All the chords you'll ever need on bass (in under 15 minutes)

As a bass player you're not going to be using chords in every song you play (and if you do, you might get the sack!)...

But still, learning how to play chords on the bass is an absolute must if you want to develop your musicianship.

As bass players, we outline the chords using linear lines... but how the heck are you going to be able to outline the chords if you don't know what they sound like?!

That's how important this skill is.

Can you guess what this lesson is all about yet? ;)

Ok, ok...

In this lesson you're going to learn all the bass chords you'll ever need... in less that 15 minutes.

And on top of that, to learn 'all the chords you'll ever need' you're only going to have to learn a handful of shapes.

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[christianfreehill]

Scott interviews so many bass legends almost forgetting he’s a legend himself. Never stop playing Scott, you’re one of my favorite bass players!

[brandonmiles]

What a great video. I've been playing bass for almost 19 years, and I never had any formal training. I'm getting to a point in my life where, I'm really starting to get seriously in tune with the nuances of playing music correctly, or at least following some type of form. I never realized understood what made a note a 7th or a 5th, until right this very second. That wasn't even what you were teaching, but the way in which you were explaining your lesson, made it unmistakable to understand what you were saying. I've really been watching your videos and enjoying them, and think I'm going to take my first formal 'music lesson' on your website. Thanks again.

[shawnhuff]

This is awesome this lesson opens my eyes to a whole new world of bass playing

[funfanacyland]

Yes Scott is a awesome teacher I love watching, him myself I've been playing for over 30 years by ear and now I'm learning a lot from him about reading music. He's a great teacher. From Alphonso in the ATL.

[ElectromagneDikk]

So... I'm a guitarist and quite the theory nerd if I do say so myself of 20 years, and I continually learn things by watching this guy's awesome bass videos. Totally subscribed. This guy fucking rocks. Thank you

[jedfriedland]

I so enjoy your style of teaching, your gentle, inclusive and reality based demeanor is more of what this world needs. Superb work. I will watch everything you release.

[bassiclymike]

Very interesting. I'm self-taught and have had a little bit of general music theory instruction in college, which I've used to work some simple chord and double-stops. Root+5th, root+5th+octave, 5th below+root+3rd, root +10th (octave 3rd). I typically use them to fill in space or at the end of a tune. These shapes you show are all very new to me, especially with the 7th in them. I'm going to have to take some time and learn these, several sound quite nice.

[brycedadevil]

Been playing (6 string) guitar since middle school. I’m 26yrs old.. anyway I am a new BASS convert and wow😂😂 those bottom 2 string thumping up against my body is nothing short of euphoria😍 like wow I can barely hear it but I can that shit💗

[TapaniVaahervaara]

Great lesson again! Although I'm a music (bass) teacher myself, I get good ideas from these great lessons of Scott. Thank you! This time on one chord I would like to share my idea.
I'm usually using the same shape for m7b5 as I'm using for m7 (the one Scott just showed), if its tonal function is either the VII of major or II of minor, because in those cases the ear is able to imagine the sound of flat 5th. (Cm7b5 = Cm7 = C, Eb, Bb.) If its tonal function is something else, for example II to IV in major, I prefer the one shown here. (Cm7b5 = C, Gb and Bb.)
Example 1: in Bb minor | Cm7b5 | F7 | Bbm
My choice for fingering Cm7b5 would be: C, Eb, Bb
Example 2: in F major | Cm7b5 | F7 | BbMaj7
My choice for fingering Cm7b5 would be: C, Gb, Bb
This is just a question of taste. One loves daughter, the other one loves mother. I'm not telling which one I love... ;)

[youngking]

I saw a video of yours a couple of days back and I immediately wanted to be a bass player, I got a 5 string Ibanez Ibanez and a fender rumble 50 the same day even with my tight budget and I’ve been watching your videos since. I just wanna learn how to play like you cos you make it look so easy and fun playing that seamlessly. I hope I can play like you one day or even better play with you one day. You’ve inspired me get on a bass in just a day and am hoping am gonna get all the help I need to be a good bass player from you. Thanks now and thanks in advance.. 🙏🏾

[johnfollis]

Chords on Bass is one of my Favorite Topics.
I mess with this all the time. And for you all wondering about the plucking hand, Just use your thumb to pluck the Root Note either on the E, or A string, And then use your Index and Middle Fingers to pluck the D and G strings for your Color Notes. If you have a 5-String with a Low B, you can use that as a Root Note as well. And if you have a 6-String Bass with a High C, then you have an extra Color Note. And you would just use your Ring Finger of the Plucking Hand on the C String. That's my Formula anyway. Hope this Helps.

Scott...you just clear up my thoughts on these chords. You have explain it the correct or the easy way ti understand it....thank you very much..wow !!
!! I was asking my self why we us the bassist need to learn chords ? we don't play chords, we play low notes, but with this class, wow.. you made me understand the reason....thank you again sCOTT !!

[cseager]

Scott, this is going to be a great way to spend my weekend, thanks.

[Theweeze]

Thanks so much Scott!!!
Ancient bass player here…still need to know this stuff!!!

[jkwf]

Thanks for all you've done for the bass players of the world over the years Scott! Excellent lesson and by the way, the F bass is definitely your best sounding bass so far.

[slidinjohn]

Hey from Germany

Thanx a lot for that fine and well teached lesson Scott. My deepest appreciaton. All chords avaiable in between a very small spot on our basses up from the 5th fret. What an overwhelming thought to be able to play in this massive microtechnical hand/fingerchanging. After all it seem to be the art of a craftsman to be able to deliver the right things, right in

wish u all well 🌬🎸💖🙏

[thechad]

You are such a great teacher man. Thank you.

[markashby]

I like, with the major 7 open voicing, I pluck the bass note with thumb and artificial harmonic with the 7 and 10. I use this at church in a half time feel section of everything that has breath! Nobody seems to notice.

[frankortega]

Great lesson on bass chord forms.
Thank you Scott.

[reygaralde]

Thanks for this very informative video. Mabuhay!!! From the Philippines