Basic Bass Fretting Technique (Beginner Bass Basics)
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- 👉 My full beginner bass course: yeah.bassbuzz....
Skip the bad habits and nail your bass fretting technique from the start.
Get the extended play-along tracks here: www.bassbuzz.c...
In this beginner lesson I'll walk you through all the basics of good left hand technique (or right hand, if you're playing left handed!), plus we'll play some music together at the end with your killer new fretting technique.
Most beginners get this stuff wrong without a good teacher, so I'll walk you in detail through what angle to put your fingers, which fingers to use, where to press on the fret, and more.
I'll also tell you how guitar and bass players use the words "up" and "down" when fretting - it's the opposite of what most people think.
Then we'll apply everything you learned to a weird indie-prog-fusion play-along. Let's do it.
Get all the beginner bass basics you need by subscribing to this channel: yeah.bassbuzz....
#bassfrettingtechnique #beginnerbasslessons
Ready for the next level? Here's the 5 Levels of Bass Finger Exercise - ua-cam.com/video/STl_VANwR6s/v-deo.html
Love your videos.... I want to play BASS ... any suggestions about basic gear ? for begginner not much $$$ and is possible to play with a finger missing ( index) on right hand.... I´m Right handed.... loose on an accident ?????
@@GianCarloCarmagnani Gian Carlo Carmagnani I personally went with the Squier bass pack as my budget bass gear. You should be just fine playing one finger short, probably just pluck with your middle and ring finger. I'm a bit of a beginner myself, but I'd be happy to help where I can
@@MichaelSurfer Thanks Michael.... I have already begun the learning process ..... the finger is definitely not a problem .... I simply swap to other fingers...... or slap ... my bass choice was an used Ibanez and a Crate amp .... when I´ll progress and know better ... I´ll buy a better instrument..... Stay safe !
R
R
"We don't care about gravity while playing bass." Just makes me think of a bassist floating around during a gig
Makes me think of Scott pilgrim vs the world where the evil ex bassist defied gravity
What are you talking about
😂 hilarious
Hello weirdo
I can comfirm this happens
Thanks plenty, I treated myself to a bass for my birthday. All I will say is I am over 55 years youngThese lessons are on point.
Congrats on starting bass! :)
hope you are having fun with it!!! 🙌🏽
I agree. I'm just starting too (at 49) and these are some of the best lessons I've come across.
Yeah, i am 58 and have just got my first bass. What is happening here? why do all us old geezers suddenly feel compelled to play bass?
@@TheMaskedNeville I dont know, but me too! LOL
Finally! Someone who can break down the basics. Thanks bro. Especially for explaining where we need to aim on the fret and why. Subscribed.
You're welcome Vinny!
Honestly I've spent at least 4 hours looking at beginner content and they all assume that you know where to place your fingers on the fret so thank you for covering the very basics @@BassBuzz
Late comment here in 2019. A lot of this basic Bass stuff is skipped by others, and yet it is so vitally important when you are beginning or restarting later in life. Thanks Josh
You're welcome Stu, thanks for all your great comments and viewership, I appreciate it.
Doing a little backing up, and getting my left hand in shape. Thanks
Stu Art Ditto that!
I have a double jointed thumb that often locks under my fretting hand. I've developed some pretty bad habits because of it so rewatching this definitely helps. Thank you for breaking it down so well.
oh thats why i keep positioning my thumb in weird angles. you helped me more than you know, fellow weird thumbed friend
omg i also have a double jointed thumb, idk how to keep it resting on the back lmao
i have a double jointed pinky in both hands so i understand XD
I'm turning 60 this year, picked up the Bass at the start of the C-19 Pandemic (wanted to do something with all the down time). I've seen lots and lots of YT videos, this video ranks as #1 or #2 IMO for beginners. I consider you to be one of my Instructors, which is really cool if you think about it. Please know, I really appreciate your time, and thoughtful lessons. Thank you. Triple
Thank you!
Me too!
@Wizzykin Try Scott's Bass lessons or Fender Play. It shouldn't take you long but the fretting and plucking is a bit different though.
Excellent teacher. Just started on the bass, now in my 70th year. Band soon to be formed - Dead Old and The Carers. Watch out for us!!!
Thank you, congrats on starting bass!
My grandparents don't even know how to operate their ipad properly, so seeing someone leaving coments like this makes me kind of envious.
Started at age 66. It's fun! Just invested in a little short scale bass. Started in November. Lots of music theory, scales, and drills but that's how you get better at it.
