wjj669]

May I reach around and...

[@jeevakrishnan4500]

Ikr.

[@thiagoborges892]

Who are these guys?!? They're cool teachers!!

[@IanMartinAllison]

HI! I’m Ian and the drummer is Steve Goold. If you’re ever on Instagram, both of us are super active on that platform.

[@rome8180]

So many of the best bass lines don't follow any of the "rules" we always hear. Take the bass line from the Beatles' "Something" for example. It doesn't lock with the kick, it doesn't lay down a rhythm foundation, it doesn't stick to the lower strings. Instead, it acts more as a melodic instrument. And it adds so much more to the song that way.

[@iplaysdrums]

At the same time, you can break the rules so much more effectively if you know what they are and can function in that way, too. The more versatile you are as a player, the more you can add regardless of what else is going on.

[@luisa.millan9953]

Eso es cierto...

[@rome8180]

@@iplaysdrums I totally agree with you. You have to know what you're doing and that comes with experience. You can get experience through practice, study, or listening to and imitating others. But you don't want to be flailing about.

[@E_MZ_]

The possibilities are endless!

[@blop-a-blop9419]

@@rome8180 failing about is ALSO what makes experience and discovery. If you want to get your own thing, you got to try and find it. And finding 'right stuff' also means finding 'wrong stuff' along the way. It's ok to try, it's ok to fail. If you're ot making mistakes it means you're not trying. Don't be afraid to fail.

[@SAHBfan]

I am a drummer who can’t play bass. I was told, very early on, NOT to play exactly what the bass player plays, as it just muddies up the bass line. Instead, find something that compliments it - usually something a bit simpler, but not always…. I nearly came to blows in one group with a bass player who had the solid conviction that I must play exactly what he plays and he screamed at me “every time I play the pattern - you change it!”. That was many years ago…. I trust we’ve both wised up a bit, now.

[@LoveandHavoc]

Lol this is so pleasant. It's like the homies jamming on some molly 😂

[@aaronpaterson1615]

The Barrett brothers in Bob Marley's band are a perfect example where the bass and drums don't always play off each other, Carlton Barrett (drums), Aston Barrett (bass). Reggae with its off beat riddim. GREAT VIDEO

[@andreedipo6356]

Finally someone giving respect to reggae bass players. One of the styles people think it’s easy to play.

[@davelongenecker649]

Umm Hmmmm!!!, oh YEAH! They were SO amazing!

[@Emondotcalm]

@aaronpaterson1615, I'm a drummer wanna be bass player and gotta say Aston is up there at the top of my list as one of my all time favorite musicians! Those two basically reinvented the wheel as far as what the role of bass and drums do. In reggae the bass is actually the lead instrument and Aston was an absolute genius at phrasing and a master at articulation. In most reggae the kick is just hitting the three so obviously the bass player can't just lock, or play only on the kick. But that doesn't mean those guys weren't locked super tight! What I mean by that and Aston being a master of articulation.... The best example off the top of my head would be "Roots Rock Reggae". If you get a chance give that one a listen and notice how he's playing a line with extended sustain at the end of the phrase but cuts off the sustain precisely on the kick!! That one seemingly insignificant detail make a huge diffrence! So much of reggae is more about where to NOT play and leave space. In that case they're doing the inverse... Instead of the bass hitting right on the kick the bass note gets cut OFF precisely ON the kick! Like playing the silence as a note! Incredible!

[@pfabbri5908]

They’re so cordial to each other to the point it looks like they’re being sarcastic

[@thumbthump]

So, that's great when everyone is treated as equal. Problem with being a bass player a lot of the time is the testosterone junkies on guitar and drums don't leave space for anything but whole notes UNLESS they have a brain and give a damn about others. MATURITY is key!

[@kristiannorge5568]

Oh I am just super early, just want to say Scott is probably what turned me into a music nerd and made sure I didn't quit bass as an impulsive 14 year old

[@filippoorologio6777]

yo where's scott bro, you just his twin, don't try to fool me!

