Bass Mistakes That Are SLOWING You Down

Adding timestamps for my own reference (and maybe yours too!):
0:21 Mistake #1: Practicing Too Fast
3:18 Mistake #2: Starting with Noodling
5:34 Mistake #3: Not Planning Fingerings
9:33 Mistake #4: Not Knowing Theory
12:44 Mistake #5: Trying to Learn Jamiroquai Songs (JK Super Hard Songs)
Thank you for the quality advice as usual Josh!

Bonus tip: when everything else fails, don't forget to smile and move rhythmically as you play. Just remember that 90% of people doesn't even know how the bass sounds or would be able to identify it anyway

My old band director said practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes permanent. Always appreciated that advice.

I love that not only do you teach bass, you teach learning. There are a lot of people on Clip-Share who think they can teach just because they know how to do something. You're the only online teacher I've found who not only know their stuff, you also seem to genuinely care about the learning process! Thank you!

This video was really educational and fun to watch, and you did a great job with the editing. It's so exciting to see how much you've improved over the years! :D

Even after B2B and practicing for 3 months I think this is the first video that made me realize "learning a song" is not about learning the notes and somehow hitting them in order, it's about memorizing one specfic sequence of finger movements to hit them the same way every time.
Excuse me while I go re-learn the few songs I've learned so far!

I'm autistic and just picked up a bass 3 days ago. Thank you for explaining (while also showing) the "why" along with the "what" and then also repeating the same idea using different words. 🥰 Yours is the first music related Clip-Share video I've been able to finish. 🤩

If you're reading these comments wondering "should I get the Beginner to Badass course"... YES, a thousand times YES. The course is awesome, you'll play heaps of styles and riffs and have a plethora of backing tracks to practice to.
Excellent video Josh 🤘😎

Great advice (and humour) as always. I'd like to add something a music teacher told me years ago: there's two types of practicing. One is for technique where you stop and correct mistakes as you make them; the other is to practice performing where, come hell or high water, you keep in sync with whatever tempo and place in a song that a backing track requires (which is a lot more of a challenge than just getting back in time with a metronome). Performance practicing is surprisingly hard to do but it teaches you the skill of how to keep the music flowing, which is essential if you ever want to play with anyone else. It's the musician's equivalent of being a figure skater who's fallen down and they have to get back up and carry on--and not with the next step after the one they flubbed, but to get back in sync with the music that's moved on while they were splattered on the ice.

I am a freshman in highschool and I started play bass about a week ago, I decided to take music theory at the beginning of this year and already having the experience with that class has helped me with understanding scales and the fretboard so much. Music theory is a huge help and I would recommend taking a class to anybody.

Just some different perspectives on a couple of these points: While watching live footage of the bass player of whatever song you're trying to figure out is helpful, keep in mind that they aren't necessarily the epitome of technique just because they are in a band. Also, often times performers will compromise good technique while playing live for the sake of an entertaining performance.
Barring your finger is the last resort on bass! The chorus on Hysteria for example, would be more comfortably played with your index and then middle finger. Josh has bigger hands, so it's easier for him to barre. Barring is very straining for most people, especially across multiple strings on bass, and lower on the fretboard. Do what is comfortable for you.
Nice progress on your video content Josh! They feel much more refined and smooth

Lots of thoughts in my mind right now. But this one might be one of the best, mind-blowing, mind-expanding videos I've seen to date. Honestly, as a 'forever beginner', I ENJOY challenge too much. Which doesn't mean I always succeed, and here you've just explained to me exactly WHY. So, thanks for this, it's an excellent guide to start correcting bad habits! I still have to learn how to play slap in a few weeks, so I'm still in deep dip, but now I know I can make a plan. And that's a start.

I appreciate your content so much, josh!
I purchased your beginner to badass course back in 2021, got about 70% of the way through it, and just fell off playing for the last couple of years. I'm just getting back into it, and I've been doing all of this!
As a self-taught-bassist, who has felt so lost trying to learn an instrument on my own, your content has given me structure and tips that have helped me more than anything. I consider you my teacher, and you have taught me so much. Thank you for doing what you do!