The Grateful I'm not Dead LOL
@@nightstalker2217 Hahahaha I freaking love it
50 and starting to learn bass, my bass arrived today. These lessons look clear and well presented, can’t wait to get started. Thanks
I just got a bass and all the “beginner” videos I saw all didn’t go over the actual basics, this helped so much and especially since I have small hands, helped me try use all 4 fingers! Thank you and I subscribed!
Thanks!
Thank you for this lesson. I am a 59 young woman and I just fulfilled one of my bucket list items and purchased a new bass guitar. Can’t wait for it to arrive.
Good luck, how is bass going?
I'm 66. Started in November. Which bass did you wind up getting?
@@susiemuirhead561 Hi sorry I am late responding but I just saw your message, I got a Fender Squire at first but it was a little too big for my taste. I just ordered an Ibanez SRM for my 60th birthday and I love it. its smaller and the sound is awesome.
@@marymanfredi3994 I originally wanted a Squier 60s Classic Vibes Jazz bass but I found it was too big, and way too heavy! It was a toss up between a Fender Mustang or a Sterling by MusicMan Stingray Short Scale Bass. After consulting with my bass teacher he advised me to get the Sterling. It's 7.8 lbs in weight and has a better tonal quality than the Mustang. Have you started already? Are you taking lessons at all?
@@Sam-qc6sz Excellent, love it
I just turned 15 and got my first bass! These videos are awesome and they've helped me learn how to play bass. I'm a rather small person, so my hands had trouble reaching for a bit, but with some practice I can reach the notes yay!
I envy you… I wish I was more serious about learning an instrument when I was 15 instead of just hanging out with friends who weren’t into playing or learning because my friend who was into learning guitar was hardly hanging out with us, instead he was home practicing and today at 55 he has forgotten more about playing than I’ll ever learn! Lol
Keep it up! You'll do great, just practice every day! Talent is overrated. Practice is what makes a musician.
i’m also 15 and just learning!!
Hie
I am a guitar player who started playing bass for home recording no too long ago. This channel has been great so far. Congratulations and keep up the good work. I am subscribed now and will look forward for more content to grow my Bass playing skills.
Glad to help Javier!
Love the outtro!! Im 64 and learning to play bass after 50 years as a drummer. I appreciate your slower pace on this video.
Omg! I am about to turn 13 and got my first bass. Your tips and tricks really helped me a lot. I
Am mastering it very quickly now. Thanks!
Started watching all your UA-cam lessons, your explanations and demonstration are superb to say the least... Not even Fender Play explains it better and your real life down to starting at beginner level is much more understandable contrary to the others that have somewhat robotic presentations ... What sets you apart is that you touch on the basic things that we encounter as beginners down to specifics which we not only can associate with but also tells us how much work you put into this program.. Best described as attention to detail, something that today is hard to find...
Thanks Miguel!
How is Fender Play? Any good? I take private lessons once a week normally face to face but due to COVID we're doing it over ZOOM. Wanted to supplement some online too.
I just picked up a bass and I am SO happy that I came across this channel, i get frustrated with myself veryyyyy easily but with Josh I dont feel rushed or pressured to get it right first try (which is super important to me) I every other tutorial has me confused and angry because I just cant to get it down, but after a DAY of getting my bass I already learned two riffs with this guy.
THANK YOU JOSH!!
You're welcome! :)
Been playing bass for years but always review the basics every once and awhile. Great job.
Thanks Bill! Always good to review basics. :)
I’ve been following you for 3 years! Never hurts to get back to the Basics. I spend most of my time on your channel just revisiting Fundamentals. Such an Awesome channel. I’m a Happy Bass Player not just a Happy Bass Owner!
I am an absolute beginner, and lessons in person are not possible now (I hope this will make no sense soon). I've loved every second of the outrageous amount of time I've spent analyzing JPJ, Chris Squier, Geddy Lee, Lee Sklar & etc - but all I've learned is how much I don't know. So far my rudimentary piano and guitar skills haven't helped much
Your descriptions are terrific, but seeing what is happening from the side and the back, not just from the front, is what makes this video so valuable.
I've now had my insanely beautiful first bass for 3 days, and I'm determined to master technique first. In my years on this planet, I have learned a bit of patience - and I don't want to have to undo bad habits later.
Thank you thank you thank you!
thank you for your videos! I'm 19 trying to learn how to play and they've been very helpful. but gosh my pinky fingers are way too short to put all 4 fingers on the frets at once.
Same problem haha
SAME. I genuinely got angry at the assumption that all bass players are going to have man sized hands. 😂 Took a break and now I’m back to continue the video and try to work out some modifications. But dude... seriously?
