The Role of a Bass Player ft. Jason Foster | Worship Band Workshop

Drums & Bass are so closely related in music. It’s the “meat and potatoes” of the band, says Don. In this workshop session, listen to Don’s touring bass player as he explains the importance of “locking in” with the drummer and demonstrates his role in the band. Want to see more of these videos? Check out our Worship Band Workshop playlist here: bit.ly/1RzOI2Z. New videos posted every week! Subscribe today so you never miss a video: bit.ly/1In0KIP
Purchase the full DVD here: bit.ly/1UH02uC
What is the DonMoenTV Worship Band Workshop?
Have you ever wondered how Don and his band prepare for leading worship worldwide? Would you be curious to know who Don considers to be the most important band member? The answer might surprise you. With this first release of the Don Moen Master Class Series, Don and his band share basic principles of worship leading, discuss topics and address questions faced by worship teams in churches all over the world. Watch the video above and order today!
- The importance of soundcheck
- The proper role of a sound engineer
- Floor monitors or in-ear monitors?
- The relationship between your drummer and bass player
- The use of pedal boards with electric guitar
- Auxiliary keys during worship
- How to play with dynamics and how to avoid overplaying
What is the Don Moen Masterclass Series?
The Don Moen Masterclass Series features in-depth teaching and training from Don's 30+ years of experience as a Worship Leader, Songwriter and Vocalist. Also included in the series are the Electric Guitar Workshop, Bass & Drums Workshop, Auxiliary Keyboard Workshop, Worship Band Workshop and Sound Engineering Workshop.
Follow Don Moen:
Facebook: / donmoenmusic
Twitter: / donmoen
Instagram: / donmoen
KZbin: / donmoentv
Listen To Don Moen On:
iTunes: apple.co/1ShZMyN
Spotify: play.spotify.com/user/donmoen
About DonMoenTV:
DonMoenTV is the best place to find new music and videos straight from Don Moen. New videos are uploaded every week! Subscribe today so you never miss a video: bit.ly/1H8INgP
At DonMoenTV, we're focused on bringing encouraging and uplifting videos straight to you. Subscribe above to receive words of encouragement, new worship music playlists, as well as live worship videos from Don Moen.
By subscribing to DonMoenTV, you gain access to Don Moen's 30+ years of experience in the Gospel Music Industry. We post weekly training videos to equip worshipers worldwide with resources to deepen their gift. Worship Leaders, Musicians, Churches, Vocalists, Sound Engineers and Worshipers are all welcome here. Subscribe above so you never miss a video!
Interesting in purchasing products? Head over to DonMoen.com for more resources.

[@jeremiahr615]

My dad was an awesome bass player. The Lord called him home a month ago in a tragic accident. He had just bought his dream bass a week prior, an American made fender, that I just inherited. It will be used to glorify the Lord, and I will re-dedicate myself to being a bass player like he was.

[@raven800]

That’s great 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@crisalbertmanrique4105]

Godbless you brother

[@yellowhat223]

Sorry for ur loss man. Make ur father and god proud bro

[@divl2251]

May the Lord strengthen you and your family ! I prat that you’ll be a blessing for a whole generation 🤍

[@jacquewallace7037]

DonMoenTV I went to high school with Jason Foster. He probably doesn't remember me, but he inspired me to play bass during the High School band rehearsals.

[@jasonfosterjasonplaysmusic7392]

jacque wallace My dude!!! Thanks for the love bro! It’s great hearing from you.

[@jmthagoat]

!!!

[@frajim29]

are you saved?

[@OlusayoOgunniyi]

Drum and the Base are the foundation of any song.

[@gabijakisieliauskaite8554]

Olusayo Ogunniyi *Bass

[@gabrielvonblumenthal7819]

yeah 4:16

[@dotnineteen.1962]

*ss

[@isaacadotey5174]

Olusayo Ogunniyi bass rather bro

[@tino8442]

Olusayo Ogunniyi *bass

[@sylart57]

I'm a bass player and I agree wholeheartedly in the approach to playing discussed here!! Too many musicians want to be the star of the show. If I watch a bass cover video, I'll know within the first few bars if I'll watch until the end. If they start riffing through the intro...I'm like, NEXT!!! In the pocket is where I'm most comfortable. My goal is to give glory, praise and honor to God! That's first and foremost! I'm not there for attention or to look cool..(although bass players just look cool when we play!! It's not our fault! Lol!!) But Mr. Moen, I appreciate these gems that you post and I absolutely love your music! I'm sure it blesses God, because it blesses me!! Keep giving Him Glory!!!

