Top 5 Easiest Basslines Even Guitarists Can Play | Julia Hofer | Thomann

[@fernandobarbosa25]

One of the things most new students want is to play some music at day 1. Most cases it is not possible, but this video proves you can play a full music at day 1 studing. Awesome video!

[@shipsahoy1793]

“…that even guitarists can play!” I ❤ that Julia !!😂 😘

[@och70]

It’s like Geico insurance company’s “…so simple a caveman can do it.” Ad campaign.

[@bettyswunghole3310]

I started off playing bass...then I switched to guitar. I recently decided to look back in on the bass for interest's sake...OMG! Bass is *_so_* easy compared to guitar! 😆

[@someguy1865]

​@@bettyswunghole3310as a bassist learning guitar, I agree with that statement😭

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

I’m a lifelong guitarist. And you’re not telling lies 🙃.

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@bettyswunghole3310 not if you're doing it right

[@IngoScheuse]

I play drums for 40 years. When I found and watched your videos I started playing bass too. Thank you for all the inspiring content and wonderful music you share here.

[@jimwarnock1250]

I'm falling into the same learning path. Playing drums and now guitar has me wanting to get into bass.

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

Same here, played drums since 5th grade (1981). Julia's videos have made me start dabbling in bass guitar. You're probably a lot further along than I am though.

[@BossaNova-1962]

I am not a musician, but I am definitely a music lover. I am super happy to be learning about the bass and bassists, but mostly I can relate so much to the joy you have in playing. When I hear something particularly moving, I cry. I wear headphones all of the time, and I cry at work, at stores, at my friends' gigs...I get embarrassed, but it is not in my control. Thank you for sharing your love of music with me and teaching me about the bass! Keep the videos coming.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

❤❤❤

[@raydanielz9408]

You are an angel Lynda. 👼😇💕💕💕

[@rome8180]

It may be easy to play the notes of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," but getting the timing perfect can be a challenge. There are some long rests and notes come in on the offbeat. Same thing with the timing of "Oye Como Va" actually. I often think really nailing the groove of something is harder than playing a bunch of fast notes.

[@ArashFallah]

The first song I learned on Bass was Money by Pink Floyd; that intro is just irresistible!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Wow, 7/4 not easy 😌 // Cheers, Julia

[@xavierreivax6248]

wow this song is more likely a marathon! 6 minutes long, the timing is not easy and even being repetive its easy to lose the track...congratulations!

[@casiodan]

The best thing about 'simple' bass lines is that they show how important the stops are. As a new bassist, 10 years ago, I saw Ocean Colour Scene play an acoustic set and the bassist left more space than he played notes. It was a very important lesson for me and I'm glad Julia points this out (around 4minutes). Get this in to your head and work on it. I have played guitar for over 30 years and that lesson I learned on bass also improved my guitar playing.

[@johngallaghermusic9777]

This demontrates the importance of the groove thats paramount when playing bass regardless of whether its one note or many. Thanks Julia. Great work and playing is very cool.

[@eldorado5319]

Sweet memories, running with the devil was the first song I ever played on bass. It was during a jam session 40 years ago (god I'm getting old). And then I fell in love with the bass, sold my strat and bought a jazzbass and the rest is history

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Good decision 😂 // Julia

[@peterszakal]

This is the best instructional video for beginners (like me) I have ever seen. Inspiring, easy to learn, and gives you the experience of playing music right away. A thousand thanks, let there be many more like it.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thank you! // Cheers, Julia

[@johnroberts9686]

True this is nice and easy to follow starting off also check out BassBuzz I'm taking his bass course to polish my playing after a laps of time.

[@mikeythepoet]

just started playing bass again at 53 after TWO lessons twenty years ago , but this is just the best no nonsense tutorial thank you! any other 'easy' bass line examples welcome, cheers!

[@pmdinaz]

As a bass player, who also encourages others to play bass, this was excellent!! What a great range of "easy" songs to listen to, but to work on fundamentals with.

[@TheArthurfonzarelli]

I was watching a bass video last week and realized I hadn’t seen KZbin suggest one from you in quite some time. Glad to see you are well and making videos!

