Things a "NEW BASSPLAYER" needs to know

[@LONGCASTLE777]

SORRY GUYS...the video is backwards,cause I had it face,face...i'm really right handed.but can play alittle left...new world..i like it

[@barrydunne30]

LOL i was waiting for ya to play it with your feet.

[@OscarASevilla]

Parallel universe lol

[@aarondavis4341]

I thought something was off

[@totterymanx]

This is an older video, but I gotta say, as a lefty this was a nice video, even if it wasn't suppose to be this way lol.

[@VmShpman82]

Thanks for telling us. I thought I saw one of your video's where you played right handed.

[@jt1087]

I wasn't sure about starting to learn bass but this man has convinced within minutes, I'm sold. Love the video my man.

[@JP-fe4ke]

Thanks for the lesson Mr. Long I'm 61 year s old and been wanting to learn for along time, hope I'm not too late . Love your energy. SHADDA KAKKA!!!!!!! 😃😃😃

[@MrFeuerFux]

Johnny, your advice videos are beyond brilliant! The way you explain everything is soo cool, funny and full of good vibes. Man, you light up the days of so many people. Thanks a lot!

[@livelikeitshows1802]

“Elementorary” HA! Love this guy! Watched four of your videos in a row, so far. Dude, you need a TV show! Blessings!

[@johncandido2241]

Johnny; you are freak'in hilarious!

[@Masticatius]

Spent tons a money on basses and my favorite bass is a used squire I picked up for 100$. I constantly have people ask me what pickups and preamp are in it. A cheap preamp and the original pickups! Lol. You are a beautiful person and the world needs more like you!

[@jamesbrace3212]

Your a good soul! I just bout my first bass. 50 years old & dont know a lick. Green up on Motown & have Always had a desire to learn bass. I love your videos & humor & will be watching all your videos & gonna learn how to get funky with my bass! Thank you again!

[@warrenmorphis4208]

James Brace Welcome to the world of Low End! We bass players can always use another one! You take that desire, and you practice every spare hour you can manage! Keep at it...listen to simple bass lines you like...isolate everything but the bass - this will train your ear, trust me. After a few months, when you hear a song, or melody - all you'll be focused on is the bass!! Believe me - if you can hear it - you can play it! Practice my dude...and keep practicing. Then practice some more! You'll get there, I'm telling you!!!

[@craigmack-cv3cp]

The best bass Demo man on planet 🌎. Go Eagles 🦅. Shada Kaka Lol 😂

[@gking1767]

I just picked up the bass at 62 , after not touching since I was a kid. And I find you advise priceless.

[@RackwitzG]

You show a healthy mix of humour and useful content in your videos. I really enjoy watching them.

[@tinsandwichwithhobomunchie648]

I dig your videos I like your tips I haven't played in a while I want to get back into it and your videos are very helpful thanks man

[@lauroalejandroborja7414]

Real true god bless you

[@chrismarris7445]

Just picked up my first bass last week and I’ve been struggling with my fingering action. I found this video and your energy very welcoming and helpful!

[@runningwithscissors0911]

I love your enthusiasm and passion. Gotta' love a man who says sweet things to and smooches his guitar. You make me want to go practice. I'm learning to play the acoustic guitar and what you did is what I'm gonna do ~ great picking hand exercises to learn where the strings are so you don't have to keep looking down at them (bad habit) and great fretting hand exercises to practice smooth (vs jerky) shifting up and down the neck. You're an excellent teacher. Thank you.

[@Obxhatman]

Dude , you are amazing , I picked up bass about 6 months ago , I started using Rocksmith and Yousician , they are great and fun for just starting out and having fun and they can get complicated but the fundamentals is what I lack , getting all my fingers working , I am doing the slide index finger thing you spoke of not because i want to but it makes it easier and i'm trying to break myself of that bad habit. These instructional simple techniques are exactly what I was looking for and I plan on doing these finger exercises daily for at least 30 minutes before i start in those programs. I'm hoping one day I can do more complex patterns like pretty much anything from Getty Lee in Rush , yeah its a very long ways off but the information here is the building blocks I need to help me get over hurdles that I am already facing. Thank you very much for this information. You will help me make this journey much easier. I bow to the knowledge sir.

