I started playing bass at 57. My younger self had no inkling that he could do anything musical. Not entirely sure he'd have stuck with the practice even if I told him I started a band.
Josh my man, you are such an inspiration. I had not touched a bass guitar for 44 years until I purchased one 4 weeks ago. I am 64 years old and loving the bass again and all the 'newness' now available especially from people like you buddy. Keep up the great work and thank you!
Congrats Albert! I had stopped playing for 15 years and picked up the bass again 4 years ago at 51. And it has changed my life! There is so much great material to find here on UA-cam and Josh is one of the best! Keep at it. It took me about a year to get to where I was when I stopped playing. But I've learned more in these past 4 years than I did playing for 20 years. I love learning and practicing and I've connected with so many great people. Bass on!!
I'm 44 finally pulled the trigger last July a month before my 43rd b-day! Ive always loved the bass and is always my favorite part of music! Justin Chancellor has been my idol since he took over for Paul! I picked up a squier box set with everything I needed to start. Initially I planned on just learning in my free time on my own. I realized very quickly that this wasn't going to be enough so one day walking in GC they had a free 30 min lesson which I took advantage of. After that I was playing every song I wanted! Lol no jk obviously, but my instructor I had is incredible and I've been going once a week for an hour since November! I also started a journal keeping track of what I worked in and for how long and this has been a game changer! It shows me how much or how l lil I really did practice so I had no excuses if I was not making much progress! Also Allan is able to show me things that I'm doing or not doing right or wrong and this is huge! Also having someone support you and really want you to get better is priceless in my opinion! Anyway I'm no Victor or Justin Chancellor but I'm definitely getting alot better and it feels great! My only regret is that I didn't pick up a bass when I was younger!
Just a word of encouragement for everyone; I have always wanted to play guitar but it never clicked. A few year ago, at almost 40, I started to play bass and it just clicked! In the last year and a half I have learned how to read music, play scales, arpeggios, modes and music theory. I never thought I would come this far. And if some random, almost 40 year old woman from the midwest can do it, so can you!!! ❤❤❤❤
Similar story for me: played guitar for years and enjoyed it--but found relatively late in life that while I like guitar, I _love_ bass. Never to late to start or change instruments.
I’m so glad other mature women are getting into bass. I had never picked up a bass until about 2 years ago and I was hooked. I played acoustic guitar about 40 years ago but I never really liked it and got bored. Bass is wonderful, a truly beautiful instrument with amazing tone. I started taking lessons 2 years ago and never looked back. I’m still learning, growing and have learned a lot.
@@kaysmith5495 the bass is a super sexy instrument and I get frustrated that I’m not good yet , all I want to be is a good sexy player hahah but I know I need patience. I’m just worried it will take 10 years to even be good. It doesn’t help that I compare myself for sure
I admit I'm at a really low point in my life, even considering therapy and shit. Decided to pick up bass again instead, and this was the video waiting for me... exactly what I needed. Thanks Josh :)
Therapy ain't no shit! You just have to be lucky and find a therapist that fits you... that is the shit. Been there, done that... tried a few that didn't fit me, wasted time and money, and years of my life. The last one was the right one, and she changed my life for good - and for the best! A good bass guitar won't do you no harm in the meantime, but it ain't gonna save you in the long run ;-) Keep your head up and look for people who do you good! I wish you all the best :)
I am psychologist and pick at the banjo. Just checked in to get my banjo restrung and just ordered a new bass. Never played a note on one but that will change! Good move to try 'bass therapy' first my friend!
A *good* therapist is an amazing thing. They help answer many those questions about yourself and your life, that you can’t always do alone. They are super useful. So I recon go for both, friend! Making music is wonderful meditation. 🧘🏼♂️ (PS: & I recon visit a therapist at least twice times before deciding on whether they work for you. )
I started guitar at 13 and never quit, but I regret not picking up the bass until a little over 15 years ago. And regret ever letting self doubts get into my head (like a lot of people I am a harsh self critic) and not practicing more. Still, hearing someone so young say, "Dad band" makes me chuckle. A lot of my gigging friends are now my age or older. I'm just about to turn 60. I play bass in a band and I sing songs by the James Gang AND Led Zeppelin (and I'm decent). I'll be darned I'm going to start referring to myself as "Grandma" now, lol.! Keep on playing everybody!
I find this applies to most of life, no matter what our interests are. As a drummer I can say that the struggle is real for most of us. But if we truly love what we are doing we will go through many different phases. Change can be hard and is why most avoid it.
Thank you for making this video. “Embrace the suck” is something I’ve really needed to hear for years now because I can be so hard on myself. It’s easy to put yourself down and get discouraged. It’s not easy to embrace your failures, laugh them off, and keep going.
After 41 years on the bass and the ups and downs I can say this . When you see another bassist that is super good and you feel like you are crap just remember that there are plenty of bass players that see you and think the same. After gig chats and meet and greets cured that for me when great bass players would come up to me and say "damn dude great tone and playing". It's ok to be humble as a bass player, we are a humble bunch. Eat ,sleep and drink bass playing was my methode in the beginning and it worked for me. At 61 I still play, can join in on any jamm with confidence and ease and it is still a huge part of my life.
This is so true. You don't have to have mad technical chops to be a great bass player. The ability to sit in the pocket playing a tasty solid groove with a few interesting runs that serve a song will crush a busy player riffing away because they can. One of the biggest keys to music is having technical ability but knowing when to turn it off. It sounds easy but it's not lol.
One big boost for me was precisely, Comparison. Listening to other bassists in the cover band scene taught me I was more thorough, had a passion for actually learning the song and how it is, could and was to be played. Yes, I kept blanking when the guitarist started talking 'lingo', but mostly I was the only one in the band who really knew the song when we came to rehearsal. It's not exactly looking down on others, but knowing you really cared about the groove in a proper way.
@@BlackJackLopez Back in the day there were a few local bass players with great chops, I would watch and listen in awe, mostly fusion funk guys and that gave me incentive not discouragement. There was one guy that really impressed me and had me hanging on every note he played. He played a Kramer DMZ 5000 at the time and he left such an impression on me that I now have a DMZ 6000 in my collection.
Josh, thank you!!! This was right on time. I am 60 years old and haven’t played my bass in about 2 years because I moved from my own apartment (with a music room) into living with my 96 year old Dad in a small room to take care of him. My bass is in storage because of no room in my room. After listening to your video (this can be applied to anything in life that you want to achieve), I can create a very small space in this room to pull my gear out of storage to start practicing again. Thank you! This will be my gift to me for my B-Day next month! Thank you for the motivation! 💖🎸
I'm 56, you're 60... we got no time to lose. Gotta start living now, before it's over. I admire your dedication to your old dad, my girlfriend is doing nearly the same for her 96 years old mom... You do what you can, and that is beautiful and admirable, but don't let it stop you from living your own life! Try to find a moment for yourself every day, however short it may be... I wish you strength, courage, and all the best... and tell your dad I said he's got a gem of a daughter!
