I love that Mark's super slow mode is still faster than I can play. A good thing about not knowing anything is it doesn't matter what you practice, its all new and useful.
I’ve been going thru a lot of the bass channels on here since picking the bass back up after a longgg break, and there’s so many out there it was very hard to sort the wheat from the chaff, but this channel is better than a couple of courses that I paid for, he also explains stuff really well! Keep it up 👍 ✌️
I need to watch this video at least once a month to remind myself of all these things. I always fall into technique drills when I’m having trouble with a part of a song.
This guy really deserves more subs. he has a great way of laying everything out and not just for bass players. Im transferring a lot over to improve my piano playing too.
Hey Mark, I know you probably won't read this but I watched this a year ago when I really started getting serious about practice and it has been solid advice through-and-through. I focused on learning theory and the applications of that theory (with your videos!) and I have made such huge progress as a MUSICIAN and a bass player. I've also picked up the guitar and the piano to try to learn more about composition, chords, chord voicings, and harmony in general and have amazed at how easy it is to pick up new instruments once you know how SONGS are built. You're a life changer man.
@@talkingbasslessons You and Marlowe are my favourite bass players on YT for learning about bass. You for all the technical stuff and some inspirational talks (like this one) and Marlowe for all those little nuggets that I pick up from him on groove and feel. I have learnt a lot from you two.
I've been teaching guitar for 25 years and I have to say I've never heard practice philosophy articulated better than in this video! I've picked up a few bass students recently and so I found you for some tips and your videos are amazing. You distill the essence of musicianship perfectly!
Hey mark just wanted to say that i tried to learn bass about 20 years ago and that watching your videos for a few days have already helped each more than any of the teachers I tried back then thanks for all the help so far!
Absolutely loved your comment about practising MUSIC not BASS. I put that in my practice notebook. When I taught myself piano, I wanted to learn MUSIC, not scales and piano. I taught myself to sightread, took just the Grade 7 exam, and got accepted to music college. Technique is nice, but it ain't music and I was given a year to get my technique up after staring music school - lol. Because I could play with feeling, even when sight-reading. But I think I've gotten too much into "learning bass" since I picked up the instrument 3 months ago, so it's a great reminder that I've taken to heart. Thanks, Mark. Lots of other valuable ideas in this video, also.
I've played guitar for about 8 years now and I haven't been able to do much except play a few favorite songs. The thing that stuck with me the most has been about your lessons being a "progressive journey rather than a succession of unrelated lessons." I believe my preconceive notions about playing guitar and bass prevented me from recognizing what really is happening. Of course, this is, according to me, due to a series of natural occurring events that influence my idea of what playing guitar and bass is about. Anyways, your videos definitely give me confidence about learning, playing, and all that jazz. Thanks
I've been watching bass videos on youtube for nearly 3 years now and I've yet to come across a proper walking bass lesson uploaded so far (except for an Eastern European guy who's recently done a series of walking bass videos and a French guy who does his videos exclusively in French) so a walking bass course (chord tones and all that) will be appreciated greatly. I'm sure Scott Devine is a talented bassist and teacher but his glove makes it almost impossible to follow the fingerings on the fretboard (I'm aware of his medical condition) you're the best teacher on youtube I've seen so far, I believe I'll be able to master some of the walking bass lines after watching your videos which I haven't managed to do so far with the real live bass teachers I've had.
Another great lesson Mark! Thanks for all your wonderful help and teaching us to hopefully one day master the Bass Guitar as you do. Your lessons are truly a blessing for me and many others! Thank you Master Mark!
This is so helpful and on point, thank you. Currently picking up the bass by myself and I have a lot of free-time, so I want to use the time wisely and make some good progress.
Mark - lovely! I`d add section called Groove which covers all exercises for developing good timing and rhythm on bass ;) Cheers from N. Ireland. You are Great!
Omg I still have my music theory books, I’m going to pull them dust them off! You think you remember that stuff but time🤦🏽♀️ thank you for this video😎🌸
What I like about your videos Mark is the simplicity of it all. Consistent quality, useful content, and the same green bass..perfect and easy-to-understand lessons. Can u do a meshuggah type lesson...something basic and easy to do....the opening intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge and verse, and whatever u feel like. Thanx in advance. Low Key Bass Demon.