I'll put in a plug for Josh's Beginner to Badass course. It's what started me on my bass journey and having seen a lot more material since then, I still feel it was the absolute best choice I could have unknowingly made at the time. It's a great way to get started, and I hope that Josh will follow up with another structured class of more advanced material.
I find that my skill is a series of jumps and plateaus - and that's not bad, as long as I get off a plateau in time. The plateaus give time to get really good at a certain level. This video pokes me to be more efficient at making that jump to the next level, and it's great stuff. One point on fingering - it's not just about watching someone or efficiency - it's about how *you* want something to sound. A C on the E string sounds more full than a C on the A string which is a bit punchier. There are times when each sounds better (even in the same song), and maybe not where the efficient fingering would point. And then yeah - practice it that way over and over so it's just programmed in and feels right.

You are very understandable for non-English speakers even without use of subtitles. Thanks for your lessons!

I have to stay that you are one of, if not the most humble teacher of bass and music that I've encountered on Clip-Share. Thank you sir. Keep on doing this for the music world. We need you.

You mentioned learning something from every song even easy ones, and one for me that I learned about how much of a difference muting notes makes that some of my other music loving friends don't seem to be as aware of was Sunshine of Your Love like you mentioned. He lets those last few notes ring sometimes and sometimes he mutes them pretty quick and realizing how big of a difference that makes for the feel of a song really helped me learn the place a bass often takes in rock music in particular but how feel as a whole is perceived in music

I’m a professional symphony clarinetist, and just started playing electric bass! I love your beginner practicing methods.

Picking up the bass again after a trying to learn it a year ago and all of these videos are awesome! You've really sparked my interest in the bass again. Thank you for being an awesome teacher! Keep up the great work!

These videos always put things in such great perspective for me, and make me so excited to get back in the practice room so I can play better! Thanks Josh!!

For #2 I consider starting noodling for a few minutes as warmup. Agree100% with finger patterns. Plan ahead makes songs easier - especially when you can roll on a 1/5 sequence. Another great video - thanks!

Great video Josh.
Obviously there's lots of aspects to learning the bass.
The most important things I believe to develop/practice and helps other aspects of your playing in so many ways, you touch on in the video is learning to read and count.
Another mistake is to neglect and I see it a lot, ear training.
To me, this is the most important one and is a huge asset.
Cheers 👍 🎸

Great tips as usual Josh. I’m still working on the course albeit very slowly (I’m on module 5) but now that my work schedule has tailed off I’m determined to finish by spring. Best money I ever spent was getting your badass course. Thanks for your hard work and determination.

You quickly are becoming my favorite instructor! Just beginning on the bass. Seems to be too many that think they can teach or ones that go so fast you can't keep up. Thank you Josh and crew!

Superfreak is an amazing bassline, and getting it close enough to play live is very achievable as a newbie but... the original has some tricky slides and muted notes - getting it bang-on is a challenge (a worthwhile challenge tho)

Fantastic video as always-remove the bass-specific references and this is a solid plan for consistent gains in many instruments. I'm a guitar player and still haven't applied them all! Consequently, my chops have been stuck at the same level for years, but I intend to change that soon.

HOW to learn is key. Great job Josh!

I´m an intermediate bass player, played for 15 years sometime in my spare time. However any time I see your videos, it makes me grab my bass. Really motivating, and very widely covered all bass topic. Keep up the good stuff!

I've been stuck on # 4 for a while now. I have a decent knowledge of music theory learned from watching videos and reading up on it - but actually applying it while playing is a whole different beast.

One of the biggest issues i had in my teens is just comfortably jamming with some one with out being super rehearsed and i only had the capacity for like 3 or for songs. This is why im trying to stay disciplined on studying practicing music theory at least a few minutes a day.

That transition at @3:18 is impressively well done and smooth 👌

Josh you are the best! You make learning this chunk of strung up wood and metal to a 60 year old newbie a lot less stressful! Your channel is awesome and thank you! You funny man!😂😂😂🎸

I always loved Theory because it really did feel like you open up a massive world of patterns and improv with relatively little memorizing or tedium.

