More wise words. I love your stream of consciousness, Johnny. I've been playing bass for over 20 years, but I like going back and watching beginner videos once in a while, especially yours, because it reminds me that the only time you stop learning is when you're six feet under. Keep up the inspirational work for the beginners as well as the old guys and gals. By the way, I'm really glad they never stopped making the P bass because that's a bass for all levels of play! It was my first one too. As far as im concerned, P is the most comfortable body shape and jazz is the most comfortable neck for me.
That is great advice. I started playing bass professionally at 15. I'm 53 now and have been mostly playing guitar for the last 15 years or so. About 2 months ago I started picking up side money playing bass. I didn't realize how much I missed it. It's fun to bring the low. I sure do miss not hearing my Telecaster in the mix of what I'm playing though. I'm playing with this one guitar player a lot that is fantastic. Probably better than me and we'll swap instruments. That really makes it fun. Keep up the great work. You really have a great way of communicating.
Hey Uncle Dan! I didn't know you followed Johnny Long!! Small world! Well, he is a Cowboys fan so he must be a fellow Texan like yourself lol. Shada Ka Ka!!
I've got you beat. I've had a bass since the early 70's; an old candy apple red, $75 Teisco (that's it in the pic, circa 1971). Never put much time in learning how to play. Just picked out bass lines from ear, on the fly, to songs I was listening to at the time. Fast forward to 2016. Retired now with an accumulated arsenal of some ten basses collected over the decades, and ranging from $200-$4500 in price. Still plucking out bass lines from ear but now seriously reading music and studying the electric bass instead of just plucking it. Playing with the church praise and worship band, and practicing technique daily, has given me a whole new perspective on the critical role of low-end presence in all genres of music, and how to effectively execute it. I am enjoying the musical journey in this next phase of my life... God is Good!👑🎸🎵
Johnny, I as well am "Old School", and agree when you say our job is to "lay bass". I've seen too many "Bassists" who want to lead with bass lines that are too busy and or too loud.
Love my Steinberger but, I made more money/fans/friends with a hacked P bass body with a fretless Jazz bass neck. Oh, the GK 200MB helped too. Btw, that 5th string makes for an awesome thumb rest.
I had the GK 20ü MB, too. For about 4 years it was my main rig, together with a sealed 410". I played venues of every size and even a Open Air gig with this rig - thanks to the PA and the direkt out of the small 200 MB.
My friend ALWAYS a pleasure looking at your informative videos. If you think you're not getting anything out of your videos, I am and I want to thank you for your tireless efforts!! SHADA KAKAAA!
After 45 years of bass playing, and owning Sadowsky, Fender Jazz, and Gibson (to name a few) I was in a music shop and tried a used Fender AVRI 58 and fell in love. That's what a bass is suppose to be. Thick neck, 7.25" radius, low frets, and a basic bottom sound. The guys in my band rave about the sound, and I enjoy playing it more than anything I've owned before.
Franck Sewa ......FRANCK....thank u my brother...of course this one is not real...thanks for correcting me...love your country.....bass on my brother see u soon
@@LONGCASTLE777 what are your thoughts on the ESP LTD B204SM Electric Bass? I'm just starting out on bass and I want a quality bass that I can grow with. Any insight that you can give me uncle Johnny I truly appreciate any insight that you can give me.
Rule #1: Don't play guitar on a Bass. Rule #2: Make people dance. Rule #3: There is no money above the 7th frett. (But, hey, there's a lot of fun up there!)
Thanks for this video, Johnny. I was in doubt about which bass choose, a 4 ou 5 strings. Now, I made up my mind and my first one will be a 4 strings bass. God bless you!!!
Wise words of wisdom, as always. Thank you very much Mr. Johnny Long sir. It is much appreciated. You talked about the 5 string bass .... What if the 5 string is the same price, or even cheaper than the 4 string ... For a beginner, should we still go for the 4 string ? Thank you again kind sir, and may God Bless you and your whole family. 😎
Great videos thanks for keeping it real quick and simple i can follow you and learn more about the basics from your videos than all those others on RUclips thanks for sharing your wisdom with me.
