Jack Bruce’s bass line masterpiece, to me at least, comes from a 1968 performance of Robert Johnson’s Crossroads. I freaking love it now, but the first time I heard the song, I was wholly unimpressed. My first exposure to that song was at a musty, crusty blues jam session, and the version that got played […]
Plucking Hand Bass Workout
Ever find yourself fumbling or stumbling over notes because of your plucking hand? Maybe you know that learning to alternate with your index and middle finger will help you play trickier bass lines, but you just can’t seem to make it work for you… Maybe it’s that your hands just don’t seem to be very […]
5 Soul Bass Lines
Soul bass lines are some of the most fun you can have with a plank of wood strapped over your shoulder. It’s always a good idea to have a few ‘go-to’ bass lines whenever someone says, “Play something for me!” or if you’re playing with others and they ask, “So what do you want to […]
5 Beginner Reggae Bass Lines (That Aren’t ALL Bob Marley)
Reggae bass lines are a lot different from ‘normal’ bass lines, right? So much of the time, the bass in a reggae tune carries the entire song; it’s the catchiest part! And when it comes to beginner reggae bass lines, you’ve got a ton of options. In today’s video, you’re going to learn 5 beginner […]
Common Chord Progressions EVERY Bass Player Should Know
Common chord progressions on bass are unbelievably useful. Why? Because it’s how pro bassists learn a ton of songs really quickly and can play them in any key at the drop of a hat. Bassists who know thousands of songs don’t just have better memories, bigger brains or total recall. They do, however, memorize the […]
How To Play Melodies On Bass (3 Melodies To Get Started With)
When I was about 17, a friend of mine gave me a copy of the self-titled Jaco album: To be honest, at the time, I didn’t really understand the music – it was kind of beyond me. But the bass playing? That blew me away!!! The growl of his fretless, the chime of his harmonics, […]
