QUICK RECAP/TL:DR 0:35 KNOW YOUR STYLE: know what you want to play since many genres have different techniques 1:21 FIGURE OUT TOPICS: figure out some things that these genres do differently from others and learn them 2:16 CREATE REALISTIC SCHEDULE: make a practicing schedule that you know you’ll be able to follow consistently, schedule it smart; 30 minutes minimum 3:19 PREPARE: get rid of distractions, without background noise or clutter 3:50 TIME TO PRACTICE: find the topic you’re wanting to practice. he recommends a few topics in this section, so give it a quick watch 5:31 BE CONSISTENT: try to stick to your schedule as good as you can, don’t freak out if you miss a day it’s not that big of a deal. just don’t make it a routine to miss it 6:22 (BONUS) SEEK A MENTOR: find someone who’s really good at bass to help you at and ask them for feedback. it can help with your personalized problems
Good stuff. One quibble: if you are new to bass and want to learn metal, building speed and stamina will be a must, but there's no need to focus on finger style. Pick usage is extremely common in the genre, so it's up to you, depending on what you want to sound like and which technique actually works best for you. (Learning both will do you the most favors long term.)
Charles is an amazing musician, even better than Les Claypool and he’s been my bass idol for years. 25 year guitarist here beginning bass from scratch. Some of the theory converts, but playing the bass is unique in it’s many techniques. Love your videos bro, i want to play as good as you some day.
Great video man, thanks for the tips. I've been trying find a practice schedule, but majoring in mechanical engineering really takes all your free time.
Thanks for this video I been playing for 2 years and have not improved much n u hit it right on the nail I'm all-over the place n never focused on getting good on one style of music,,, I go from Reggae to salsa and everything in between
One of the things I've done to help my practicing/playing is to stop slapping. Slap is just too fun and awesome, so I wind up spending too much time noodling around with slap lines to the detriment of proficiencies in other things. Im a big RHCP fan so I decided to learn many of flea's non-slap bass lines. In my opinion, they are much better, more sophisticated and really drive you to improve your articulations, plucking hand ghost notes, etc. Blood, Sugar Sex, Magic is a great album for this. A lot of the playing on it represents the kind of amazing stuff flea wrote that doesn't get as much attention as his heavy-punky-slappy lines. Much to be learned from it in terms of finger style.
Yeah, Flea first got my attention with his finger-style playing on "Jagged little Pill" with Alanis Morrissette, which really kicked some huge doors open for my own style. Slap isn't called-for in 99% of the music I like to play, but I'm always working on it anyway - Slap has never felt natural or easy to my hands, but it's still an essential skill for any pro bassist to be able to perform on demand, which happens often enough. These vids from @charlesberthoud have been a HUGE help for me.
One thing I learned while playing classical viola is to focus on the hard area in a piece, but don't forget to have fun playing. So, practice and play, if that makes sense.
I've been playing for 6 years and I still just stick to a pick and root notes. I'll sometimes do basic fills but I am a punk bassist. It's all about being reliable, having a good rhythm, and playing root notes. I still love it and don't plan to ever learn to rip, slap etc. I just like root playing.
These videos have been really well thought out, completely useful and made to create a repeatable and sustainable process that applies to everyone in one way or another. Excellent!!
The reason I like Charles' advice is because the starting point is the music that inspires you. Everything else flows from there. It's the only way to be consistent with your practice.
Pls put this kind of content regularly, even building basslines. It really helps and inspires to see it come from players like you!:) Cheers ! love from India:)
Great tips, I'm finding myself just in this situation, learning and practicing many different topics. I've made real progress doing this, but right now I'm kinda stuck and was looking for myself to get a plan, a path, a guide to get a more coherent and consistent way of progress. Your tips came at the right time and I wasn't so far from it, so it's very appreciated as a new input and confirmation of my own thoughts, thank you
Given your advanced skills, I'd love to suggest for you to teach us how to play neo soul on the bass guitar. Imagine the incredible fusion of neo soul vibes with the rich tones of the bass - it could be truly amazing! Great video btw!😉😉👍🏻👍🏻
Love the video. I've leaned towards picking songs to learn that contain the skills I want to learn. It keeps me motivated and interested. When I was a beginner I definitely practiced skills, although it was frankly a grind.
I've been learning for about 15 months, and have definitely started noticing diminishing returns / feeling a bit stale. Then I find something new and it all picks up again. And yeah, it's maybe every 8 weeks or so, pretty close to your suggesting of mixing it up intentionally. Thanks :)
Me encantan los videos que parece que te van a facilitar los ejercicios y justo en ese momento aparece el PATREON!!! como todos los demás videos. Al final lo que nos tragamos son videos de publicidad uno tras otro.