[@robertwilson6761]

Great Information! I've always had a passion to play bass. Hearing you explain the basic information on what you need to know about playing the bass was very informative and Inspirational. Thanks Johnny for being real and having such a positive outlook on life.

[@davebarnett7026]

Great video. I am just starting to learn bass and the info and insites you share is very valuable. Love the energy and keep up the great work.

[@cfreevision4770]

Great video. Thanks for keeping it simple for us beginners

[@davidsmythe7645]

I’m 49 and just starting to learn bass Your videos are very helpful keep them comin ‘Johnny!

[@tommyhunter9641]

I have a $30 used Rogue bass that is comfortable and works fine. I use it at places where a more delicate or expensive bass could get damaged or stolen. For a beginner , the inexpensive Rogue can be a good choice.

[@Azamskkd]

Thank you for your advice sir.

[@somethingstrange2633]

"you so pretty ggrrrrrllll" 😂 I lost my shit when he screamed that lmao

[@michaelgarrett6310]

Dude your energy is so kind and fun that its infectious. To elaborate on tips given in video, he's right don't spend a lot! BUY USED!! There are so so so so so many people that buy one new and never do anything worthwhile with it and it just sits and collects dust, you can get a good instrument for pennies on the dollar and you want something of decent quality because a bad instrument is just going to make you not want to pick it up. I promise there are many guitars at guitar center with more mileage than many guitars on the used market. I say splurge on Elixir strings (YOU'RE NEW, DONT ACT LIKE YOU'VE GOT AN EAR FOR EXACTLY THE TONE YOU WANT) and you won't have to change these near as often(granted I know its bass and not a floyd rose but still). The rest of what he said was spot on. If you buy an effects pedal make sure it has a drum machine or a metronome. A bass player that can't keep time.......isn't a bass player, its just an annoying guy standing there abusing some instrument that doesn't have the ability to defend itself.

[@TheiPodTouchPenguin]

I play guitar rather than bass (have been for about 6 months) and I find much of your advice is applicable to both! I love your analogy with your fingers telling you what to do rather than you telling them what to do, it perfectly describes the point you have to reach before you can start really advancing your playing. I love your energy man. Much love!

[@kevinmitchell8650]

Mr. Long you are a stellar performer all the way around! Great advice.

[@justinhart8744]

I’m so glad I subscribed this makes me happy 😊 I think you’re a great teacher I know why I suck right now. I lost someone special and I need to take a break. R.I.P. nefew Christian Lee Kidwell I miss you 1999-2021

[@silverdroid]

My two cents on a few issues: get strap locks. I bought an official Fender leather strap and the force of almighty God was almost not good enough to get it on the pegs. When the strap was finally on, I realized I could not put it back in the case properly anymore (I have a molded case). I then switched to strap locks for the ease of taking the strap on and off and being able to put it back in the case. Few months down the road, one of the screws came undone, most probably do to all that excessive force I had been putting on before the strap locks, as to which I had to do that silly toothpick and glue repair. Not fun on a $2,200 American Professional Jazz. Also, if you know you're in it for the long hall and you have the means, don't go cheap. Invest in something good. I told my salesman that I was willing to spend whatever it took on a decent amp and he was relatively dismissive and just said I didn't need anything more than a Fender Rumble 200 / 500 combo. Haven't been crazy about the sound, especially after trying out that GK MB800 Fusion recently while on a trip to the USA. I wish he would have recommended a separate amp and cabinet so that I could mix and match, if need be, and the need / want is certainly there now. Shadaka. ✌🏾

[@helmet155]

Thanks for the tips! Just beginning my bass journey today! Can't wait to check out your other instructional videos, keep them coming!