@@davidrichard2098 Yes! I do have a headphone that I can use with my amp. I was just so used to playing with sitting on my stool and having S P A C E. Now, I have to play on the corner of my bed and limited space. I will try to make it work! 😬 Thank you! 🙏🏾
@@wildepascal Thank you so much for your beautiful and inspiring words! 💖 He knows and thanks me all the time. I do a little bit of “living” which is going to concerts and listening to live music. With being the caretaker for my Dad and my full time job, time for myself is limited. I will make time for more pleasure because you are right… we got no time to lose… especially at my big age! 😉
Great video! One of my hobby is painting little soldiers, with many many professional miniature painters on the Internet. A couple of years ago, an article started floating around by a journalist explaining that he started a new hobby and « it’s OK to suck ». This article had lots of popularity within the miniature painting community. And he somewhat changed me. I am still annoyed to suck at bass, but each time I look at where I was 6 month earlier, I am reassured and my will to grow as bass player is reinforced.
I’ve just turned 70. Picked up the bass for the first time 18 months ago. Completed B to B last year thanks to your inspirational teaching method. I pick up the Bass most days now and challenge myself with different songs on UA-cam. Billie Jean has now been ticked off😂. Had great difficulty with The Power of Love, Huey Lewis but can nail it now after 3 months trying. When do we get B to B part 2 ? 😂
hi Josh, at 42 I bought a bass guitar and signed up for your course. I think it is the only thing possible for me, because you are one of the very few people who don't feel the need to "flex" their skills but instead try to instill positive messages. I think social media on the one hand offers a lot of very useful resources, but on the other hand it can have an unhealthy effect on people who feel insecure, because for every person who flaunts their talent/beauty/etc. there are thousands of people who feel incapable or inadequate. As an adult you are less flexible, but it is certainly easier to understand the importance of method and consistency, even a little at a time. It is more difficult to devote time to hobbies but surely one has less desire to "rush" the goal, whatever it may be. Thank you for what you do, but especially for how you do it.
This is f***ing lessons for the bass of my soul. So well written and clearly stated. This is why I subscribe and bought Beginner to badass. Josh isn’t JUST good at bass, but at being a calm reassuring presence and an advocate empathy, mindfulness, and appreciating your circumstances and living in the now. So incredible dude. This might be the best video ever on UA-cam!
I am in my 30s and my therapist suggested bass as a nice hobby. I am enjoying it so much I am not comparing myself to anyone but my goal is to learn "Peg" by steely dan in a years time.
Started watching your videos a few months ago, I've always loved the sound of this instrument and wanted to learn how to play it. Finally bought myself a bass last week. Can't wait to learn it well so that I can and jam with my guitar friends.
I watch a lot of UA-cam videos, and I mean a LOT. Believe me when I say this video is incredible. I was so impressed with the honest breakdown of the internal struggle of being a musician, articulated in a way that I had felt but I never considered to be a universal experience. You should be very proud of this video, it is so clear and informative, introspective and raw. I especially love that you didn’t just leave each point at a vague statement, but actual took the time to dive into each concept. I primarily play saxophone but I have been learning bass and expected this video to be about technical tips and concrete strategies for bass. I found myself getting more out of it for my saxophone development that my bass development. Except of course that backwards bass tip, which is pure gold! I would love to see a version of this video targeted to all musicians with bass used as an example. I honestly think it could be a game changer for so many people who struggle with developing as a musician. Thank you for making impactful and meaningful content!
Josh, thank you for this gem of a video. I've always thought I'm too old to learn playing bass (45), but now I'd love to embrace this adventure as my midlife crisis project 😬 Thanks again and a big hug from Spain!!
I appreciate your tie ins with fiction writing, which I also spend time doing in addition to learning bass. And coincidentally, I’m stagnated on BOTH hobbies these days… I’ve heard tip 3 several times now, but I’ve never heard of tip 2. Gonna spend some time figuring that out. Thanks Josh!
Thanks for the reminder about the 'comparison' demon. After a sickness and 15 years absence from playing, I have now been back at it for 3 years(I'm now 61 years old). It has been a long, slow, painful, and at times very frustrating(pissing me the f*** off) return to a decent level of playing. I found your channel a little over a year ago and have found great advice and inspiration from you. The advice I got from you about practicing things painfully slow has probably improved my playing more than any other single piece of advice. Keep up the great work! Peace
Thanks for the video, Dawg. I've been horribly neglecting my bass playing for many months and I need to start "embracing the suck" so that I can play like I've always wanted to.
This is an incredibly important video. Not even just for bass playing but for any instrument, or hell, any skill really. Really good advice man, I've been going through your lessons too and you really have a knack for teaching.
Great video, Josh! I really admire your vulnerability and it helps bass players of all levels realize “it’s not just me.” I am inspired to go back to playing “Peg” by Steely Dan and figuring out how to play the chorus correctly instead of the fingerstyle substitute I currently do (and many other songs I’ve been faking through the hard parts). Thanks for this mindset lesson!
Amazing story about how Chuck Rainey *snuck* in the slapping on that chorus against Fagen and Becker's wishes - ua-cam.com/video/waIBA6_0GQc/v-deo.html
This video is so awesome. I can apply it not just to bass but to LIFE as well. At 38 I did the beginner to badass course with no previous bass experience. Was one of the best choices in my life. Josh has this extraordinary way of teaching and making it fun. Thankful for this channel.
Josh man.. I'm one of your subscribers here. THANKS for this video! I haven't abandoned my bass... maybe just for 1 week because of work, max 2 weeks because of traveling in the last 2 years. I always try to sit with my lady and practice. the reason WHY... yes, powerful tool. Thanks for the message and being sincere. I like it when people are able to talk about the real stuff and not just trying to show how amazing they are. Talking from the weak side unites us, we all have one. THANKS. Besides, your videos are super enjoyable and fun. I always watched them completely, no matter how long.
Great video. You hit it all spot on with my bass quest. I got your course months ago and dropped out. I just got back at it, and this video helps a lot.
44 years old, started just at 42. Was I too old to learn? Maybe. Did I give a shit about it? No. Because at the very end this is my journey. I don't pretend to become the next Jaco, I am happy learning and playing music at my own rhythm. Don't let age prevent you from learning new stuff!
I really need to hear the comparison part. I remember feeling crushed when I realized Julia Plays Groove was already learning and recording really difficult bass lines after just a year or so of playing. I felt so crappy that I wasn't at that level, and it seriously discouraged me. I kept up with my playing, but it dented my confidence for months. I feel like I'm not advanced enough for the length of time I've been playing, but that's probably because I discount my progress.
Josh! This is one of your best videos! The lessons in this video are so important. Thank you for being my first bass instructor!. Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you for your vulnerability and candor! It's so encouraging for me to hear seasoned and talented musicians share their past and current challenges. Our relationship with music/our instrument is not always smooth but always worth it. 🙏🏾
But seriously, I started your B2B course in early 2020 during the start of the pandemic and actually went through the course twice. The course itself was a great motivator, gave me direction in my bass playing. Now, I've recently retired and really having a blast playing bass! Still waiting for BassBuzz B2B 2.0 course! (hint, hint)
I picked up bass after quitting guitar a long time ago, the beginner to badass lessons have made the biggest and fastest impact on my playing! literally life changing (plus all the UA-cam tidbits, absolutely killer)
DUDE LITERALLY I WAS THINKING ON SEARCHING YOUR CHANNEL FOR THE ABSS COURSE AND THE FIRST VIDEO IN MY RECOMENDATION IS YOU. HOLY SHIT BRUH. IT'S DESTINY
i just bought a bass after thinking about it for a while and i’m really excited to start playing- i do a lot of art and it’s been hard for me to consciously practice, so i hope that i can get better at practicing by learning this! thank you for such a real video lol; it’s way more appreciated than the ones that are literally just “practice!” without any context.