@@crzykittensmile Check out 'short scale bass guitar'.
ugh i was wondering if i was the only one with this problem.... is it because we're women so we have shorter fingers????? idgi
@@user-hl7qv5ul5s It is nothing to do with being woman, more like a case of being whiny spoiled bitches who blame everything that life throws at them on others lol.
Top 5 Fingerless Guitarists!: ua-cam.com/video/fPE_F3IjUcU/v-deo.html
AMAZING GUITAR PLAYER WITH NO ARMS !: ua-cam.com/video/N9jg2nhAMxQ/v-deo.html
i just started playing within the past two years (kind of been busy and here and there if you get me,) but i finally sat down and realized, dang, i really need to learn my basics more than anything, even though i have fun playing beginner songs. all of your videos have been a great help especially when you don't know where to start!
also... i can't get my pinky to reach and i'm glad other people can't either bc i was kinda frustrated, haha
this guy is the only one whos ever managed to teach me anything useful as a beginner, other teachers tend to cover way to much way to fast
Thank you. I’ve played guitar for years now trying to learn bass. I want to do it right to build better habits early than I did with guitar. The basic left hand finger and thumb grip guidance helped me
TREMENDOUSLY.
thanks to your lessons and other videos on your channels i worked up the courage to start learning bass and its a blast so far
Thanl you so much. I just got my bass yesterday and I was so excited to try it out!
I've been seeing a lot of ur videos and following them was so fun I actually smiled when the notes where playing along!
Thank u thank u thank u!!!
I have a short fingers and really trying to work it out hard for hand positioning. I really love your videos man! Keep it coming ☺
Thanks Hazzan! Make those fingers work for you. :)
Thank you for explaining the "up a string"/"up the neck" thing. I just started and I was able to pick that up from context but it was nice to see the terminology defined and the logic behind it spelled out. Thanks for the lesson, gonna go back to thinking my pink finger is defective now.
At 53 years young and having my bass for 3 days, I found this wonderfully informative. You have a new subscriber. Thank you!!!
Thanks Jonathan!
Thank you, this really helped. I’m just starting learning and that instantly helped me understand how to better use my fretting hand and am immediately doing much better
I'm trying to master my fretting technique and plucking technique, and the way that you have broken this down really helped me. I'm currently taking after Cliff ( Burton ) and I think this will really help in my bass playing. Thanks Josh!
I'm right-handed, but I've played guitar lefty since starting and it's getting harder to find lefty guitars in the models I want, so I'm borrowing a friend's bass to relearn guitar right-handed, and this is really helping to make sure I don't pick up any bad habits at the start. Thanks!
You're welcome!
Thank you so much, I had no idea I was playing the bass wrong. You're the best!
You're welcome!
I am so grateful for your channel!! You have made learning bass alone so easy and fun. Thank you for your humour and for sharing your knowledge so generously.
You're welcome Lisa!
Love this lesson! Greetings from Singapore!
These videos are great. I know most of this stuff from playing guitar, but have recently bought a bass and am finding a few important differences in technique. No matter how long you’ve been playing it’s worth going back to basics.
I started on september to learn bass and these guides are GOLD
Really appreciate your videos, I'm learning from them. I'll head over to your website to check it out. Who knew Ashton Kutcher was actually a cool bass instructor?
"Music is a peculiar mistress," Love this guy! 😂🤣
Thank you! I needed this video so much. These are all things that very few tutorials even tell you because they are so basic but as a complete beginner without any help, it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for! great video
I’m 47 just bought a Bass guitar. I’ve watched a few of your beginner videos. Seems you’ve gotten better over the years with your video editing. It be nice if you make a more simpler way to get to know the fretboard. You’re doing an awesome job, though . My dyslexia kicks in fast 😂!, thanks bro!
Picked up a bass guitar for the first time 4 days ago and started learning. So glad I found your channel. Very helpful content for a newbie like me. So excited to keep working on this. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Bless you!
I love your videos, I’m a total beginner and there is no way I can get my fingers on 9,10,11,12 frets at the same time at all. Not even close. Especially my pinky. 😂 it can hardly reach from my hand to the e string from under the neck.
Love your practical approach to teaching! So many online try to be so technical but you give both technical and fun at the same time! Awesome videos
Thanks Eric!
I experienced the up and down thing with my band teacher during my first few weeks playing bass and it was really funny when he said to go up a string but it was actually downwards 😂 glad to get confirmation that it wasn't just some weird thing he did
So perfect. Answered all my questions. I know bass! Thank you!