[@stevehenderson9074]

Thank you so much Jonny. I'm a old guy who is ready to actually learn how to play.

[@raimonstappat3541]

Thank you!!! You are changing my days Evertime..i like your Attitude..your friendly,funny Attitude towards Life...clapping my hands for you!....or ya, like you would say IT...

[@craxypackets]

one tip that helped me greatly with the guitar: set a goal. but don't overdo it. tell yourself you're gonna practice for ten minutes a day. start playing, but don't look at the clock. the ten minutes won't seem overwhelming going in, and you'll likely play for way longer. oh, and don't cut corners to try and progress faster. you're gonna suck at first. almost everybody does. so basically two things. keep it simple, and practice makes PERMANENT. practice wrong, play wrong. great video!

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Thanks for the beginner lesson Johnny - you make it fun! I'm just starting to learn now to play my new Ibanez TMB100 (coral red - I loves her!), and having trouble negotiating the larger fingerboard. Doing the exercises you recommend is helping, and I'll stay on it. I haven't got an amp yet, but will get one soon, something low wattage and light, as you suggest (I want an Ampeg B100R though - love how they sound). I've got an old Ampeg B12X portoflex flip top guitar amp, so maybe I can use it for now, with an external cabinet so I don't blow the old C12N with original cone (great guitar amp!). I love the sound of bass, which is what I often focus on, so it seemed like I need to learn how to play it myself now. I mostly play lead guitar, melodic single line stuff, which makes me think I'll be a natural bass player....back to practicing!!

[@Ash.Music.Covers]

hey! I also have an Ibanez TMB100!

[@Ash.Music.Covers]

mines mint green :)

[@DuffusMonkey]

I am learning to play the bass at 47, toughening up my fingers has been the hardest thing for me so far

[@doopzee3808]

John Monnin Should only take about a week or so to get used to it. I look at it as if your fingers are hurting that means progress

[@kongandbasses8732]

@@doopzee3808 To clarify this: if your fingers or your hand hurts, you should stop and rest it. I know a dude who allways said "no pain, no gain" - until he had problems with his carpal tunnel.

[@doopzee3808]

@@kongandbasses8732 Jesus that dude has crazy willpower. Yea definitely know when to stop but I liked in my early days of learning when my fingertips were a bit sore, so it was like validation that I had practiced

[@iamalpharius9483]

Buy Flatwound strings. They are not NEAR as tough on your fingers. Ive been playing D'Addairo Chrome Flatwound .40-.90 for as long as I can remember and they are the most comfortable and full tone strings that Ive played in 37 years of playing fretted and fretless. Check them out. Thank me later.

[@warrenmorphis4208]

@@kongandbasses8732 Not to lessen your comment, but he's trying to toughen his fingers - as in finger tips - which DOES take time. As a long time bassist, I know of which he speaks - at first, your finger tips do indeed hurt. In fact, they can get raw until you develop the right touch -ie: how hard to press / pluck...how to relax your fingers allowing them to glide along the strings, etc,.With practice, and more practice, he'll get that finger toughness we develop as bass players. Or callouses if you prefer. Once the callouses are gone, his fingers will be conditioned for good. Now, if his wrists are hurting - that's another story. I've played bass over 45 years -never had so much as a cramp, let alone Carpal Tunnel - but I have friends who have had to undergo that surgery, and tho not super major - it's still serious surgery. If your wrists hurt - definitely see a Ortho specialist for the reason. If your bass is the reason, by all means put it down for for awhile .

[@quiquicampos]

Hey... I'm digging this exercise... !!!!

[@gregsandifer2398]

Great advice!

[@justthebeginning1448]

Thanks Johnny, excellent video, predicate it!🙃

[@l7funk]

Great advice Johnny

[@AllThingsRenStimpy]

"That's a lazy scoundrel right there..... until you break him in, in training!" Dead.