[@Aloshi19]

Dude Scott is on a trip with his family, he posted pics on insta. I think he also mentioned something about the trip in the videos before.

[@jo_krach]

Gotta say, you are usually my go-to address for everything bass-related, but this combination and the perspective you are giving has been one of the best rhythm-section lessons I've had, so thanks for that. Also you guys seem to have a really good understanding of one another, musically speaking. More of that, please!!!

[@wesmoJones]

as a drummer that has been playing bass for a couple years, this is really really helpful. Not to mention for people who haven't had experience in a band or played music with other rhythm section players, this is an awesome video to crack it. I'm hoping that I'll be able to catch a couple more of these sessions in the catalogue. Great content here.

[@paulhinsberger1405]

Would click multiple times for this one. Great teachings here! Thanks guys!

[@jerryjajah]

At first glance I was like “why does Scott’s voice sounds different while looking different too?” Lol

[@TheRobinETaylor]

This is really on the money. So often as a bass player you hear these 'lock with the kick' comments leaking through in interviews etc, and yet in real life situations we're all just thinking 'yea but that's just not always possible or practical'.

[@palemale2501]

spot on

[@Badz_B34chst4r]

There are drums & bass jam videos on youtube but none of them are having as much fun as these two, even by playing only a couple of bars of seemingly simple patterns... Pretty Please with Sugar on Top publish a video Ian and Steve playing, improvising, having fun, switching roles supporting the other and using the expressive space.

[@maanjezus8622]

Was there playing? I was drooling on that antigua Jazz bass.

[@gtasomogyi]

Guys, you just made me really want to be in a band, or have a friend who can drum. Would be groovy!!! :)

[@normandtamburini8615]

Nice and good to refresh how to play with other musician Thanks

[@jspic4907]

Both of you song nd like a million dollars. That low tuned snare drum... yummy.

[@trendingtrash1170]

I hate Scott's american accent. I used to love him when he sounded English, I guess its all those New York trips :)

[@theTrend7]

🤣😂🤣🤣🤣

[@seankent1807]

More. 👏🏻 Ian. 👏🏻 Allison. 👏🏻 Videos. 👏🏻 PLEASE. 👏🏻

[@narcisse6054]

Love that!! need more I think for me at least, so do whatever but thanks that was super cool :)

[@r3ality1]

I gotta watch that full video. I've been blessed by playing with some great, flexible drummers, and some.... not. It's good to understand your options.

[@DrWasabiDrones]

great content as always!!!...plz keep it up XD

[@ianmackenzie686]

Really pleased with the course this channel has taken. I appreciate it, keep up great work!

[@ashdown1981]

I've just released my debut album on my bass (thanks scot for your lessons) and I used a drum bot. Lol

[@bomartin5204]

This is great. It’s stuff I’ve been doing naturally now it has meaning:)

[@having765]

I gotta say this dude great. Probably my favorite guest on this channel.

[@SirGranular]

I'd probably buy this course as a stand alone if it was made available. I'm not much in to (because I'm still trying to learn more musical concepts) the advanced musical topics. But this relates 100% with my average Joe bass player experience. Makes me want to go jam with just a drummer. Cheers

[@sl3102]

Thank you. I used to play in a band where the self proclaimed band leader always insisted that I should follow the kick drum, but I've always thought that the groove comes from playing against drum patterns and creating new rythms. Unfortunately he wasn't very fond of discussions. I don't play with them anymore.

[@palemale2501]

smart move

[@IngBass]

Who are you, man with the bass? Where's Scott???

[@Aloshi19]

Scott's on a trip with his family. Having some family time

[@donh5794]

Ian on bass - good job on this video

[@GameOfDepth]

OnThe.One is our latest Cult of the Month. Our tool of flow is a Bass Ukulele

[@BobSchoepenjr]

It al makes sense

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

Love these guys , Thanks for this

[@McThumpenstein]

That may be the coolest looking jazz bass I've ever seen. And that drum kit is sexy as hell.