I got my first bass a couple months ago and I'm trying to learn it now. As a brass player, it feels like I'm in a completely different world, and this video helped. I'm still struggling trying to use all of my fingers on the fret board but I'll keep practicing 😂
Thank you so much. One of many fans. I'm so glad I live in a time where I can learn to play bass on UA-cam.
You're welcome Josey!
Just started playing a bass I bought again after a couple of years. Played guitar for a long time but just took a hiatus I guess from music in general. My biggest issue has been my thumb. I've used it too often to mute that E string on the electric when playing along with Smashing Pumpkins or other groups from the 90s. Glad I saw this and your other videos, but now can work to keep that thumb on the back of the neck and not hovering close to that string. Dang thing has been giving me more trouble than pinky on doing the exercises from your other video!
Excellent tutorial for beginners..you are a good teacher.
Thanks Patrick, hope it helped!
Loving your lessons Josh, another covid-bound midlife crisis learner here! Any tips for those whose fingers are (ahem) substantially shorter than yours?! Finding it hard to keep my palm off the bottom of the neck when using my pinkie on the E string...
Bassist here to help ya since I doubt Josh will. Usually, although this tends to be a technique issue that isn’t a big deal in the long run, you can keep your palm there. As long as the tone keeps the same it should be fine, otherwise you’ll wanna stretch more
@@MrTommyLucchese Thanks for that. Much appreciated, will keep practising and stretching (I play piano so that helps)
I didn't think I could use my pinky, I have short fingers... but after a while it clicked and I could use it. I'm happy to know that with practice I can do it. Thanks a lot for your helpful videos.
Thanks for the lesson, I ordered my first bass and it will come in less than a week so i'm starting to learn even before i got the bass. Very good lessons. I'm nearly 35.
Very important lesson in the beginning stages. But also it doesn't hurt for intermediate and advance players to check there technique every once in a while. Having said all that, this chord progression is really cool! It is so cool that I am telling my friends to try out the chords to this progression!
You are TEACHING! that's what im talking about! thank you so much!
your videos help me so much the way you explain things just works for me better then others. I wish you were my bass guitar teacher lol def keep watching your videos to learn.
Glad they're helpful!
Im really enjoying your videos I hope you get to 1 mil subscribers soon!
I got my first bass (a Japanese copy of the 1969 Fender Sunburst Jazz Bass that's all broken and fucked up but I got it off a guy for $50 and at least it plays) four days ago because I want to be able to play in my punk rock band (I'm also the lyricist). I'm twenty and I never ever thought I'd play an instrument as long as I live, but with help from your videos I've been making pretty solid progress practicing every day and loving it! It's one of the few creative, constructive things I can do with my concussion the way it is!
Nice, welcome to the bass family Alexis!
Great video! As a bassist who is mostly selftaught and struggling with some of the basics this is awesome!
these videos help so much because idk if i want a bass or a guitar, but im pretty sure i want the bass
hey man.. you're the best here explaining the bass. Your videos are so enjoyable and helpful. Thanx a lot!!!
You're welcome!
Great great video for beginners! A big thank you from the other side of the world!
You're welcome ScopZ!
On the verge of buying my first bass (don't know what model to go for yet) but I'm looking though these videos and think they'll be very valuable to my learning path if I do get one. So easy to understand and a nice relaxed pace. Great work!
I bought a short scale bass. I am petite in height and have small hands. Which one are you looking at getting?
@@susiemuirhead561 i ended up getting a 5 string Yamaha. It's great. Very comfortable. I haven't used the 5th string yet though. I'd probably go the 4 string if I had a chance.
AWESOME TUTORIAL, THANKS FOR EXPLAINING SO CLEARLY
You're a fantastic teacher. I'm really enjoying your videos. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Lenti! I appreciate the kind words.
I like how chill they are
I'm learning so much from your online lessons! Keep up the good work!
Thanks Mike, glad they're helping you!
I played trumpet for as long as you play bass 😁 just got my bass and need to learn how to play it nicely. Thanks for the lesson!
I love your lessons. Please keep doing them!
Thanks Crystal, will do!
I want to thank you for all your experience and great humor in your teaching. It helps to retain more if you are emotionally connected to the lesson. On a totally unrelated question, why a banana? I tattoo'd for 13 years, and that's got me puzzled. Thank you again.
You're very welcome! And the answer is.... I love bananas. :)
looks like the Velvet Underground Banana to me
That's exactly my first thought too. The Andy Warhol album if I'm not mistaken.
I love how all tutorial video guys are just casually flexing on us in the intro and ending
Fr
very friendly and approachable and helpful
Oh nice! I'm struggling with the pinky and the wrist but your video will help me a lot ! Thx a lot !