[@134rwa]

This shows how a bass line doesn't have to be super sophisticated to be the heart of the groove. I don't play or read music, but I got a cheap bass, and a small amp, watched videos, and learned Poppa was a Rolling Stone, Haha. Thanks to your video, I now have a few more I can easily learn,

[@effess8698]

My nomination would be She Sells Sanctuary by the Cult. The bass line has four notes, playable on one or two strings, solid eighth notes throughout, and an absolute monster song.

[@michaelrawson6261]

Hey Julia, I love this song, I re-discovered it when my Dad was so ill with Motor Neurone Disease, I had a 60hr a week job and used to listen to it on my headphones walking up to their house to nurse Dad.

[@remmus666]

Wow... This video really shows your educational skills, Julia. Down to the bone but never to neglect the intrinsic difficulties of the bass. I wish my bass teacher had used this technique. Praise!

[@mateo-wj5ks]

Thank you julia the Fleetwood Mac bass line really helped I hope to become a rock bass player I'll be looking forward to seeing more of your videos ❤🎸🎼

[@gcvrsa]

The thing I love about simple bass lines is that it actually doesn't work for most songs, because we expect to hear certain types of harmonic shifts in music, so it's rare to be able to play a single figure or two over an entire song and have it make musical sense. What I think a lot of people don't understand is, harmonically-speaking, you aren't just "playing the same note", because as the tonal center of the song shifts, the position of that note in the scale changes relative to the harmonic structure, so technically, you aren't playing the same note any longer.

[@bestecaglibektas]

👏🏻👏🏻

[@pauljenkins2501]

This video should be compulsory viewing for people who are starting, or thinking about starting, to play bass. Thank you for making it so accessible.

[@neilbarnett3046]

I think similar thoughts every time I see some bassist showing off his hammers, pulloffs and chords. We should never forget just how many successful songs have really simple, or should I say straightforward, bass lines. BECAUSE THEY SUIT THE SONG. Think of "Albatross" by Fleetwood Mac, which spent a few weeks at No.1 in the UK, with 5 notes in the bass.

[@markbarkntrunk102]

It was an awesome concept and it helped me loads. Please let’s have a lot more. Thanks Mark

[@buzzstankos8532]

Julia Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your videos are making an old guitar player/ new (old) guitar play very happy. Bless you, young lady!

[@L4sleeko]

Papa was a rolling stone has been a favorite of mine since I was a little kid. The strings, the bass line and all of that dreamy reverb is so special sonically. As a fellow cellist and bassist I'm sure you can appreciate it all. Thank you for including this piece. I shall now go practice! LoL. 😎☝

[@pcallas66]

Great tone and great rhythm. That's the key. Bass lines don't have to be complex, they just have to be in time and in the pocket. Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@buzzstankos8532]

Hello again, Julia! I had to come back to applaud your smarts… One of the biggest challenges for a new player of any instrument is getting to the point where they can play along with a favorite song & that usually takes a long time. Within 30 minutes of watching your lesson - I played along with 2 of them - Dreams & a freaking Van Halen song… THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!! Thomann - give this young lady an increase in her salary & give us more of her great videos…

[@PBTophie]

As a guitarist of 25 years who just bought a couple of basses in the past few months, I feel very called out by - and yet very appreciative for - this video.

[@destinbenade7055]

You are the coolest bass player on utube. Great stuff

[@mattygunn3852]

As a total beginner (I have had a bass for only two weeks) I found this vid by Julia truly wonderful! In my early 50's, this was so much fun. I have practiced an hour every night on basic chords and lines, but this helped me feel like I was playing music! So much fun which is why I want to play. Have picked up my banjo too and have practiced it an hour also. Lessons for both scheduled in the new year. Julia, thank you so much for this and all of your videos. Your enthusiasm for the bass and your easy manner in teaching is truly wonderful!

[@daveweed2765]

Yeah. An hour a day?

[@mattygunn3852]

Uh, yea weed. Ya know, like 60 minutes.

[@daveweed2765]

@@mattygunn3852 but an hour or 60 minutes your fingers are just getting warmed up.

