I'm currently doing a free trial of your program and honestly, you're a legend, Scott. Having this level of guidance available on a website is truly revelatory.
You do nothing but continue to bring bass players (and musicians in general really) MASSIVE value bruv!!!😇 Thank you SO much for helping so many of us get this bass thing sorted out!!!🙏🏾
So true about the gear. My Ibanez fretless 4 string and my MIM Fender Jazz are the basses I enjoy playing the most. Combined they cost less than my $1k fretless 5 string.
I never took any bass lessons, and when I saw this video I had to see if I’ve been making these mistakes. Turns out, I’ve been using all the techniques Scott shows here as my natural way to play. I have no idea where I picked all that up, but it makes me feel great knowing that I didn’t start out with bad habits! People always remarked at how I’d use my little finger too. 😆
The 124 fingerings is the most useful of these as trying finger per fret lower down can stunt your progression. You forgot to mention removing the cubic zirconia of your Michael Jackson glove to aid fretting transition speed :).
Hi, thanks for the enthusiastic tutoring. I (58) just started with a Squier j-bass (and about to buy a fretless bass because it's only 100 Euro and looks cool) and really appreciate the help. Once I got my fingers a bit more under control I'll be back for more assistance.
Thanks Scott. Great tips to help improve a player's technique. Interestingly, for me at least, I came across a finger exercise gadget, which over time has helped strengthen my 'forgotten cousin in the corner'; it's also helped with the problematic see-sawing. The gadgets are cheap to buy, but by using it every day (like playing the bass) I've noticed my 'cousin' feels more at home with the rest of the finger-family.
in around the world, there is this line, in the middle of the verse, at the F chord position at the nut. and if you go down from the D string to A, you get so much clarity if you do the double finger technique instead of alternating the whole thing. it's just right
As far as gear addiction goes, It's not a bad idea to want to get gear. Still, the only gear you should really be worrying about is what you need to play bass ex: strings and whatnot. As far as pedals, I'd say to only get what you actually need for whatever genre of music you want to play. Ex: Djent you might want a distortion or overdrive of some sort. Or if you play a lot of 80s new wave you might want a chorus. Just don't go out at get something for the fun of getting something.
Hey Scott, greetings from Dallas, Texas. When can we get a solid jam video that's nothing but you laying down some filthy sick grooves? I'm an SBL member and watch your YT vids, and my favorite piece of content is the Pusher song vid you did with Josh Smith... that solo is inspiring. We all love the educational content...but give us some great jams sometimes too!
I'm new. I play standing up because it's uncomfortable sitting down for my right (plucking arm) shoulder. I have to bring my wrist up to my armpit, which brings my shoulder toward my ear. If I'm sitting, I think I'd rather approach the strings from the side rather than from the top. Then, I'd probably want a pick. When I stand up and play with my right arm in a relaxed position, strumming at my hip instead of ribcage, it feels way healthier ergonomically.
Hey Matt, from one bass player to another, do what works for you when it comes to comfort. You might also try adjusting your bass strap a little to combat some of your issues you are experiencing. Enjoy playing!
Hey! It's for 2 things really... Firstly to build finger strength in your fretting hand but also it means that your fingers don't have to make huge leaps to the next fretting position. If you're playing a note with your fourth finger and your other 3 fingers are fanned out away from the neck it is ultimately going to be more labour intensive for your hand to make it to the next note you need to play. Hope that helps & enjoy the process! 👊🏻
Hi Scott, the bass toolkit link is not below. Only a link to your academy course with 24 day trail offer which I cannot afford.... even though I wish I could.
Using the index, middle, & pinkie finger is how they teach you to play double bass in classical music. You don't even use your ring finger until you get into thumb position.
also just figured out the reason for the angled body shape lol. I see in this video, you lean your forearm on the instrument, but you also don't so I guess I can do both. I sometimes don't anchor my thumb when playing the E string, because that'll angle my wrist, and you really can't miss the E string. Also I like to put my elbow out like Tim Commerford does, as it straightens my wrist
Think of it as holding a weapon that shoots the enemy with bombs the size of which depend on the intensity and accuracy of the lick played. Yes, I have a big imagination. Lol
Speed - Your fingers have further to move. Fatigue and repetetive strain - with "floating thumb" (thumb resting on string below the one you're plucking) you're really only moving your fingers. Keeping your thumb fixed on the pickup means you're also opening and closing your hand. Sit there and open your hand, make a fist, open your hand, make a fist, keep it going and see how long before your hand is fucked!
