The hidden technique of the greatest bass players

[@monicamartinez6860]

my husband is a war veteran with severe ptsd he's. learning t play bass seeing your videos about your teaching has really helped him especially the slap lessons he has really improved keep up your awesome lessons thanks for helping

[@Jeff-o-Lee]

I've been using this technique for 37 years. I wasn't aware until my bass instructor said I should alternate pick descending as well. I tried his approach for about a week & went back to raking or economy picking because as Jeff Berlin, my instructor at B.I.T., said: "What is the sole purpose of the bass guitar? To play notes"! To play with economy of motion and avoid anything that would hinder your playing.

[@SeanRickerd]

I've been using this technique for YEARS. As a metal player, it was the only way I could get those licks up to speed and clean. Great video, Scott!

[@SxSxG666]

Same here. Have you ever tried to play triplets or gallops like this? Middel, index, index again but with a flicking motion so you hit the string with your nail. I get very fast with this technique and I'm still wondering if anybody else using it.

[@sherisserogers]

This is awesome. I’ve been playing 25 years. Self taught and I’ve never been able to get as much speed as I’d like cuz I trained my picking hand to always lead with the with middle and when i try to lead with the index I stumble. It’s gotten better. But i never even realized how limiting that was to my playing Gonna give this a try!

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

I'm teaching myself to do alternate picking with the three fingers instead of two. Heck, Jamerson used only one finger! I'm no shredder, but the three kinda helps me play better.

[@pierreandrewt1347]

I've been going back and forth with 3 and 2 finger picking. I've found the 3rd finger is just a lot weaker than the other and I can't achieve the same consistency as with two. unfortunately

[@iqi616]

@@pierreandrewt1347 yep. I just use the ring finger for thrown-in triplets. A quick 321 then back to normal.

[@RadityoPramAdi]

what pattern do you use? I usually go with 3 2 1 2 (r m i m) pattern....

[@Ffwee]

Anyone who's interested in playing with 3 fingers should really check out some of the videos with Billy Sheehan. I can't point you to a specific video, but there are several on youtube where he explains his technique in detail. His finger order is 3,2,1 by the way. You'll likely find it very helpful.

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

@@Ffwee I'm teaching myself 321 when going up the fret board, then 123 when playing the the reverse. Basically, I'm making sure the fingers get used to both patterns. For whatever reason, whenever I use my pinky on the fretting hand, naturally the picking hand 'sends in' finger 3 to pluck the string 😄

[@phatbassanchor]

I've been using this technique over forty years now and never even knew it as a technique. I was under the impression that I was just being lazy! Thanks Scott :)

[@William30874]

Thanks Scott! Of all these years I have tried to do it based on hearing and I kinda struggled a bit. Today I have learnt something that will change my playing forever! ❤🇵🇬

[@laraditzel]

The technique is explained in minute 5:00. Actually he shows it in minute 6:00

[@Thatguy-tm8xh]

Jesus christ. Thanks lol

[@lukea4572]

Thanks

[@semiprohooker]

Not the hero we deserve, but the hero we need

[@lordmyrann]

Thanks. Wish he'd just said that when you're going down strings you can just re-use the same finger again to be faster.

[@KM-px8cs]

Thanks! Lol I was not trying to sit through all that.

[@samuelruz]

Increible video. Eres todo un maestro.

[@ricardojmestre]

Wow. I have been doing this intuitively since I've started playing... and I had a teacher in 2010 that said it was wrong technique. Go figure. Great stuff, Scott!

[@terrimac7993]

Thanks Scott. Some ppl here say they've always used rhis technique naturally and "what's the bug deal." But alot do not know about it so thanks for your FREE advice.

[@ZenonFuse]

Thundercat is my favourite human

[@devinebass]

He’s a top dude!

[@Rastasskate2]

Thundercat was a very welcome surprise in this video

[@Rwjudy48]

The waist strap idea is terrific. I prefer playing with the bass in that position and it’s easy to do while sitting, but much less stable when standing. Thanks.

[@Charles-Robitaille]

Hadrien is it!!!!!!!! Unearthly player !! We are lucky to witness such splendid mastery of our beloved instrument.

[@malenky4057]

I learned economy picking on guitar before switching to bass, and this seemed like the most natural thing to do.