[@mattygunn3852]

Wellllll weed, I guess I’m just not a professional like you. I’m sure you play 6 or 7 hours per night. (360-420 minutes per night that is, just to avoid confusion.)

[@midnightterminal8206]

Playing bass myself, I have to say: The dead notes in "Papa was a Rolling Stone" are super important for the groove and not easy to play (especially not so smooth and in time like Julia does) and yes, in theory "Lose Yourself" is easy - but killing it so consistently and in time like Julia does is crazy good!

[@ImException23]

I don't understand how I fell for this girl. Her approach, involvement, facial expressions are always attractive, she plays everything. A gun🔥

[@MrILIKESINGING]

Usually when it says easy to learn I watch it and it's like What? These were fairly easy for we who are beginners. Thank you.

[@elijahjones2889]

Oh my god……while the ad was loading the first song I thought of was “Dreams” and then the intro to the vlog came on. I feel smart. Great start of the day!!!!!

[@PaulQuattlebaum]

I'm 75 now been plying 61 years. I am all about the tone and punch and most of all to feel the bass from your soul. You have that, do not worry about negative comments. Do your thing I am enjoying it. I noticed that you use the reverse P pickups, that kelps the D and G string have the same volume as the E and A.

[@mattg629]

Love these songs, love Thomann guitars, and dig Julia's playing! I would also suggest "Walking On the Moon" by The Police. The moments where there is space in between makes the song so amazing to play. Thanks guys!

[@gretelstonebridge2323]

One of music teachers from way back said better to play something easy but well, rather than something difficult with mistakes in it. I always enjoy watching your playing which looks effortless and your love of the instrument

[@scottybaby8246]

What a great video! You present the basics of bass in the most eloquent and articulate manner possible. Thanks!

[@arnevalen5723]

Thank you again for a very nice and warm video. Suppose the right hand is the one making it sound great no matter how many strings and moves with the left.

[@alekid]

Cool! I was just telling my friend that one day I could teach his daughter and I had been thinking which songs could be cool and beginner-friendly at the same time. These are great recommendations!

[@stopthink7202]

Such a beautiful colour scheme on that bass.

[@JumpCaptain]

Awesome lesson for beginners! I often get asked about giving lessons or recommended videos for starters. Now I have a video to recommend. Thank you! Awesome work Julia!

[@maxilogan75]

Papa was a rolling stone is simply one of the grooviest track ever. I heard it the first time 30 years ago in the city nearest to me, during buskers festival held every summer, and I then rediscovered it few years ago, some time I simply let it play and relax. I've read then that the singer of that group managed to make music for a living in Switzerland, the country from where the group came from. Nice story!

[@maxilogan75]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqKxY5JjqN5saJY&ab_channel=SchmidiSchmidhauser kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4rVgGCohr6jd7c&ab_channel=MenkGrossniklaus Unfortunately the Papa was a rolling stone is not here as far as I can tell, but they rocked anyways!

[@Alaska_Engineer]

Excellent look back at easy songs. I remember in my beginning decades ago in high school… “Another One Bites The Dust”, “Linus & Lucy”, and the theme to “Barney Miller”

[@javiermatres3183]

Hi Julia: A very educational video. I think that simpler bass lines are more difficult to play. I really like Santana's bass. When I bought the bass the first song I learned was Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, wonderful song and bass. Thanks for your videos. Bay

[@jasminduncanson2520]

I love how these videos are fun and educational way to play and teach Julia❤

[@Busterhymen892]

Loved the removing strings that were not being used, to illustrate the simpleness of the song..good job!

[@danyomega1472]

Bravo! amazing playing by Ms. Julia as usual. Those basslines in which the bassist can just keep playing the root note of which ever key the lead melody is playing are usually the easiest to play. My beginner friendly bassline recommendation for those who prefer rock/punk genre is Ramones-I wanna be sedated.

[@yoyonel1808]

First groove for me when started to learning bass guitar was "Billie Jean" 🙂 (even now i play often this riff, love it and it's a very good excercice !) Thx for your video and sharing !