I used to go to music college in the Stoke on Trent area. During the winter, I'd have to carry my guitar case for about a mile between the bus station and the college building. I carried with my right hand and by the time I got there it basically wouldn't move any more. So, I had to put my hand in warm water before classes began!
Play until your sick of it. Take a couple days off, pick it back up and you'll be amazed at how much better you'll play what was giving you a hard time.
Boy I have so much to learn and relearn that this video pointed out to me. It doesn’t help that for a good few years I lost the passion to play and forgot what things I did learn. I suppose I’d have to thank Koga F Choppa and Boh for getting me to get back into it from the type of energy they put out when playing. So it looks like I’ll be watching all your videos haha. Btw that’s a beautiful ibanez
Lightbulb moment: Practice music before bass. That‘s what was my biggest problem - playing famous songs by tabs but didn‘t understand what and why I was playing those notes.
Hi Mark. So, do you stick to a practice routine yourself? What do you do? I too have tried different routines that cover essential areas within specific time frame. But i have a hard time keeping it too. I seem to be most inspired when i have one topic at a time and go real deep at it. I guess i'm torn between "focusing one area" and feel inspired, and "practicing different aspects" and feel overwhelmed/bored. What do you suggest?
Hi Mark, I've recently discovered your gem of a channel and am finding it incredibly helpful. I have one question regarding the reading music section of practice - how important is being able to read (and eventually sight-read) actual sheet music as opposed to tablature? I use tabs to learn songs the vast majority of the time and am fluent in reading them, but while I can eventually work out sheet music I am fairly far off being able to sight-read at the moment.
Hillton spoke I was just passing along, and saw you never got an answer, so here's from another aspiring player. Learning to sight read staff notation is VERY important for any instrument. It helps you develop a knowledge of how your instrument works, and how the notes are related to one another. Knowing what each note on the staff represents (A, C, G, whatever) can strengthen your understanding of the neck. Every time you work your way through a piece on staff, reinforce what notes belong to what frets, and this will help you in group situations, where understanding theory is more important. Another useful thing is to know where Middle C is on your instrument, your clef, and every other clef. This can help give you an idea how the various instruments relate to each other in a group. Outside of Bass Clef you don't really need to learn any other notes besides Middle C, unless you plan on playing, or writing for, an instrument that uses it. Hope this helped!
Sorry I didn't answer earlier. Just saw the other reply. Reading is really important. Most of the gigs I've done as a pro have been reading gigs and that skill has helped me see places in this world I would never have seen. But aside from the obvious gig benefits, sight reading will improve your playing in other ways you might not even realise. You will know every note on your fretboard without even thinking about it. You'll also understand rhythm way better because you have to know every subdivision at sight in much the same way you know words in written language. The list goes on and on. I have a 12 level sight reading course in the final development stages so look out for that. Hope that helps.
Best thing about being a week into playing is that every time I pick up my bass, I learn something... :D Usually, though, I learn how easy it is to knock something over at about 3 feet... :( Also, about technique and speed, the main thing that rings true with speed is this: Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Our Drill Sergeants hammered it into our heads left and right; Slow is smooth, smooth is fast... You get your technique down, THEN you speed up... Learn the method, practice it until you can do it perfectly every time while sleeping, handcuffed, blindfolded, and being beaten with a stick (i.e. muscle memory), then double-time it... If you're comfortable with that speed, then go even faster...
No longer will I feel guilty for learning songs off Tabs to keep me from throwing my Bass through the window... Oh and its not about speed, its about familiarity.. Thank again..
Warm up your hands in a bowl of warm water? I had two cousins, brothers, both guitar players, that used to fight over who got to wash the dishes that evening during a typical Buffalo winter. Aunt Lois was a genius.