Dude McMann I’m 57 y.o. I’ve been playing bass semi-pro and at church for 35 years. Johnny has tips and information that I’ve never heard and I find helpful in spite of the years I have as a bassist.
Verdine White is my guy. I love how he drops very low notes into the lines that he plays. Sometimes the low notes he drops in sound like they aren't even in the key he's playing in but they sound harmonic because he has or makes time to play them. Doe he play a jazz bass or he working with some custom instrument ?
I was privileged to meet Abraham Laboriel back in 2008 in Redman, Washington. And the greatest advice he gave to the workshop was that people 98% of the time, only want the here the "ohm" from the bass guitar, and not the "bubba"!
To each his own. The purpose of the "Extended Range Bass" (5+strings or more) is to be equivalent with or compete with the extended wide range of the piano. An instrument capable of playing in both bass and treble clef when the moment or reading is called for. The evolution of the bass guitar not only has step out of the shadow of just being an old world era low range, single note backup instrument, but has also morphed into a progressive lead instrument in which you can now also incorporate chords. For a true "vintage" sound, you need heavy/ medium gauge flatwound strings other than the heavy/medium/light gauge roundwounds for today's more high end modern sound. Everyone be careful out there..
At the end of the day/night our job is to keep the groove in the pocket so our audience can enjoy our session and maybe dance and have fun with our groove. Shadow Kaka... my friends God bless and much respect
Biggest thing about 5 (or more) strings, is it ain't harder to play more strings and it doesnt make you a better player to be able to play it. It's just different. Now if the same 4 sting player can also know how to play a 5 string, he's obviously got more tools for success than the 4 string only version of himself. People use strings to boost their ego and it doesn't help their playing unless their gigs/preferred music requires 5 or more strings. That said, if you want to start playing bass for the first time with 5 strings, go for it. Just understand it's gonna be harder going back to a 4 string, which you're more than likely going to need for your gigs.
I play a 2008 Fender Am. Std. Pbass with D'Addario NYXLs through a Markbass amp and cabs and the sound is pretty modern, not vintage at all. No ping ping, of course.
Newbie here, retired, and bought that Phender Pbase, then a MM Stingray. Send Hootie outside to scare away those crows Johnny. Happy Memorial Day ya'll.
I've got small hands! I've been looking at a Fender player P bass Or a Player Jazz (2019 models) ... Is the neck much diffrent? Will I struggle with a P?
So true, there are only 12 notes and 99.3% of basslines can be played in the first position. No need to oomplicate it. I believe someone is not ready for a 5-string until they come to terms with the fact they don't need one.
I had the immense pleasure of meeting my idol back in 98 - Rocco Prestia of Tower of Power - pre-show. He told me basically, the same thing you said...He's never felt the need for a 5 string bass, when 4 gets the job done...I never forgot that.
@Johnny Long what are your thoughts on the ESP LTD B204SM Electric Bass? I'm just starting out on bass and I want a quality bass that I can grow with. Any insight that you can give me uncle Johnny I truly appreciate any insight that you can give me.
The absolute worst thing in a band is a drummer who is always changing tempo while doing a drum fill and speeding up the whole song cos he cant hold it...
More wise words. I love your stream of consciousness, Johnny. I've been playing bass for over 20 years, but I like going back and watching beginner videos once in a while, especially yours, because it reminds me that the only time you stop learning is when you're six feet under. Keep up the inspirational work for the beginners as well as the old guys and gals.
By the way, I'm really glad they never stopped making the P bass because that's a bass for all levels of play! It was my first one too. As far as im concerned, P is the most comfortable body shape and jazz is the most comfortable neck for me.
"Simplicity is the key"
Arnold Bell there is so much knowledge of life in that small sentence
That is great advice. I started playing bass professionally at 15. I'm 53 now and have been mostly playing guitar for the last 15 years or so. About 2 months ago I started picking up side money playing bass. I didn't realize how much I missed it. It's fun to bring the low. I sure do miss not hearing my Telecaster in the mix of what I'm playing though. I'm playing with this one guitar player a lot that is fantastic. Probably better than me and we'll swap instruments. That really makes it fun. Keep up the great work. You really have a great way of communicating.