[@OlleStahlberg]

Two grooves I liked practising to back in the dearly 80's (15 yro) were Bar-Kays "Cozy" (1976) and Cameo "Slow movin'" (1983, synth bassline). Both groups have some really funk and some smooth soul tracks with pretty solid but easy basslines.

[@dman38]

Great info. I'm going to look up the Santana tune and try it tonight. With Dreams, though. Need to add a few strings back to the bass if you want to play the entire song. That's a favorite of mine to play with my kid on guitar. It definetly moves off the E string.

[@Tony-s4e5b]

Just learning to play bass, and to have actual songs to play as a new player is so cool

[@AncientAstroAthlete]

I'm a beginner bass player. Loved this and looking forward to playing along with your other bass videos.

[@robertthoms7965]

Are you still making these videos? You're great! Thank you

[@MrAlembicMan]

I remember when Van Halen first came out I was in my late teens and I nicknamed them Van Basic! As the bass parts were so incredibly simple. Of course Eddie's guitar work was not so simple but the bass parts my god! I was into John Entwhistle songs Live at Leeds, way more complicated bass parts. Funk, etc... Took me many years to finally realize that a bass part does not have to be incredibly complicated. However I would only learn some of these songs if I had to play them for a gig, and I would probably throw a few more notes in there! I too liked the part "even guitarists can play these bass parts!" It's all about the timing bass-ically... I play bluegrass banjo, fiddle and guitar stuff now. Still noodle around on Occasion... my last song I really practiced a lot was Play that Funky Music, there is a guy on you tube that has video on that one. Spent some time on that one. The Who stuff is really complicated if you want to play "exactly like Entwhistle" but no one really cares anymore. I think Led Zeppelin 2 is a good album for bass parts. Also early Blue Oyster Cult. Then you got all your Funk bass players, but I stopped playing new tunes in 1991 and started playing really, really old bluegrass music. Love your you tube stuff, very positive and cheerful!

[@hamblinhomestead4046]

AC/DC is also simple enough to figure out as well, mainly A,D, and E with a B thrown in. AC/DC = AC/Easy!😀

[@Atticus1ag]

I just bought a fender bass , that exact paint job. I love it. Great playing by the way

[@maidenfan237]

Julia Hofer your amazing people like who who help teach people this stuff are super cool you helped me alot over my 5 years of bass playing

[@BenTrem42]

*_You truly are a peach ..._* 🙂 I re-listened to my son's latest video and ... seemed to me he was ?what? distracted? aiming to achieve something else? imagining some virtuosity? So I just wrote him *The beat. **_Rock with it!!!_* :-) anyhow, this to him just now best

[@antneyfatts665]

I’ve been playing the bass off and on since 83. Too many favs to list, but one of my all time favs to play is “Sympathy for the Devil” Great vid btw

[@cattheman6491]

"With or without you" by U2 is another easy, but fun to play, bass line. Four notes repeated with a slide.

[@degeneralist3.088]

Also nice on the bass; filmmusic. Maybe start with the film jaws. When the big shark is coming. Ta to ta to ta to😂🎵

[@peterjonstefan2926]

thanks this was awesome i will be working on these you're so right they are perfect to start out with as you build your technique and strength too! you got great taste in music and riffs!! amazing how i've experienced playing even one note and with the right beat you can get so deep into your soul! i was doing this with the e string on RUNIN WITH THE DEVIL and got so into it i got tears in my eyes, no joke...brilliant choices :)! and to see how you get so deep into the groove is an inspiration to me. i was definitely feeling it! i been watching you play for a year or so and always wished you had an on line bass academy because you deliver something extremely important, besides technical knowledge, the FEELING AND PASSION for the bass groove!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏻 // Julia

[@josephhughes9490]

Julia you are just loaded with talent. One string or 4 you can bring any song alive. Love your heart for music just like I feel.

[@cheryln581]

I'm just starting out - this is Great!! Learning the tabs are another thing but love your inspiration.

[@charleshense2372]

As an inexperienced bass player, I found this video extremely enjoyable. Thank you so much.

