Top 10 ULTIMATE Bass Guitar Hacks... in Under 10 Minutes!

I thought it’d be fun to share my top 10 secret stealthy bass tips! ;)

Here’s some of the stuff I cover in this lesson:

-- The tea towel bass stand trick
-- How to make your own strap locks (for under $2!)
-- How to board a flight without getting asked to check in your bass
-- And even more cool bass hacks!

Oh… and don’t miss #10… I need your help with it! ;)

As always, see you in the shed…

Scott :)

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[kapomaxi]

If you have an active bass, do not leave it plugged in, it consumes the battery even if the amp is off

[ReneLangerWien]

When you get the chance to play with people which are (way) better than you, take it and play with them. You'll be a better musician afterwards, i guarantee it :)
Use every chance you get to play live.

[jls]

Two things: 1) Explore different strap lengths to find what works best (not what looks coolest). This has a lot to do with fluidity and controlling dynamics. 2) When preparing for a gig, practice as you will play... If playing standing, practice standing. That way, you show up for rehearsal sounding prepared, as you have internalized the muscle memory more precisely. Thanks!

[jamessandeman]

My tip: If you use public transport for work like me, you can use the time to study bass. Take some tab/print music along for the ride &/or listen to the track your learning with headphones whist following along with the print music or just in your head. It's amazing how much we can practice & improve without having a bass in our hands, plus as a bonus it makes me appreciate when I do get to sit down with a bass & make music for real :)

[accidentals_hacks]

Set your bass amp volume "loud enough", meaning so that you don't have to intuitively try to play harder to get louder. That can destroy your fingers in a matter of one song.

[symonf]

keep nail clippers and a nail file in your gig bag.

[donutsrock]

When rehearsing with a band, don't turn the volume knob(s) on your bass all the way up at the start. Guitarists and drummers tend to make themselves louder in the mix than they should be. And they immediately notice if you meddle with the volume on your amp, but often not (quickly) with the controls on your bass. ^_^

[mysund]

#10: Don't forget to bring your bass.

[DreddShootsToIll]

I use an eyeglasses hardcase to carry all my small things like picks, ear protection, hex keys ect. It's easier to keep track of and since they snap shut pretty tight it'll never open on its own or if you drop it.

[Willsbass]

Make sure you can play Happy Birthday in every key. There is nothing worse than playing a great gig and then looking like an idiot when you can't play the right Bass Notes for this.

[SpencerCHale]

My hack 10: Be a person that people want to rehearse and play with. If you're an amazing musician but a jerk, the band'll find a great musician who isn't a jerk.

[pterantula]

my personal #1: always have spares: spare cables, spare strings, spare STRAP, spare BASS. I can't stress how many times this has saved a gig.
(hack #1b: learn to get your sound from your hands, so you don't need your exact amp, or pedals, to do a gig - sometimes things happen!!)

[MBJazzful]

Best advice? 1st gig. "Smile and tap your foot". Only took me 20 yrs to master. I'm now so good at smiling I Cheshire Grin band mates to remind them they are having a good time :-)

[boogerdrippy]

Love ya Scott! My #10 is "don't forget to play a couple in the pocket". It's so easy to pepper songs with notes...play a couple songs a night with absolute minimalist notes and really lock in with the kick drum and let off to give that snare it's own space. It's the essence of what we do!

[SuzyQHorn]

Try to play as much as you can with other people, preferably those who are more advanced. My experience with good musicians are that they are not judgmental, and when you play with good musicians, your playing improves quickly.

[kingcatfitness]

My Top Hack:
Exploration - Play Sax, horn and especially Vocal Solos on your bass. Try to mimic phrasing and feel. Do the same with classical pieces with tough arpeggios.

[clementealfredoobrador]

10. Serve the song. If you are going to play with other musicians, please serve the music. Don´t try to steal the show.

[BullyThaKidd]

Learn guitar riffs on the bass... It helps increase speed and dexterity...sweeps on the bass always sounds cooler than on the guitar.

[DanielRaiche]

Stay in tune hack - after installing strings, tune then pull the string out the entire length, from the Bridge to the Nut, it evens out the tension and you stay in tune longer. Works for guitars as well. Make the crimp first before tuning as Steve said, very important. Thanks Steve great tips! the go to guy for my students. :)

[EdMuse]

Learn to wield a soldering iron. This leads to any number of more advanced hacks, like pick-up swaps and doing your own repairs. Saves a heap of money! Also, it's really satisfying to fix your stuff yourself -- especially when it actually works! :D