Bass Fundamentals: Playing at the Bridge vs Neck

In this video I discuss the difference in the sound you get from playing closer to the bridge vs the neck on the bass guitar. The following linked videos on my channel are examples of me using the discussed topic in a live setting.

Great Things | Phil Wickham | Live Bass In-Ear Mix
In this video at the 2:18 mark I transition from playing closer to the bridge to the neck when the song breaks down to go into the bridge of the song. I did this to have a softer attack and more sustain.

Praise the King | Corey Voss | Bass Play-through
In this video at the 1:45 mark Im playing closer to the bridge to provide more attack and separation between the notes I play. I then play closer to the bridge as the song goes into the chorus to give me more sustain for a smoother sound, and to fill up the space more.

You can also find me on
INSTAGRAM- @bassjourneyman

[rodjames]

I am so glad i found you at just the perfect time! Thank You for these tutorials they are so appreciated. How long have you been playing? Your style is so smooth and effortless I am learning a lot from you already :)

[thaliuswarborn]

its always nice to see people talk, and teach, about the lesser niche things of playing bass.
I myself struggled A LOT when i had to transition from playing at the bridge for a sharper, more present tone, to playing at the neck in search of a warmer, softer tonality. Just a minor change, and suddenly it felt like i forgot how to play my instrument.
Between less string tension, having to time the plucking WITH the string vibration (something i still struggle with if it's on a 5string) and learning to be WAY more conscious about how much force i use i found myself as a beginner all over again.
It truly felt like a whole new spectrum of difficulties oppened up, but that also meant a whole new world of tonality to work my sound around so it really paid off.

great stuff you got going on here man, keep up the good work and you'll make it big someday!

[jasoncherry]

That was very helpful, as a beginner there are a lot of little techniques that I’m finding that really affect the sound of your bass. I will be sure to experiment with this while practicing to see how it affects the tone. Thank you for the lecture.