Hey Uncle Dan! I didn't know you followed Johnny Long!! Small world! Well, he is a Cowboys fan so he must be a fellow Texan like yourself lol. Shada Ka Ka!!
@@RoadKing-ky2bs yeah he is a great bass player and I love his way of communicating.
Thanks for this. I am picking up the instrument again after nearly 25 years. I feel like a newbie.
Pastor CT Jermin ....me too pastor, me too. Peace and love. 🎶🎶🎶
LOL same here. Played when I was 13 now I'm 29++
I've got you beat. I've had a bass since the early 70's; an old candy apple red, $75 Teisco (that's it in the pic, circa 1971). Never put much time in learning how to play. Just picked out bass lines from ear, on the fly, to songs I was listening to at the time. Fast forward to 2016. Retired now with an accumulated arsenal of some ten basses collected over the decades, and ranging from $200-$4500 in price. Still plucking out bass lines from ear but now seriously reading music and studying the electric bass instead of just plucking it. Playing with the church praise and worship band, and practicing technique daily, has given me a whole new perspective on the critical role of low-end presence in all genres of music, and how to effectively execute it. I am enjoying the musical journey in this next phase of my life...
God is Good!👑🎸🎵
Busta Bass .... you are thumpin' in the name of the lord......God bless you. Peace and love.🎶🎶🎶
shasha-muse
...He is worthy, my fellow believer in Christ 👑🎸🎵
To paraphrase an old banjo player I knew, " there ain't no money past the 5th fret". Same with the bass.
That's genius. That there is a whole lot smarter than most people realize. Lol.
I can't help but smile when I think of the look on Sir Paul's or Jeff Wooten's faces when you tell THEM that. . .
Johnny, I as well am "Old School", and agree when you say our job is to "lay bass". I've seen too many "Bassists" who want to lead with bass lines that are too busy and or too loud.
I gotta Pbass that started life as a Squier Affinity. It ain't anymore. Sounds like a pBass. Like you've said before, tone is in your hands.
Love my Steinberger but, I made more money/fans/friends with a hacked P bass body with a fretless Jazz bass neck. Oh, the GK 200MB helped too. Btw, that 5th string makes for an awesome thumb rest.
I had the GK 20ü MB, too. For about 4 years it was my main rig, together with a sealed 410". I played venues of every size and even a Open Air gig with this rig - thanks to the PA and the direkt out of the small 200 MB.
Johnny Long, I love your videos man! Your energy and enthusiasm is awesome and I always learn something from you. Thanks for the great content!
My friend ALWAYS a pleasure looking at your informative videos. If you think you're not getting anything out of your videos, I am and I want to thank you for your tireless efforts!! SHADA KAKAAA!
I absolutely Love your videos, of your take of bass guitar.
I was also wondering if you could please do a segment on short scale bass guitars.
Greco Perry ...will do....
Some of the most realist knowledge you've kicked out since I've been watching you Johnny, a lot of young kats need to hear this Bro thanks again!!
How could I live without your videos, Johnny? 😀 Many many thanks.
After 45 years of bass playing, and owning Sadowsky, Fender Jazz, and Gibson (to name a few) I was in a music shop and tried a used Fender AVRI 58 and fell in love. That's what a bass is suppose to be. Thick neck, 7.25" radius, low frets, and a basic bottom sound. The guys in my band rave about the sound, and I enjoy playing it more than anything I've owned before.
Dude... you are a straight up gift. Thanks!
Hi Johnny!
Mayones is from Poland ;)
I like what you do and the way you do it!
Franck, a beginner from France
Franck Sewa ......FRANCK....thank u my brother...of course this one is not real...thanks for correcting me...love your country.....bass on my brother see u soon
@@LONGCASTLE777 what are your thoughts on the ESP LTD B204SM Electric Bass? I'm just starting out on bass and I want a quality bass that I can grow with. Any insight that you can give me uncle Johnny I truly appreciate any insight that you can give me.