Another fantastic video Josh!! I love how you incorporate psychology and learning methods. Growth mindset! I teach that in my Psychology class! So great to see that in this video. One way I embraced the suck, I tried to teach myself how to read music, which I never learned. I bought a Hal Leonard book on how to read music, and it was really, really challenging to suck again. But practice and the thrill of learning and improving was so enjoyable. Thanks for the video.
Oh my. Just started to learn the bass about 2 months ago, and I’m happy I found your videos to help me. I’m glad you talk about the mindset, ’cause this is where it all begins. Embrace the Suck! (This could be my new life guidance 😌) Love your videos 💜
This is great! I'm just starting out, and one thing that's helped me (as you mentioned) is to accept that I'm gonna suck at first. This helps me with the comparisons (yes, and who hasn't compared themselves to Ellen Plays Bass? 😄), while understanding that this is gonna be a marathon, not a sprint. Also acknowledging that I am getting noticeably better with each practice session. So if I wanna continue to get better, you know... stick with it. I appreciate the advice in the video, because I also have to accept that there may be a time where this "utopia" I'm experiencing may stop. Then I can come back here. Thanks Josh!
Oh, Ellen Plays Bass. I love that cute, triumphant smile of hers, but her "Hysteria" video made me feel even more clumsy... But, that actually made me want to play that dang song if it's the last thing I do... :D
Josh, I can't thank you enough for posting this video at exactly the right time. I've been feeling stuck with playing bass or any instrument really for months. We played a big show at a school festival last July, but ever since then I've had no motivation to pick up my bass again, cause it felt like there wasn't any point anymore. I worry too much about the why's of why I play, but this made me realize I don't have to, and I can just play because I love to. I'm excited to pick up my lovely bass again!
Excellent book choice 0:02, the Thesaurus is a reference, and not just for bass and don't walk barefooted when handling electric equipment 7:45. Failure, if addressed properly, is success in progress.
My dad wasn't around a lot when I was younger. He was always a huge bass player. Now that I'm almost 30 and have the chance to spend time with him, it's been huge to me to have gotten my first bass and begin learning. Slow progress is progress and I'm having a blast. Thank you so much Josh for giving me this opportunity to connect with my dad and not lose heart looking at books I struggle to understand and make my eyes glaze over. It's much easier to learn and engage on these videos and it means a lot to be able to bring growth with me ever time I get to see my dad
As others have said below... never too old. I have never played any instrument, and decided to start in my mid fifties. And definitely agree that the WHY is key. Now if only I could find someone to bring me some spaghettios. Thanks for the Vids Josh, you are one of the most motivational you tubers out there. (and how do you have time to do so much editing for each vid? ) Keep up the excellent work!
I'm 60 years old, I was asked to play bass with our praise band at church. I'd never played bass. I went from purchase to practice to performing in 7 weeks. I turned the fretboard into a spreadsheet and was able to play. Last week was my 16th week of performing with the band. This is the most fun I've had in the last 10-20 years. I look forward to getting better and better as time goes on.
Very good advices! I have been playing for a year, and im 42, its not to late to begin playing. I love the bass, definitely my thing. Thank you for the positive attitude!
Great video. Awesome video. I played bass from my teens up until about age 30. I stopped playing mostly because career, life, etc. got in the way. Put it down, forgot about it. My bass lived in my basement all those years, crying out to be played. So, I finally gave in and picked the instrument up again at age 50. My only goal in playing now is to just be as good as I personally can. I don't need to be the best. I just want to feel the accomplishment of getting a teeny bit better each time I pluck the strings. If I can get a spot in some old geezer dad-rock band playing covers to an audience of 10 at some cheesy township festival where I play next to a bouncy house full squealing kids, I'll be 100% happy. What advice would I give my younger self? If another human being can do something, then so can you. You have the same raw material as everyone else -- a body, a brain, a bass. Will you become as talented as Victor Wooten? No. Definite No! (Setting expectations is important!). But you will get good at something, probably better than most people you know. On the other hand, the thing that I know with a 100% certainty is that you'll never, ever be the next Victor Wooten if you don't even try.
I just got a bass from my grandpa and have been wanting to learn it. I got it tuned and your channel has been awesome. I’m learning a riff for a friend right now and your channel has been amazing
"So how do we stop stupidly waiting for inspiration to strike?" The answer: You don't. Embrace the inspiration when it hits and you may create the greatest thing you've ever done. There is a catch, however. It isn't "passively waiting for lightning to strike." But while you wait, prepare. Practice so that when the inspiration does strike you have the skills and training necessary to deliver on the full potential of that inspiration. John Wooden says, “When opportunity comes, it's too late to prepare.” We think there are two kinds of people: 1.) Those who spend their life waiting for inspiration to work, and 2.) Those who's work is uninspired. But there's a third: Those who work to prepare for when the inspiration hits. They will be diligent and inspired. So what are you doing to prepare? Me, right now my finger is hurt from a work injury so my playing isn't optimal. So I'm dropping synth tracks into a DAW so when my finger is better I'll be ready to record (still trying to practice how much I can tolerate).
good stuff Josh. I'm about to turn 60 and been tinkering around on a bass for a couple of years now. I have a lot to learn but I love music so I can identify with the things you are laying down. thanks for this one.
For 35+ years i've been playing. I have always practice when i really feel like it(had fun but never got really good.) I bought your B to B course and going through the basics again made me see some stuff that i was neglecting. Good course even for non beginners. Thanx Josh.
Really enjoyed this, Josh. I just started playing bass 'seriously' a a few months ago in the spring (big assist from your videos and your course - thank you!), but I have played guitar for a long time. You really struck a chord with me when you talked about wishing you were more disciplined/ serious in your 20s, which also definitely describes my guitar practice. Also, hard for me to imagine you ever struggling with the mental side of playing/ practicing, but it just shows it happens to everyone.
Get it! That's how I learned. Our bassist quit at Thursday practice so i bought a bass, downloaded the bass fretboard note chart, grabbed a copy of the chord/lyric sheet from the guitarist and was on stage Sunday morning. I sucked, but that was my motivation. I learned to pluck the notes quick, but still have a lot to learn. That was 3 years ago, much to learn but always learning! Good luck and God speed!
Man everything you've said resonates with me. I've had a bass since I was 15. Not till this year and I turned 31 did I actually play in a band and on stage for the first time and made my first bit of cash from playing. It was the most amazing feeling to get up in front of people and play for the first time and have fun. Keep doing what you do man! You've helped me sooooo mich!.
Oi, Dude! This is honestly the greatest video of its kind that I've ever seen, whether for learning to play my bass better or applying myself to anything else, really. You have my sincerest gratitude.
On the topic of "Am I too old to learn bass?" I'm 34 and started when I was 31. So, no. One other piece of advice I'd give: never be afraid to put down songs for a while. I had several months of space between attempts at learning songs like "Hysteria", until I finally felt I'd developed the skills to nail it. I'm still not perfect, but I've managed! Also, "Sucking at something is just the first step toward being sorta good at something." - Jake the Dog
What a fantastic video. As written in other comments, this is much more than a bass tutorial. I accidentally came across your channel after - being motivated by my 16-year old bass-playing son - going back to this instrument... having not played a note in 36 years. I won't be leaving it so soon. You earned a subscriber.
