Are You an Intermediate Bassist? (17-point Checklist)

Are you as good at bass as you think you are? Use this 17-point checklist to test if you’re an intermediate bass player… or not.

If you struggled with anything in the video, here are some helpful resources:

What does being an ‘intermediate bassist’ actually mean? Well, it’s subjective. But based on over a decade of personal teaching experience, plus reviewing a lot of other teachers’ lists, these are 17 things I think anybody should be able to do at the intermediate level.

To make this list more digestible, I broke it up into three chunks -

First, we’ll tackle the basics. (or bassics, if you’re some kind of pun nerd) This includes tuning quickly, learning the fretboard “money notes,” alternating plucking, four finger fretting, keeping good time, playing legato, and basic muting.

The second chunk is about theory, which I kept to a functional minimum. We’ll talk about learning basic scales, common rhythms and time signatures, and having a decent handle on your gear.

Last up is musicianship, which covers a whole range of skills that make you not just a good bassist, but a good musician. I’ll walk you through reading, playing bass with a drummer, jamming, listening, playing the blues, creating bass lines, and playing along with full songs.

#IntermediateBass #NoobJoshApproved

[BassBuzz]

🎸 *If you struggled with anything in the video, here are some helpful resources:*

[rshps]

Me : doesn’t play or own a bass
Also me : let’s see if I’m an intermediate bassist

[Kianquenseda]

I’ve been a beginner for over 50 years

[Shamanmanwow]

"Can you tune in 15 seconds"
- FUUCK
"....using a tuner"
- Oooohhh

[yachtmakai]

I started the checklist out of curiosity - now I'm using it as a sort of lesson planner - striving for perfection in all 17 points is definitely something to reach for.
Thanks again for a push in the right direction

[djorges]

A lot of other guys on youtube seem to want to make you feel like you are a beginner so you will buy their course or sign up for their academy or whatever. That was an honest approach - loved it!!

[BigBri]

As a bassist who is apparently beyond "intermediate" according to the criteria listed in this video, I feel safe adding one more category that was very important in my development as a bassist: *can you play **_without_** a drummer?* In other words, can you, in a jam situation, be the rhythm section and really lay down the groove all by yourself with no drummer or other percussionist?

[lukebr]

me: cool looks like I'm intermediate
music theory: I'm gonna stop you right there

[ampthebassplayer]

I'm very entertained by how well you can convincingly make yourself sound like a beginner player.

[TheSpaceboy]

me: has been playing bass for a decade

also me: stoked I can actually do everything on the list

[erinm]

Me watching this before my bass has arrived

[PipeLawyer]

While I confess to still being a beginner, I realized, after watching this video, that I’m a lot farther along to intermediate skill than I thought. Your teaching has certainly helped me in that regard. Thank you so much for sharing your gift.

[kuroteshima]

You be flexin with the money notes, im here sitting thinking of the letter in alphabet after E

[bradericksen]

In the theory section, I might add understanding the Nashville Number system. It allows you to play in any key without the bother of trying to transpose in your head when the singer decides the song is too high for them that day. (the struggle is real...) Also, when your band mate says 4, 1, 6, 5 in Bb you know exactly what that means. If you know the root note you can play anywhere and start to see the shapes on the fretboard and not just the notes. It was honestly the best thing I ever did for my playing and understanding the instrument.

[ericdonohue]

Me: has played bass for over ten years on and off, played in a band that has been paid to play gigs, can pick up a bass at any time and jam.

Also me: I really hope I can do the things on this list.

[darko]

I suspected that I would fail the intermediate test and I was right. But at the same time I realized that everything on your list was achievable and would really help. The abbreviated, music theory’ section was a revelation. Thank you!!

[OmniTron]

It’s weird. I feel like I can do this stuff...but, I also feel like I still don’t know what I’m doing.

[emanigol]

"All musicians are the same...We all think we are rubbish..." (Pino Palladino)

[laurelcello]

i guess i'm a better bass player than i thought i was. this video was a bit of a confidence boost, thanks man!

[thetruecringelord]

Hey! You probably wont see this comment but i just want to thank you for your helpful content! Before my parents bought me my bass, i was constatly watching your videos and practicing technique on ukulele. I got my bass two days ago and my dad (which is a musician as well) is amazed with how much unbelievable progress i did in such short time. Thank you so much