How A REAL Bass Player Thinks

7 simple steps for amateur bassists and guitarists learning bass to start playing and thinking like a professional bassist.

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Used in this video:
iPhone 14 pro, Ableton Live 10, Davinci Resolve 18.

[hacerclic]

#7 deserves a whole video to itself. It applies to all instruments.

[ToddBrittain]

You forgot THE most important one: Keeping good time.

[ButWhatDoIKnow]

Well said. This actually made me feel better about my attempts at playing bass. Thanks.

[Hexspa]

Good point about the arrangement ideas of withholding bass and lowest notes

[geburu]

There were great tips! Hope to see more bass related content from you. Cheers from Vancouver!

[denisblack]

this was a solid video to watch before the gig!
guys said i grew a lot since the last jam

i didnt even practice for 2 weeks lol

[LionAndALamb]

The pickup selection all depends on the music you're playing. You want the full, rich sound of the neck pickup for most rock, blues and Motown-types of music. However, for funk and punchy pop, the bridge pickup may provide a better sound. In my experience, using both bridge and neck together seems to scoop out all the mid-range (which might be good in a studio mix because you're getting out of the way of the other instruments, but sounds very thin in a live setting).

[kennet]

You forgot one step: pro bass players knows when to change the plucking/picking position based on the tone you need for the song (playing closer to the neck gives you a deeper sound, playing closer to the bridge gives you more treble, but a tighter sound).

[earledaniels]

In my experience, most guitar players moving to bass sound like a guitar player playing bass. They don't understand the role of the bass as a rhythm instrument, laying down the groove and setting the platform.

[pauldavis]

Totally agree with you on #7 - dead spaces are so often ignored by amateurs.

[eyalrappaport]

True specs man... I will add another unsaid tip: serve the song. Keep it simple and add colors and licks as the song progresses.

[elhazelrah]

As a veteran bassist I'm glad to hear I've been getting 6/7 right! I used to be an anti-pick snob, but I agree if the song calls for it you should use it.

[xero]

Bass was the first and only instrument I've ever learned to play and when I first started, I learned playing with fingers first then immediately switched to a pick full time once I'm comfortable playing with my fingers because some of my favorite bassists play with a pick and I also like the sound of it. and it was hell to mute strings when using a pick at first. It's been a few months but now I'm back to practicing finger style again, I should have practiced both instead of just one technique.

[stevesheroan]

Two rules I go by also are.

1. GENERALLY avoid open strings. Yes, they can be important to some parts, but often they are a bit of a “sore thumb” versus the fretted ones.

2. The exception to rule 7 is “Kiss” by Prince. There is no bass in the song, but I’ve never played with any band that could make it sound worth a damn without a bass line.

[ianjohnson]

Very helpful stuff. Thanks. Liked and subscribed

[joemartucci]

Great video great recommendations. I've been a bassist since late 70s. As a bassist friend of mine once told me...learn the Zz top songs learn the AC/DC songs the right way to get in a groove & learn how to play in the pocket to make the song. That bassist is Billy Sheehan whom I've known forever here in Buffalo NY. You'll have a much easier time getting work as a bassist. When he started teaching he said he had kids that could solo like you wouldn't believe but if they tried ZZ Top or AC/DC they couldn't do it. Learn to walk before you run lol.

[nicothebassdude]

number 1.5, also hi-hat, possibly more important than kick in some instances.

[billytrance]

GREAT video! I played the drums for 10 years and now I am a bass player, this video is spot on helpful! Thanks!

[ianlayton]

I think the main thing I hang onto is attitude. As the bassist in our band I'm the support instrument that hooks together the drum's beat and the top end melodies. To do that I need to be the main "team player" in the band - to be really aware of what everyone else is doing and to know what to do to bring the best out of the whole - not just groove the stuff that makes me happy.

[waynehomsher]

The bass line in Will Do by TV on the Radio provides examples of "How A REAL Bass Player Thinks". Almost any song with Pino Palladino playing bass incorporates these tips, too. Pino is a real bass player.