[@selcukkurtulus]

Economy picking does help you speed up at the fretboard when you pluck equal number of times on each string, but other times it's the opposite! Those times are for instance when you pluck two times on the same string and then three times ascending the next string and go back to pluck the previous string two times again and do it all over again... If you use economy picking in this case, you have to use different finger every time and it makes it so much harder than alternate picking. Also economy picking sounds different than alternate picking; when you do it right, alternate picking always sounds right. I think we should devolop both technics for different purposes, just use economy picking only when we really need it.

[@ericmarks2966]

As a pick player in a tech metal band, this technique mimiks economy picking like Rick Graham, who absolutely shreds. Always appreciate Scotts explanations, and am glad he drills the fundamentals over and over again in different presentations.

[@icebreakertech]

Loving the ergonomics tip :) Also, I am just staring at the fretboard, what a beauty.

[@afalee]

So useful technique that I can use its when I'm playing my bass!!! Thanks!!

[@misilen24]

I made a belt like that in 1986. I have used it ever since and i has saved my back. It did not make me a killer player but it saved me from killing my back

[@mikeshouse2000]

Im sure I'm not the only drummer who really enjoys your channel!

[@johnmoser2689]

Great right hand technique thanks Scott

[@vecernicek2]

3:14 Strap and instrument position for tendon relaxation 5:00 The point (alternate picking descending)

[@sergioibarra3461]

I started doing this instinctively (because I didn’t have to move my fingers as much) but I see people are amazing with it wooow, it works really well for ghost notes, you mute the 1st string you play while pressing on the second and play the two string one after another, that way you can play the 1st a ghost and the next a normal fretted note, if the line is descending it gives it a cool feel and it’s very easy

[@devinebass]

The Afenogaster yeah - it’s great for ghost notes too!

[@ethanlocke3604]

Since I started on upright I kinda suck at alternating, but I know I have to work on it

[@badenpowel1928]

thanks for this exercices .

[@TobiasAhlstedt01]

I´ve followed you for some time now, and i learned so much. Tanks for the push you give me in my basplay :D

[@Chundynator]

i thought this is like the first thing bass players learn 🤔

[@devinebass]

Artem C. You’d be surprised - many bass players “kind of” use this technique... but the bass players who use economy picking with both middle and index in a controlled way are VERY few and far between. Thanks for watching, Artem! :)

[@magmarok8209]

I learnt this within the first week of playing.

[@iqi616]

@@devinebass Yep. Something about playing scales triggers the alternate picking yet riffs and arpeggios don't. I think it's because the fretting hand is stepping from first to third fingers so the hands are not just "falling" up across the strings in parallel.

[@SkateSka]

I'd guess some people don't figure it out and get stuck with bad habits. Nobody explained this to me but it still took me a year or so to figure it out naturally when I started playing.

[@Chundynator]

@@SkateSka i mean i think it's important to practice both alternate and economy since they are quite different in sound and feel and can be used in different situations... just like with the pick

[@yonasnegassi9421]

thanks scott.. ur lessons helped me so much.

[@RisvoldTheGreat]

Yeah my first bass book taught me this 20 years ago lmao.

[@wakajumba]

Happy New Year Scott! You’re awesome for sharing all this great stuff with us ‘tubers. All the best, dude!

[@carll.negleyiii2414]

Great lesson Scott. Thanks.

[@devinebass]

Glad you dig it!!

[@fabiancamacho7061]

All of this is twisting, breaki5and blowing my mind all at once!

[@enricopenaglia8289]

I have just realized that I have always done this thing without even noticing it...

[@maxponsetis1948]

you bet my man

[@easyyyg]

i have a question scott have you ever had a wal bass or got the chance to play one if so how was it?

[@georgemickel6608]

Sniff right before the 1 (right nostril) then (left nostril) repeat..in addition...great lesson!

[@gabrielmartinsanunciacao6542]

Hey Scott u send the basses to other countries?

[@nicolasmellon3342]

Hi Scott! When will we be able to see the seminar with Hadrien & Thundercat in the academy? Cheers!

[@tobiaswolf6630]

I'd like to know how fast those players can get. I once measured the tempo of a Hadrien Ferault bit and figured it was around 180 BPM, four notes per beat. Is that the tempo I should strive for if I want to be up in those hemispheres?