So the thing is actually, my main goal as a bassist is to be versatile. I want to be able to play all kinds of stuff with big focuses on metal, blues, funk and some prog rock/metal. What I'm wondering is if I choose specific things I need to practice for each "genre", should I focus on one thing for a couple months then switch, or vary it to do a bit everything every week?
I would suggest focusing on 1 genre for a month or 2 and then switch. You'll see greater progress focusing on 1, which will give you a mental boost. But as you switch between you may want to include some practise from the previous genre specific months from time time.
Charles...can you do a video about the types of bass guitars you use and why? I see you have your own Charles Berthoud CB-4 by Schecter. What is it about this bass you love?
Impressive technique. You didn’t mention learning to read standard notation? There are certain areas of the music industry eg big bands, theatres, cruises where sight reading skills are obligatory. Where do you stand on this topic?
Hi, I love this advice. Wondering if you really like the Cure and post punk what 3 things would you make your practice areas? Im curious to see what you think! Thank you sm for your content, super grateful. Cheers!
im a guitar and keyboard player and I also want to get into bass playing. what should I be practicing? I know music theory so I just need to put my hrs on the bass. I love flea, Radiohead and daft punk. what should I be doing?
Minimizing distractions best general advice given todays world of beeps and boops. Charles if you read this, your doing good stuff, and I hope your getting some money your way for your efforts!
really i think internalizing and knowing the fretboard is more important than technique. otherwise you dont know where to play regardless of slap or no.
Important thing the distance between the body and the strings (near the fretboard, you can use any kind of material or putting something between the bod and the pickguard [like any kind of paper folded) thats a game changer for slap bass. Just get a distance from the the strings that the finger of your plucking hand just fill all that space bewteen, if it gets a little tight is good for some people too, is an amazing step for slap bass and something easy
u askin me to do stuff?! i saw ur thumbnail and i thot u jus wan me to hold my bass and point to a piece of paper, dude! i mean.....duuuuuuuuuuuude! Amir!te?
Charles, can you please make a video where you play the Major scale in every key with tabs? I'd like to play along to practice with that daily. I havent seen any other UA-cam bassists make such a video yet. Would get a lot of views overtime by being looped by practicing bassists, so would help the channel grow too!😊
Brother can u plz make a video regarding best bass tone guitar. I m from nepal n great fan of u..cause i m a bass player to.. What would be the greatest bass brand for best groove tone..
I wanna learn bass and I have my dad to teach me once he’s back off of touring. My favourite bassist is Joe Dart and I wanna one day be able to play, solo and sound like him. Any tips?
Practice! Simple and short awnser is Practice. Play along to songs and have fun, and practice every day. There's no magic in becoming in insane player. You just practice! The time you put in it pays off.
Most of this is simple logic unless you are just starting out. I was hoping he would delve into teaching a structured practice that makes the practice material stick (retained in memory). But, I found that elsewhere in the concept of retrieval practice and interleaving practice routines.
The worst part is the schedule... I'm really not disciplined enough to practice alone. Hate doing those backtracks exercises. It bores me a lot. But when I'm with my band, then I can spend hours just jamming and trying some stuff.
"I am going to show how to build an exercise routine unlike those other youtubers!" *Does none of that and just flexes for 8 minutes* Thanks, bro. EXACTLY what I expected from this video based on the title. Hope to never see you in my feed again.
Please give some tips on right hand tapping, it’s the only thing keeping me down right now, I can only really use my index and middle finger consistently. (Also, you’re a fking unit, keep it up!)
Realistic practice schedule for many of us is "unrealistic", it's sometimes impossible. Consistency used to be attainable too, but I find myself looking to a man named Berthoud (I don't know if you heard of him, if not definitely look him up) 👆, as a silver lining to 18 years of musicianship that have been so trying and painful that I have been on the verge of quitting many times now. I am actually once again in such a dark place in life that I find it no coincidence to be watching this video after going to my local Guitar Center and picking up a few LUTES just to help ease pain. It's been over 3 months since touching my Bass and I had to reteach myself half of my own songs, since I am no longer part of a band and can't afford to even record my material. It's depressing. Berthoud may never know his true impact on people, but if he's reading this then perhaps he does know. He's the only reason I don't quit.
Every time I see a new video on this channel I swear it's something I've JUST been practising.... uncanny!