Hah.. this is helpful for me in many ways. I just turned 50.. I haven't touched an instrument since i was 17 or 18. I played guitar and hated it for years because of the scales, lessons, etc.. but I was never happy with the sounds I was making. My friends had a punk band and a few times I filled in at bass at practice and remember liking it so much but life went on and now im 50. Well.. I am very close to buying a bass and just seeing where it takes me. I want to make noise and play along to whatever I feel like/ I feel like now the way you can learn is so much easier than it ever was.
Just started playing bass. I love how you make it simple in your course and make it fun. Everyone else in my family plays guitar and I just want to be able to jam with them.
when i was learning to play bass i got super bored bc all the songs i was able to play were root notes, and then i found metallica and took a month to learn for whom the bell tolls, and it was everything great since then! i found your cliff burton’s video and checked out your channel, and it was probably one of the best things that could happen to me. thank you josh, you’re the goat!
I asked for a bass for my 15th birthday and my mom went and got me one. Only problem is she got talked into a five string. So while I was psyched to get a bass, it was way harder to learn on. Then it got stolen and I didn't play for 15 years.
Reading all these comments really puts things in perspective. I'm 24 and I really, REALLY spend a lot of time comparing myself to other people or, in general, doozing off because i don't want to play most of the time (mostly because I think I'm not good enough), but a lot of the things you said in this video really clicked with what I feel about my playing. It kinda makes no sense complaining about stuff like "Oh no, if only i didn't slack off during my high school years I would be a way better bass player right now!", it justs doesn't mean anything and it just makes things worse about my already feeble drive and motivation. I don't have to be at my prime right now, this is the time when I should be working hard AND having fun, thanks for making me realize all this stuff with a 12min video. Keep it up! Also, the metronome demon made me crack up so hard
YAAAAS!!! This is literally me! I wasn't totally crap in my late teens when i first picked up the bass, playing A LOT of stuff from a UK band named "The Stranglers", Jean-Jacques Burnel being the bassist (check them out if you haven't) and as you say life simply got in the way, as it does. I'm now 40 and started to rediscover bands from said 'youth' (because awesomeness) and low and behold "Primus" was in that list which definitely reignited that want to 'bass', which in turn brought me to your channel! Cheers for the vids and helping that little voice in the head say "you can do this!"
I have just started to play bass after 30+ years of playing guitar. Your channel is my "go to" for everything bass: starting with which bass to choose. Great content!
Needed this. I got your course sitting here on the table. Made it to module 8. Got depressed and stopped. Trying to start back. Loved learning bass. It's a great course too.
Great Video! I play bass for years, and just got stuck in my playing. So at 51 years old i started to take basslessons. Never to old to learn new things
Your story is the same as mine 100%, my perspective has changed so much from trying to be a highly technical and flashy player double thumbing at light speed to one who looks for the right spaces in between every other instrument to make the whole piece as good as possible. You have so much freedom as a bass player, you're like a snaking river that can interweave rhythm, harmony, and melody all at the same time. My slap chops have never helped me much in a real ensemble situation, if the music is centered around the bass it works, but the bass is a very powerful instrument with a large sonic and dynamic range that can easily create a muddy mess. You need to respect the space that every other part of the music needs as well, if your bass playing is all over the place then you might be closing off places for the other instruments or vocals shine as well.
I don't have a bass yet, but my band director offered me to learn it for jazz band, and I really want to learn it and you are giving me confidence even though I haven't even touched a bass. These videos are awesome. Thank you Mr. BassBuzz.
I bought a Bass 3,5 years ago, played it a few times and loved it. Haven't touched it since for whatever reason. I just plugged my amp in and try again. Thank you!
Love this! I honestly feel like mindset is way more important than any technique. Having a growth mindset is MASSIVE and trusting that persistence and consistency will eventually make things "click" has been huge for me this last year. In addition...I play in a 'jam band' and realized something similar to this the other day in practice. I let something pretty small get in my head, and I felt like I forgot how to play songs that I KNEW inside and out, and the jams probably suffered the most. That spiraled, and honestly the only thing that brought me out of it was taking a deep breath and changing how I was thinking and going back to the beginner mindset. And, what do you know, I suddenly remembered how to play 😂
Fantastic video. The content is completely convincing. And it's impressive to speak about your own personal experiences and failures with such sincerity and humour. You've demonstrated that you've embraced and mastered the suck! I'm impressed. And I'll be putting these learnings into practice.
Great talk. Totally agree. At 47 I just play to play now. I've been raising kids for 25 years and haven't played as much as i used too. Now im teaching my kids Music, its my new why. Thanks for you insight and inspiration!
Yeah, you're never too old. I started playing at 46, and in November, it'll be a full year since I started. I can already play along to many of my favorite songs, which was my goal. Soon I feel I can jam with friends, and already have a few who said, "We'll have to jam sometime".
If you could time travel back to when you first started, what advice would you give your younger self?
Don't doubt the metronome
Buy a bass and not use the church's bass, score songs
Buy beginner to bad ass course sooner (still don't have it yet, but this will change soon :))
I started playing bass at 57. My younger self had no inkling that he could do anything musical. Not entirely sure he'd have stuck with the practice even if I told him I started a band.
I started 2 months ago. Im 26 now. I wish i could turn til back 10 years and tell myself to play that bass
Josh my man, you are such an inspiration. I had not touched a bass guitar for 44 years until I purchased one 4 weeks ago. I am 64 years old and loving the bass again and all the 'newness' now available especially from people like you buddy. Keep up the great work and thank you!
Congrats Albert! I had stopped playing for 15 years and picked up the bass again 4 years ago at 51. And it has changed my life! There is so much great material to find here on UA-cam and Josh is one of the best! Keep at it. It took me about a year to get to where I was when I stopped playing. But I've learned more in these past 4 years than I did playing for 20 years. I love learning and practicing and I've connected with so many great people. Bass on!!
Same!! 50 here learning bass first time and Josh’s vids are making learning enjoyable
I'm 49, and chose bass too. Over 6 string, and keyboard.
I just started on and off about 4 years ago. I just turned 50 and starting to pick it back up again.
I'm 44 finally pulled the trigger last July a month before my 43rd b-day! Ive always loved the bass and is always my favorite part of music! Justin Chancellor has been my idol since he took over for Paul! I picked up a squier box set with everything I needed to start. Initially I planned on just learning in my free time on my own. I realized very quickly that this wasn't going to be enough so one day walking in GC they had a free 30 min lesson which I took advantage of. After that I was playing every song I wanted! Lol no jk obviously, but my instructor I had is incredible and I've been going once a week for an hour since November! I also started a journal keeping track of what I worked in and for how long and this has been a game changer! It shows me how much or how l lil I really did practice so I had no excuses if I was not making much progress! Also Allan is able to show me things that I'm doing or not doing right or wrong and this is huge! Also having someone support you and really want you to get better is priceless in my opinion! Anyway I'm no Victor or Justin Chancellor but I'm definitely getting alot better and it feels great! My only regret is that I didn't pick up a bass when I was younger!
This isn't a bass tutorial video. It's a life tutorial video ❤
Yeah, you can actually apply it to anything aka "How to git gud".