[@OfielPhillip]

My two favorite bass players; hadrien and thundercat, take my money scott.

[@anthonypittman9791]

Thundercat one of my all time favorite you have to get him on here by himself!

[@ch4tch4i79]

I had naturally developed and got used to doing this, thought it was a flaw in my technique and practiced my way out of it.. Got to try it again eh.

[@LeMotMista]

Thrilled to luck in here as an early commenter on one of Scott's videos… ALL your wicked guides boost my fretless, flat-wound, four-string game, Sir! Rock on with your stellar Bass Tutoring… 🎵

[@devinebass]

MotMista cheers bro! :)

[@oiramssab]

Nice bass you got right there Scott!

[@daniiltimin5396]

I can't watch more than 3 minutes of any of your video because I can't wait when you get to the point.

[@nicolaschartier1653]

What is the fretboard wood of the bass Scott plays when showing the exercises?

[@Mikes67Chevy]

Hey Scott, I saw a video of yours a few months back with the same technique, raking. Any real changes between these two videos?

[@liammusik]

What a beautyful fretboard you have in your Bass,? IT Looks amazing. 😍👍

[@samueloluwadayomi7248]

Thanks buddy👌🤟🏻

[@tanweermahdihasan4119]

The video actually starts from 5:00 and there is a very high probability that you are using this technique from day 1 and still not a great bass player.

[@Jonas-gs2dq]

Omg I just discovered Thundercat yesterday and been listening to him for 12 hours straight and now he's in your video. That's such an amazing coincidence.

[@devinebass]

Jonas lol - awesome!

[@zombiemachinery4868]

Two words: KZbin Algorithm.

[@Jonas-gs2dq]

@@zombiemachinery4868 I'm a subscriber of SBL and discovered Thundercat through an Instagram Channel I'm a follower of. But good guess haha

[@Barry101er]

I first saw Thundercat on Tiny Desk, great, great, great-kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJm5mJWQmbKXmJI

[@thomasavanti]

That six string is beautifulest bass that I've ever seen!!

[@epserps5055]

A gift!!!

[@OgagaOkwah.]

Wow! Thank you sir

[@bobasquid3339]

Hadrien Feraud is a beast. One of my fav newer bassist.

[@Smittefar1]

Hey Scott, I made it here from Instagram 😁 I am a guitar player (mostly). I really can't do economy picking on guitar, but on bass. It's what I've always done - especially for decending lines.

[@NDRWCHNNL]

I did not expect Thundercat!!! Greetings from Mexico my dude.

[@talespin400]

Digging the glasses! Lookin' good!!

[@sergiocardenas2870]

Where can i buy the bass strap?

[@abranti3groove782]

wooow nice how can I get one of your bass guitar

[@bethanyjanemascardo9473]

Amazing!

[@gbusa55]

Low slung basses for less wrist fatigue. However , compromises neck height. It's a matter of preference

[@devinebass]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@tommello88]

You're the best!

[@seanskrobarczyk398]

I wish these guys got more love from the mainstream

[@OroborusLeFurieux]

lmao i didnt even know this was a technique, i noticed i already do this when i watched ur video. i started doing this naturally without even thinking about it and its cool because it looks hard to focus on this while playing fast

[@Ubu987]

Flamenco technique. Classical guitar players bring in the ring finger, i, to cross strings going down the scale. This allows for a more even tone, especially if you are playing the scale free-stroke. It means you don't get rest-strokes, with their greater volume and different timbre, jumping out at you, emphasising the wrong part of the beat.

[@m.edwardburton6247]

Tried to enter the contest and chose the yearly trial but the process hangs perpetually on the credit cart page. No ad blockers etc. on Firefox (is up to date) What's up?

[@PabloUliver-Bass-Guitar]

Many bassist all over the world play that way. First lessons technique. Regard for taking it apart anyway, for someone who may not know.

[@PanzerRoCK123]

So can you watch that workshop with Mr.Feraud and thundercat afterwards somwhere?

[@magmarok8209]

Wait there was a give away?

[@Chad_Sandridge75]

Is that Josh Greenburg in the front roll of that workshop?