[@bradh6185]

I'm so fortunate to be playing with a drummer that understands this. I actually played with a drummer in the past who, after I explained this, would intentionally play the kick drum at random, rather than playing a pattern that I could lock in with. These videos are great. Thanks for so graciously posting them.

[@Imyourfather225]

I havent found any drummer that understand this principle or that at least play consistent patterns, they always playing whatever they feeling in that moment :(

[@joethebar1]

I have quit every band because of poor drums-as a bassist I cant do it.

[@mv9787]

brad h Good drummer, who understands the song, is essential for bass player. Not to mention the importance of keeping the tempo

[@KrunkCobain]

bassman686 drum machine's never seem to have a hard time staying consistent haha

[@zachreade88]

Just don't get the drummer and the bass player mad at each other.

[@glenedwardcunanan]

Ha! True that Zach! Or it's chaos!!!

[@cranberryjuice3998]

in a rock band, this is what you WANT to happen on stage because then theyll just try and over play eachother and the crowed will love it.

[@Spazzsticks]

No matter how good you are, regardless of all the theory you know and all your chops. You are playing not for yourself, you are playing for the song. Thats what separates the good bass players and the bad ones. Great work!

[@mv9787]

Spazzsticks I totally agree. Too many players don't care about the song. They are missing the very point of music. God bless you all followers of Jesus Christ. I love Jesus Christ and good music! :)

[@micakingsea9031]

Have u guys ever heard of flea of rhcp or gunnerson of abba

[@dwad_omar]

All that matters is what you make the song feel like

[@graigchandamare4940]

Drums and bass are the foundation...

[@Pleasum]

The notes he's playing are simple and it's great pocket stuff but if you listen to his right hand, he's got great right hand stuff going on there. Skip notes, etc..those things really add color to the bass line and make a simple bass line more interesting. Good stuff.

[@JBrewfromthepew82]

That's what I want to learn how to do. the I can do those roots and match the kick rhythm all day no problem. and it's boring as all get out. how do you do the ghost notes and little fills?

[@mv9787]

P Leasum I agree. In my opinion he's a good bass player. Technically and understands the song.

[@claudemakelele2856]

Jeremy Brewer....mots bassists play muted notes....you can check Richard Bona's technique..he is a master at muting notes.

[@jasonfosterjasonplaysmusic7392]

P Leasum thanks a lot. God bless you. I learned a lot about playing ghost notes when I was practicing Jaco Pastorius’ music in my early years of music.

[@hendrixjoe555]

We bass players call them ghost notes

[@joescarpadventures]

I like the bass player's sensitivity to the importance of the message/words of the song, and not distracting from those by overplaying. There's a time and a place to play simply, and a time to cut loose, and knowing when to do each is key!

[@SimoAnto96]

Theese videos by Don shouldn't be watched only by worship musicians but by musicians of every style and kind of music because Don explains very well some tips that are very important but also underrated by a lot of musicians for playing good in a combo

[@Vi3ver1]

Discipline, respect, holding back, and team work. Listen, to each other.

[@tybrown4540]

As a bassist I totally agree!

[@gopalbayalkoti3123]

I am from Nepal.I love your worship sir really presence of God May God bless you keep singing and worship for Jesus

[@RamirezE90]

I really wish I had professional music teachers as this christian brothers so they can educate me on becoming a professional bass player and play for the honor and glory of Jesus, amen. ❤️🙏🏻🔥

[@KtJamatia-g9b]

Wow, great, as do i the bassist in the church and in my team as an Indian Baptist Christian

[@talesfromthetoiletseat8295]

This is excellent information. Regardless of what music you play (church, rock, rap, heavy metal, country etc) THIS APPLIES !!! Especially if you want to be a team player. Always something new to learn, change or improve on. Thank you guys!

[@balloutdee_4255]

LOVE THE WORSHIP BAND 🎚🙏🏽‼️

[@zhaveiokeemwright3112]

Thank you Don Moen ....it's you why I've learnt so many worship songs ...god bless your ministry

[@scottlovesplayingbass3495]

Thank you Don, as a bass player this is what I preach to younger players coming up. I've learned so much from a mutual friend Chris Springer.

[@adkinsskynet2515]

You just exposed me with these wonderful lessons so much, especially from the overplay video. No one has ever told me this and the importance of keeping it simple..#the best

[@4Score747]

Love that Bass! Very important. I am so glad your doing these workshop sessions! Thank you

[@DonMoenTV]

+Sharon Hunter Glad you enjoyed the video, Sharon. Thanks for leaving a comment!

[@amorx36]

Im a bassist in your praise and worship team and this is very good information. I like this kind of teaching is easy to understand. Thank you so much! More of it please! God bless you!!