@@DruEllz ... the thing with speed makes sense. But my hand is still fine after resting the thumb on the pickup for over 40 years, playing funk and jazz. I am very conscious of keeping it relaxed. But still, it is never too late to try new things. So here comes.....! lol
@@normg2242 I started playing in about '88 and it was only about 7 years ago that I changed to floating thumb. It just feels more efficient and comfortable. Obviously, it's impossible to do it for every single note. I don't bother if playing quick octaves, for example as, in that situation, it's smoother and easier to keep my thumb rooted. Every now and again I'll anchor my thumb on a pup to try out different ways of playing a line and usually I wonder how I ever managed to play like that! Plus, as was said above, muting is a lot easier too. Give it a go. You'll either hate it or wish you'd tried it 40 years ago.
@@JacqueRamon Do you mean just below the top knuckle? It was easier for me to measure against the line on the palm side of my hand. My hands are mid-sized and little pinky is just above the top line of ring finger. Did you actually look at other people's little finger compared to yours? Have you tried to angle your hand to get the little finger higher up on the fretboard?
@@donh5794 mine is just below the line on the ring finger. I just notice other people playing and their little finger has a better reach. It's more so if I was to play up near the 12th fret on the E and A it can be a bit of a stretch with the pinkie. Basically it measures 6cm / 2.5".
One major mistake is also watching too much random Bass videos and not practicing. UA-cam videos are fine, but they should be somehow relatet to a specific problem you are working on. 15 min practice is a lot of time to learn..
The only actual one-on-one instruction I have ever had on bass, my teacher at the time was SUPER adamant about using free strokes because they are faster... and they are. But the type of stroke depends on what you are playing. The more interesting thing I have found when playing, more specifically practicing, has to do with how hard to pluck. Not so much with respect to volume, but more... intent. Playing and practicing plucking with full intent on what you are doing, really owning the sound you are making, as opposed to maybe half heartedly so (which I find makes my plucking inaccurate and tonally weak). Especially when I try to practice quietly, so as not to disturb people... sort of draws my focus away from technique because my intent isnt accuracy in those types of situations. The same goes similarly for right hand though. Hopefully that makes some sense and I haven't rambled the point away 😅 Edit: Slow and loud is more useful than fast and quiet... especially in the beginning. I think thats sort of what i was getting at 😎
Absolutely get your point! Finding the right balance between technique and intention can make a world of difference, and starting with slow and deliberate practice sets a strong foundation. Keep owning that sound, and your journey will groove in the right direction! 🙌🏻🧡🔥
Biggest mistake is learning how to slap and then trying to incorporate that into all you do. Not all genres have to sound funky. Learn the blues and how to walk and arpegios first. Work on your tone and theory.
I'm currently doing a free trial of your program and honestly, you're a legend, Scott. Having this level of guidance available on a website is truly revelatory.
The spiderwalk exercise is a great way to incorporate the little finger and the thumb rest exercises.
You do nothing but continue to bring bass players (and musicians in general really) MASSIVE value bruv!!!😇 Thank you SO much for helping so many of us get this bass thing sorted out!!!🙏🏾
So true about the gear. My Ibanez fretless 4 string and my MIM Fender Jazz are the basses I enjoy playing the most. Combined they cost less than my $1k fretless 5 string.
I never took any bass lessons, and when I saw this video I had to see if I’ve been making these mistakes. Turns out, I’ve been using all the techniques Scott shows here as my natural way to play. I have no idea where I picked all that up, but it makes me feel great knowing that I didn’t start out with bad habits! People always remarked at how I’d use my little finger too. 😆
The 124 fingerings is the most useful of these as trying finger per fret lower down can stunt your progression. You forgot to mention removing the cubic zirconia of your Michael Jackson glove to aid fretting transition speed :).
Hi, thanks for the enthusiastic tutoring. I (58) just started with a Squier j-bass (and about to buy a fretless bass because it's only 100 Euro and looks cool) and really appreciate the help.
