““Once you learn the true role of a bassist, you’ll never again see it as inferior to guitar.” ”
*the lessons progress in a zig-zag pattern (desktop only) starting with introduction, then perfect posture, then your role as a bassist etc.
Introduction
Here’s where it all begins!
Perfect Posture
Don’t harm your body by developing bad posture. Do THIS instead.
Your Role as a Bassist
When you know where you belong you can thrive in that position.
4 or 5-String Bass?
Which is better for you?
Holding the Bass
Get this part right and you’ll be ready to play.
Parts of the Bass Guitar
You’ll need to know this because I’ll be referring to them for the rest of the course.
Fingers
It’s finally time to make some noise. :)
Using a Pick (Plectrum)
Don’t let them fool you, some of the best bassists use picks.
String Names
An easy way to remember your string names.
Fretting
Proper fretting is essential for solid notes.
Rhythm
Let’s get to counting.
Tuning
Some quick ways to get in tune.
Counting Up Pitches
So much makes sense when you can do this.
Em to G
Your first progression.
First Four Notes
Doesn’t seem like much but in this case less is more.
Tablature (TAB)
Knowing how to read TAB allows you to learn your favorite songs.
D A F#m E
I call this the Purple Rain progression.
E A B A
One of the most common of all progressions.
Em G Bm C
A melancholy progression that resonates with people.
Em G C D
You’ve probably heard this a million times in songs.
Chromatic Counting
Know every note on the fretboard with this lesson.
Finger Yoga
Maintain hand/wrist/arm health with this awesome session.
Octaves
Octaves are essential for future patterns and more.
Peter Gunn
A surprisingly great exercise.
Rests
As they say, it’s just as important to know when NOT to play.
Spider at 9
Get every finger working with this.
Using a Metronome
Staying in time is as important as staying in tune.
Ballad (w/Backing Track)
Start off a bit slow and easy.
Blues (w/Backing Track)
Everyone gets the blues, now you can play them.
Funk (w/Backing Track)
One of my favorite styles for bass.
Hard Rock (w/Backing Track)
Now we get to get a little aggressive.
Pop Punk (w/Backing Track)
Revisit the 90s and 2000s with this one.
Two Fingers
are often better than one.
16th Notes
Let’s divide a measure even more.
Major Scale One String
Major Scale Form
This is one of the most important scale forms.
Major Scale Progression
Now let’s make some music with it.
Major Triads
This is how chords are built.
Circle of 5ths
Your music theory will take off once you know this.
Minor Scale One String
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Minor Scale Form
You’ll use this form a ton from here on out.
Minor Triads and More
Let’s build those minor chords!
Chord-Tone Options
Drag Picking
This will make it much easier to switch between strings.
Dynamics and Accents
You have much more control over your sound than you might think.
Ethereal w/Backing Track
This is a cool, atmospheric practice track.
Hammer Ons
A great way to do more with less.
Mixed Counting
Now we get a little deeper with counting beats.
Pull Offs
If you know Hammer Ons, you need the opposite in Pull Offs.
Slides
One of my favorite bass, and guitar, techniques!
Cure Style 2nd Finger Root
A great backing track to practice your shapes.
Cure Style 4th Finger Root
Same notes, different shape.
Cure Style 1st Finger Root
Again, same notes, new form.
Syncopation
It’s time to play more complicated rhythms.
Time Signatures
Now you’ll know how to label time.
Minor Scale 4th String, 1st Finger Form w/Track
Minor Scale 4th String, 1st Finger Shift Form w/Track
Minor Scale 4th String, 4th Finger Form w/Track
Natural Harmonics
You could be the next Jaco after learning this technique.
Tuning (5th Fret, Natural Harmonic Method)
Three-Finger Technique
You can add another weapon with this one.
Foot Tapping
This will help you lock into the music and build your coordination.
Common Muting Techniques
Clean up your playing with these muting techniques.
Thumb Picking
This is one of my favorite ways to pick the bass.
Triplets
Unlock a whole new way to play rhythm with triplets. Now you can gallop!
Minor Scale 3rd String Root Forms
Minor Scale 3rd String Root Forms w/Track
Major Scale 3rd String Root Forms
Major Scale 3rd String Root Forms w/Track
The Shuffle Feel
Go next-level with your groove using shuffles.
Major Pentatonic Scale
Discover one of the most useful scales of all time.
Major Pentatonic w/Track
Learn to use this popular scale in a track.
Minor Pentatonic Scale
Your improvising will skyrocket with this scale.
Minor Pentatonic w/Track
Sequences
This will really challenge both your fingers and your mind.
String Drags (in depth)
Take your String-Drags to a higher level now.
Slash Chords and Inversions
Learn to color the sound even more with more musical choices/options.
Major and Minor Pentatonic Prep
This video will get you ready for the backing track video.
Major and Minor Pentatonic w/Track
Time to combine the scales in a backing track
Strap and Cable Tips
Don’t learn the hard way like I did, learn from this video instead.
Palm Muting
Here you’ll discover a new way to make your picking more percussive.
String-Skipping and Octaves
This is one of the most useful lessons for bass players of all styles.
Thumping (Slap Bass)
Now you have yet another way to strike the strings.
Pop (Slap Bass)
This technique will blow your mind, as well as your listeners once mastered.
Thump and Pop w/Track
Time to put the techniques together.
Drop-D, Half-Step Down Tuning (Eb Standard)
You will surely encounter the need to know these tunings.
Major Scale (4th String Roots) Extended
Major Scale (3rd String Roots) Extended
Picking Patterns
Supercharge your picking here.
Hard Rock 2 w/Track
Challenging, yet fun, practice track
Chromatic Connections
Here’s a new way to navigate the fretboard.
Common Bass Effects
Alter your sound with these insanely fun effect pedals.
Minor Scale (4th String Roots) Extended
Minor Scale (3rd String Roots) Extended
The Note Game
Might as well have fun while learning the notes on the fretboard.
Dead Mutes
Time to inject even more feel in your picking hand.
Foxy Jo w/Track
A fun twist on some Hendrix-inspired sounds.
Major Pentatonic Extended
Even more of a great thing.
Minor Pentatonic Extended
Pentatonic Fills
These will come in handy.
Maj7, Min7, and Dom7 Arpeggios
More color for your sound palette.
The Blues Scale
Add one extra note to the Pentatonic and magic happens!
Diatonic Minor Scales (2nd Finger Forms)
Time to fill in the gaps.
Walking b7 Blues w/Track
I’m sure you’ve heard this before.
Dead Mute Funk w/Track
Root 5 w/Track
A very common bass move used primarily in country but not exclusively
Drop C# and D Standard Tuning
You might need this in the future.
Slap Funk w/Track
You’ll get into great “Slap Shape” after this.
Harder Than You (Full Song) w/Track
Here it is, your first full track! Have fun.