The Real Secret to a Great Bass Tone!
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2013
- So the one question I get asked over and over is how do I get a great bass tone.
Seriously. 100's of emails per month... just about tone!
So, I thought it was time I put together a bass lesson where I finally reveal my tonal concept some of my very specific settings so you can use them yourself.
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Mr. Scott....
I'm a classical guitar teacher and bass player. Not only is your playing technique outstanding, but so is your attitude. Your personality shows you are a top notch teacher.
Hats off to you my man!
:-)
I like Scott's Bass Lessons
thesicilianguitarist totally
I don't even play bass. I just think you're cool as hell.
Jake Edler Because I am
+Vladamir Makarov you should , if you've already taken the time to watch it , mind as well grab a bass and try it , you'll see its a lot of fun, Scott is a very good teacher i've improved my playing
The bass player he referes to is Skuli Sverrisson, on the guitarist Allan Holdsworth's solo album "Hard hat area", the 3rd track "Low Levels, high stakes" - starts around min. 2.30
thank you
Zeus Michelle y
Yes, and please don't just skip to the bass solo but listen to the track from the beginning. Much more powerful!
Thanks, I have the album and I just listened to that track again. Actually, there is something I find really annoying about that solo. It is composed of a bunch of phrases; so he'll play a bit of a line for a couple measures, take a breather for a beat or two, then play another bit of a line, takes a breather, etc. And the last note of each phrase is played softer/shorter so it sounds weak.
Link to the track on Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/7MWbmOZnypIkAqVyZAdb8U
my bass guitar is red will these techniques still work?
Nathan Hassall no you're fucked
I disagree. If you use a green guitar lead into your amp it will soften the effect of the red as it is an 'opposing' colour. Similarly if your bass was green you could use a red lead etc.
no
Nathan Hassall mines a 3 tone sunburst does this mean I can only play black hole sun ?
you should ask a guitar expert
true tone is in the glove
lmaoo
Karl Beerman no it's the strap
Its in the shoes, even better if they're blue suede shoes.
Have you tried the Feeling Pedal #BULL456SH44IT?
My girl responds well to a wet rubber clove :)
I'm not even a bassist, and I enjoyed watching this whole video. Great content, even for a guitarist like me.
Learn bass :)
I'm not even a bass player but I find these videos fascinating - you make this essential instrument really bloody interesting
I often get compliments on my tone and people ask how I achieve it, but until now I really didn't know what the answer was. This lesson is really good; it explains stuff I didn't know.
Thanks Scott, great job as always. :)
This has to be the best lesson a bass player could start with. The way you get this point across is brilliant.
God has has given a lot of talent to many bass players, but few have the gift of being a teacher. Scott you have it man.
Kevin Isaac Garcia or maybe he's worked very hard. It's kind of insulting saying he's just been given this ability.
de_dongle SMH
A lot of good points made here. Tone can also be varied with how much finger/thumb width you're hitting the string with (tips for a more 'pointed' sound, sides of finger for a rounder fatter sound), or getting a fatter sound by hitting the string with two or three fingers at once. The tonal possibilities are nearly endless.
Good stuff T.A.! Check out the Fred Chapellier post doing the same thing on the guitar. He is a great guitar player. Rob and Me met him a@ IBC in Memphis 2012.
Scott, you are hands-down the best bass teacher on UA-cam. Your super laid back approach is very effective, and I really appreciate all of your videos. Thanks man! (sent from the shed)
Wanna know the "real secret" to getting a great bass tone?... If you do, this bass lesson is for YOU! :)
The Real Secret to a Great Bass Tone!
А у руке Мандушића Вука свака пушка биће убојита!
Um, bass tone is relevant to what the song dictates.
My bass sound is from multi-effect. And is well.
You teach rubbish. Change your name to Chauncey Gardiner. It would be more toward who you actually are as a "teacher/"
My favorite bass tone has always been Fieldy's (Korn) crazy clicking metalic slap sound. I started because of him. Today I know that he isn't a good player but I still love his sound. Especially on the "Take a Look in the Mirror" album.
Today I'm into bossa nova and funk because of bass but sometimes I like to go back and listen to Korn's bass again.
