Beginner Bass Mistakes (5 Tips to Suck Less)

I’m gonna give you 5 tips to ditch the beginner bass mistakes that you're probably making.

Tip #1 is about avoiding the main mistake that beginners make with their plucking technique. I’ll give you a simple test to make sure you’re plucking like a pro.

Another big beginner bass mistake is worrying about gear too much. For Tip #2, I’ll show you why it doesn’t matter all that much, and that gear should never hold you back from sounding legit and moving forward with your playing.

Next up, Tip #3 will make sure you don’t have a case of ‘beginner-itis’ in your fretting hand - can you guess what we’ll fix? (A lot of people miss this one without a good teacher, especially people coming over from guitar)

Tip #4 contains some important info about the ‘talent’ myth, and why you can TOTALLY learn bass even if you don’t think you can.

We’ll finish up in Tip #5 by dialing in your plucking tone even more, and playing some music together. I’m positive you’ll be able to integrate all these tips because we’ll apply them in context as you watch the video.

#beginnerbassmistakes #beginnerbasslessons #bassbuzz

[pencilbender]

"just the two of us"
"sound of 110k people nodding"

[annafromhsm]

“we’re actually gonna apply these tips by playing music together, right now”

me, painting my nails: 😦💅

[camgehringer]

I’ve been playing guitar for 25+ years and recently decided to learn some bass, properly. Not just picking single notes in place of corresponding powerchords, but learning the instrument and the vibe. Naturally, us guitarists assume we’re superior to bass players...🤣 Gotta say... we’re not, and it doesn’t take long when a guitarist decides to really learn bass properly that there is some guidance needed, and I’m loving your vids. Keep them coming.

[nonptat]

It's ridiculous you have so few subs, the quality of these videos is ridiculously high

[t.j.meechan]

Josh, you are a legitimate teacher. Thank you so much for that.

[cocoatea]

I haven’t even bought a bass yet, I’m just mimicking all the fretting and plucking lol

[Pinecone]

I’ve been playing bass for about four months now, and I’ve probably seen hundreds of tutorial videos. Without a doubt these are the most helpful and well-produced. Keep em coming!

[zublits]

I'm just picking up bass again after a very long hiatus (10years+). All I have to say, is that if I had access to resources like these when I was learning in my teens, I bet I would have stuck to it longer. My only teacher was a washed up guitar player who thought he could teach bass, and had no enthusiasm whatsoever. Thank you for this stuff, it's just what I needed to ease back into practice.

[hedekbass]

Squiers are great instruments. You don't need an expensive bass but do invest on a tuning pedal and a setup to take care of fret buzz, extremely high action and pickups, and an amp that doesn't buzz at low volume (where most of your practice will happen). If possible try plugging in different outlets around the house as some may have grounding issues. A dirt pedal, even as a beginner, will also improve your sound and make it immensely more fun to play which means you'll practice more. I recommend a Boss SD-1, TC Dark Matter or EHX Flat Iron to start. Without getting too technical, even at low drive setting most dirts will boost your mids and compress your signal, which makes everything sound closer to how most music we listen to is recorded.

[ianhusske]

I play the Tuba for concert band at school, and from moving to bass, I'm struggling, because I feel like I'm in 5th grade again. I can now appreciate how good I am at playing the Tuba, because I can't play my bass very well XD. I'm starting of with a Glarry Jazz bass and a fender amp, and I really learn a great amount from the videos.

[robinkroplewski]

Hello, first of I need to say that from an experienced bassplayers perspective your videos are according to me the best beginner courses I’ve seen on youtube. But I Wish that you would make some more intermediate courses or videos were you talk about more Advanced techniques. Anyways great video and please keep on doing what you’re doing, you’re a hero.

[nyfaniloandrianjafy]

Big props to this man for showing us that a "cheap" bass will still produce great sound

[ketash]

3:37 when he said "cheap" three times, i felt that.

[handwriting]

my (very small) complaint with the gear thing is: squire instruments are expensive enough to where they aren't even remotely bad instruments. now I definitely agree that cheap gear is fine, my main rig is a 69 dollar jazz bass knock off and a 10-watt Kustom bass amp and it sounds great.

[Azure]

you're like the bob ross of bassguitars, you really helped me pick up the bass again thanks a lot man :)

[Enzocalifornia]

I don’t know how long ago you started this channel but the ridiculous amount of information I’ve learnt in a few videos is really a testament to your teaching quality. You’re going to blow up my bro 🤙

[Logan__-ojpm]

Dude, you’re such a good teacher. I’ve been doing acoustic/electric guitar for almost 6 years and decided to pick up bass recently and your channel has been such an amazing help

[cgziouo]

Usually these kinds of videos are boring as hell but you make learning so fun! You’re a great teacher. Thank youuu

[nasheextant]

I play guitar and randomly decided I wanna try bass. So I ordered some inexpensive gear and am gonna be getting my stuff in a week. Bass sounds so cool so I look forward to this. I love the sound

[harryflavell]

After many years of playing drums, I’ve recently decided to learn bass and you know what it’s a lot more difficult than I anticipated. Your videos are really helping me improve so thank you