THIS COMMENT
(I'm drummer, and everything said applies to drumming as well)
frfr
'Like an self-improvement video'
yes. 🙏🏻
Embracing the suck and Jordan's quote remind me of a quote in Zen Buddhism: "The master has failed more times than the student has ever tried".
Just a word of encouragement for everyone; I have always wanted to play guitar but it never clicked. A few year ago, at almost 40, I started to play bass and it just clicked! In the last year and a half I have learned how to read music, play scales, arpeggios, modes and music theory. I never thought I would come this far. And if some random, almost 40 year old woman from the midwest can do it, so can you!!! ❤❤❤❤
Similar story for me: played guitar for years and enjoyed it--but found relatively late in life that while I like guitar, I _love_ bass. Never to late to start or change instruments.
I’m having sooo much trouble with flying fingers and just it’s so frustrating AHH I don’t know how to get over that hump?!
Same here😊 I'm 40 and started bass 2 years ago.
I’m so glad other mature women are getting into bass. I had never picked up a bass until about 2 years ago and I was hooked. I played acoustic guitar about 40 years ago but I never really liked it and got bored. Bass is wonderful, a truly beautiful instrument with amazing tone. I started taking lessons 2 years ago and never looked back. I’m still learning, growing and have learned a lot.
@@kaysmith5495 the bass is a super sexy instrument and I get frustrated that I’m not good yet , all I want to be is a good sexy player hahah but I know I need patience. I’m just worried it will take 10 years to even be good. It doesn’t help that I compare myself for sure
I admit I'm at a really low point in my life, even considering therapy and shit. Decided to pick up bass again instead, and this was the video waiting for me... exactly what I needed.
Thanks Josh :)
Therapy ain't no shit! You just have to be lucky and find a therapist that fits you... that is the shit. Been there, done that... tried a few that didn't fit me, wasted time and money, and years of my life. The last one was the right one, and she changed my life for good - and for the best! A good bass guitar won't do you no harm in the meantime, but it ain't gonna save you in the long run ;-) Keep your head up and look for people who do you good! I wish you all the best :)
I am psychologist and pick at the banjo. Just checked in to get my banjo restrung and just ordered a new bass. Never played a note on one but that will change! Good move to try 'bass therapy' first my friend!
Yep, it does that
A *good* therapist is an amazing thing. They help answer many those questions about yourself and your life, that you can’t always do alone. They are super useful.
So I recon go for both, friend! Making music is wonderful meditation. 🧘🏼♂️
(PS: & I recon visit a therapist at least twice times before deciding on whether they work for you. )
same here except I'm going back to guitar
I started at 13 (my friend's band needed a bassist), stopped at 22 (life), and finally started again at 38 (joined a dad band)
I started guitar at 13 and never quit, but I regret not picking up the bass until a little over 15 years ago. And regret ever letting self doubts get into my head (like a lot of people I am a harsh self critic) and not practicing more. Still, hearing someone so young say, "Dad band" makes me chuckle. A lot of my gigging friends are now my age or older. I'm just about to turn 60. I play bass in a band and I sing songs by the James Gang AND Led Zeppelin (and I'm decent). I'll be darned I'm going to start referring to myself as "Grandma" now, lol.! Keep on playing everybody!
I am 13 and im starting bass because fruends need a bassist in their band
I find this applies to most of life, no matter what our interests are. As a drummer I can say that the struggle is real for most of us. But if we truly love what we are doing we will go through many different phases. Change can be hard and is why most avoid it.
Thank you for making this video. “Embrace the suck” is something I’ve really needed to hear for years now because I can be so hard on myself. It’s easy to put yourself down and get discouraged. It’s not easy to embrace your failures, laugh them off, and keep going.
Josh Fosgreen, bass badass, life coach. Who knew? Absolutely fantastic video my friend.
After 41 years on the bass and the ups and downs I can say this . When you see another bassist that is super good and you feel like you are crap just remember that there are plenty of bass players that see you and think the same. After gig chats and meet and greets cured that for me when great bass players would come up to me and say "damn dude great tone and playing". It's ok to be humble as a bass player, we are a humble bunch. Eat ,sleep and drink bass playing was my methode in the beginning and it worked for me. At 61 I still play, can join in on any jamm with confidence and ease and it is still a huge part of my life.
This is so true. You don't have to have mad technical chops to be a great bass player. The ability to sit in the pocket playing a tasty solid groove with a few interesting runs that serve a song will crush a busy player riffing away because they can. One of the biggest keys to music is having technical ability but knowing when to turn it off. It sounds easy but it's not lol.
Every bassist who you would consider so much better than yourself was just like you once, and now look at where he is.
One big boost for me was precisely, Comparison. Listening to other bassists in the cover band scene taught me I was more thorough, had a passion for actually learning the song and how it is, could and was to be played. Yes, I kept blanking when the guitarist started talking 'lingo', but mostly I was the only one in the band who really knew the song when we came to rehearsal. It's not exactly looking down on others, but knowing you really cared about the groove in a proper way.
@@BlackJackLopez Back in the day there were a few local bass players with great chops, I would watch and listen in awe, mostly fusion funk guys and that gave me incentive not discouragement. There was one guy that really impressed me and had me hanging on every note he played. He played a Kramer DMZ 5000 at the time and he left such an impression on me that I now have a DMZ 6000 in my collection.
Whenever is see someone better than me it motivates me to go practice for 2 hours
Josh, thank you!!! This was right on time. I am 60 years old and haven’t played my bass in about 2 years because I moved from my own apartment (with a music room) into living with my 96 year old Dad in a small room to take care of him. My bass is in storage because of no room in my room. After listening to your video (this can be applied to anything in life that you want to achieve), I can create a very small space in this room to pull my gear out of storage to start practicing again. Thank you! This will be my gift to me for my B-Day next month! Thank you for the motivation! 💖🎸
I'm 56, you're 60... we got no time to lose. Gotta start living now, before it's over. I admire your dedication to your old dad, my girlfriend is doing nearly the same for her 96 years old mom... You do what you can, and that is beautiful and admirable, but don't let it stop you from living your own life! Try to find a moment for yourself every day, however short it may be... I wish you strength, courage, and all the best... and tell your dad I said he's got a gem of a daughter!
Headphones amp would be an idea maybe. Most do a pretty good job. I got the wasa-air, but cheaper might do the job for your needs
@@davidrichard2098 Yes! I do have a headphone that I can use with my amp. I was just so used to playing with sitting on my stool and having S P A C E. Now, I have to play on the corner of my bed and limited space. I will try to make it work! 😬 Thank you! 🙏🏾
@@wildepascal Thank you so much for your beautiful and inspiring words! 💖 He knows and thanks me all the time. I do a little bit of “living” which is going to concerts and listening to live music. With being the caretaker for my Dad and my full time job, time for myself is limited. I will make time for more pleasure because you are right… we got no time to lose… especially at my big age! 😉
Great video! One of my hobby is painting little soldiers, with many many professional miniature painters on the Internet. A couple of years ago, an article started floating around by a journalist explaining that he started a new hobby and « it’s OK to suck ». This article had lots of popularity within the miniature painting community. And he somewhat changed me. I am still annoyed to suck at bass, but each time I look at where I was 6 month earlier, I am reassured and my will to grow as bass player is reinforced.