[@papacorrigan7585]

Great show Scott as always, the lads have added ingredients which are forgotten about quite easy and a great help to our younger maestros. The rymthm section as always been a divide and rule for me a time and place for unity and a time and place to shine.

[@wavryder6ft]

The dialogue while live playing really drove the feeling of the lesson. Please, more vids like this!

[@amazingict1]

That was so useful....thanks from the UK

[@siemekkisiel8963]

You are amazing!

[@vladlipovsky2915]

It structures what I always felt that there should be options. Have to admit I looked angry at a drummer when he wouldn't be consistent. Now I know how to react and what to do. Very practical lesson, it improved a lot for me. thank you Scott!

[@PostThaMost]

Oh shoot that's my old drum teacher! He is an AWESOME guy!

[@Aloshi19]

Nice..... I like myth busters. Awesome way of presentation and explanation. Are you guys teachers in the SBL academy?

[@charleshale8504]

Further proof that space is the place yall

[@refractorymercury]

Thanks Scott, cited your video yesterday to my band who thinks the bassist must lock with the kickdrum and drummer pattern.

[@thebassrogue]

I think it has to be a choice. I sometimes lock with the kick drum because it makes sense in context, but often i will just play 16th notes and let the drummer loose. But also sometimes they'd play something consistent and I use the mentality: I'm always with the drum but the drum isn't always with me.

[@wolfsilver6304]

This was incredibly cool and helpful; I'd definitely love to see more videos about playing with a drummer and about the drummer - bass player interactions (maybe how to sync up fills or something like that).

[@toliverfive]

Great topic. Great talk on such. TY

[@itchylois]

Nick Lowe once said when he was getting started as a bass player he would play a note every time the snare was hit.

[@nunofernandes4501]

Oh man, I miss playing with a drummer... it's been four years since I've played in a band.

[@UncleWalter1]

What I rarely see covered well is beat placement between the drummer and bassist. It would be great to hear what it sounds like when, for example the bassist is laying back on the beat or is on top of the beat relative to the drummer and how decisions like that affect the feel of the rhythm section. And most critically, how to learn to hear these subtleties and really dial that pocket in.

[@IanMartinAllison]

All in the course!

[@UncleWalter1]

@@IanMartinAllison Excellent.

[@guytensen2407]

I love Ian! Really enjoyed his videos that he did breaking down his parts on Eric Hutchinson's album from a few years ago. So positive! So upbeat!

[@quietstorm7826]

So glad I saw this.. The chains are off

[@AlexOnThePianoD]

I actually like following the hi hats when needed. So when it does a galloping rhythm, I’ll follow that on Beats 1 + 4 whilst still going away from locking completely with the drums

[@youpeopl_music3220]

That time when you wish you had an example of the stuff you try and try to tell your students, and you tell them this is common knowledge, but they still won't listen...

[@timothyritchie5290]

Great video. So many ways to play in and out and listening to each other is key. Drums and bass can get almost telepathic - so one of you leaves space the other fills it. Or dynamic one of you brings things soft a staccato and you both head that way. Love it.

[@cobraframebuilding]

The chemistry is adorable. Also, top, top content. Really great stuff.

[@ichouinard]

Hot topic, thanks guys, simply done and how efficient!

[@joannalewis5279]

Great video you guys should do more of this

[@shooz4unme]

This is the course I’ve longed for. It explains a bunch!!

[@cxyfer920]

Loved this representation of rhythm section issues. As a bassist, it can be difficult to "sync up" with a drummer you don't normally play with, or have never played with. This demonstration of having more than one option is a great reminder of how amazing playing together can be

[@jonathongoldby4564]

A good band will play for the song

[@thomasfioriglio]

That was awesome. I will watch anything with Ian Allison! He is fantastic! Just joy when he plays. I loved the "Adam Clayton 8th notes" comment. I love Clayton's bass lines and he was a big influence when I started playing. Absolutely nothing wrong with playing 8th notes the whole song. And as was pointed out, it allows the others in the band to shine. That's fine with me. I didn't pick up bass to do solos.