Thanks for all the things you bring to the bass teaching world. 🙏

I have a training video that runs through the modes starting in G, both one- and two-octave. I run through this frequently. it not only keeps my fingers in shape, but it helps me recognize what notes I need in a new situation in any key. I practice a lot of songs, but this is my "Get on the ground and give me twenty!" I also love the 5 string bass for the ability to go up and down the strings with less fret changes. I also have a sans amp mixed into a pedal board so I can practice at night with headphones. This way I don't drive everyone crazy when I trying to figure out a difficult riff 40 times in a row ("no..please stop!") In the early 70s, I learned songs, some difficult, and I kept working at it until I got it. However, it took me longer to make up bass riffs of my own. I don't have any issue with making my own bass lines any more.

Awesome! Sloth speed practice is great. When practicing very slowly, watch the plucking hand, because you will cross strings and alternate differently, so match that as well.

Oh man, mistake 5 hit hard. During my first year of leaning bass, I tried to learn some parts from Dream Theater's Metropolis 1 and it took me years playing them consistently since it was way to complicated and my mistakes just got wired in...

Just found this channel.
Picked up my bass for the first time in about 13 years recently, and am starting again from scratch bas(S)ically. I was never the best player (average at best) but now I've got a chance to 'learn better'.
2 bass lines that are my ultimate goals are White Zombies 'Black Sunshine' and Muse's 'Hysteria' which I am finding VERY difficult right now - the speed and timing are killing my left hand!) Looking forward to checking out the rest of your videos!

I miss being in a band as it was my main learning experience for bass playing. During my time in the band I was challenged to learn a few rush songs. I didn't get them down as much as I would like to have. I remember afterwards how terrible and unacomplished I felt not playing every note and on time. I felt the skill level was above my own(still do) and needed more time to be satisfied. I feel like I failed. Playing with someone who is much better makes me feel so intrusive and atrocious. Knowing that they are being nothing but nice as I continuously apologize for my short comings sets me down even more. I haven't been involved with other musicians since then.

Wow, some really great and practical advice Josh. I've been playing for many years and there is always something to learn by watching your videos. For me, I noodle a lot. I will make a more conscious effort to practice something, rather than noodle. Or if I do noodle, just name all the notes I am playing to stay familiar with the fretboard.
I also love your idea on learning some theory, even if you just play along to other people's songs. I know my basics and it's always helpful when recognizing patterns or trying to play along, even if it's just knowing arpeggios, and major and minor scales.
Thanks!

Love your videos, you helped me get back into playing bass after ~10 years off. Thanks dude
Random question - what software do you use to edit your videos? Looking to up my game 🤘🏽
Thanks

Great tips....especially the first one. It's amazing how fast you can learn a line when you start super slow.

i know my Bass but my playing is very limited. Planning to join the course soon. Thanks for the video, always good to see the basics taught well. ;)

Thank you for always motivating me to practice bass just with uploading another video! :D

Excellent video. Students can often jump ten bears at a time but it's student dependant. You've given them the best advice.

I love this, I recognize everything I used to do and all the subjects you touch are subjects my teacher has spent so much time on with me over the years. Pretty cool stuff and a great video!

My favorite part is how this dude travelled into the future, when he was older, then back again to the present. THAT, my friends, is the true power of bass mastery!

Thanks for this post. Even though I’m a novice beginner, there many points I “knew” but needed to be reminded of.
I enjoy learning music theory, as long as presented in doable chunks and not fire hosed.

I finished reading "the talent code" not so long ago and I found it a fascinating and practical book that has definitely changed the way I practice

Thanks so much for these tips! I am making some of these mistakes. I'll try your methods to fix them. Also - I totally agree with you about Matrix 4! 🙂

Thank you for good contents!
Super helpful 😆
And super funny😂😂😂 I really love your sense of joyful delivery

I know you're a bass teacher, but I am a guitarist who watches your videos because they have at least some (sort of?) relevance to me. But not only that, your teaching style is really freaking good and often the concepts can apply to anything in general.

I’m so grateful that I’m not the bassist that freezes up at a gig. I’m a 20+ player with zero training and I’ve naturally learned almost all of these techniques. Key take away slow down.