[@humbleservant7549]

I love your songs and sessions. I am learning a lot from your videos Sir. I am from the Philippines and I will certainly share these to EVERYONE especially to our worship team. God bless you guys exceedingly!

[@Sobin4Gsus]

I just wanna thank God for this great video... This link was recently shared by our Church worship leader in Abu Dhabi, UAE and has brought a tremendous change in our approach.. May God bless and Use yall mightily in the days to come.. Love n Respect.. God bless..

[@jasonfosterjasonplaysmusic7392]

Sobin Kutty wow! Thanks for sharing! God bless you.

[@keziahoperosco7974]

Finger movements of the bass guitarist looks calm, but the music you hear is pretty awesome, simple and clean but with a booommM! I like the way you play Sir.

[@MrDaveakaICE]

It really is nice to find someone who is more interested in the song, and the message it tells. I have played bass for many years, and I get called on the play for folks sometimes simply because I am a pocket player. I tend to hear to much overplaying when I listen to worship music. I had a tragedy strike my life years ago when my best friend, who was my father died. I stopped playing altogether, and abandon my gift for playing for many years. I have started back, in fact, I just bought me a new 5 string bass. I have started to work on my playing again at the age of 51 yrs old. I am very happy that I stumbled across this channel, I have subscribed. Jason, I love the way you play, and my prayer is that God will bless you.

[@DonMoenTV]

Thanks for sharing, friend! So glad to hear you were able to pick up our instrument again and sorry to hear about your father. Jason is indeed one of the best and such a wonderful human to learn from. Blessings to you and be encouraged!!

[@jasonfosterjasonplaysmusic7392]

ICE Viper aw thank you so much. Thanks for sharing. God Bless you.

[@joethebar1]

these videos should be standard reading/watching for all aspiring P&W musicians.

[@michaelalfonso1070]

Wow Jason nailed it! Solid foundation, match the kick, it’s about the song, the message and the words, (in the pocket). I notice he doesn’t play loud. A lot of musicians play too loud and busy, no dynamics. I’ve been playing in church since 1976 and appreciate his maturity. I’m a singer first but also play percussion, guitar and flute. I also do live sound and was trained by one of the top sound companies here locally. When I mix, I have the bass and the kick carry the song. Just like in professional recording. I wish I could hear just the bass, kick, vocal and a little piano, in that order. Thanks Don, I’ve been listening to you for years, (I think I got you on VHS, lol!)

[@jasonfosterjasonplaysmusic7392]

Michael Alfonso awesome! Great points! God bless!!

[@sheilafullon6742]

What a talent do you have sir. 😊

[@slcone9051]

That is awesome. I want to play bass so bad. I should've taken music classes back in school. It's never too late to start.

[@seajaystudios1120]

Step 1: there is no sharp/flat between B&C or E&F.

[@andreasmariosetiawan]

More bass videos please! God bless you guys

[@DonMoenTV]

I have a Bass & Drums workshop coming out soon. Stay tuned!

[@gcmproductions3499]

enjoy your videos

[@Littleton3513]

As a bass player in a Youth Group band, this is great info and examples!

[@ldoubleg2006]

Groovy...simple is best...then all of sudden you add some great licks. I play bass...and feel groovy baby!

[@4Score747]

Oh I wish I was one of your band members! Your talent is a blessing to my life.

[@marefysalvon8238]

fantastic very nice song..very touching and powerful..

[@thomasyoung5680]

This is the fundamentals of roots reggae the drum and bass are one everything is one it is the heartbeat PLAYING TO JAH

[@clalrinhlua589]

Thank you for the video.. God bless you all

[@mayajustin0941]

Simply amazing...

[@tomt8691]

This is fantastic Don and team!

[@jonankwikiriza2123]

Thanks so much for this great info some of us we re still learning.... we appreciate

[@mthomas73]

Great video Don and very easy to understand

[@alesstysanchez1614]

There’s a time and place for fills. Sometimes I do little fills that happen to sync up with a vocal part melody that sounds really nice, but there’s a difference between doing accent fills and small touches to the sound versus taking over the song with walking patterns and popping strings I’m not with that unless it’s in the right place.

[@szephaniah6795]

Great sense. Good insight

[@fernandrums]

AWESOME .THANKS ... HUGS FROM GUATEMALA. GOD BLESS

[@jesuslovesyou5299]

Awesome, niceness

[@Devnovratik]

I learned a lot Thanks for this kind of videos tutorials

[@Gator_Bait_Motorsports]

As a bass player, I live and die by the drummer

[@thebabbler8867]

Jason is a beast!