There you go a little story about myself, strangers
Had exactly the same experience as you regarding sound when I had a lesson from a bass player I worshiped except I didn't pick up his bass, he picked up mine and instantly the bass sounded like him. It was a total gotcha moment
came to watch this video about the tone made it 2 mins in and now im hooked watching alan holdsworth videos which are really mind opening so very grateful you do these free lessons i always end up learning more than i expect
This might be the very first comment I've ever left on youtube: This vid was AWESOME.
I am a one time trombonist who'se been 'messing' with bass for years, but know very little about this instrument. There is SO much info out there about strings, basses, amps, bridges, etc etc etc. This was GREAT in basically bringing it all home in terms of what a person can do tonal-wise without ever having to spend a $ . I like how you say to try out the 3 different 'types' of strumming before even touching the tone controls on bass or eq on amp. Thanks so much for giving me a fresh perspective on this.
I love this lesson/story so much
Gosh, that tone is so... devine...
James Wilkes soooi
James Wilkes -_-
Hey Scott, been playing for 40 years, love your lessons, your heart, and your spirit. I learn something new everytime... Keep going!!!
Thanks for the heads-up Mike I'll defo check future videos before uploading them. Thanks for stopping by man :)
I love that deep crispy ring sound to it!!!! That's the way a bass should sound, but i am open to other sounds for other ideas! ;)
9:58 that has always been my favorite sound, mid with a punch.
Mine's the bitey one... I've always played pretty hard and dug my fingers in there, so I appreciate the sound more. To be honest I'm only just learning how to play softly or "properly" after 3 years!
Reon Tomasu as is mine. I'd like to know what to call it or describe it so I can look up more videos on how to get that tone
I hear that bass tone a lot in African music especially Nigerian music. I don’t know what it’s called either.
The feel of your playing along with the backing track is textbook awesomeness.
Thanks for all your online lessons! I started off as a guitarist(been playing for 15 years) then started with your online lessons - wanting to learn a new instrument. And I've learned LOTS, not only with playing the bass but as a musician in general. Cheers!
Your lessons are always helpful! Your skills are awesome! :)
I love this lesson! I have a Squier Affinity Precision Jazz Bass, something people would right off as a cheapie crap of a bass. But It isn't, not only are they completely wrong, bass's sound and tone challenges those of an American Precision. But also I put myself into the bass, I play in the way I play and I can never change it and I don't try to. I figure out how I play and master my style.
MUD_ I agree, and you can even make improvements to that Squier with better pickups and electronics, but not because is cheap it doesn't sound good. I have tested the SX URSA basses they sound quite good actually for a $129 bass!!
Technique, more than a expensive bass, makes the difference. Now, it does help if the bass is confortable and helps you play with cero stress.
Larry Gonzalez Well said, I have thought of making improvements. I just sometimes don't have the cash for it or i'm saving my money for other things (right now, Fallout 4 collecters edition)
I also have a Affinity Squire P-Bass... just changed the pickups. Set Up and what a difference ..I Love My Bass..
Nothing wrong with a Squire P Bass. Mine was given to me by a retired professional Nashville musician. He used it on the road so as not to destroy his more expensive stuff. It's beat all to hell but still sounds amazing. If it was good enough to back up George Straight, it's good enough for me.
This is one of the MOST HELPFUL bass lessons I have watched. You opened up the universe of tone to me. Thanks for providing a necessary key.
Great lesson as usual. I see you were avoiding saying the usual “tone is in the fingers” cliche that gets thrown around a lot and actually just showed everyone how to achieve great versatile tone. Really enjoyed this.
That bass sounds delicious.
Those notes are so thick and solid I could slice them up and fry them.
or do his fingers?
I really wanna try this on my bass but I'm in bed right now
Bennito246 so what? It’s always the right time for bass
A real bassist sleeps with his bass :/
You can play bass in bed..I've proved it
@@Hyde-fi_Audio word
This video is so good, I’ve realized for several years I started chasing tone, using pedals, preamps etc.
what started happening, I was obsessing over electronics to get the tone & was overlooking my actual playing technique.
Through some changes in the sound setup of our church stage, I put the preamps away & started playing just direct DI, no effects or preamp.
I started noticing all those differences in my sound, was all depending on me & how I was actually playing the bass! 😯🙄 exactly what you’re talking about.