Once I got my fingers a bit more under control I'll be back for more assistance.
Yeah totally agree. I put the thumb on the A when playing the G string so you're muting the E, A and the D on the rest stroke. Cool vid. 😎
I just bought my first bass because of you and now I get this video ... just thank you you very much 😁
Thanks Scott. Great tips to help improve a player's technique. Interestingly, for me at least, I came across a finger exercise gadget, which over time has helped strengthen my 'forgotten cousin in the corner'; it's also helped with the problematic see-sawing. The gadgets are cheap to buy, but by using it every day (like playing the bass) I've noticed my 'cousin' feels more at home with the rest of the finger-family.
This just fixed my major problems! Thank You Scott!😮
Again very helpful.. I'm just starting learning... Scott is very good teacher
Little finger competing with big fingers, story of my life 😞
Thanks for the lesson!
amazing glasses
👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
in around the world, there is this line, in the middle of the verse, at the F chord position at the nut. and if you go down from the D string to A, you get so much clarity if you do the double finger technique instead of alternating the whole thing. it's just right
As far as gear addiction goes, It's not a bad idea to want to get gear. Still, the only gear you should really be worrying about is what you need to play bass ex: strings and whatnot. As far as pedals, I'd say to only get what you actually need for whatever genre of music you want to play. Ex: Djent you might want a distortion or overdrive of some sort. Or if you play a lot of 80s new wave you might want a chorus. Just don't go out at get something for the fun of getting something.
Thank you!
Hey Scott, greetings from Dallas, Texas.
When can we get a solid jam video that's nothing but you laying down some filthy sick grooves? I'm an SBL member and watch your YT vids, and my favorite piece of content is the Pusher song vid you did with Josh Smith... that solo is inspiring.
We all love the educational content...but give us some great jams sometimes too!
Try this YT search: "scott bass josh smith".
Body, thumb, stroke, little finger and gear. Any tips on the type of hat?
Bucket hat is the only appropriate hat.
Very true.
I'm new. I play standing up because it's uncomfortable sitting down for my right (plucking arm) shoulder. I have to bring my wrist up to my armpit, which brings my shoulder toward my ear. If I'm sitting, I think I'd rather approach the strings from the side rather than from the top. Then, I'd probably want a pick. When I stand up and play with my right arm in a relaxed position, strumming at my hip instead of ribcage, it feels way healthier ergonomically.
Hey Matt, from one bass player to another, do what works for you when it comes to comfort. You might also try adjusting your bass strap a little to combat some of your issues you are experiencing. Enjoy playing!
@@Farewelltokingz thanks so much. 👍
I want that P Bass 😢
fr
U n me both bro
At 9:30 why do you need to hold the string with all 4 fingers? (I'm a beginner) :p
Hey! It's for 2 things really... Firstly to build finger strength in your fretting hand but also it means that your fingers don't have to make huge leaps to the next fretting position. If you're playing a note with your fourth finger and your other 3 fingers are fanned out away from the neck it is ultimately going to be more labour intensive for your hand to make it to the next note you need to play.
Hope that helps & enjoy the process! 👊🏻
Hi Scott, the bass toolkit link is not below.
Only a link to your academy course with 24 day trail offer which I cannot afford.... even though I wish I could.
Using the index, middle, & pinkie finger is how they teach you to play double bass in classical music. You don't even use your ring finger until you get into thumb position.
What is thumb position?
also just figured out the reason for the angled body shape lol. I see in this video, you lean your forearm on the instrument, but you also don't so I guess I can do both. I sometimes don't anchor my thumb when playing the E string, because that'll angle my wrist, and you really can't miss the E string.
Also I like to put my elbow out like Tim Commerford does, as it straightens my wrist
probably I anchor it a bit behind the pickguard
the gloves you use! ... please put a linkin the comments
Too bad that your videos weren't around when I was trying to further my education in music.
Thanks for the reminder of me “litto finga” I’m inviting that weird litto cousin into me practice😉
Think of it as holding a weapon that shoots the enemy with bombs the size of which depend on the intensity and accuracy of the lick played. Yes, I have a big imagination. Lol
So is resting your thumb on the pickup for playing all the other strings a mistake? And if yes, why?