[@SyntheticFuture]

There's places you need to be careful though. Like fast metal music it's definitely recommended to keep things fairly in unison. Like the bass can be half or double time that works but if you move too far away from each other it just becomes too much I think. If you have like 16ths double bass and the bass plays some groovy mix of quarters / 8ths and 16th notes and you have rhythm guitar chugging 8th notes and a lead guitar that's messing in 16th / 32th notes it can become messy quickly. And while it's definitely not a great idea to fully lock into the bass drum it might be good to play unison half time for instance. Or drop a few notes to free up space but stay in the same "alignment" if that makes sense.

[@darrellwilliams6741]

Ian and Steve were so in the pocket and Creative at the Same Time Genius indeed way too Go Scott 👍

[@terrybuchanan1]

Loved thisepisode. Learned a lot. So hard to find information specifcally about this subject. Would like to see you do that same thing with Solo and Rttym R&B/Funk guitars, Latin Percussion Players, etc.

[@claytonryan8666]

I'd like to hear about how to discuss with the band the need for sonic space and volume control between all the instruments.

[@andrewferrara5494]

Good stuff! Can we see one for duos? Bass/piano and/or bass/guitar?

[@IanMartinAllison]

Great idea

[@MrPunkrockkid69]

This is why i love music and playing with friends Edit: I didn’t notice that it wasn’t Scott until I read the comments

[@soundman1402]

Sound guy lesson for SBL: Don't mic a bass cab with a Beta 52. This mic has a very sculpted frequency response to accentuate 50 Hz (just below an A1), cut 350 Hz, and boost 2k. You'll lose a lot of the sound and character of your bass cab with a mic that's made very specifically for kick, and you'll instead end up with a lot of mud. Instead, use a neutral mic like an RE-20, SM-7b, or Beyerdynamic M88 or M201, and then you can use EQ if necessary to sculpt the sound how you want it.

[@TheZooNinjaS]

Steve goold killer drummer

[@RevnRev]

I am learning to play the drums. And I have had questions about the bass and the drum playing exactly together. Definitely buy ing into what you just laid down for us. Thanks a bunch.

[@MrHarrygames]

Discussing feels about rushing and dragging . Working in odd time These kinda videos would be dope

[@thijs199]

Basically almost the whole James bond series is a perfect example of musical value. Like I don't mind the grid at all because it's all so well done. But I wouldn't take it for no less

[@davidsimmons4834]

As both a bassist and a drummer I find this so enjoyable. I love rhythm sections working together! Now, I'm just off to work out who I am.

[@Moonwatch19]

I almost feel like the the drummer is taking more control over these kind of decisions, like when to play 16ths and just get to play whatever they want. Me and the drummer in my band just randomly come up with our own grooves and kind of mix and match to find the right thing for the song. But this is an easier method as long as both musicians are getting to share that limelight.

[@terrimac7993]

Thank you. I always felt it was not necessary to lock in totally.

[@eknight101]

Well what do we consider to be locked with the kickdrum? Does that mean kick for kick? To me, being locked with the kickdrum simply just means being in time, which doesn't necessarily have to be kick for kick.

[@leobassii]

Thank you Ian and Steve I always wonder if the drummer is liking what I'm playing as a bassists this helped me to know there are options

[@snoutfair]

I love this channel. I learn so much watching y'all and occasionally get the pat on the back (like on this video) confirming that something I've been doing instinctively is, in fact, a tried and true approach. I think that locking with the kick or not is really about what feel you're going with for the song, as you ably demonstrated. When I'm working up new songs with my drummer there's always a bit of push-pull as we figure out where thingsare headed and what suits the song best.

[@warrenbass7350]

Scott and Ian,... I don't know how else to contact you. So I will shamefully do it here. I saw your video with Guy Pratt (Legend) and he was talking about using his octave pedal. And what sprang to mind was Pino Palladino with Paul Young - I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down. That would be a great tune to talk about Pino's bassline on that tune using an octave pedal. It's epic !