[@jasonfosterjasonplaysmusic7392]

J.R. Productions thanks a lot! God bless 🙏🏾

[@appiahpatrick8451]

it's really great

[@OlusayoOgunniyi]

This is good!

[@regivelarde7146]

I play bass at church and this helps me a lot

[@hagaicalvin8132]

God bless you From Indonesia

[@_wendy_]

Thanks for the video ! Really interesting ! :) God bless you ~

[@asifranjeet2955]

Thanks you Sir Please upload more videos with piano notes I enjoy love you Al God bless you

[@ps.michaelroy6776]

Wonderful done mone

[@adjeiphilipnana1814]

I like his style of playing

[@a_lanzod.9196]

This is so true

[@nytrayfl2]

Great video, thank you.

[@chijiokevictor6520]

Women of faith worship songs

[@wcvalentine5996]

AHHHH Jason said the most important thing "He's listening to the kick drum". It's all about support!

[@naomirenshaw2320]

love your aprouch it makes a lot of sence to me

[@DonMoenTV]

Thanks Naomi!

[@rrw1981]

Nice!!!

[@rosehembra2560]

Amen....for me is good works....Give GLORY TO OUR GOD ALMIGHTY......you recieve more wisdom to useful intrument...

[@edcelianneful]

well said, bro. Jason!

[@jasonfosterjasonplaysmusic7392]

edcelianneful thank you. God bless you 🙏🏾

[@godfreymugumira5390]

thank you for sharing.

[@DonMoenTV]

Thank you for listening! Blessings!

[@stringman30]

isang araw magkaroon din ako ng sariling bass guitar na magagamit ko pagtugtog sa church. 😊🙏

[@zacharygreene2419]

I think it's a fallacy to believe a more intricate bass line creates an unsteady foundation. What makes the foundation unsteady is lack of listening between band members. The line can be intricate but if it doesn't work off the drummer's part and you can play it correctly, you get an unsteady foundation.

[@jasonfosterjasonplaysmusic7392]

Zachary Greene each genre has its own interpretation of pocket. Playing pocket that’s appropriate for jazz and fusion would be overkill for rock pop music... and playing rock bass lines for modern Gospel would probably be inappropriate and out of pocket as well. Good push back!! God bless!

[@popeye1mb]

AGRRED!

[@erikkennedy8725]

Makes me really miss having a drummer in our worship service- we've got a pianist, two guitars, and me on the bass. Very different dynamic in that situation- playing sans drummer, the bass player becomes the rhythm section; my job isn't defining the chords so much, as the piano's doing that, but I better be hitting the root on the downbeat, or the rhythm's going to fall apart!

[@bustabass9025]

Erik Kennedy Get you a drummer. I am sure there's plenty of them out there who love the Lord. Drums are THE original praise instrument. Bass is the backbone of ALL music. Together there is no more exalting expression of the proverbial "Joyful Noise" to the Glory and Honor of the one and only, true and Living God! (Psalm 150:4)👑🎸🎵

[@beverlyannbohol1432]

thank you :)

[@thescatman5029]

I once played bass for a Baptist church in the early 2000s, playing stuff like Hez, James Hall, and Timothy Wright. Very uptempo. The folk thought I played too little. I now play for an Evangelical Covenant church, playing stuff like Travis Greene, Jonathan McReynolds and William McDowell. Very laid back, and the folk here at first thought I played too much! All these years of playing, I'm still humbly learning how to play the song. Things I've learned for playing any type of music, besides learning to play the song.....develop your sound and stay in pocket! Jason has a very good sound and groove, which makes any extra licks unnecessary!

[@abbeyna01]

Jason can really play!!!

[@VideoNash]

thanks

[@tonymarqu3z]

Muy buen consejo...™🎶

[@lamotonavedeberazategui9675]

Sí! ¡Más videos sobre bajo! ¿Y pueden ser traducidos al español? ¡Saludos y bendiciones desde Argentina! Gracias.

[@craigatkinson2839]

Love this video though!!!