[@mrbungle7586]

Seems like Scott forgot his raking leeson from a year or so ago. Still good for players who didn't see or know about that.

[@TheWinstonConnor]

you gotta make some content with thundercat! he's the reason I bought my first bass this year - a six string

[@nickconcepcion2847]

Awesome.. Thank you.. not hoping to win a bass from you.. u cant send it to the philippines anyway.

[@Robert_1939]

Will that glove help my dead finger? Trigger finger left hand no feeling, hurts.

[@ringostarzz2409]

Pick player here. Can i benefit from this ?

[@Antman3820]

Scott - Noticed the SBL signs hanging on the wall. Is there a Hadrien Feraud class coming in the future ?

[@viavsaragov]

And what about "tirando" technique from classic guitar?

[@Daker11Gamer]

Hey! Is that giveaway internacional??

[@shaolinzendragon4737]

Scott, that Sadowski is Fire, Bro. I was wanting to sign up for your lessons, but I only have my phone. So, I look forward for your KZbin vlogs. Thank you for giving me the heads up.. 😃👍🏿

[@devinebass]

Blazed Buddha all good brother, thanks for tuning in :)

[@Dellerss]

I didn't know this had a name, but then again I never really did anything but listen to other players when I learned to play the bass. I just started doing it naturally without really thinking about it.

[@markdaniels7174]

Dellerss Most people call it “raking” the strings (dragging the same plucking finger across two consecutive strings while descending). It sounds more like the intentional, desired technique it is if we instead call it “economy picking” as Scott does here.

[@brianjenks3864]

I just use three fingers. Start with your ring finger then middle then index

[@CecilioJCirre]

La primera vez que veo un video subtitulado.

[@ItsRyan265]

It's kinda like James Jameson's "hook," with a second finger added.

[@CharlesBautistaMusic]

great lesson! but would appreciate if you tuned the bass at 440 :) cheers!

[@mattedjon-veryaccuratetabs]

Love the channel, love the videos, love the guests and love you but.... ... It seems to me that you've already talked about this technique in 17 others videos 😬

[@maxhoughtonmusic]

Interesting, but I swear there was another video you made a while ago where you covered alternate/economy picking in exactly the same way. I hope you're not recycling the same content.

[@stephenleejp]

I hope he does keep upcycling great points. It helps remind me 🤘🏼

[@dragostego]

He does repeat lessons but most of the time the exercises are different

[@maxhoughtonmusic]

@@dragostego no, I seem to remember him explaining the technique in exactly the same way

[@christoguichard4311]

Yeh...thats what he does. Constantly re-hashing the same old half a dozen "lessons" over and over again in a vain attempt to keep his sinking ship afloat 😒

[@patrickhorner8270]

Christo Guichard I didn't know his ship was sinking. If it is, lets hope he can save the ship. He apparently is a nice guy, raising a family, trying to earn a living, an honest living. His peers, as far as I can tell, respect his playing and his school. Your comment sounds bitter.

[@labacostoys]

Nice video

[@RaulDittohead]

Nice work!!! Ps: 0:10 it is Ed Motta music?!

[@barneymatherly3685]

actual information begins at 5:00

[@matosjorgemiguel]

5:36 Hadrien does the Jaco thing: he uses the ring finger and pinky of the right hand to mute the strings.

[@victoza9232]

The actual lesson begins here: 5:02

[@E6963]

Show !!! 👏👏👏

[@MJTbreww]

Turns out I have been doing this to a certain extent despite never really looking into others techniques. Only now am I starting to as I’d like to progress.

[@SophiaZoe]

Nice! Song at 4:32?

[@SxSxG666]

Coming from playing guitar I never picked my bass any different. It's just feels natural and a lot easier for me like that.

[@inspector-tech]

For Hadrien, why not just buy a Gruvgear Duo strap & Tension strap? Allows you to position your bass in pretty much the same way and to this day is one of the best things I ever bought for my bass...

[@Gk2003m]

If you’re having trouble getting it, use just one finger for awhile. Descend thru scales using only your index finger. Get fluid in that. Then descend thru scales using only the middle finger. Get fluid in that. Then return to the economy picking idea.

[@angeltorres4089]

The rake?

[@leewot]

Sorry if you’ve answered this a thousand times.. but why the glove?