BassCamp should have you on as a guest instructor. That would be pretty cool. 😎
I wonder why....
@@Tekkerue I think we can make that happen!
I talk to myself sometimes too.
This guy's knows
hes so good because his teacher was charles berthoud
👏🏻🥈
Jim Stennet❤
QUICK RECAP/TL:DR
0:35 KNOW YOUR STYLE: know what you want to play since many genres have different techniques
1:21 FIGURE OUT TOPICS: figure out some things that these genres do differently from others and learn them
2:16 CREATE REALISTIC SCHEDULE: make a practicing schedule that you know you’ll be able to follow consistently, schedule it smart; 30 minutes minimum
3:19 PREPARE: get rid of distractions, without background noise or clutter
3:50 TIME TO PRACTICE: find the topic you’re wanting to practice. he recommends a few topics in this section, so give it a quick watch
5:31 BE CONSISTENT: try to stick to your schedule as good as you can, don’t freak out if you miss a day it’s not that big of a deal. just don’t make it a routine to miss it
6:22 (BONUS) SEEK A MENTOR: find someone who’s really good at bass to help you at and ask them for feedback. it can help with your personalized problems
Good stuff. One quibble: if you are new to bass and want to learn metal, building speed and stamina will be a must, but there's no need to focus on finger style. Pick usage is extremely common in the genre, so it's up to you, depending on what you want to sound like and which technique actually works best for you. (Learning both will do you the most favors long term.)
Picks are for pussies
I agree with the just learn both because you can always choose between the two given the scenario
I was looking at that exact Schecter bass. That’s my sign to start Bass
Charles is an amazing musician, even better than Les Claypool and he’s been my bass idol for years. 25 year guitarist here beginning bass from scratch. Some of the theory converts, but playing the bass is unique in it’s many techniques. Love your videos bro, i want to play as good as you some day.
Great video man, thanks for the tips. I've been trying find a practice schedule, but majoring in mechanical engineering really takes all your free time.
practicing the lessons of his channel i realy feel a good evolution on bass, very very thank you
You're welcome!
Thanks for this video I been playing for 2 years and have not improved much n u hit it right on the nail I'm all-over the place n never focused on getting good on one style of music,,, I go from Reggae to salsa and everything in between
One of the things I've done to help my practicing/playing is to stop slapping. Slap is just too fun and awesome, so I wind up spending too much time noodling around with slap lines to the detriment of proficiencies in other things. Im a big RHCP fan so I decided to learn many of flea's non-slap bass lines. In my opinion, they are much better, more sophisticated and really drive you to improve your articulations, plucking hand ghost notes, etc. Blood, Sugar Sex, Magic is a great album for this. A lot of the playing on it represents the kind of amazing stuff flea wrote that doesn't get as much attention as his heavy-punky-slappy lines. Much to be learned from it in terms of finger style.
Agreed. Spending too much time on slap takes away time to practice other things.
Yeah, Flea first got my attention with his finger-style playing on "Jagged little Pill" with Alanis Morrissette, which really kicked some huge doors open for my own style. Slap isn't called-for in 99% of the music I like to play, but I'm always working on it anyway - Slap has never felt natural or easy to my hands, but it's still an essential skill for any pro bassist to be able to perform on demand, which happens often enough. These vids from @charlesberthoud have been a HUGE help for me.
Gonna try the five minute focus thing. That's a new one for me. tx
Just what I needed for my guitar learning journey :P
One thing I learned while playing classical viola is to focus on the hard area in a piece, but don't forget to have fun playing. So, practice and play, if that makes sense.
I've been playing for 6 years and I still just stick to a pick and root notes. I'll sometimes do basic fills but I am a punk bassist. It's all about being reliable, having a good rhythm, and playing root notes. I still love it and don't plan to ever learn to rip, slap etc. I just like root playing.
Great tips! Thanks Charles!
best bass channel on yt
These videos have been really well thought out, completely useful and made to create a repeatable and sustainable process that applies to everyone in one way or another. Excellent!!
Charles is the GOAT.
The reason I like Charles' advice is because the starting point is the music that inspires you. Everything else flows from there. It's the only way to be consistent with your practice.
Great comment
thats how you explain bass playing to someone starting out...start slow listen to what your playing...❤ from ireland..
Pls put this kind of content regularly, even building basslines. It really helps and inspires to see it come from players like you!:) Cheers ! love from India:)
Thanks for these! The videos have great content, well thought out and very helpful to my bass learning. Please keep 'em coming!
