The 10 Rules of Bass Playing (That Pros Break)

Are rules meant to be broken? Here are 10 commonly taught “bass rules” - let’s see why the pros break ‘em, and if you should too.

According to Teacher Josh’s “proper” bass rules -
* Geddy Lee is plucking too hard
* James Jamerson doesn’t use enough fingers
* Chris Squire doesn’t either, but on the other hand
* Louis Johnson’s hand is all wrong
* Rocco Prestia’s fretting technique is a mess
* Robert Trujillo’s bass is too many miles from his head
* Peter Hook should be penalized by the FAA for flying that high
* Victor Wooten’s tone doesn’t count as “bass tone”
* Billy Sheehan don’t know enough theory to play that good
* Sting is missing the most important beat in his bass lines

As you may suspect... I disagree!

In this lesson I’ll explain in detail why these legendary bassists are “breaking the rules,” and how it can improve (or hurt) your playing to follow their lead.

And at the end, I’ll challenge Teacher Josh to see if he can actually play the bass...

#BassRules #TeacherJoshApproved

[BassBuzz]

Just got a letter from Teacher Josh… I’ve been expelled. 🎓🔨💔

Timestamps for this lesson:
0:29 - Rule #1
1:35 - Rule #2
2:36 - Rule #3
3:37 - Rule #4
4:29 - Rule #5
5:35 - Rule #6
6:46 - Rule #7
7:47 - Rule #8
9:20 - Rule #9
10:12 - Rule #10

[nickchambers]

I believe John Frusciante said: "You learn the rules so that when you break them, you do it with finesse"

[AoifenicLir]

Geddy Lee: I attack the bass.

DM: Roll for initiative.

[michaeleastes]

As a 70 year old novice, I’m learning a lot from this channel. My current goal is to become semi competent before I snuff it.

[RobertCorrington]

Chris Squire was 6' 4"
Tall guy = big hands = wide reach = infrequent pinky use.
I'm 5' 9". I use my pinky all the time.

[susyside]

I think that he has a course from beginner to badass that he wants to share with us.

[redgamer]

I love how at 5:41 James Hetfield tells the sound engineer to turn Trujillo up. And Justice for All must have caught up to him! Haha

[Kat-Kobold]

my preferred example for overplucking is Geezer Butler. He really fucking goes for the strings

[kirtfulcher]

Thanks for giving Hooky some love, he pioneered "lead bass"

[angie]

I’ve just discovered your channel and you’re my hero! I quitted bass guitar 15 yrs ago – basically for lack of self-esteem (considering my family tree, I’m the only “musical person” in the house who didn’t make it/graduate in classical music) and because of a new dimension in life (young adult work schedule). But lately, somehow, something happened and I took the chance of brushing upon my bass practice. I’m not going to lie, I was moved – sooo surprised! – when I realized I was not that bad... your content is so well-structured and fun and passionate that I’m starting again. Can’t wait... Thank you so much, to me it’s like a breath of fresh air! Ciao from Milan, Italy 🤍

[unfunnydave]

While music theory isn’t needed, you should always try to learn as much of it as you can do you can improvise better, improve your technique, and communicate with other musicians. Learning the theory is an amazing tool that will always improve your playing. Don’t skip out on it. Billy Sheehan’s musical sense of mechanics is what gives him his patterns. He plays scale patterns a lot and that comes from the mechanics of his fretting hand more than anything.

[cogito_edo_sum]

Killer content, killer explanation, killer humour.

I'd like to say this exceeds my expectations, but this is BassBuzz, so it's quite the standard here.
❤️

[UninstalledGamer]

Teacher Josh: "Keep your bass above the waist"

Every metal/punk bassist ever: "No."

[neckcheese]

Actually had no idea that Sheehan didn't know theory. That's awesome. While I do get why many bass and guitar players strongly (sometimes too strongly) encourage theory, it's always cool to learn about virtuosos that don't know any.

[ThunnusAlbacares]

I'm still a beginner learner after 46 years playing, but i still enjoy, and learn something from each of these videos, even if it is only going back to basics each time, and for that i thank you.

[ideasonek]

Thank you josh for putting so much effort in your videos. What I most like about these is that every second of the video is entertaining and so learning is much more fun.

[bretthines]

Just sitting here - without my Bass - ABSORBING Bass Knowledge. I like videos like that occasionally. Since I started watching your awesome channel two years ago my whole Bass Dream came alive again. I played my first set in front of a live audience on July 4th. My Daughter is excited about her Guitar again and my Son just bought a sweet keyboard. We’re learning to play Green Onions together. You and your teaching style and format made ALL THE DIFFERENCE, Josh.

[delinquentcat]

Finally! More bass buzz! Watching this channel and practicing is probably my favourite past time

[richsackett]

One advantage of learning music theory seldom gets much press. You can acquire new material much quicker. With four days, I played an audition with eight new songs for a band this afternoon. There'd be no way to remember that much new music if I couldn't read.

[Krieghandt]

You forgot to mention the Lemmy Exception to bass playing: Break ALL of the bass rules, and play like you want to.