I’ve just turned 70. Picked up the bass for the first time 18 months ago. Completed B to B last year thanks to your inspirational teaching method. I pick up the Bass most days now and challenge myself with different songs on UA-cam. Billie Jean has now been ticked off😂. Had great difficulty with The Power of Love, Huey Lewis but can nail it now after 3 months trying. When do we get B to B part 2 ? 😂
hell yeah, man! i’m 14 and i’m new-ish too. good luck with all your future bass playing; i’m rootin for ya!
mix it up a bit and play some zutomayo, they've got some great bass!
variety is the spice of life after all!
Thank you. I'm 57 and just bought me first bass last weekend. First lesson in 2 days.
hi Josh, at 42 I bought a bass guitar and signed up for your course. I think it is the only thing possible for me, because you are one of the very few people who don't feel the need to "flex" their skills but instead try to instill positive messages.
I think social media on the one hand offers a lot of very useful resources, but on the other hand it can have an unhealthy effect on people who feel insecure, because for every person who flaunts their talent/beauty/etc. there are thousands of people who feel incapable or inadequate.
As an adult you are less flexible, but it is certainly easier to understand the importance of method and consistency, even a little at a time. It is more difficult to devote time to hobbies but surely one has less desire to "rush" the goal, whatever it may be.
Thank you for what you do, but especially for how you do it.
This is f***ing lessons for the bass of my soul. So well written and clearly stated. This is why I subscribe and bought Beginner to badass. Josh isn’t JUST good at bass, but at being a calm reassuring presence and an advocate empathy, mindfulness, and appreciating your circumstances and living in the now.
So incredible dude. This might be the best video ever on UA-cam!
Your honesty, including showing your weaknesses and struggles, has been more inspiring than any other advice you have given in this video.
I am in my 30s and my therapist suggested bass as a nice hobby. I am enjoying it so much I am not comparing myself to anyone but my goal is to learn "Peg" by steely dan in a years time.
Hope youre getting there
Started watching your videos a few months ago, I've always loved the sound of this instrument and wanted to learn how to play it.
Finally bought myself a bass last week. Can't wait to learn it well so that I can and jam with my guitar friends.
I watch a lot of UA-cam videos, and I mean a LOT. Believe me when I say this video is incredible. I was so impressed with the honest breakdown of the internal struggle of being a musician, articulated in a way that I had felt but I never considered to be a universal experience. You should be very proud of this video, it is so clear and informative, introspective and raw. I especially love that you didn’t just leave each point at a vague statement, but actual took the time to dive into each concept.
I primarily play saxophone but I have been learning bass and expected this video to be about technical tips and concrete strategies for bass. I found myself getting more out of it for my saxophone development that my bass development. Except of course that backwards bass tip, which is pure gold! I would love to see a version of this video targeted to all musicians with bass used as an example. I honestly think it could be a game changer for so many people who struggle with developing as a musician.
Thank you for making impactful and meaningful content!
I bought the beginner to badass course and it’s amazing. Thank you for making it!
Josh, thank you for this gem of a video. I've always thought I'm too old to learn playing bass (45), but now I'd love to embrace this adventure as my midlife crisis project 😬 Thanks again and a big hug from Spain!!
I appreciate your tie ins with fiction writing, which I also spend time doing in addition to learning bass. And coincidentally, I’m stagnated on BOTH hobbies these days… I’ve heard tip 3 several times now, but I’ve never heard of tip 2. Gonna spend some time figuring that out. Thanks Josh!
Thanks for the reminder about the 'comparison' demon. After a sickness and 15 years absence from playing, I have now been back at it for 3 years(I'm now 61 years old). It has been a long, slow, painful, and at times very frustrating(pissing me the f*** off) return to a decent level of playing. I found your channel a little over a year ago and have found great advice and inspiration from you. The advice I got from you about practicing things painfully slow has probably improved my playing more than any other single piece of advice. Keep up the great work! Peace
as an artist (non musician), this video is so important even beyond bass. everyone can learn something from this
Thanks for the video, Dawg. I've been horribly neglecting my bass playing for many months and I need to start "embracing the suck" so that I can play like I've always wanted to.
This is an incredibly important video. Not even just for bass playing but for any instrument, or hell, any skill really. Really good advice man, I've been going through your lessons too and you really have a knack for teaching.
Great video, Josh! I really admire your vulnerability and it helps bass players of all levels realize “it’s not just me.” I am inspired to go back to playing “Peg” by Steely Dan and figuring out how to play the chorus correctly instead of the fingerstyle substitute I currently do (and many other songs I’ve been faking through the hard parts). Thanks for this mindset lesson!
Amazing story about how Chuck Rainey *snuck* in the slapping on that chorus against Fagen and Becker's wishes - ua-cam.com/video/waIBA6_0GQc/v-deo.html
I wish you luck!! One step at a time! I love that bass line.
You and some other channel's inspired me to learn the bass. You were very helpful and i want to thank you for that.
Wow! Outstanding video. Not only about being motivated to play the bass but about motivation and perceived purpose in general. Thanks, Josh.
This video is so awesome. I can apply it not just to bass but to LIFE as well. At 38 I did the beginner to badass course with no previous bass experience. Was one of the best choices in my life. Josh has this extraordinary way of teaching and making it fun. Thankful for this channel.
0:57 fear and hunger sound effect?
Josh man.. I'm one of your subscribers here. THANKS for this video! I haven't abandoned my bass... maybe just for 1 week because of work, max 2 weeks because of traveling in the last 2 years. I always try to sit with my lady and practice. the reason WHY... yes, powerful tool. Thanks for the message and being sincere. I like it when people are able to talk about the real stuff and not just trying to show how amazing they are. Talking from the weak side unites us, we all have one. THANKS. Besides, your videos are super enjoyable and fun. I always watched them completely, no matter how long.
Started playing bass two years ago. And this is the best advice I’ve heard.
Great video. You hit it all spot on with my bass quest. I got your course months ago and dropped out. I just got back at it, and this video helps a lot.
44 years old, started just at 42. Was I too old to learn? Maybe. Did I give a shit about it? No. Because at the very end this is my journey. I don't pretend to become the next Jaco, I am happy learning and playing music at my own rhythm. Don't let age prevent you from learning new stuff!
I’m just starting out a 45yrs old
I really need to hear the comparison part. I remember feeling crushed when I realized Julia Plays Groove was already learning and recording really difficult bass lines after just a year or so of playing. I felt so crappy that I wasn't at that level, and it seriously discouraged me. I kept up with my playing, but it dented my confidence for months.
I feel like I'm not advanced enough for the length of time I've been playing, but that's probably because I discount my progress.
Josh! This is one of your best videos! The lessons in this video are so important. Thank you for being my first bass instructor!. Thank you for the inspiration!
Each time I experience motivation loss, I watch ANY BassBuzz video and I'm juiced up again. Thanks Josh!
These tips are great for any instrument! Thanks for the reminders and encouragement to keep rockin!