GREAT video. Even us bass veterans can use a Bass101 refresher every now and again to remind us of our humble beginnings
Deepest respect my brother... you are pure joy!!
Rule #1: Don't play guitar on a Bass.
Rule #2: Make people dance.
Rule #3: There is no money above the 7th frett.
(But, hey, there's a lot of fun up there!)
That bird knows what's up.
Thanks for this video, Johnny. I was in doubt about which bass choose, a 4 ou 5 strings. Now, I made up my mind and my first one will be a 4 strings bass. God bless you!!!
Need to hear this one all the time. Thanks, Johnny.
Thanks for the tips :) it's nice seeing other happy bass players, I love your energy!
Amen,Johnny!
Wise words of wisdom, as always. Thank you very much Mr. Johnny Long sir.
It is much appreciated.
You talked about the 5 string bass .... What if the 5 string is the same price, or even cheaper than the 4 string ...
For a beginner, should we still go for the 4 string ?
Thank you again kind sir, and may God Bless you and your whole family. 😎
Hi Johnny Lee you videos are amazing informative and entertaining thanks man
Great videos thanks for keeping it real quick and simple i can follow you and learn more about the basics from your videos than all those others on RUclips thanks for sharing your wisdom with me.
I'm a newbie. Only about 6 months learning bass but I love it
Zeeno ...keep playing...practice makes perfect. Good luck from a sister bassist. Peace and love.🎶🎶🎶
shasha-muse haha thank you!
Zeeno Johnny inspires us old guys too! Ha. His videos are some of the best on RUclips.
Dude McMann I’m 57 y.o. I’ve been playing bass semi-pro and at church for 35 years. Johnny has tips and information that I’ve never heard and I find helpful in spite of the years I have as a bassist.
You know Tom Barney?? So cool! LOVE his work with Steely Dan!! Smoothest cat nobody ever heard of :)
Thanks Jonnie, exactly what this rank beginner needed to hear and I’m going to take it to heart my brother!
thank you for all information on bass I learn how play it
Verdine White is my guy. I love how he drops very low notes into the lines that he plays. Sometimes the low notes he drops in sound like they aren't even in the key he's playing in but they sound harmonic because he has or makes time to play them.
Doe he play a jazz bass or he working with some custom instrument ?
I like the tone choice of extended range basses. It helped me to be distinct.
I was privileged to meet Abraham Laboriel back in 2008 in Redman, Washington. And the greatest advice he gave to the workshop was that people 98% of the time, only want the here the "ohm" from the bass guitar, and not the "bubba"!
Great advice, thanks
I play in my church, I provide bottom for the piano player. Most of my notes are in the 5 or 6 fret range.
To each his own. The purpose of the "Extended Range Bass" (5+strings or more) is to be equivalent with or compete with the extended wide range of the piano. An instrument capable of playing in both bass and treble clef when the moment or reading is called for. The evolution of the bass guitar not only has step out of the shadow of just being an old world era low range, single note backup instrument, but has also morphed into a progressive lead instrument in which you can now also incorporate chords. For a true "vintage" sound, you need heavy/ medium gauge flatwound strings other than the heavy/medium/light gauge roundwounds for today's more high end modern sound. Everyone be careful out there..
Solid advice.
Been watching a lot of videos for beginners on bass playing and by far yours I get
At the end of the day/night our job is to keep the groove in the pocket so our audience can enjoy our session and maybe dance and have fun with our groove. Shadow Kaka... my friends God bless and much respect
You are just great thanks a lot for your tips.☺👍🎼
I learned something today..💯
Biggest thing about 5 (or more) strings, is it ain't harder to play more strings and it doesnt make you a better player to be able to play it. It's just different.
Now if the same 4 sting player can also know how to play a 5 string, he's obviously got more tools for success than the 4 string only version of himself. People use strings to boost their ego and it doesn't help their playing unless their gigs/preferred music requires 5 or more strings.