I PLAY 35 YEARS NOT TRAINING JUST HANDS ,, CLICK // ALL YOU CAN PRACTICE ON BASS// now i never had serious music ,,formal training/beside in school //no music school etc.. and i got more than 15 great albums recorded all kind of music from rock / hare krsna , primus stylwe superspeed metal // i know notes but //on level where i know what a half vs quarter look and //comparing to tabs//i can get ssong ,,but for me it is muuuuch eaasyer if some just show me what /approx/ i should play and it is no time i got it //or do my line to go with that // so //ok i feel theory is usefull a lot but again depend what you want// if your dream is to play in madness revival band //no other needed than play bass get sound and style u want to play some parts be consistent // so theory here is like a weapon training for boxer //no harm if he s a weapon specialist,, but if his goal is no to get to sas or seals it is useless in sport of box/AGAIN IF YOU KNOW SOME/AND DIG NOTES /ARE NATURAL TO YOU //GO SOME TIME IN THAT WAY,, IF YOU ARE AS ME //WHO JUST CAN NOT GET NOTES TO WORK FOR ME // OK I CAN READ PLAY SOME SIMPLE RIFF,, BUT THAN KEYS , CONTRAPUNCT ETC FOR ME WOULD TAKE ME AWAY FROM MUSIC AND I WAS PRO MUSITION 20 YEARS/LIVED OF IT ,, I HAD A PAUSE NOW I M BACK //SO MANY PEOPLE MANY WAY ,,AND TO ADD IF THERE IS INSTRUMENT WHERE YOU CAN BE ,,PRO ,, AND NO NOTE READER ,IT IS BASS/ OK DRUMS AND BONGOS TOO // ON GUITAR IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE
hey thanks for the lesson. i have been playing bass for about 3 years now but not consistently. i struggle to work out a good practice schedule especially after an 9 hour day at work. to make matters worse there are no good teachers in may area and i need someone to guide me how to apply the things i have been learning. youtube is grate for lessons but i need that personal feed back and couching. lessons over Skype could be a good compromise.
Best instructor on the net! Not just ego driven talk, talk, talk. All very helpful and on point.
yea the best thing is he gives you mostly facts and little opinions, most of the other guys interject too much of their own personal take on things
So true what a professional, basically he is a genius
I love that Mark's super slow mode is still faster than I can play.
A good thing about not knowing anything is it doesn't matter what you practice, its all new and useful.
I am convinced after 20 years of bass playing that Mark is the best bass teacher on the internet I have ever come across.
Cap
I’ve been going thru a lot of the bass channels on here since picking the bass back up after a longgg break, and there’s so many out there it was very hard to sort the wheat from the chaff, but this channel is better than a couple of courses that I paid for, he also explains stuff really well! Keep it up 👍 ✌️
Even his accent is perfect, inded, I am fom algeria my English is no really good, but this guy speaks clearly, and slowly.
I need to watch this video at least once a month to remind myself of all these things. I always fall into technique drills when I’m having trouble with a part of a song.
This guy really deserves more subs. he has a great way of laying everything out and not just for bass players. Im transferring a lot over to improve my piano playing too.
Hey Mark, I know you probably won't read this but I watched this a year ago when I really started getting serious about practice and it has been solid advice through-and-through. I focused on learning theory and the applications of that theory (with your videos!) and I have made such huge progress as a MUSICIAN and a bass player. I've also picked up the guitar and the piano to try to learn more about composition, chords, chord voicings, and harmony in general and have amazed at how easy it is to pick up new instruments once you know how SONGS are built.
You're a life changer man.
Thanks man! Great to hear it makes a difference!
@@talkingbasslessons You and Marlowe are my favourite bass players on YT for learning about bass. You for all the technical stuff and some inspirational talks (like this one) and Marlowe for all those little nuggets that I pick up from him on groove and feel. I have learnt a lot from you two.
I've been teaching guitar for 25 years and I have to say I've never heard practice philosophy articulated better than in this video! I've picked up a few bass students recently and so I found you for some tips and your videos are amazing. You distill the essence of musicianship perfectly!
Hey mark just wanted to say that i tried to learn bass about 20 years ago and that watching your videos for a few days have already helped each more than any of the teachers I tried back then thanks for all the help so far!
1. Reading
2. Songs & Repertoire
3. Ear Training & Transcription
4. Improvisation & Creativity
5. Applied Harmony & Theory
nice riff 12:28
Absolutely loved your comment about practising MUSIC not BASS. I put that in my practice notebook. When I taught myself piano, I wanted to learn MUSIC, not scales and piano. I taught myself to sightread, took just the Grade 7 exam, and got accepted to music college. Technique is nice, but it ain't music and I was given a year to get my technique up after staring music school - lol. Because I could play with feeling, even when sight-reading. But I think I've gotten too much into "learning bass" since I picked up the instrument 3 months ago, so it's a great reminder that I've taken to heart. Thanks, Mark. Lots of other valuable ideas in this video, also.