Nice! I usually practiced on my brother's bass, as he was the only one who had an electric bass, typical P-Bass model. Last year at Christmas, I decided to get one too, only since I didn't want to get the usual electric bass like everyone does, I decided to get an acoustic bass. And I'm not talking about an upright bass, but literally an acoustic bass guitar. By the way, will you bring this topic up in the future? If that's not a problem for you 😅
Well, that's all I had to say, bye 😄

I loved your rendition of do I do, good job!!!! it sounded really amazing and that's one of my favorite songs

When I was young and starting out, one of the first bass veterans at a jam session told me he would learn a song by figuring out the bulk of it by the time it was over. Of course that was just the first step.
I do that in a way. I’ll learn to play a first take at full speed, even if there are some wrong or missed notes, just to get the rhythm and flow down. Because that’s important too. Once that starts to become comfortable, I’ll notice most of the wrong or missing notes, then it’s not hard to make those adjustments. Then after awhile I might notice a few more nuances and refine it a little more. The more I play a familiar piece, the more I am open to ways to improve. Rather than be weighed down by hard learning all the time.
If I waited until I had it perfect before playing it at full speed, for fear of developing bad technique, I’d never get there. At some point I gotta jump in or get thrown in. I’m certainly not a pro, I’ve got a full time job plus overtime, but it happens to be what works for me.
I do agree with learning to play scales fluently in the various shapes, and learning the money notes first. Meanwhile some simple songs can be fun. When I got my first bass for Christmas, first thing I played was “The Unforgiven” while sitting on my bed. Then I went at it with major and minor scales for a long time, which developed fretboard learning, coordination, fingering, plucking and muting all at once.

Great tips! Also, Clip-Share has made it 1000 times easier to learn songs than back in the day when we had to keep rewinding the tape and trying to hear through all the other instruments in the song to figure out what we were trying to learn. No excuse these days to digging in and learning songs.

My very first assignment from my bass teacher was a choice between Distant Early Warning and Tom Sawyer... Uh... I do love my teacher! A huge Rush fan, He's incredible and we worked on some easier pieces after that, but that was pretty overwhelming right off the bat. I still can't play anything by Rush. So, don't get discouraged if your teacher gives you something that you think is too difficult, it's okay to ask them if you can find something else, and if you show them how you picked your songs they may get really excited about it. Just have an answer other than "it was easier"

The fingerings are the main issue for me. I'm always playing things differently. Since I'm not in any band, I just put on Pandora and thump away. Sometimes I hook in and sometimes I don't and the frustration is because of not really have a set way to use the fretboard.

What helped me is to just focus on rhythm and having fun instead of becoming fast and cool.
Jamming out, having fun, dancing around a bit as you play really goes a long way

Great video Josh, you always make learning fun! I have a question for you/anyone who has taken Beginner to Badass. I know it's cardinal sin, but for my first bass, I chose a 5 string (necessary for the music I want to play) and I'm curious if your course has anything that covers 5 strings? Either way, I am still probably signing up, was just curious about resources.

Awesome lesson as always, thanks Josh! Speaking of mistakes, in that passage from Hysteria at 8:10 I found myself using the middle finger on the flat seventh note because I feel it somehow comfortable: could this be a sign that I'm twisting my fist in a strange way? Note that I come from guitar, where twisting is sometimes even encouraged...