Resting the thumb on the low E when not playing it is a good idea, because it mutes the string, preventing any unwanted sound from that string.
Speed - Your fingers have further to move.
Fatigue and repetetive strain - with "floating thumb" (thumb resting on string below the one you're plucking) you're really only moving your fingers. Keeping your thumb fixed on the pickup means you're also opening and closing your hand. Sit there and open your hand, make a fist, open your hand, make a fist, keep it going and see how long before your hand is fucked!
@@caspervos9288... that's true...
@@DruEllz ... the thing with speed makes sense. But my hand is still fine after resting the thumb on the pickup for over 40 years, playing funk and jazz. I am very conscious of keeping it relaxed. But still, it is never too late to try new things. So here comes.....! lol
@@normg2242 I started playing in about '88 and it was only about 7 years ago that I changed to floating thumb. It just feels more efficient and comfortable. Obviously, it's impossible to do it for every single note. I don't bother if playing quick octaves, for example as, in that situation, it's smoother and easier to keep my thumb rooted. Every now and again I'll anchor my thumb on a pup to try out different ways of playing a line and usually I wonder how I ever managed to play like that!
Plus, as was said above, muting is a lot easier too.
Give it a go. You'll either hate it or wish you'd tried it 40 years ago.
Little Finger = Pinkie Finger 😉
Scott! Looks like a new P Bass? Nice!
i think he’s had this one god a while. it looks familiar
@@harrycat8 not sure how I missed it-have not seen that one before.
My rest strokes make a thump sound when I hit the next string 😔
"Rule of thumb" 2:57 Okay, that was kind of shameful. 😁
**rim shot**
Google says site can't be reached ?
I use my little finger but it's a lot shorter than most peoples so it's harder to use.
How do you know your little finger is shorter than most people's? My pinky is a bit above the line of my ring finger.
@@donh5794 mine is just below the second knuckle on my ring finger.
@@JacqueRamon Do you mean just below the top knuckle? It was easier for me to measure against the line on the palm side of my hand. My hands are mid-sized and little pinky is just above the top line of ring finger. Did you actually look at other people's little finger compared to yours? Have you tried to angle your hand to get the little finger higher up on the fretboard?
@@donh5794 mine is just below the line on the ring finger. I just notice other people playing and their little finger has a better reach. It's more so if I was to play up near the 12th fret on the E and A it can be a bit of a stretch with the pinkie. Basically it measures 6cm / 2.5".
@@JacqueRamon Mine is only slightly longer. Keep playing those notes with your little finger, stretch it out and don't give up.
The bad thing is that most of the people wants to play only, not to learn!
Facts...in 2.06 year I haven't learned nothing but I play 200 songs 🥴 now I'm trying to learn
One major mistake is also watching too much random Bass videos and not practicing. UA-cam videos are fine, but they should be somehow relatet to a specific problem you are working on.
15 min practice is a lot of time to learn..
The only actual one-on-one instruction I have ever had on bass, my teacher at the time was SUPER adamant about using free strokes because they are faster... and they are. But the type of stroke depends on what you are playing.
The more interesting thing I have found when playing, more specifically practicing, has to do with how hard to pluck. Not so much with respect to volume, but more... intent. Playing and practicing plucking with full intent on what you are doing, really owning the sound you are making, as opposed to maybe half heartedly so (which I find makes my plucking inaccurate and tonally weak). Especially when I try to practice quietly, so as not to disturb people... sort of draws my focus away from technique because my intent isnt accuracy in those types of situations.
The same goes similarly for right hand though.
Hopefully that makes some sense and I haven't rambled the point away 😅
Edit:
Slow and loud is more useful than fast and quiet... especially in the beginning.
I think thats sort of what i was getting at 😎
Absolutely get your point! Finding the right balance between technique and intention can make a world of difference, and starting with slow and deliberate practice sets a strong foundation. Keep owning that sound, and your journey will groove in the right direction! 🙌🏻🧡🔥
Biggest mistake is learning how to slap and then trying to incorporate that into all you do. Not all genres have to sound funky. Learn the blues and how to walk and arpegios first. Work on your tone and theory.
1sr
whoops
Hey bud. Your email newsletter is by far the worst spam in my inbox. It's relentless. I've tried to unsub and flag it as spam multiple times.