How I Would Learn Bass (If I Could Start Over)

If I could learn bass all over again, THIS is what I’d do differently. And no, it’s not practice more with a freaking metronome.

Ya know when you first start learning an instrument, and you’re SUPER PUMPED?

But then the novelty wears off, life starts getting in the way and you find you’re practicing less and less?

THESE are the critical moments that make or break you as a bassist. How you respond in these moments dictates whether you stick with it… or not.

But if typical bass lessons, about [scales] and [fretting technique], are the solution in these tough moments… why do some many people give up?

Because playing bass - and sticking with it - is more than just learning the “outer game” of technique and theory. If you neglect your “inner game” you run a serious risk of doing what I did - realizing you’ve p*ssed years up the wall, which is a charming British expression for wasting your damn life.

So lemme show you the secrets to the “inner game” of learning bass, so that you don’t waste years playing badly and learning slowly.

*King actually pulled this quote from Philip Roth’s “Everyman,” from a character who is quoting the artist Chuck Close. Most writers and artists share this feeling, but Close gets the quote cred.

#InnerGameofBass #BassBuzz

[BassBuzz]

If you could time travel back to when you first started, what advice would you give your younger self?

[alberthouldcroft]

Josh my man, you are such an inspiration. I had not touched a bass guitar for 44 years until I purchased one 4 weeks ago. I am 64 years old and loving the bass again and all the 'newness' now available especially from people like you buddy. Keep up the great work and thank you!

[VideoGameStoryTime]

This isn't a bass tutorial video. It's a life tutorial video ❤

[RobCrowley]

Embracing the suck and Jordan's quote remind me of a quote in Zen Buddhism: "The master has failed more times than the student has ever tried".

[blousug]

Just a word of encouragement for everyone; I have always wanted to play guitar but it never clicked. A few year ago, at almost 40, I started to play bass and it just clicked! In the last year and a half I have learned how to read music, play scales, arpeggios, modes and music theory. I never thought I would come this far. And if some random, almost 40 year old woman from the midwest can do it, so can you!!! ❤❤❤❤

[mountainhobbit]

I find this applies to most of life, no matter what our interests are. As a drummer I can say that the struggle is real for most of us. But if we truly love what we are doing we will go through many different phases. Change can be hard and is why most avoid it.

[peekaboo]

After 41 years on the bass and the ups and downs I can say this . When you see another bassist that is super good and you feel like you are crap just remember that there are plenty of bass players that see you and think the same. After gig chats and meet and greets cured that for me when great bass players would come up to me and say "damn dude great tone and playing". It's ok to be humble as a bass player, we are a humble bunch. Eat, sleep and drink bass playing was my methode in the beginning and it worked for me. At 61 I still play, can join in on any jamm with confidence and ease and it is still a huge part of my life.

[wjackter]

I started at 13 (my friend's band needed a bassist), stopped at 22 (life), and finally started again at 38 (joined a dad band)

[weirdlittlesister]

I admit I'm at a really low point in my life, even considering therapy and shit. Decided to pick up bass again instead, and this was the video waiting for me... exactly what I needed.
Thanks Josh :)

[bassonthemark]

Josh Fosgreen, bass badass, life coach. Who knew? Absolutely fantastic video my friend.

[girlygirllocssoul]

Josh, thank you!!! This was right on time. I am 60 years old and haven’t played my bass in about 2 years because I moved from my own apartment (with a music room) into living with my 96 year old Dad in a small room to take care of him. My bass is in storage because of no room in my room. After listening to your video (this can be applied to anything in life that you want to achieve), I can create a very small space in this room to pull my gear out of storage to start practicing again. Thank you! This will be my gift to me for my B-Day next month! Thank you for the motivation! 💖🎸

[michiban]

Thank you for making this video. “Embrace the suck” is something I’ve really needed to hear for years now because I can be so hard on myself. It’s easy to put yourself down and get discouraged. It’s not easy to embrace your failures, laugh them off, and keep going.

[malcolmbennett]

I’ve just turned 70. Picked up the bass for the first time 18 months ago. Completed B to B last year thanks to your inspirational teaching method. I pick up the Bass most days now and challenge myself with different songs on YouTube. Billie Jean has now been ticked off😂. Had great difficulty with The Power of Love, Huey Lewis but can nail it now after 3 months trying. When do we get B to B part 2 ? 😂

[AlessandroCassano]

hi Josh, at 42 I bought a bass guitar and signed up for your course. I think it is the only thing possible for me, because you are one of the very few people who don't feel the need to "flex" their skills but instead try to instill positive messages.
I think social media on the one hand offers a lot of very useful resources, but on the other hand it can have an unhealthy effect on people who feel insecure, because for every person who flaunts their talent/beauty/etc. there are thousands of people who feel incapable or inadequate.
As an adult you are less flexible, but it is certainly easier to understand the importance of method and consistency, even a little at a time. It is more difficult to devote time to hobbies but surely one has less desire to "rush" the goal, whatever it may be.
Thank you for what you do, but especially for how you do it.

[pseudonymeantipersonnelle]

Great video! One of my hobby is painting little soldiers, with many many professional miniature painters on the Internet. A couple of years ago, an article started floating around by a journalist explaining that he started a new hobby and « it’s OK to suck ». This article had lots of popularity within the miniature painting community. And he somewhat changed me. I am still annoyed to suck at bass, but each time I look at where I was 6 month earlier, I am reassured and my will to grow as bass player is reinforced.

[MetalthinkerYT]

Your honesty, including showing your weaknesses and struggles, has been more inspiring than any other advice you have given in this video.

[trunzbox]

This is f***ing lessons for the bass of my soul. So well written and clearly stated. This is why I subscribe and bought Beginner to badass. Josh isn’t JUST good at bass, but at being a calm reassuring presence and an advocate empathy, mindfulness, and appreciating your circumstances and living in the now.

So incredible dude. This might be the best video ever on YouTube!

[reetah]

as an artist (non musician), this video is so important even beyond bass. everyone can learn something from this

[DouglasDahlquist-ei]

I'm 60 years old, I was asked to play bass with our praise band at church. I'd never played bass. I went from purchase to practice to performing in 7 weeks. I turned the fretboard into a spreadsheet and was able to play. Last week was my 16th week of performing with the band. This is the most fun I've had in the last 10-20 years. I look forward to getting better and better as time goes on.

[nootums]

Started watching your videos a few months ago, I've always loved the sound of this instrument and wanted to learn how to play it.
Finally bought myself a bass last week. Can't wait to learn it well so that I can and jam with my guitar friends.