Thank you for your vulnerability and candor! It's so encouraging for me to hear seasoned and talented musicians share their past and current challenges. Our relationship with music/our instrument is not always smooth but always worth it. 🙏🏾
But seriously, I started your B2B course in early 2020 during the start of the pandemic and actually went through the course twice. The course itself was a great motivator, gave me direction in my bass playing. Now, I've recently retired and really having a blast playing bass! Still waiting for BassBuzz B2B 2.0 course! (hint, hint)
I picked up bass after quitting guitar a long time ago, the beginner to badass lessons have made the biggest and fastest impact on my playing! literally life changing (plus all the UA-cam tidbits, absolutely killer)
DUDE LITERALLY I WAS THINKING ON SEARCHING YOUR CHANNEL FOR THE ABSS COURSE AND THE FIRST VIDEO IN MY RECOMENDATION IS YOU. HOLY SHIT BRUH. IT'S DESTINY
i just bought a bass after thinking about it for a while and i’m really excited to start playing- i do a lot of art and it’s been hard for me to consciously practice, so i hope that i can get better at practicing by learning this! thank you for such a real video lol; it’s way more appreciated than the ones that are literally just “practice!” without any context.
Another fantastic video Josh!! I love how you incorporate psychology and learning methods. Growth mindset! I teach that in my Psychology class! So great to see that in this video. One way I embraced the suck, I tried to teach myself how to read music, which I never learned. I bought a Hal Leonard book on how to read music, and it was really, really challenging to suck again. But practice and the thrill of learning and improving was so enjoyable. Thanks for the video.
Oh my. Just started to learn the bass about 2 months ago, and I’m happy I found your videos to help me. I’m glad you talk about the mindset, ’cause this is where it all begins.
Embrace the Suck! (This could be my new life guidance 😌)
Love your videos 💜
Dude......Your videos are bass life savers!!!!
Your channel is singlehandedly making me more and more excited and confident in starting the Jazz Bass Guitar!
This is great! I'm just starting out, and one thing that's helped me (as you mentioned) is to accept that I'm gonna suck at first. This helps me with the comparisons (yes, and who hasn't compared themselves to Ellen Plays Bass? 😄), while understanding that this is gonna be a marathon, not a sprint. Also acknowledging that I am getting noticeably better with each practice session. So if I wanna continue to get better, you know... stick with it. I appreciate the advice in the video, because I also have to accept that there may be a time where this "utopia" I'm experiencing may stop. Then I can come back here. Thanks Josh!
I,m just starting to learn🎸
Oh, Ellen Plays Bass. I love that cute, triumphant smile of hers, but her "Hysteria" video made me feel even more clumsy... But, that actually made me want to play that dang song if it's the last thing I do... :D
Josh, I can't thank you enough for posting this video at exactly the right time. I've been feeling stuck with playing bass or any instrument really for months. We played a big show at a school festival last July, but ever since then I've had no motivation to pick up my bass again, cause it felt like there wasn't any point anymore. I worry too much about the why's of why I play, but this made me realize I don't have to, and I can just play because I love to. I'm excited to pick up my lovely bass again!
Excellent book choice 0:02, the Thesaurus is a reference, and not just for bass and don't walk barefooted when handling electric equipment 7:45. Failure, if addressed properly, is success in progress.
"and the lion will kiss the lamb!" lol that got me... the wolf will lie down with the lamb tho.
My dad wasn't around a lot when I was younger. He was always a huge bass player. Now that I'm almost 30 and have the chance to spend time with him, it's been huge to me to have gotten my first bass and begin learning. Slow progress is progress and I'm having a blast. Thank you so much Josh for giving me this opportunity to connect with my dad and not lose heart looking at books I struggle to understand and make my eyes glaze over. It's much easier to learn and engage on these videos and it means a lot to be able to bring growth with me ever time I get to see my dad
As others have said below... never too old. I have never played any instrument, and decided to start in my mid fifties. And definitely agree that the WHY is key. Now if only I could find someone to bring me some spaghettios. Thanks for the Vids Josh, you are one of the most motivational you tubers out there. (and how do you have time to do so much editing for each vid? ) Keep up the excellent work!
I'm 60 years old, I was asked to play bass with our praise band at church. I'd never played bass. I went from purchase to practice to performing in 7 weeks. I turned the fretboard into a spreadsheet and was able to play. Last week was my 16th week of performing with the band. This is the most fun I've had in the last 10-20 years. I look forward to getting better and better as time goes on.
Such a beautiful video! Love that you are hitting on the inner mind games that are such a big part of learning something new!
Very good advices! I have been playing for a year, and im 42, its not to late to begin playing. I love the bass, definitely my thing. Thank you for the positive attitude!
Great video. Awesome video. I played bass from my teens up until about age 30. I stopped playing mostly because career, life, etc. got in the way. Put it down, forgot about it. My bass lived in my basement all those years, crying out to be played. So, I finally gave in and picked the instrument up again at age 50. My only goal in playing now is to just be as good as I personally can. I don't need to be the best. I just want to feel the accomplishment of getting a teeny bit better each time I pluck the strings. If I can get a spot in some old geezer dad-rock band playing covers to an audience of 10 at some cheesy township festival where I play next to a bouncy house full squealing kids, I'll be 100% happy. What advice would I give my younger self? If another human being can do something, then so can you. You have the same raw material as everyone else -- a body, a brain, a bass. Will you become as talented as Victor Wooten? No. Definite No! (Setting expectations is important!). But you will get good at something, probably better than most people you know. On the other hand, the thing that I know with a 100% certainty is that you'll never, ever be the next Victor Wooten if you don't even try.
I just got a bass from my grandpa and have been wanting to learn it. I got it tuned and your channel has been awesome. I’m learning a riff for a friend right now and your channel has been amazing
"So how do we stop stupidly waiting for inspiration to strike?"
The answer: You don't. Embrace the inspiration when it hits and you may create the greatest thing you've ever done. There is a catch, however. It isn't "passively waiting for lightning to strike." But while you wait, prepare. Practice so that when the inspiration does strike you have the skills and training necessary to deliver on the full potential of that inspiration. John Wooden says, “When opportunity comes, it's too late to prepare.”
We think there are two kinds of people: 1.) Those who spend their life waiting for inspiration to work, and 2.) Those who's work is uninspired. But there's a third: Those who work to prepare for when the inspiration hits. They will be diligent and inspired. So what are you doing to prepare?
Me, right now my finger is hurt from a work injury so my playing isn't optimal. So I'm dropping synth tracks into a DAW so when my finger is better I'll be ready to record (still trying to practice how much I can tolerate).
good stuff Josh. I'm about to turn 60 and been tinkering around on a bass for a couple of years now. I have a lot to learn but I love music so I can identify with the things you are laying down. thanks for this one.
Nice video for me since it is the first day of me playing bass
Awesome, congrats and welcome to the bass family!
For 35+ years i've been playing. I have always practice when i really feel like it(had fun but never got really good.) I bought your B to B course and going through the basics again made me see some stuff that i was neglecting. Good course even for non beginners. Thanx Josh.
Finally a New bass Buzz vid😍
Really enjoyed this, Josh. I just started playing bass 'seriously' a a few months ago in the spring (big assist from your videos and your course - thank you!), but I have played guitar for a long time. You really struck a chord with me when you talked about wishing you were more disciplined/ serious in your 20s, which also definitely describes my guitar practice. Also, hard for me to imagine you ever struggling with the mental side of playing/ practicing, but it just shows it happens to everyone.