Any teacher with the confidence to recommend another teacher’s site is awesome.
I wish I could like this video many times over.
I've played guitar for about 8 years now and I haven't been able to do much except play a few favorite songs. The thing that stuck with me the most has been about your lessons being a "progressive journey rather than a succession of unrelated lessons." I believe my preconceive notions about playing guitar and bass prevented me from recognizing what really is happening. Of course, this is, according to me, due to a series of natural occurring events that influence my idea of what playing guitar and bass is about. Anyways, your videos definitely give me confidence about learning, playing, and all that jazz. Thanks
I've been watching bass videos on youtube for nearly 3 years now and I've yet to come across a proper walking bass lesson uploaded so far (except for an Eastern European guy who's recently done a series of walking bass videos and a French guy who does his videos exclusively in French) so a walking bass course (chord tones and all that) will be appreciated greatly. I'm sure Scott Devine is a talented bassist and teacher but his glove makes it almost impossible to follow the fingerings on the fretboard (I'm aware of his medical condition) you're the best teacher on youtube I've seen so far, I believe I'll be able to master some of the walking bass lines after watching your videos which I haven't managed to do so far with the real live bass teachers I've had.
Just discovered Mark - all this stuff is pure gold
Out of all the videos I have watched this one is the best.
Another great lesson Mark! Thanks for all your wonderful help and teaching us to hopefully one day master the Bass Guitar as you do. Your lessons are truly a blessing for me and many others! Thank you Master Mark!
it's 2019 so it's 5 years now since you wrote this comment... How's it going? Are you a master yet? :)
You make so much sense than anyone else, I particularly this good that you cover all aspects.
This is so helpful and on point, thank you. Currently picking up the bass by myself and I have a lot of free-time, so I want to use the time wisely and make some good progress.
The best teacher ever on youtube,... congrats Mark, and thank you !!
Thanks Mark for giving away these amazing resources for free. I wished I had found you when I first started playing bass.
One of the best lessons I've heard.
This is a wealth of information every bass player needs to know. Thanks so much for sharing.
Shared knowledge is what it’s all about! Absolutely fantastic to point put to other tutors tutors like Scott’ bass lessons!
Best bass channel on RUclips
Mark - lovely! I`d add section called Groove which covers all exercises for developing good timing and rhythm on bass ;) Cheers from N. Ireland. You are Great!
you have put so much value out here for us, thank you
This makes so much sense. Struggled for some time in what to do, so this has been a great find. Thanks.
Brilliant. So glad this is online.
Omg I still have my music theory books, I’m going to pull them dust them off! You think you remember that stuff but time🤦🏽♀️ thank you for this video😎🌸
Great stuff, just what I needed right now! Thank you!
What I like about your videos Mark is the simplicity of it all.
Consistent quality, useful content, and the same green bass..perfect and easy-to-understand lessons.
Can u do a meshuggah type lesson...something basic and easy to do....the opening intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge and verse, and whatever u feel like.
Thanx in advance.
Low Key Bass Demon.
Great advice, Mark. It helped me to change my practice routine. Thanks!
I used to go to music college in the Stoke on Trent area. During the winter, I'd have to carry my guitar case for about a mile between the bus station and the college building. I carried with my right hand and by the time I got there it basically wouldn't move any more. So, I had to put my hand in warm water before classes began!
Fantastic tips, Mark! I had a similar epiphany about a year ago!
So happy I found this video. Thanks for the insight.
Play until your sick of it. Take a couple days off, pick it back up and you'll be amazed at how much better you'll play what was giving you a hard time.
WoW !! Much needed information...Thank you, thank you, Thank you
Very usefull lesson Mark! Thanks!
Thanks Mark, great advise as always. Time to grab my bass.
great lessons. ..you're a talented great teacher. thanks so much
Amazing content. This video is pure gold!
Thanks!!!!!
Boy I have so much to learn and relearn that this video pointed out to me. It doesn’t help that for a good few years I lost the passion to play and forgot what things I did learn. I suppose I’d have to thank Koga F Choppa and Boh for getting me to get back into it from the type of energy they put out when playing. So it looks like I’ll be watching all your videos haha. Btw that’s a beautiful ibanez
Thanks Mark, I'll try a pro as well as your lessons!