[@paulgregory5789]

I saw the police in Birmingham UK back in the 80s and have loved them since a teenager. Love the vid and energy you both project. Keep up the great work guys.

[@DanCourtemanche]

As a beginner in the literal meaning of the term, not a beginner from another instrument, not a beginner who has learned the basics, but a true beginner, I find it a huge barrier that every bass teacher for beginners chooses songs that are too hard, or that only have an easy riff, but the rest of the song is impossible for a true beginner. Can we please start with a song which is slow and easy from beginning to end? Beginners need enough time to get their hands and fingers in position, figure out muting, play along in time and pick the stirngs properly. That is a ton to keep track of. A song please, that's slow, easy, just quarter notes, beginning to end. Not just riffs, not just intros, but a recognizable song easy enough that you could put a bass in the hands of someone who has never played an instrument, and can play along. I hope you take this to heart Julia

[@johnsplendido3556]

This is awesome. More of this. The intermediate and challenging songs are great, too. But every once in a while, it is nice to add five songs to your playlist in a an hour. Unfortunately, when you are learning, you don’t even know which songs are this easy.

[@WimRijksen]

Thanks Julia! Oye Como Va is still a lot of fun to play when you're new to five string and want to vary the strings you use.

[@moga1968]

Woderful!!!!! The Base bring the power of every Song and you show this Great. Love this video! Moti G. From Israel

[@gcvrsa]

Another good one for this list is Sade's "The Sweetest Taboo". Also, I think "Sweetness and Light", by Lush.

[@MrDelPreston]

Awesome first pick. Rumors - in general - is one of my favourite LPs 🙂

[@techmike919]

love these songs. Thank you for the video. A few easy songs I like are The Alan Parsons Project- Eye in the Sky, Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me, and Hysteria.

[@hamblinhomestead4046]

First song I learned was Down on the Corner by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was on a '74 Fender J bass i picked up used for $200 back in '03. Due to a "negative cash flow position" a few years back, I sold my Squier P bass and Dean A/E, but kept my Fender.

[@michaelb.42112]

This is fantastic. I don't know how to teach, so I turned to your lesson which is so logical. Thanks so much.

[@lockharthorsburgh8601]

Nice vid. Among other things, it's always good to see the open string muting techniques of other bass players. First song I learned to play on bass was "Outshined" by Soundgarden (drop tuning; 7/4 timing; four strings used). Then my friends threw me in at the deep end and insisted I learn Iron Maiden's "The Trooper". I suspect there are easier starting points.

[@jsmacks11]

Dreams is one of my favorite basslines. Simple, groovy, solid foundation, highly effective, and leaves space for other instruments.

[@dmac7660]

I think Oye Como Va is not as easy as you say but I found it to be well worth learning. The timing has to be exactly right to sound correct. I also had to fiddle with my amp settings to try to get close to the original sound.

[@jeffsneed9338]

Really enjoy your teaching, absolutely the best on you tube!

[@el0blaino]

The first one I learned was probably "Dazed and Confused" ... but I'd recommend "Lucille" by Little Richard - getting that "walking bass shape" down was very handy - in so many songs but one interesting example in "You Don't See Me" (which took quite a while for me to reach).

[@MarcellinusVD]

I often start with Hoobastank's "The reason". You can play all (eighth) notes on the 3rd or A string and get your plucking hand going very steadily, Once you got that you can play the E either on the 4th/E string or 2nd/D string.

[@BilginKurt]

Well done, Julia! just check out OYE COMO VA again: there is no A before beat 3 in the 4th bar. it is a 4 bar bass pattern all the way! (I also noticed that just a couple of years ago, after many decades). Keep going, I appreciate your work.

[@djaxupjazz]

That Santana tune was also one of the first songs my bass teacher had me play :) nice video

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks Julia, always good ! For me many years ago, it was 'Walking on the Moon', a song I really loved. As a curious non-string player at the time (l didn't even understand how the instrument was tuned) after playing the track (including the chorus), I thought, Wow ! I never imagined I could do that ! For people beginning an instrument, a moment like this, I think, is what can drive you forward. On a silly note : Julia, I could just imagine if you showed up to play a gig, primed & pumped only to find the wrong bass in the case, with just the E string on it ! Aaaaaah ! Well I'm sure you'd kill it anyway. 😜 Good weekend to all !