So I’ve come to see electronics for bassists as a distraction that keeps the player chasing their tails- when the real key is in your fingers 👌🏼
Hey Scott!! I want to thank you for the time you spend teaching us how to improve and discover our skills while playing and meeting our basses, for now I will practice in order to get my own sound, cause as you said, everyone has a unique sound!
Don't lie.
We all know you're just protecting the special brand of wool your glove is made of.
10:15 defo Jaco's sound.
Exactly. I find it as the best settings for a fretless bass
I was thinking that too!
Great reminder that one of the biggest contributors to your tone is your hands. I've also found that the tactile feedback you get from the instrument when playing in these different positions live can also contribute to how you play into the tune. Sometimes the digging in that you get closer to the neck will make you want to groove in a certain way, while playing closer to the bridge will change how you deliver the groove. Great and thoughtful video as always, Scott!
You rock!
I've seen people talking about these kinds of ideas before, and yet I've never got my head into it... but somehow this video made a big light switch on in my head. You have such a great teaching style. 'Coaxing' the notes out is exactly what I'm missing.
Peace!
Scott, is that a 34" or a 32" scale bass you're playing. The neck looks small on that bass.
It just a regular 34
what kind off bass does he use It looks like a jazz but I don't see a fender or squire logo.
Overwater
Looks like it essentially is a jazz bass, 3 knobs, j pickups, just an overwater instead of a fender.
Man I just started playing bass in December and your channel is a godsend. Thank you for all this free instruction you put out
Thanks Scott. Been playing Bass For well over a year, but Since i started applying your lessons, i have seen a marked improvement, I am so totally Grateful Man!!
i want to watch this video but im stressing out trying to hear it...
If you're using your computer speakers then you'll never hear solid lower frequencies as clearly as with actual speakers or earphones.
Squint your ears
I'm using good earphones and the voice is still muddy. Lesson probably needs to mention eq and compression also!
the equipment totally doesn't matter, guys. everybody can go home now. oh wait, what's that? is that a 2500€ overwater bass guitar? see, THAT's the kind of gear that you CAN afford to leave at flat settings because it will sound good on it's own.
It helps a bit but I've seen many a great player get some amazing tones from a $50 pawn shop bass and an amp from the flea market.
Got my amp from a flea market, 20$. Still the only amp I use.
Fair point. But you can get a good sound with technique and hand position over the pickups
New to bass guitar - I have been trying for a year to find a decent tone - now I have it! Thank you soooo much.
Been playing bass for more years than I can remember and I always learn something when I watch these videos. Love this one.
I'm just trying to get my bass sound "clearer"... Doesn't matter how I "pronounce" my tones, my bass tone is simply.. muffled? Is that a word? I want it to sound brighter. Or am I dreaming and should I use a different finger technique? By the way, I'm a guitarist trying to learn bass.
+Rabin Miguel Buy new strings
+Rabin Miguel What kind of bass is it? Maybe you just have a muddy sounding amp/pickup combo. My bass and amp sound awful together! So I use my PC as an amp and just use the cab as a speaker.
Also, you probably already know this, but don't run a bass through a guitar amp. It has to be a bass amp. But you can run a guitar through a bass amp!
I too am a guitarist learning bass, and I think it's kind of dangerous because I have a tendency to compare the bass to a guitar too much. It's a whole different animal!
and new strings do make a huge difference.
+Rabin Miguel if you play a p-bass buy a jazz-bass and the new strings help
here's a tip most guitarist need to learn. you are not better than us just because you can play guitar. and playing bass is not easier than guitar. not talking to you in particular just guitarists in general
Rest in peace Mr. Allan Holdsworth. Let's keep his groove alive, friends!
tx scott it really help,i was always tuning my amp like a crazy during gig,now i hear the difference and i can play without the stress.
A great lesson, among many wonderful lessons.....I have been waking up to the seemingly endless nuances in one's touch, realizing the EQ is a much smaller part of my focus in regards to getting a nice tone. Nicely done. Likey.
Anesthesia ( pulling teeth ) is a REALLY clean bass song ;)
+FrostyLawler clean is the main word of pulling teeth
HAHAHaHAHAHAHAHA anestesia? clean? omg your ears are full of trash....
Sarin tos You replied to a two year comment, I don’t think you have any say in someone else’s opinion from almost 3 years ago.
