10 THINGS I Wish I Knew As A Beginner Bassist

In this video we go over 10 things every beginner bass player should know and understand.
If I could start all over as a beginner bass player what would I do differently?
These 10 things would be a great start! In this video we're going to work through a set of tips that should help you avoid all the time I wasted in learning bass guitar.

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:29 How you should learn the fretboard
2:15 Selecting a bass guitar
3:15 Better tone!
4:02 Better picking
5:11 How theory can make a difference
6:21 Don't learn scales! Learn this...
7:37 How to play faster
8:38 Slapping and tapping
9:30 What songs should I learn?
12:03 The mystery tip!!

#bassguitar #bassist #talkingbass

[yorkunt]

I am really glad you changed your background to something less bright!

[nickgardner]

Loved the Bandsmanship reference, learning to play as a part of a Team is so important.

[froorocks]

Great tips. Can you do a video on the standards you recommend we learn for each genre?

[lowkey]

"Bandsmanship" excellent point, it makes a difference to be able to play with others well.
- Big tip for bass players, if you're gigging where your drummer has to bring their whole kit, always help the drummer with their kit once you finish setting up your rig. Trust me they'll appreciate it. I used to keep a drum key in my gig bag for this very reason they'll call you a life saver when you tell them you have one in case they need it.
- Beware of guitar players who lack bandsmanship talking about "my amp is louder than yours" (happened to me in an ensemble with live drums, and electronics like synths & samplers and stuff). Safe to say said guitar player didn't understand how PA systems worked (the only reason you're the loudest is because everyone is trying to match the volume of the drumset except you).

Great tips, great video.

[KimSE]

Just want to give a thumbs up to Mark's sight reading course. Very well put together and been massively helpful for me.

[henrycortez]

As usual, really good useful information. Great job Mark!!

[darioj]

Great video, it’s all true, especially the last one. I’m a guitarist for 25 years now, this year I’ve got the crazy idea to learn bass for real and you are always my best online teacher. Thank you!

[jeffgrosse-fv]

I’m 71 and started playing at 14, at the beginning I used a small turntable with a speaker, and had to learn how to play Yes etc. by putting it on. the record, and picked it up to move back to the start😜 I went through the same things, always learning along the way. I’ve played in Rock, Blues, Country, and original bands.I can play just about anything, but I never learned how to read☹ Love your content, , Bass, and tone🎸, Could you put a video of what you use, and how you use them?

[FondueBrothers]

Yes, all of the above! Tip 4 playing lightly is one I wished I had learned sooner. Although my gigging days are over, if I ever jam with other musicians, I still find myself digging in too hard and cramping up.

[andreasalov]

I did start the way you describe, working out basslines to my favorite metal songs and slowly getting to know the instrument. At the same time, I grew up playing horn in brass band and orchestras, and pretty early on I got interested in composing, arranging and orchestration. I think that, in turn, helped my bass playing, as I got familiar with theory in general and the role of the bass in many genres. In short, I think that combination of experiences supercharged my bass-learning journey.

Great video!

[SO-ymzs]

Great advice! My experience as a newbie with a few years of playing under his belt mirrors a lot of what you're saying: focus on the foundations instead of flashy techniques--it's better and more useful to play the basics really well at a moderate tempo than to play badly fast--and focus on learning songs instead of abstract exercises. If your goal is to play music, learn first and foremost from actual music. I've learned hundreds of songs across many genres, including stuff I wouldn't normally listen to just for pleasure. And that's exposed me to ideas and techniques and feels that I might not otherwise learn. Mastering wildly varied songs helps you master technique in a concrete, practical, real-world way.

[thomasfioriglio]

Really great list Mark. I do especially like the last one about being in a band. I teach history in a High School, and when I was in high school back in the 80s, I played in my first punk band. I am still friends with my first bandmates. When I have a student who is learning guitar or bass, I always tell them to find other students who play and form a band. There is no better experience to playing than playing with others. And writing your own songs, no matter how good or bad they may be. As you said, when playing alone at home, you can do all the gymnastics you want, but basic fundamentals and solid bass playing is what it is really all about. Cheers!

[bradsaville]

great tips ! i did the same things as you when i started for a lot of years and im only now, at 47 learning to read music and realising how much its helping .

[janlaube]

You’re perfectly right, I am now 57 and still revealing a lot of new things. Fortunately, I played tuba in a big brass music band a I learned reading music from the very beginning and it’s true! That helps quite a lot. Good luck! Jan

[r.l.rachel]

Simple, concise messaging…………. Thank-You.

[Rod-de]

For me the Best Teacher in YT 👍👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[doctorwhokp]

You are my favorite teacher and I learned so much from your Chords class

I would add to learn to read music - avoid tabs
So many times I play with a group and we have to change key and new music is sent out

Play with others no matter your skill level
Find similar musicians
Practicing to YouTube covers is nothing like a real band setting
Great way to network and have fun

[imageplayphoto]

I can’t argue with any of that, particularly the last bit!

[NancyDoyle-znkf]

Thanks for the solid advice!Also, I could gaze at that bass all day; such a beauty, it must be amazing to play. Cheers!

[WanderingandWondering-qpyr]

Good solid advices Mark, loved the video.