Thanks for simplifying fretboard techniques and tanualtions.
I got bass for Christmas
Great tutorial really helped me nail the initial technique 👍
This channel needs more subscribers!
Thanks Shaun! Gettin' there. :)
Thanks so much for these free lessons, they’re so well structured and I love the participation involved. Definitely subscribing! :)
Thank you!
0:03 hey, did anyone notice, he's flicking us off!!
I have a really small pinky finger and it legit doesn't reach the fourth fret lmao.
Same here I feel you. Small hands makes it a little harder but not impossible 😪
Aren't there smaller basses?
Nice lesson, I'm just starting to play and your videos are easy to follow.
That bass is Gorgeous!! 😍
I just want to take the time to thank you for making this video. Good stuff 👍
i just got a new bass a few weeks ago and these videos are great
the lesson was great and all, but that lick at the end was amazing.
I never realized how weak my arm and fingers were until I attempted bass. Thank you for making this great beginner lesson, very helpful!!!
It's definitely a learning curve. I've played the steeldrums for 25 years but the bass definitely takes time. Especially learning the entire fretboard. Our left hand is the non-dominant hand and hence it is weaker. Being comfortable on the fretboard takes time. I am still playing choppy instead of playing fluently so right now I am concentrating on playing slower and holding down the note longer before moving to the next note.
@@susiemuirhead561 It's funny because I write with my left hand and play sports with my right, so it's really me having sticks for arms. Thanks for the tips, I will make sure to play slower and make sure I'm holding the notes to build up the strength!
If this is your free content I can’t wait to see your paid content
I’m 13 and picked up the bass around summer this year. I found this really useful! However, I have somewhat small hands (assuming that’s due to my age) and have trouble in reaching my pinky to the E string. Is there a way around this or will it change with practice/time?
Edit: I checked out some of your other videos and I think I’m getting there. Not perfect but definitely an improvement.
is it because of needing more practice? im having the same issue, 15 year old that just started bass and idk what im doing
came to the comments because i have the exact same issue !! it’s hurting my hands so much i have a tiny pinky 🥲
This guy is a great teacher
This is amazing i was realy struggeling playing with fingers and this realy helpt
Again, Thank You. I'm having such a great time learning.
You're welcome Heather!
Thank you. I really enjoyed this as a beginner.
hi - i started learning how to play bass recently. your content is excellent - clarity, charisma, great structure at the right pace, great educational material so far. i've gone through everything on the channel so far, and i look forward to more videos. i await something for 'advanced beginners' at this point!
i have two newbie questions:
1) when i alternate finger strokes on my right hand, i noticed that i usually begin with my middle finger. it seems 'wrong' to me, but it feels more natural/comfortable. to avoid a potentially bad habit, would you suggest to pluck first with the index finger? especially for simple, slow tempo stuff? (i understand there may be exceptions when more complicated things are being played!)
2) muting notes on lower strings is easy (right hand fingers land on the strings above). but - muting ringing notes on the higher strings (usually notes on the G or D strings) after they are played them seems tricky to do with the right hand. i take it that you must always rely on the left hand to mute those strings. but how is it done? do you 'unfret' them gently to mute them, or do you place your left hand fingers down on those strings? or a combination, depending on the situation?
keep up the good work!
Glad the lessons are working for you! There are lots more to come. To answer your questions briefly:
1) Neither is right or wrong, depends on context. It's good to be able to start either way. Some bass lines will work better with a particular starting finger, others will work with either.
2) Yeah, muting high strings is all about the left/fretting hand. It's a big topic how to actually do that, something I plan to address in detail in my next full course for sure. The basic philosophy is to keep "meat on the string" at all times unless you specifically want ringing strings. Exactly how you do that changes based on what fingers you have available in context, which is why it's such a process to teach it.
Hope that helps a bit, see you around!
This is really great help, thanks so much!
You're welcome Jack!
much love for these vids !
I'm a beginner. I thought you had to be right on the fret . Middle to right by mind-blowing to me. Thanks
I'm a guitar player that's just started on bass. One thing I notice is that I pretty much have to have these videos on the good speakers because of the low frecuencies lol. I'm surprised at how bad I am on the bass at the moment considering I've played guitar for about 15 years. Very underestimated instrument.
Thanks for the videos. I am getting ready to start my bass learning curve. I'm in the process of getting a new Gretsch Electromatic and an Ibanez amp. Christmas to myself.
Very good insights on fretting! Just starting out.
Glad to help Ken, congrats on starting on bass! :)
I struggle with a LOT so thank you.