CommanderShimi One opinion is just as valid as the next even a three-year-old opinion on a 35-year-old song…
Especially since the Internet is forever, and here you are taking notice.
Anyway, I was thinking the same thing, I hope the original poster was being sarcastic because Anesthesia is anything but clean.
Oh my lord it's a joke, he even used the wink face
I wear a freddy krueger glove when I play. Killer tone.
rock Onmyboi I see what you did there.
This really helps me a lot.
It's true. The power is in your HANDS. God Bless you.
Thanks Scott.
I'm a drummist! But recently got the bass slot in a heavy rock band.
As I'm just starting out on the ol 4 stringer,I find your lessons and your approach to teaching beginners like myself spot on.
Cheers fella.
what is your beautiful sounding bass name?
Giorgi Samsonadze Most of his bass guitars are from Overwater
Giorgi Samsonadze it's scott's overwater signature bass
I like the standard jazz bass. With a good amp. They sound great!
Overwater basses man :)
You're awesome! I like that you emphasized on hand placement as well how you attack the strings to get a completely different sound. I recently transition to bass from years of playing guitar, and this lesson definitely will help me discover new sounds from my bass. Having an active bass, options are definitely there in terms of tones.
Scott, I like the fact that I can actually hear your breathing while you're playing. That is another technique you could elaborate on. Good stuff!!
I trust the hell out of you. You could tell me the earth was flat and I would immediately become a Christian, no question.
christians believe the earth is flat?
Nathaniel Haiden looks like it thought i dident know about this fact befor now .
Nathaniel Haiden
well they certainly burnt a lot of people for thinking otherwise.
rantanen1 Name one.
My comment was referring to how the people whom wrote the bible believed the Earth was flat and why would they be wrong about that if they got the bible so right? You know? :P Please do not start a religious debate here, Scott doesn't deserve the spam on his channel.
Alan's track Scott was talking about. ua-cam.com/video/HgL7WCE-eZo/v-deo.html
justinmusic11 yes! thanks couldn't understand shit of what he said there
I must have listened to him mentioning this track and artist 10 times and couldn't make out a damned thing. Such an entertaining teacher but such a garbled recording, with lots of the highs clipped. Thanks for posting the link and thanks to the other guy who posted the names he was saying. Anyone who inspires someone to pick up an instrument and become a musician deserves at least a listen.
I'm just starting out playing bass, and this lesson showed me a thing or two about why my sound has been inconsistent at times. Thanks, Scott! (the guy running our sound board thanks you too ;) )
Scott, your best lesson yet! sounds great when you dig in!
"I am gloveman"
maybe watch video "the real secret to having a normal microphone when making a video in which you talk"
Maybe you should watch the video called "Go fuck yourself"
SgtVegan I wish I could thumbs up that comment 100 times! OMG haha!
SgtVegan Could you be more clear about what video you are talking about? Link maybe...
No reason to get agressive. For a video in wich you talk a mic thats also set up to speaking makes sense.
Scott is unique as a teaching bass player. He has the gift of taking something that is very difficult to master and breaking it down to something the average player can grasp and work on to better their playing. A teacher supreme, and a killer player. Thanks Scott for what you are doing. Doc, a player of 30 years +.
That is a lesson I've been waiting for many years. Thanks so much Scott!
Hi Scott.. thanks for this one.. doing it by nature for years and years, but now i can wrap my mind around what i am doing and actually show it too... :) referring my pupils to you as we speak... time and time again.. BIG UP!!
thank you Scott, I am just starting with my bass and i find this lesson is really helpful!
Thanks this was very eye opening. I have always heard the sound is in your hands. I have more of that raspy sound your were talking about and want more of that solid full sound you have when you play from the back. going to start practicing that more now. Now that I know I will watch yours hands that much more now. Thanks Scott
You got my subscription for not only your fantastic bass playing but for also turning me on to Allen Holdsworth's work.
I like how you state the sound of the instrument comes from the player. My students always thinks it's my instrument that makes me sound the way I do.
This is really the ultimate advice for any instrument. See what you can do with your (fill in the body part that reacts with the instrument).
Smart and practical bass player information in this, and all, of your videos Scott. Thanks for putting in the time and effort to share with us.