Ty, it was very good and it helped me alot❤❤
I don't even have to watch the full thing to know it's going to be awesome! Keep up the good work Charles!
👏🏻🥉
Such helpful information-thank you! I just started sharing videos on my UA-cam channel in the hopes of making basic music literacy accessible to all.
Charles, thank you!🙏
Great tips, I'm finding myself just in this situation, learning and practicing many different topics. I've made real progress doing this, but right now I'm kinda stuck and was looking for myself to get a plan, a path, a guide to get a more coherent and consistent way of progress. Your tips came at the right time and I wasn't so far from it, so it's very appreciated as a new input and confirmation of my own thoughts, thank you
Given your advanced skills, I'd love to suggest for you to teach us how to play neo soul on the bass guitar. Imagine the incredible fusion of neo soul vibes with the rich tones of the bass - it could be truly amazing! Great video btw!😉😉👍🏻👍🏻
Love the video. I've leaned towards picking songs to learn that contain the skills I want to learn. It keeps me motivated and interested. When I was a beginner I definitely practiced skills, although it was frankly a grind.
Never heard of Marcus Miller until rn and that’s it, that’s what I’m practicing. Checks off a lot of boxes, but this will be fun on a fretless 6
These videos have been extremely helpful to me.
I've been learning for about 15 months, and have definitely started noticing diminishing returns / feeling a bit stale. Then I find something new and it all picks up again. And yeah, it's maybe every 8 weeks or so, pretty close to your suggesting of mixing it up intentionally. Thanks :)
It’s so good to see you doing these lessons. Thanks and Keep up the good work!
Outstanding!
Me encantan los videos que parece que te van a facilitar los ejercicios y justo en ese momento aparece el PATREON!!! como todos los demás videos. Al final lo que nos tragamos son videos de publicidad uno tras otro.
This is very practical advice, thank you!
Excellent tutorial, Hopefully to have a bass guitar from you sir😇😁
Great video...thanks.
Thank you
Excellent video!
Realy nice sound your new bass
Thanks for the tips
I want to play bossa Nova and latin jazz. 🙏🏽
Wow. Very practical and useful guidance here. Great video
This was fantastic, thank you! I guess I need to buy some CD's and listen to your lines
So the thing is actually, my main goal as a bassist is to be versatile. I want to be able to play all kinds of stuff with big focuses on metal, blues, funk and some prog rock/metal. What I'm wondering is if I choose specific things I need to practice for each "genre", should I focus on one thing for a couple months then switch, or vary it to do a bit everything every week?
I would suggest focusing on 1 genre for a month or 2 and then switch. You'll see greater progress focusing on 1, which will give you a mental boost. But as you switch between you may want to include some practise from the previous genre specific months from time time.
Great tips
I’m a guitarist and have a page of notes from this. Now to get to work!
Good advice.
Great stuff Charles…
Thanks for this, bud
I have weekly lessons and take exams. This really helps to focus me, but I quite understand that not everybody can afford to do this.
Gracias, esto me será de mucha ayuda 😊❤
Are we finally getting Bass Camp tasteful Christmas sweaters?
I'm sorry but i feel conned. At no point leading up to buying the £30,000 worth of bass equipment i have did anyone tell me i had to practice.
Thanks for the priceless advice, Sir
whos better you or charles berthound
Charles...can you do a video about the types of bass guitars you use and why? I see you have your own Charles Berthoud CB-4 by Schecter. What is it about this bass you love?
U tha best
Can you teach about speed training ?
that's a fuckin awesome lookin bass, mate, congrats
You think short scale Basses are good? Or the regular Long Scales
A way to get practice in is set your alarm in the morning an hour earlier than normal. I getup and practice a minimum 30 minutes every morning
Impressive technique.
You didn’t mention learning to read standard notation?
There are certain areas of the music industry eg big bands, theatres, cruises where sight reading skills are obligatory.
Where do you stand on this topic?
Hi, I love this advice. Wondering if you really like the Cure and post punk what 3 things would you make your practice areas? Im curious to see what you think! Thank you sm for your content, super grateful. Cheers!
im a guitar and keyboard player and I also want to get into bass playing. what should I be practicing? I know music theory so I just need to put my hrs on the bass. I love flea, Radiohead and daft punk. what should I be doing?
Question: How do you get that tone from an active bass?
Practicing what you do! Forget Flea lol!
I dont know any band or bass players. I just like playing the bass though Im bad. I like the boom sounds HAHA. Thanks for tips
When will your new signature bass be listed on the Schecter website?
