Basic Bass Fretting Technique (Beginner Bass Basics)

Skip the bad habits and nail your bass fretting technique from the start.

In this beginner lesson I'll walk you through all the basics of good left hand technique (or right hand, if you're playing left handed!), plus we'll play some music together at the end with your killer new fretting technique.

Most beginners get this stuff wrong without a good teacher, so I'll walk you in detail through what angle to put your fingers, which fingers to use, where to press on the fret, and more.

I'll also tell you how guitar and bass players use the words "up" and "down" when fretting - it's the opposite of what most people think.

Then we'll apply everything you learned to a weird indie-prog-fusion play-along. Let's do it.

#bassfrettingtechnique #beginnerbasslessons

[liambrown]

"We don't care about gravity while playing bass." Just makes me think of a bassist floating around during a gig

[imhotepkhonsu]

Thanks plenty, I treated myself to a bass for my birthday. All I will say is I am over 55 years youngThese lessons are on point.

[MrVinnyVp]

Finally! Someone who can break down the basics. Thanks bro. Especially for explaining where we need to aim on the fret and why. Subscribed.

[stuart]

Late comment here in 2019. A lot of this basic Bass stuff is skipped by others, and yet it is so vitally important when you are beginning or restarting later in life. Thanks Josh

[artprintvisual]

Excellent teacher. Just started on the bass, now in my 70th year. Band soon to be formed - Dead Old and The Carers. Watch out for us!!!

[isabella-zxdc]

I have a double jointed thumb that often locks under my fretting hand. I've developed some pretty bad habits because of it so rewatching this definitely helps. Thank you for breaking it down so well.

[paigemadeline]

I just turned 15 and got my first bass! These videos are awesome and they've helped me learn how to play bass. I'm a rather small person, so my hands had trouble reaching for a bit, but with some practice I can reach the notes yay!

[Vffr]

I'm turning 60 this year, picked up the Bass at the start of the C-19 Pandemic (wanted to do something with all the down time). I've seen lots and lots of YT videos, this video ranks as #1 or #2 IMO for beginners. I consider you to be one of my Instructors, which is really cool if you think about it. Please know, I really appreciate your time, and thoughtful lessons. Thank you. Triple

[marymanfredi]

Thank you for this lesson. I am a 59 young woman and I just fulfilled one of my bucket list items and purchased a new bass guitar. Can’t wait for it to arrive.

[belledarling]

50 and starting to learn bass, my bass arrived today. These lessons look clear and well presented, can’t wait to get started. Thanks

[jordyn]

thank you for your videos! I'm 19 trying to learn how to play and they've been very helpful. but gosh my pinky fingers are way too short to put all 4 fingers on the frets at once.

[Javier-qkms]

I am a guitar player who started playing bass for home recording no too long ago. This channel has been great so far. Congratulations and keep up the good work. I am subscribed now and will look forward for more content to grow my Bass playing skills.

[sillybutstill_stupid]

I just got a bass and all the “beginner” videos I saw all didn’t go over the actual basics, this helped so much and especially since I have small hands, helped me try use all 4 fingers! Thank you and I subscribed!

[lemen]

I just picked up a bass and I am SO happy that I came across this channel, i get frustrated with myself easily but with Josh I dont feel rushed or pressured to get it right first try (which is super important to me) I every other tutorial has me confused and angry because I just cant to get it down, but after a DAY of getting my bass I already learned two riffs with this guy.
THANK YOU JOSH!!

[billhuskin]

Been playing bass for years but always review the basics every once and awhile. Great job.

[miguelortega]

Started watching all your YouTube lessons, your explanations and demonstration are superb to say the least... Not even Fender Play explains it better and your real life down to starting at beginner level is much more understandable contrary to the others that have somewhat robotic presentations ... What sets you apart is that you touch on the basic things that we encounter as beginners down to specifics which we not only can associate with but also tells us how much work you put into this program.. Best described as attention to detail, something that today is hard to find...

[meaburror]

Thanl you so much. I just got my bass yesterday and I was so excited to try it out!
I've been seeing a lot of ur videos and following them was so fun I actually smiled when the notes where playing along!
Thank u thank u thank u!!!

[JohnMegaton]

Thank you. I’ve played guitar for years now trying to learn bass. I want to do it right to build better habits early than I did with guitar. The basic left hand finger and thumb grip guidance helped me
TREMENDOUSLY.

[PurplePotatoBro]

thanks to your lessons and other videos on your channels i worked up the courage to start learning bass and its a blast so far

[RockandRollWoman]

I am an absolute beginner, and lessons in person are not possible now (I hope this will make no sense soon). I've loved every second of the outrageous amount of time I've spent analyzing JPJ, Chris Squier, Geddy Lee, Lee Sklar & etc - but all I've learned is how much I don't know. So far my rudimentary piano and guitar skills haven't helped much
Your descriptions are terrific, but seeing what is happening from the side and the back, not just from the front, is what makes this video so valuable.
I've now had my insanely beautiful first bass for 3 days, and I'm determined to master technique first. In my years on this planet, I have learned a bit of patience - and I don't want to have to undo bad habits later.
Thank you thank you thank you!