Great videos/course you have going. If only I knew about bass as a kid and had the internet (I graduated HS in 1989). Beginners today have so many amazing resources like your channel while getting to learn right in their bedrooms & you have one of the best ways (and most modest ways) of explaining & teaching the instument which is terrific.
Something I tell & show inspiring bassists or someone that's new is to the instrument is how to play a song they dig that's doable as a novice. I've seen people quit over strugling to try & learn & read sheet music only to play a jenky version of Mary Had a Little Lamb 3 weeks later. Definitely learn sheet music, theory, scales etc. etc. but I know it totally get's people inspired if they can play the main line or maybe the entire song to something easy like "Rain" & "She Sells Sanctuary" by The Cult, "Aneurysm" by Nirvana (and dozens of other pretty simple songs) and be impressed with themselves. Thats how it started for me. I tried the trumpet & drums in grade school but lost interest by the time I learned Happy Birthday.
(Small anecdote); I never even thought about the bass until I was 19 and in the Navy going to school in Jacksonville, FL. A guy that I became friends with had the same taste in music as myself & he had a guitar & bass in his room. One day while hanging out he handed me the bass which I had no idea how to even hold let alone play. He showed me how to play the chorus to "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and that was it - I was hooked. That was fall of 1990 & I've been playing ever since. Even got to open up for Sugar Ray, The Specials & Suicidal Tendencies haha. Not bad for someone that really didn't even know what a bass guitar was until I was 19. For myself it was crucial that thats how I was introduced to the instrument; within 1 minute of picking up the bass I could play (very shodily) something I recognized & love. I would have quit going the old fashioned route.
I''m glad to see the massive success of your channel & watching it grow. Keep it up, cheers!

Dude, thank you SO MUCH for making these videos! I’ve been learning quite a lot just by watching and practicing some of the things you say. Practicing slower, getting my muscle memory, and then progressively quickening my tempo, I’m learning pretty quickly. I got a bass only two weeks ago and I am in love with the feeling of this instrument. Your help is definitely making a difference for me and it’s so inspiring to feel myself growing into this. Thank you again, man! You put a lot of effort into these and man does it pay off. I hope you’re off to a great 2023!

As always, thanks Josh. Would never have picked up the bass in the first place if not for your channel.

@BassBuzz 15:14 Hey Josh, at the time of this comment, the list you mentioned is not showing up. Just a heads up :) Also, thank you for all you do in this channel!!! It has been helping a certain struggling 2-week old bassist a lot

Watching a Jamiroquai cover 5 years ago inspired me to pick up a bass for the first time. And I have made EVERY ONE of the mistakes you describe 🤣 and I'm thinking, it's been 5 years...where is my progress?? SO, I bought your course! Wish me luck un-learning some of these hard-wired bad habits!! 😉

This was an experiment for me. My older brother played bass as well as Jaco Pastorius all by ear. He was ahead of his time also, he just didn't compse or read music either.

Thanks Josh. Gave me a new perspective on my practice routine

I love how you keep/increase the quality of your videos man. Cheers from Brazil 🇧🇷

Thanks for another awesome vid I always look forward to your stuff mr bass man 👊🏻❤️

What a value, these are such great pieces of advice! Even while knowing this just being reminded helps solidify how important it is!!!! Thank you

I have a pretty funny thing about the fingering tip
When I learn stuff, i just think "play the 5th fret of the E string" and then, without thinking, one random finger presses it
And when i play it the next time, i might use a completely different finger!
And surprisingly, it never really causes me issues

I just finished todays practice on Beginner to Badass and then found this waiting for me! Cool! Plus I can't recommend Beginner to Badass enough. It's great, I learn so much and it's fun too. Josh is a great teacher!

Watching this video, I realized I've been avoiding most of these mistakes because of singing in choir all through school (my conductor in high school...the football players would have rather been at practice), but then getting the fact i'm not pushing myself to advance beacause what I'm doing is fillilng the needs of my band.

You are a fab teacher, just working my way through your online course, love it, daughter keeps complaining as i have taken over her room as she has a big screen 😊 thanks

got my first bass today esp TLD b10 im loving your videos thank you

Awesome content. Could you make a video explaining:
Hammer on
Pull off
Legato side
Shift slide
Trill?
Tremolo picking
Shake?
And so on and so on. I’ve noticed these on the back of an excessive study book

Like John Myung said, practice can even be, connecting with the instrument. That doesn’t mean don’t follow the steps Josh gives I remember that Jamiroquai Tee in school! 🤘

Trying to do songs that are too hard, yeah that's been an issue for me, ie trying to do Yes songs or singing and playing Police songs at the same time! I will generally have a go at these at the end of a practice session when I've warmed up and will run through them slowly and then a little faster and leave it at that. Some songs have taken a long time to master this way but I prefer that instead of battering myself against them and doing damage. I recently conquered Travels In Nihilon by XTC on a P bass no less (My tip, learn to do it at the bottom of the board not higher, that might seem wrong but it's actually physically easier), that's something I've wanted to do for over a decade, so I'm proud of myself. I don't mind taking the time over it, I'm a patient guy and there's lots of songs to learn.