[@steves2763]

Just finished a 30hr fast with our youth group and I have a overwhelming urge to grab a bass again, I went to lessons for a year when I was 16 and quit for sports, I am 37 now and our church band does not have a bass, thank you for reminding me of finger workouts. God loves you and so do I !

[@ethanbaran943]

Your practice techniques have helped me come a long way in agility... and getting that lazy scounger to go where i want with power !!

[@PiotrthePhrog]

You are a good man, thanks for what you do!

[@CreeperFino]

Man you're so full of energy and I love it! Keep up the good work

[@nrich5127]

If I may add one more suggestion - if you take lessons , you will progress faster and it will add some discipline to your scheduled learning path.

[@alexjames1146]

This is advice for all levels. You're just giving the beginners a serious leg up.

[@indelaxiom]

Bro, I just discovered you and I love your energy!! So glad I found ya!

[@nicholasbeastmodemcguire]

Thanks 🙏🏾 a lot for this vid, best video so far!!!

[@thejazzoftibet]

Good video. I've been an ass for a few months now, thinking I can learn all this stuff like fingering by myself, yet this video has helped me more than anything else I've seen on the web. Thanks a lot, johnny!

[@JoeLinux2000]

A guy on one of the piano sites bought a Roland FP90X when he already had an FP90, and I found out he could hardly play a C scale. What a waste. He could have bought a keyboard off Craig''s List and have been in much better financial condition. The only warning I have about basses is I traded a Fender Rhodes piano for a Fender bass and found out later it was a copy of a Fender bass, and the strings were too high because of the neck being out of adjustment or not beaing able to adjust the neck. I also have a Yamaha starter bass downstairs. I'm going to get that out and try to practice your beginning exercises.

[@Bikefrills]

Man, you have a lot of beautiful basses.

[@jamesha175]

oh my god yall is a knucklehead! but a good teacher - i refer my little guys to yalls videos.

[@seeer3240]

I love you bro! Your like a happy sesame street monster with blue fur! :) Great attitude!

[@ashtonjones2570]

Love you sir‼️😂💯

[@jamesmichaelfrank]

Good sound advice brother

[@streamerlx4927]

A really good brand for beginners is FGN from Japan. Well built instruments for every price category!

[@tonio331]

I’m a new subscriber and love your energy, excitement and knowledge about the bass. This is really inspiring for a new bassist! I reside in Charlotte, NC and would love for you to work on my bass but you’re a little far. Would you happen to know some black luthiers in the Charlotte area? Thanks

[@philosophyoftrucking]

I love the painted headstock instruments.

[@josephromero4585]

It's got a painted headstock and painted neck

[@dantedt3931]

“Elementarary” 😂 Love your videos bro!

[@christopherwashington7668]

I've been playing for over 30 years and I've never had it explained like that. Learned something today.

[@edwardbrown561]

I'd you can find the little washer strap locks they work great. Before I even gigged I dropped my bass from the strap in a garage with concrete flooring, every bass going forward has locks 🔒

[@josephwilliams4477]

Your awesome playing left and right handed

[@harakirikiss6128]

I noticed a lot of these exercises also work for Black Metal guitar I do these often

[@LONGCASTLE777]

Static Voicings ...thanks 4 the input u are awesome

[@harakirikiss6128]

johnny long no problem man. Your positivity and enthusiasm make me motivated

[@alexanderb.jordanjr.1265]

Thanks for your help a lot 🎼🎵🎶💜💚🎸🎵🎶🎵🎬

[@Myster_E]

I love your videos! Your personality is brighter than the sun. 🌞

[@plphotographer]

Superb video for newbe like me, thanx Johnny love your channel :)

[@sunrah4469]

Dang...you got a REAL WOODSHED 👍

[@MegaMartico]

Chalakaka many thanks 🙏🏿

[@anthonythompson4718]

As many of you videos that I watched I just noticed you are lefthanded like myself. I'm saving for my first bass I really want a musicman ray 4.

[@catalin8818]

Wooow... what a beautiful bass!

[@thomaswatson8493]

Another great video!