[@evenseb7574]

Drummer: I want you just to play 16.th notes. "Dun dun dun dun dun dun"... Egoistic? Yes. And boring as hell. I hate that kind of bass"line". This was a very interesting topic, and yes It's like a myth that bass always have to follow the kick.

[@thomcosta4082]

That was a great video i' have had coversations with my drummer about this subject, really cool to see my ideas on this vindicated! and it sounded awesome guys!

[@ragingfurball5419]

It's probably heresy to say this, but I always followed/played around the snare instead of the kick drum. It's just what seemed natural to me. Of course, after 20+ years of playing, I'm not famous, established, or even all that good, so I guess it's probably not an advisable approach.

[@TheMemo659]

I started with metal. Formative years filling every crevice and opportunity with furious note runs. Drums were there to be locked with, but I was so busy keeping up with the songs identifying the kick specifically to lock with was not on the radar let alone writing bass lines around the drums. Kinda cool now, decades later, to be able to use kick lock as a "trick" in song writing. I guess I approach it differently than most. Above vid starts with the kick lock and shows how to branch off from it where I will occasionally simplify down to it. I certainly lock with my drummer in general, but the spots I drop to or come out of just thumps on the kick thumps creates neat intentional vibe shifts in songs.

[@Nuevocomienzo7777]

Thank you so much for making this so easy to understand. You guys are awesome!

[@thijs199]

Just to say. Conducting your work, isn't that big of a deal. And it's of course very consistent like a grid if you record it

[@iqi616]

Yep, "locking with the kick" does NOT mean "playing a note at the same time as the kick hits". One good bass exercise is owning the "one" without actually playing a note on the one (i.e. playing so that rest will hit the one heavily and precisely).

[@palemale2501]

Our drummer plays better than I play bass, (he plays some bass too), but often says my beat should lock with his kick drum - so I just nod and do my own thing anyway as he is wrong and it still sounds good to me lol. In contrast our lead guitarist said I should not be so rigid with my notes, but it takes a lead guitarist to say that. We have 2 other guitars and keyboard so I keep to lower frets as mid range musical space is crowded enough

[@chadhammond8546]

Love the conversation, boys. So many times in my early years of learning to play bass, the guitarist would tell me I HAD to match the kick drum. If it helps the bassist and/or the drummer keep time, that's one thing. But this was more of an assumption that it's how things SHOULD be. It's not as though neither me nor the drummer could keep a beat. We had a piped in ticker in our earpiece to help us with the rhythms.

[@richardmilligan1410]

The Police are a good example of bass and drums doing different things. I think I read where Sting asked Stewart Copeland "Why can't you just play straight?"

[@robertkerr9738]

Great video. I can't wait to do this course!

[@cogb.9451]

I am a drummer and I was the one who had to follow the bass line with my kick Most the bass players I had played with (not sure if it was selfish or ego) had a attitude that I had to follow them I thought the opening bit saying that the bass had to follow the kick was sort of strange but at the same time wonderful to hear. Knowing now it’s a mix of both drummers and bass players that make it groove. I am a easygoing drummer and like to listen and play along with a bass line, if the bassist suggests some part for me to emphasise, I enjoy their feedback and try to work that into our combined rhythm line. Most the bassist’s I played just demanded I follow and do exactly what they want. A good rhythm line was played but no groove or enjoyment was felt while playing the song. Just listening to these two I understand now what can be accomplished when it’s cooperating rhythm section. Now to find a unselfish and less egotistical bass player to grove with. And before you slam me for that last bit I know not all bass players are like what I had to play with I just had bad luck with always finding the players who dreams and egos where bigger than their talent at playing their instruments (I definitely can add guitarist’s too that as well) I’m not the greatest drummer or amazing in my playing, just I simply enjoy playing music and like to know that the ones I jam with are similar. I leave my ego in my snare case and just play. I know that there are musicians out there who are the same.