Minimizing distractions best general advice given todays world of beeps and boops. Charles if you read this, your doing good stuff, and I hope your getting some money your way for your efforts!
really i think internalizing and knowing the fretboard is more important than technique. otherwise you dont know where to play regardless of slap or no.
Which four string bass guitar is pocket friendly for a newbie?
I need to get one
Important thing the distance between the body and the strings (near the fretboard, you can use any kind of material or putting something between the bod and the pickguard [like any kind of paper folded) thats a game changer for slap bass. Just get a distance from the the strings that the finger of your plucking hand just fill all that space bewteen, if it gets a little tight is good for some people too, is an amazing step for slap bass and something easy
My 3 topics lately:
1. Distortion
2. DISTORTION
3. dIStOrTioN 💀
I am interested in jazz (improvisation and harmony) have you some great bassist i can follow or tips to my schedule routine
u askin me to do stuff?! i saw ur thumbnail and i thot u jus wan me to hold my bass and point to a piece of paper, dude! i mean.....duuuuuuuuuuuude! Amir!te?
What bass is that?
That Bass sounds fantastic Charles, is it a Schecter looks great
If we’re being real, you either love it or you don’t, I will always try and play everyday forever, cause I want to and look forward to it
I’m having issues transposing prog metal (polyhia etc.) riffs from 5 strings to 4. I’m a returning bass player. Any thoughts?
Charles, can you please make a video where you play the Major scale in every key with tabs? I'd like to play along to practice with that daily. I havent seen any other UA-cam bassists make such a video yet. Would get a lot of views overtime by being looped by practicing bassists, so would help the channel grow too!😊
Learn one major scale, listen how it sounds and then figure out how to move it to different keys yourself. You will learn more then by using tabs.
@@Honz4Marek Working on this. Thanks! 🙏
So I've heared someone, I forgot who it is, but he said that play it slow until you can play it faster and faster
Brother can u plz make a video regarding best bass tone guitar. I m from nepal n great fan of u..cause i m a bass player to.. What would be the greatest bass brand for best groove tone..
There isn't exactly a "Best bass" it's all in the hands. In the player! Not the bass. Very good players can make a very cheap bass sound good!
Missed the 7th fret on the E string.
I wanna learn bass and I have my dad to teach me once he’s back off of touring. My favourite bassist is Joe Dart and I wanna one day be able to play, solo and sound like him. Any tips?
Practice! Simple and short awnser is Practice. Play along to songs and have fun, and practice every day. There's no magic in becoming in insane player. You just practice! The time you put in it pays off.
First thng I shoud pratice is having a practice routine... so when I'll be good at it I could follow a practiçe routine... ;)
Most of this is simple logic unless you are just starting out. I was hoping he would delve into teaching a structured practice that makes the practice material stick (retained in memory). But, I found that elsewhere in the concept of retrieval practice and interleaving practice routines.
hi
The worst part is the schedule... I'm really not disciplined enough to practice alone. Hate doing those backtracks exercises. It bores me a lot. But when I'm with my band, then I can spend hours just jamming and trying some stuff.
"I am going to show how to build an exercise routine unlike those other youtubers!"
*Does none of that and just flexes for 8 minutes*
Thanks, bro. EXACTLY what I expected from this video based on the title. Hope to never see you in my feed again.
What if my fav bassist has a 6 string bass and I only have a 4 string :((
I am stuck at step one 😂
Please give some tips on right hand tapping, it’s the only thing keeping me down right now, I can only really use my index and middle finger consistently. (Also, you’re a fking unit, keep it up!)
Ah yes the video
I know you youtube guys are all about the slap techniques, but don't ignore that bass players use picks.
Realistic practice schedule for many of us is "unrealistic", it's sometimes impossible.
Consistency used to be attainable too, but I find myself looking to a man named Berthoud (I don't know if you heard of him, if not definitely look him up) 👆, as a silver lining to 18 years of musicianship that have been so trying and painful that I have been on the verge of quitting many times now.
I am actually once again in such a dark place in life that I find it no coincidence to be watching this video after going to my local Guitar Center and picking up a few LUTES just to help ease pain. It's been over 3 months since touching my Bass and I had to reteach myself half of my own songs, since I am no longer part of a band and can't afford to even record my material. It's depressing.
Berthoud may never know his true impact on people, but if he's reading this then perhaps he does know. He's the only reason I don't quit.
Wait this guy looks familiar I think this guy stole another bassists UA-camrs look
You should learn x and y by psyopus… then post a how to ;) lol pleeeeeaassee
That is one sexy guitar
Bla bla bla… cut it short!