[@willssmith9140]

Yes that's true

[@reginaldthomas6694]

Very accurate, feel the same way bout the music relationship between the two, sounds cliche but simple is better, sounds like distortion when everyone is doing to much and or loudly

[@nycstories87]

Yeah Bass and drums are connected to each other

[@rodneytruitt9566]

I think we should remember that we are talking about a specific opinion of execution as if it constitutes the totality of permissible musical expression within a given genre. What feels good to some, simply doesn't work for others. I agree totally with the practice of locking the bottom (the marriage of drums and bass within the groove) which is prevalent in most known musical works but I also believe that to suggest musicality disintegrates when one instrumentalist or the other gets 'busy' is not only constrictive, but unnecessarily oppressive. In fact, 'busy' is the literal point of certain musical genres and it works efficiently for consumers with a taste for it. Whether or not certain progressions, scales or cadences fit into the song and style are definitely a matter of perception and expectation versus interpretation. I think we should resist the temptation to require the musician to interpret the music within a fixed singular construct because when we do this we close the door on the natural evolutionary process of music itself. Remember every concept that is now considered contemporary is the direct outgrowth of what was once considered traditional. I think that for the music to do what music does (that is elevate as it evolves) it should be free to be whatever it is or whatever it's becoming in the moment of expression and the instrumentalist should be a conduit of that freedom. Musical simplicity is powerful...but music doesn't have to be simple to be effective and we shouldn't require stoicism in music in order to accept the voice of the musician.

[@thesunrise1901]

What kind of bass does Jason play? I really love this sound.

[@sasuwayne]

Uncle Don thanks for the awesome content. Ps, any material on how to play the acoustic guitar ?

[@DonMoenTV]

+osasu ogbebor Thanks for the comment. We have a brief acoustic guitar video featuring Lenny LeBlanc that's available. If you haven't seen it yet, you can watch it here: bit.ly/1ppzBwJ. We'll be sure to keep Acoustic Guitar videos in mind for future videos.

[@1gi2ungidos83]

Good tips for new players... wish you can have those in spanish...

[@JackNg]

Hi Mr. Don, Does the DVD ship worldwide? (like S.E. Asia) and would you consider to make digital download version? looking forward for Bass & Drums workshop. Thank you

[@richardtatikonda5957]

Brother Don it would be fantastic if you would show how to play on the piano how you fill in, especially your songs.

[@DonMoenTV]

+richard tatikonda I have two piano tutorials currently available on KZbin - you can go to kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4nCgX-kd5Wfg8U to watch.

[@SamWestMusic_]

this my fam Jason Foster!

[@jasonfosterjasonplaysmusic7392]

Säm Wëst my dude!!

[@toybomblamadrid]

which and what kind of bass guitar he has? its amazing.

[@DonMoenTV]

Jason plays Warrior basses! Blessings!

[@bustabass9025]

Why? Got me one coming and I bought it purely on Faith because of their Christian convictions and focus on Praise and Worship. Never played or even heard one played live. But there is something about God being at the center of an instrument's origin, rather than its focus being on the world, and Praise and Worship being only one of the many options for the bassist to choose to use it for. Can't go wrong with that logic. So I am thinking they just gotta be blessed, beautiful, and anointed...and killer sound would be good too. What say ye??👑🎸🎵

[@jasonfosterjasonplaysmusic7392]

Warrior Basses are the best. Check out their Bella 62 w/Ash body and a Maple Neck.

[@sujadatv]

wow...

[@BooBooCHRIST]

As a bass player I use the bass as my voice to sing the song. The bass can't speak words but it can be used as a singer adding in a simple background voice, singing the words of the song. At least that is what I do on the bass, ensuring that I lock in with the drums also...

[@SKBassist]

I've played bass for about a year and my teacher always says to stick with the kick.

[@wyvern4588]

Geddy lee broke me, I learned his style and now I get tripped up because I'm anticipating more notes and more presence- almost like "lead" bass.

[@Vicboyzz]

I can great passing notes on the bass...

[@moogle625]

Have you release a copy of workshop in philippines?

[@emmanuelolabowale3266]

can u post the one of a saxophone too?

[@michaelmaurice7840]

I like this video... Just i have a precupation, can you write translate in french? Because i don't understand English verry well

[@slaplikenowverysadtimes2971]

How I wish to have or experience a speaker like that🥺

[@robertellison4691]

Jack Bruce said that the role of the bass player is to make everyone else in the band sound better than they actually are.

[@johnnyfreeman1018]

Each instrument play together in time and do the very least individually....there,that pretty much sums up all these worship workshops....been to some and this is the prevailing idea.....oh and no amps on stage,in ears,and direct boxes where you can adjust your own mix......and I am a church player.....🤷‍♂️

[@pritijamatia9189]

Bass is a foundation chord of any song

[@rlittlefield2691]

Maybe I come in too soon or two much, I will try to be better, but at my church, someone gets up and sings, we figure out what key they are in, and hopeful we can figure out the progression of the song, and half the time I have never heard the song. I am at least playing as lightly as possible at first to figure out what key we are in.

[@samuelgroce6299]

Does Jason use any effects?

[@surge-tech9381]

I would like to kmow how the bass is equalized.