I'm almost 49, I just bought a bass, simply because I want to learn and maybe one day play for my church
Get it! That's how I learned. Our bassist quit at Thursday practice so i bought a bass, downloaded the bass fretboard note chart, grabbed a copy of the chord/lyric sheet from the guitarist and was on stage Sunday morning. I sucked, but that was my motivation. I learned to pluck the notes quick, but still have a lot to learn. That was 3 years ago, much to learn but always learning! Good luck and God speed!
Bass has no place in church
Good 4 u, keep practicing and you will get there! I bet ur church could use a bass🎉
Man everything you've said resonates with me. I've had a bass since I was 15. Not till this year and I turned 31 did I actually play in a band and on stage for the first time and made my first bit of cash from playing. It was the most amazing feeling to get up in front of people and play for the first time and have fun. Keep doing what you do man! You've helped me sooooo mich!.
0:57 fear and hunger sound effect?
Yes
Oi, Dude!
This is honestly the greatest video of its kind that I've ever seen, whether for learning to play my bass better or applying myself to anything else, really.
You have my sincerest gratitude.
On the topic of "Am I too old to learn bass?" I'm 34 and started when I was 31. So, no.
One other piece of advice I'd give: never be afraid to put down songs for a while. I had several months of space between attempts at learning songs like "Hysteria", until I finally felt I'd developed the skills to nail it. I'm still not perfect, but I've managed!
Also, "Sucking at something is just the first step toward being sorta good at something." - Jake the Dog
What a fantastic video. As written in other comments, this is much more than a bass tutorial. I accidentally came across your channel after - being motivated by my 16-year old bass-playing son - going back to this instrument... having not played a note in 36 years.
I won't be leaving it so soon. You earned a subscriber.
Hah.. this is helpful for me in many ways. I just turned 50.. I haven't touched an instrument since i was 17 or 18. I played guitar and hated it for years because of the scales, lessons, etc.. but I was never happy with the sounds I was making. My friends had a punk band and a few times I filled in at bass at practice and remember liking it so much but life went on and now im 50. Well.. I am very close to buying a bass and just seeing where it takes me. I want to make noise and play along to whatever I feel like/ I feel like now the way you can learn is so much easier than it ever was.
Do it! :)
Love that flip the bass idea. Good thing to do if you're feeling uninspired/unmotivated and just want to dork around and have fun with it
This is really helpful
Just started playing bass. I love how you make it simple in your course and make it fun. Everyone else in my family plays guitar and I just want to be able to jam with them.
Thank you so much.
when i was learning to play bass i got super bored bc all the songs i was able to play were root notes, and then i found metallica and took a month to learn for whom the bell tolls, and it was everything great since then! i found your cliff burton’s video and checked out your channel, and it was probably one of the best things that could happen to me. thank you josh, you’re the goat!
I asked for a bass for my 15th birthday and my mom went and got me one. Only problem is she got talked into a five string. So while I was psyched to get a bass, it was way harder to learn on. Then it got stolen and I didn't play for 15 years.
dude ! 😂
Reading all these comments really puts things in perspective. I'm 24 and I really, REALLY spend a lot of time comparing myself to other people or, in general, doozing off because i don't want to play most of the time (mostly because I think I'm not good enough), but a lot of the things you said in this video really clicked with what I feel about my playing. It kinda makes no sense complaining about stuff like "Oh no, if only i didn't slack off during my high school years I would be a way better bass player right now!", it justs doesn't mean anything and it just makes things worse about my already feeble drive and motivation. I don't have to be at my prime right now, this is the time when I should be working hard AND having fun, thanks for making me realize all this stuff with a 12min video. Keep it up!
Also, the metronome demon made me crack up so hard
Feels criminal to be this early
same
I’m going back to bed
I grant you a full pardon
YAAAAS!!! This is literally me! I wasn't totally crap in my late teens when i first picked up the bass, playing A LOT of stuff from a UK band named "The Stranglers", Jean-Jacques Burnel being the bassist (check them out if you haven't) and as you say life simply got in the way, as it does. I'm now 40 and started to rediscover bands from said 'youth' (because awesomeness) and low and behold "Primus" was in that list which definitely reignited that want to 'bass', which in turn brought me to your channel! Cheers for the vids and helping that little voice in the head say "you can do this!"
Dazed and confused led zepplin bassline is a nice goal
I have just started to play bass after 30+ years of playing guitar. Your channel is my "go to" for everything bass: starting with which bass to choose. Great content!
I ❤ BassBuzz
Getting involved in some sort of band always helped me suit up and show up. It gives you accountablity, inspiration, discipline
When I compare myself to other bassists, I just say "they're just playing guitar on a bass" and pretend they don't exist
Needed this. I got your course sitting here on the table. Made it to module 8. Got depressed and stopped. Trying to start back. Loved learning bass. It's a great course too.
0:24 what bass model is that?
Player series 2 jaguar?
Great Video! I play bass for years, and just got stuck in my playing. So at 51 years old i started to take basslessons. Never to old to learn new things
Noted. Instead of saying "There won't be an intermediate course" I will now ask "Will there be an intermediate course?"
Am I doing it right Josh?
😜
Your story is the same as mine 100%, my perspective has changed so much from trying to be a highly technical and flashy player double thumbing at light speed to one who looks for the right spaces in between every other instrument to make the whole piece as good as possible. You have so much freedom as a bass player, you're like a snaking river that can interweave rhythm, harmony, and melody all at the same time. My slap chops have never helped me much in a real ensemble situation, if the music is centered around the bass it works, but the bass is a very powerful instrument with a large sonic and dynamic range that can easily create a muddy mess. You need to respect the space that every other part of the music needs as well, if your bass playing is all over the place then you might be closing off places for the other instruments or vocals shine as well.
I’m 25 and have started learning Bass…My reason being I don’t want to be a skill less loser my whole life
Type shit
I don't have a bass yet, but my band director offered me to learn it for jazz band, and I really want to learn it and you are giving me confidence even though I haven't even touched a bass. These videos are awesome. Thank you Mr. BassBuzz.
I bought a Bass 3,5 years ago, played it a few times and loved it. Haven't touched it since for whatever reason.
I just plugged my amp in and try again.
Thank you!
Love this! I honestly feel like mindset is way more important than any technique. Having a growth mindset is MASSIVE and trusting that persistence and consistency will eventually make things "click" has been huge for me this last year.
In addition...I play in a 'jam band' and realized something similar to this the other day in practice. I let something pretty small get in my head, and I felt like I forgot how to play songs that I KNEW inside and out, and the jams probably suffered the most. That spiraled, and honestly the only thing that brought me out of it was taking a deep breath and changing how I was thinking and going back to the beginner mindset. And, what do you know, I suddenly remembered how to play 😂
Fantastic video. The content is completely convincing. And it's impressive to speak about your own personal experiences and failures with such sincerity and humour. You've demonstrated that you've embraced and mastered the suck! I'm impressed. And I'll be putting these learnings into practice.
Thanks Josh, I needed to see this video today!!!! “Embrace the Suck!” Is the best piece of advice that you gave here, along with “Know your WHY”…
Great talk. Totally agree. At 47 I just play to play now. I've been raising kids for 25 years and haven't played as much as i used too. Now im teaching my kids Music, its my new why. Thanks for you insight and inspiration!
Yeah, you're never too old. I started playing at 46, and in November, it'll be a full year since I started. I can already play along to many of my favorite songs, which was my goal. Soon I feel I can jam with friends, and already have a few who said, "We'll have to jam sometime".