Bass playing - Practical Tips for Playing in a Band

The Bass Guitar was an invention to make things easier for bass - one could be heard, and the frets on a bass (hence the name Precision) made it possible for a guitarist to be able to play it.

There are many considerations for playing bass, not least the fact that the drummer and the bass player are the drivers of the band. Sure, everyone plays for the top line, but if you have a good drummer and bass player, then the band is going to be good...

Here then is a tutorial on rhythmic playing, and major and minor chord sequences and a way of remembering where the different chord notes are.

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[JohnLynagh]

I’ve played the bass for 25 years in and out of bands, but never really bothered with much theory so I know all these techniques. But now I can start putting names to them and expand my knowledge. I love these videos. Thanks Dan.

[Skuba]

Long time guitar player here, picked up bass because I want to get a band together faster and that six note grid system almost seems like cheating with how intuitive it is, thank you so much!

[osXcanada]

Solidity is a powerful word. The more grounded and solid your playing, the more freedom it gives the other instruments to soar. Bass is a deeply sacrificial role—it’s less about standing out and more about lifting everyone else up. A perfect example is Pink Floyd’s Money. In one part of the song, while every other instrument is going wild, the bass holds steady with just four descending chromatic notes—simple, unwavering, and solid. That’s the glue holding the entire piece together. After 50 years of playing bass, my mission is to play something solid, strong, and powerful. Hopefully something that makes you feel something! That is way more elusive than flash. Sometimes it’s a very very simple two note rhythm that just grabs the listeners attention…hard to explain.

[theslate]

You can still put a bit of garnish on simpler lines by climbing up or down the notes or jumping around a bit before you switch chords

[jamesorrell]

Nice stuff again, Dan. Some super useful tips for beginners and more experienced players. I'll definitely have a go with jamming with the GB drummers some more in the future, it's a great way to get some inspiration without having the downsides of a real drummer- I managed to tune my bass and not once did the auto-drummer decide it was time to crack out a drum solo!

[timothy]

Nice video Dan. I’m trying to reinvent my music to inspire me to play again. I’m a guitarist but I do have a bass thanx

[RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet]

My practical tips for playing bass in a band:
1. Sit in the pocket.
2. Don't miss the one.
3. If you want to play solos, be a guitarist.

[PurpleMusicProductions]

This was really cool. I play bass as well and completely agree with you here. I'm digging that P-Bass of yours.

[RockerProf]

Great video! Love your use of the simple things to drive the bass along. Just to mention, when you play a natural minor, you also have to use the flat seven compared to the major. But in, a harmonic minor, raised seven same as major.

[bajuszpal]

Exactly Mr. Dan Baker,

Playing on bass guitar, I myself enned on it after playing lead, chord guitars and even organ.
Playing the base is much more difficult to play thsatn it appears to be.
I like your approach in terms of giving priority to:
-Practicing with drums, to learn rhythm, and then engage into rhytmic patterns with the Kick/leg /big drum

-I also agree with your opinion: The base player´s job is to drive along ..

and.. Playing thew base is not about beign flashy, but Solidity .


But, to bwegin with, some patterns are needed to be adopted, as you put:
G, a/b and C, D to E mi ...


When in the band, all you need to need to know the Chord,

With all respect, please keep to the basics, thos e flats, b flats are not for beginners, Paul.68

[barnapavai]

Great, thank you a lot! Greetings from Bupadapest..

[sboy]

In other words… my bass solos are so amazing that every band I join wants me to leave 😅

[TheBigSquidAZ]

@9:00 scats a perfect country blues solo for no reason other than to show he can 😅😂😂😂

[andrews]

How is the bass guitar connected to the kick?

[bytorbass]

If you are a bass player at any level, these 11 minutes will guide your approach to bass playing for the next 11 years .

[ChloeHanshew-obfh]

Missed opportunity to call yourself Dan Baker Music Maker

[Three-Chord-Trick]

I'm not trying to be funny... but wouldn't it be EASIER to teach the scale SHAPES moving ACROSS the board, and staying in the same position? 😮 I can see how, for the complete beginner, sliding all over the fretboard would be totally confusing.

[iamawake]

Hello Dan, great practical video…so much show-pony stuff on youtube…it’s frustrating when ur trying to find real bass player videos.

[antoniotorres]

Sadly as a bass player I often get compared to a caveman's brother.

[Cream.cheese]

This is why its hard to get noticed by women when ur a bassist