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

😂 Have a nice weekend! // Cheers, Julia

[@LAMIREMY1]

good video and exercise, ideal for encouraging beginners to start playing bass 👍👍

[@luisfernandosuarezamders6703]

Thank you so much! You helped me a BIG LOT after almost 20 years away from playing bass since an accident I had which costed me my left arm and hand mobility and years later decided to try to start again playing with my righ hand only on a 5 string even when I was originally a 4 sting player. This video gaves me a lot to practice and a very good restartin point! BTW. You can also play Queen's Another ones bites the dust in one string (E)! The very first song I played when I started was Killers by Iron Maiden.

[@hobbayne]

Some people think bass is an easy instrument to learn. But as you have demonstrated you have to have an excellent sense of timing. Even more than a guitarist. The Santana song was a good example. Rock between A minor and D is easy on guitar, but the bass timing must be good otherwise everything is a mess.

[@icedbass]

Merci pour tous les nouveaux bassistes qui commencent leur apprentissage et qui peuvent enfin jouer sur quelques chansons. Les notes sont simples et ils n'ont plus qu'à se concentrer sur le tempo, ce qui est le plus important. Pas trop vite, pas trop lentement, juste écouter et ressentir :)

[@clintonfuller1595]

Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Gimmie Some Lovin’ by The Spencer Davis Group, Hypnotize by The Notorious B I G., Dreams & The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. And several others. Unfortunately I quit playing the bass and having to relearn the songs again. But I’m trying some new ones too!!

[@sandrotomazmartins5257]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Gut gesagt und gut gemacht Julia! Schönen Grüßen aus Brasilien.

[@BlackJackLopez]

Great video, and great music selection! Lol @ "even guitarists", whenever I get 'dissed' by a guitarist joking about how I play 'less' I always joke back: "Yeah, but have you heard a guitarist playing bass? It's like they have mittens on!" XP

[@evanmcknight2566]

Thanks for the video. That is a sweet bass with a precision and a hum bucket pickup. Very cool.

[@camhyde9701]

Dreams, Papa and Oye Como Va are great songs... 8:49 "Bring It Down" ... classic phrase =)

[@robertph1787]

Great lesson., I like Julia so much, hope she make video lesson about right hand technique

[@grantkoeller8911]

We love the video 😊!!!!!!

[@harvey1954]

I took a Crickets' tune, "More Than I Can Say", and came up with my own bass line which was a lot more involved. I would like to hear you tackle some 50s rock tune and update the bass line for it.

[@rogeratac30]

Ciao Julia, ich spiele seit rund 20 Jahren Gitarre und nun habe ich mir einen Bass gekauft. Und warum - wegen deinen Videos hier! 😄😃😃

[@Bagledog5000]

The song I’d suggest for beginners on both bass and guitar is the first one I learned on both, TNT by AC/DC. Easy enough for a beginner to pick up pretty quickly but you’ll need to develop good fundamental skills to play it well. But all of Julia’s choices would be just as good.

[@philreeves2404]

I like this young woman's musicianship. She has a lot to offer. Even for us guitarists...

[@marcbrazier1447]

Wow Julia you know you're bass so awesome to watch you play with passion. And your absolutely stunning too. Beautiful ❤

[@iainmackenzieUK]

Brilliant! Exactly what I needed - for inspiration and skills practice too. I live and work in China teaching Physics, so do a lot of travelling - hence I bought my first bass last week which is a small-easy to carry thing. I wish I had access to more of the guitars you play, but this is great for starting. Thanks for all your little tips and for appreciating the requirements of us beginners. (I hope my students enjoy and appreciate my teaching as much as I do yours :)) The only song I played along to so far has been U2 - 'with or without you'. now have a blister on my thumb :) - so its really amazing to have more to choose from. Keep up the outstanding work - thanks a lot Julia! Iain

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thank you so much and have fun with your new bass ☺️ // Julia

[@joannalewis5279]

Such a great idea and so well executed