I had already understood that moving your right hand changes the tone. However, I've never had context to show me uses for that tone changing. this video completely cleared that up for me! great stuff
Great insights Scott...I too have been in search of the holy grail of "tone", not only on Bass. but on the Guitar, as well. I believe you've got the right answer...tonal quality is in you fingers...nice! Great job, I'll be back often...
For these videos - nope. Straight into a digital interface (digidesign 003) then into protools. I add a little bit of bass and a little reverb so it doesn't sound too dry and that's it. Thanks for stopping by Daniel! :)
Thank you for all that you share for free online. 7000th like on this particularly vital lesson seemed like it required comment. I've used your videos since I started playing bass two years ago. Much appreciated!
Great stuff, love the sounds you get and great clear teaching.
brilliant! clear as day, not all about tone controls on bas or amp.....holy moly!
As always, incredible content!! It has even more impact when showed in a video to me!
Scott great lesson on getting different tones out of the instrument! I think what's important when it comes to equipment, is if it's capable of adjusting and getting the tones one's after. Basically the technique comes first, however with improved technique the limitations of equipment can be exposed. I'm guessing that's why you don't play a squier affinity into an Acoustic 10 watt practice amp. From this I think that sharing what is good about a piece of gear in achieving your tone is actually helpful to someone who is searching for tools for creating their tone.
Just listened to the song from Hard Hat Area and I'm inspired to play my bass even though I just finished a long ass jam session and my shoulder and back are sore
A really nice lesson on the tonal variety that one can get out of their own body! Subbed!
Hi Scott ! Thanks to remind that crucial point to all of us !
I had the same story back in the eighties, when I met for the first time the great Tony Levin in a studio in Paris. I was already a big of him. Asking him what amp or effects he used to have his HUGE tone, I discovered that he didn't have any, just the same Stingray bass and Boss pedals I had at home...
When I played HIS bass, my tone was still "tuhh, tuhh, thuu..." whereas his tone was "BAOUMMM". All was in the hands....
This best lesson in my life !
Since then, we are good friends, we met every time he comes in Switzerland or near, BUT I still don't have HIS tone, no matter what bass or equipment I play !!..
Cheers.
P.E.
This is actually gonna help me a lot. I'm getting a myself a bass in a month or two and getting different tones here looks tons different from the ways I get different tones on guitar. But these different techniques will also help with that even though I've been playing for a while, thanks,
You are right! For a long time I wondered how to get the bass tone of the rock music of 60's. I thought everything is about old tube amps, but some day I was recording and I get it! The true is, that the tone comes of the way of how they was playing in 60's!
You showed me a lot of insight to how to work on sound options
Thank you Thank you
Scott. I kind of like to think I'm accomplished but it's so good to back to your ROOTS! Thanks for reminding me!
Thanks for the video, man! The 'solo' sound is probably mi favourite!
Niiiice! Very positive lesson and not selling me anything! Thanks for sharing I learned something here!
Christ!...the intro riff's tone is so rounded, so thick. brilliant!
so true, it's in the fingers, the hardest part of bass playing,and the funnest part is learning how to get tones from using the fingers..passive jazz bass is a good way to get it down.. this video is sooooooooo on point. scott, u rule, thank u for your time. kev
I used to keep me plucking hand fingers straight but curved and relaxed plucking fingers opened me tone up quite nicely.
I am loving your tutorials! You cover so many topics and details, and explain in ways I can understand!
Congratulations for your channel and the way you explain every lesson. Great job!
Great tuition I could watch you for hours mate. I've got a unique tone that I've been using for years. I tend to use my thumb further up towards the top for a deeper tone
Hi, you're a great man, which naturally presents his musical knowledge, thanks for the lessons Fabian Poland.
Thanks for this one. I've been playing for 30 plus years. I'm not a "tone chaser"... Never gone out to the guitar shop to find "THE" bass. That said, this is a great reminder that I still need to explore my plucking hand position more. I get so caught up in the moment, I often forget that option is there. Thanks so much for the reminder.
Super helpful. Learned a lot, thank you Scott!
I love ur enthusiasim and ur story of being a fan of ur bass teacher
I have my Electric Guitar tone nailed, but have been frustrated with my Bass tone for almost 20 years. Cant wait to try out this lesson.
I learned more from this single clip than in the last couple years of playing in a band. Thank you!!! Love the push down bounce effect. Yeah, I know, I'm still a noob, but trying to get to the next level... Thanks!!!