That said, if you want to start playing bass for the first time with 5 strings, go for it. Just understand it's gonna be harder going back to a 4 string, which you're more than likely going to need for your gigs.
Johnny, You are the best! I love you Brother!
Thanks 🙏🏾
Youre my man ...💯✔️🤘
Really enjoy your talks for the beginner,I’m one of them.
Thank u 🎸
JL, love your approach! And seeing you demo things in your 'space' gives me the feeling I know where a lot of your 'war paint' came from (cringe). . .
Thanks johnny! i am a cool cat that loves to play bass!
I play a 2008 Fender Am. Std. Pbass with D'Addario NYXLs through a Markbass amp and cabs and the sound is pretty modern, not vintage at all. No ping ping, of course.
Great video! What’s up with the Samurai sword Sensei?
Newbie here, retired, and bought that Phender Pbase, then a MM Stingray. Send Hootie outside to scare away those crows Johnny. Happy Memorial Day ya'll.
I've got small hands! I've been looking at a Fender player P bass Or a Player Jazz (2019 models) ... Is the neck much diffrent? Will I struggle with a P?
I'm not quite sure why but Johnny Long sorta reminds me of Yoda. And I mean that in a good way, of course.
I get the idea, a lot of effects and processing make it sounds like the bass on the record as you said.
love ya jhonny long!
I play a 4 string through a 5 string pedal and solves all my problems
Love that hat!
is that a damn samurai sword? put that away.
oh my favorite bass is the old longhorns.
Great precher
🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸
Great video, thanks for keeping it simple
......and, in my experience, 8 times outta 10, the bass is run direct to the desk. They'll use a tube preamp on it and it's done.
This guy is my new bass hero.
So true, there are only 12 notes and 99.3% of basslines can be played in the first position. No need to oomplicate it. I believe someone is not ready for a 5-string until they come to terms with the fact they don't need one.
I had the immense pleasure of meeting my idol back in 98 - Rocco Prestia of Tower of Power - pre-show. He told me basically, the same thing you said...He's never felt the need for a 5 string bass, when 4 gets the job done...I never forgot that.
9:28 yes sir!!!
Hey i play a squier pj bass been playing for two years i been watching and playing the licks you do
I was playing my P in huge choirs up until 2009
Good Stuff!! Kudos!!!
@Johnny Long what are your thoughts on the ESP LTD B204SM Electric Bass? I'm just starting out on bass and I want a quality bass that I can grow with. Any insight that you can give me uncle Johnny I truly appreciate any insight that you can give me.
I got the six string model its great watch leo bass covers if you wanna hear the tone
@@nicholassternon5857 Which songs?
blowfly3000 pretty much all his tool covers
@@nicholassternon5857 Roger that, Thanks!
I'm 63 and I still tell people "I'm a fender bass player"...and I know you know what that means.
Yeah...RESPECT!! :)
Shit, a P-bass is all I’ll ever need
Good info, thanks.
Life lesson- Lay Bottom!!
Thanks dude, that helped
Hi mr.long! I have a question... where can I order a monster preamp? The ones you put in your basses?
Qool Cid go on eBay and search tone monster bass preamp. They start at around $40 USD.
Qool Cid .......EBAY
Thanks y’all!
That Geddy Lee is sweet
The money's in the basement. (Karen Carpenter said that.)
The absolute worst thing in a band is a drummer who is always changing tempo while doing a drum fill and speeding up the whole song cos he cant hold it...
Fact
It's ok Jonny...you can say it - "a lotta Black folks didn't have TVs"....and we didn't :)
I've played for 37yrs and I still see reason to spend more than $2000 on a bass.
Johnny are job is the lower register of the bass tell Hootie hello SHADIKAKA PEACE OUT
I lay bottom!
&there aint nothin wrong with a P bass "my girl" anyone
Make me laugh and time
Early words!
Dude this Mayones is fake one, there is no " BE" model with NT neck, they are only bolt on, this is a fake copy :)
Piotr Orzechowski ......woooooow.....u think we do know this....come my brother....come on....