[@mynewsong9035]

great video I appreciate you for doing what you do

[@marceldewit8159]

hiding tuners everywhere? man, you're a real bassaholic! subscribed! awesome vids.

[@mr.modern4419]

Johnny, I wish you were my next door neighbor!!!!! Love your videos.

[@LONGCASTLE777]

It would be fun......grooving

[@bassman51able]

LOL! Johnny your to funny with the fingers, LOL. man just to funny.

[@beatrocka5]

Vids are hilarious!! New bass player subscribing!!

[@EddieG1888]

Exactly the same philosophy as my own; find a bass that fits you *physically*. If the bass fits you physically, the electronics and pickups can be changed to get you the sound you're looking for.

[@v1rtu050]

Hey, Johnny, I love your work! Quick question: what kind of metal strings are 'gentlest' on your fingers? I used to play bass in a band way back, and developed nice callouses that kept me gigging every night. But that's was years ago, and now I'm having to re-learn and recondition my fingers.

[@Headwind-1]

Flats?

[@voteZDLR]

Problem is though a beginner isn't gonna know what "feels good" in his hand if he's really a beginner. another thing is a lot of new players of any instrument are always sheepish in the store like, they don't wanna be too loud with it cause they know they can't play anything yet so they may just like... make a decision cause the salesman sounded good on it and that's a bad way to go about it, I almost think like you should buy the instrument from someone you wanna do lessons with. A reputable place. Cause then at the very least they know you're not gonna just buy it and go away, if it's bad you'll be hearing about it one way or another like once a week at the store. lol

[@intuneknight9681]

Sir you got my subscribe lol you are amazing

[@jason3000tt]

Hey, great vid, you did not show how to run the spider up and down.....an working on it though!

[@BadChizzle]

Great idea fir finger training, Buddy. Niiiiiiiiice!

[@dillondaniel4698]

So BASSically...

[@peterhayesuk]

Hey Johnny. What do you think about short scale for a first bass?

[@LONGCASTLE777]

Peter Hayes Awesome. MOVE..my first bass was from Sears and Roebuck,,short scale

[@peterhayesuk]

Thanks Johnny, you're the best!

[@blowfly3000]

@Johnny Long what are your thoughts on Glarry Basses for a beginner bass? Any insight would be helpful uncle Johnny.

[@hakimdurand8427]

Im going into music soon with a bass...and that bass is gorgeous...I want a green bass O_O. Can I have it hahaha

[@williamsimmons8028]

Bruh I just want to say thanks and I just subscribed. I'm a 50+ beginner Thanks...

[@anthonylascano2378]

I love Schaller tuners, and sperzels

[@SlickCrusty]

that is a lovely bass mr long

[@likeanuuk6612]

listening to the bass with headphones on is blowing my mind, man...

[@theonecalledvino8165]

I love the color of that bass

[@catthat9999]

"Unless you take your bass to a church gig and you got skulls or a witch on there or something..." LOVE IT

[@warwickdennis4114]

Do you play left handed?

[@kingbassk83]

4:58 you did it!!

[@Greedynessnish]

LOL! This is actually not easy. I guess this is how you teach old dogs.Great video.

[@metalmennonite9545]

All about that muscle memory!

[@prehistoricwatergun0136]

"GET THAT PINK BASS!" lol

[@iamalpharius9483]

I have the exact same bass but in black and without a scratch guard. Shes got BOOOOO-TAY. ALL. DAY.

[@asaphbenjudah9490]

My first bass lesson was that

[@Amezz55]

lol this guy is talented

[@MikeSmith-lt4rh]

Im a lefty that plays right &codominant (left handed&right eyed.) &buck toothed &bow legged ...lol jk .i lost to theives like 5 tuners so now like pedal tuners so you can kick the guilty party.lol keep em coming brother.

[@justinhart8744]

I only buy from guitar center, but sometimes I have to sweetwater and I hate sweetwater they have horrible customer service….