Without needing my help; (grabs whip) Thank you Josh for these tips, I definitely fall into a few of these categories. In the next few months I want to really concentrate on my music theory since my technique has seen a lot of improvement the past 6 months!

#5 has summed up my past year with the bass. I've been trudging through "Hysteria" and "Overkill". This week, I tried "Du Hast" on whim and was amazed at how good it feels to actually be able to play a song.

Great video. I can't recommend B2B enough. I finished the course and still go back to it to practice. I have to agree with trying too hard of a song. I've attempted a couple and within the first two bars, I'm like NOPE.
Keep posting videos Teach.

this is on point for me, I consider myself an intermediate bassist but, I admit I have to rlly work on my technique and slowing down while avoiding noodling LOL

You can add chord inversions, secondary dominants, modal interchange, tri-tone substitution, and key change facility all to the basic stuff😉.
Love you Josh (platonically of course!).. 🥳🎸

I’m genuinely happy that picking up the bass and looking for Clip-Sharers, the bass community has the best teacher.

From a way to much Doodling guitar player I have been stuck on my progression on guitar. I picked up the bass today (it's been sitting for around 8 years and collected dust) to actually try and play some bass. So totally fresh on bass but with a bit of guitar knowledge that hopefully will benefit me.
Thanks for the video, I'll keep dropping by. :)

I taught martial arts for 20 years and the phrase I repeat more often by far to students was "slow down". Doing something sloppy very fast is not the road to proficiency. Smooth is fast.

As someone who hit a plateau, this was one of the most helpful bass vids I’ve seen!

Best bass video I’ve ever seen. Excellent work and thank you

The crazy thing is I wrote down some bass chords and all the notes on the bass.I've had my bass for 2 years. I feel like I unlocked a whole new world.

Brilliant video Josh. Everything you say makes sense and I chuckled all the way through.

Great video, all your videos kick ass! im an older guy that played metal in early 80s at 18 years old, quit playing , picked back up at 40 for a couple of years and gigs, quit playing again and now picked back up at 50

#3 I kind of disagree on, I have done it many ways for those moments when something can go wrong, also I learn the song in many positions, if it is a same thing over and over and over, and there is no room to add because it takes away, I have played in many positions on the neck, this helps if a string breaks or goes out and you can't fix it right away. so if my E string Breaks (and yes it has because of my attack on that string seems to be extreamly heavy "Thrash Metal" I have broken a string before) so I can just move up the neck and play with my 3 remaining strings, not as dark or deep but can get me thru a song and then swap out the bass for one of my other 2 that I have with me... But non-seasoned players should stick to one way, when you get 35+ years under your belt you learn $h!t happens and you need to adapt to the situation!
Even with all my bad habbits you have taught this bass player that has 40 years under my belt.
I love to watch all the videos on my main and primary instrument...
Thanks,
Keep it up!

Me: *takes a break from bass for a few months*
Me: *comes back to bass*
Josh: *still making top tier bass content*

I'm thankful to have found your channel, your teaching is fantastic. I bought your Beginner to Badass course, and not having looked ahead at the individual modules, are many of these topics covered in the course?

a tip for learning modes. if you take the basic C major scale C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C OR 1,1,1/2,1,1,1,1/2. take the first interval and move it to the back and start on D you will get the next mode. so D,E,F,G,A,B,C OR 1,1/2,1,1,1,1/2,1. keep shifting and you will run through the modes. once you know the pattern it becomes easier to shift.

While a great ear can replace basic theory, a great ear plus basic music theory makes you a force to be reckoned with. You can learn songs at lightning speed. You can transpose on the fly. You can make stuff up and have it sound _good._ If you're a new player, it's true that you don't _need_ theory, but trust me when I say you're going to _want_ theory if you want to take your playing to the next level.

hey, I've been playing bass for awhile and I've never had any training besides these vids, now I've got a band and can play hysteria. thank you.

Probably the most helpful bass instruction video I’ve seen in a while.