What Wolfgang said. "Best instructor on the Net." :)
Wow!! Thank you very much!! Blessings!!
Thanks for a gorgeous video!!!
Again a great lesson, thank you so much.
thanks Markt
Lightbulb moment: Practice music before bass. That‘s what was my biggest problem - playing famous songs by tabs but didn‘t understand what and why I was playing those notes.
Great video. Thanks.
Thank you very much!
amazing insight i grinded scales for so long i now hate them lol
Great lesson!
Hi Mark. So, do you stick to a practice routine yourself? What do you do? I too have tried different routines that cover essential areas within specific time frame. But i have a hard time keeping it too. I seem to be most inspired when i have one topic at a time and go real deep at it. I guess i'm torn between "focusing one area" and feel inspired, and "practicing different aspects" and feel overwhelmed/bored. What do you suggest?
Hi Mark, I've recently discovered your gem of a channel and am finding it incredibly helpful. I have one question regarding the reading music section of practice - how important is being able to read (and eventually sight-read) actual sheet music as opposed to tablature? I use tabs to learn songs the vast majority of the time and am fluent in reading them, but while I can eventually work out sheet music I am fairly far off being able to sight-read at the moment.
Hillton spoke I was just passing along, and saw you never got an answer, so here's from another aspiring player.
Learning to sight read staff notation is VERY important for any instrument. It helps you develop a knowledge of how your instrument works, and how the notes are related to one another. Knowing what each note on the staff represents (A, C, G, whatever) can strengthen your understanding of the neck. Every time you work your way through a piece on staff, reinforce what notes belong to what frets, and this will help you in group situations, where understanding theory is more important.
Another useful thing is to know where Middle C is on your instrument, your clef, and every other clef. This can help give you an idea how the various instruments relate to each other in a group. Outside of Bass Clef you don't really need to learn any other notes besides Middle C, unless you plan on playing, or writing for, an instrument that uses it.
Hope this helped!
Sorry I didn't answer earlier. Just saw the other reply. Reading is really important. Most of the gigs I've done as a pro have been reading gigs and that skill has helped me see places in this world I would never have seen.
But aside from the obvious gig benefits, sight reading will improve your playing in other ways you might not even realise. You will know every note on your fretboard without even thinking about it. You'll also understand rhythm way better because you have to know every subdivision at sight in much the same way you know words in written language. The list goes on and on.
I have a 12 level sight reading course in the final development stages so look out for that.
Hope that helps.
Very good!!!! Thanks a lot!!!!
Best thing about being a week into playing is that every time I pick up my bass, I learn something... :D Usually, though, I learn how easy it is to knock something over at about 3 feet... :(
Also, about technique and speed, the main thing that rings true with speed is this:
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Our Drill Sergeants hammered it into our heads left and right; Slow is smooth, smooth is fast...
You get your technique down, THEN you speed up... Learn the method, practice it until you can do it perfectly every time while sleeping, handcuffed, blindfolded, and being beaten with a stick (i.e. muscle memory), then double-time it... If you're comfortable with that speed, then go even faster...
Great stuf! Anyone can help with the resource for backing drum tracks? Where to find and download them?
Very interesting thank you
Great video
Amazing video
No longer will I feel guilty for learning songs off Tabs to keep me from throwing my Bass through the window... Oh and its not about speed, its about familiarity.. Thank again..
Can you show us more fundamentals on metal bass playing?
thank you sir
To be honest, you probably WERE a rock bass virtuoso! Hahaha
I can’t even move my fingers up the fret board... I confused as to why you think finger exercises are ‘mindless’. So I should just read then?
Great vídeo
Warm up your hands in a bowl of warm water? I had two cousins, brothers, both guitar players, that used to fight over who got to wash the dishes that evening during a typical Buffalo winter. Aunt Lois was a genius.
I PLAY 35 YEARS NOT TRAINING JUST HANDS ,, CLICK // ALL YOU CAN PRACTICE ON BASS// now i never had serious music ,,formal training/beside in school //no music school etc.. and i got more than 15 great albums recorded all kind of music from rock / hare krsna , primus stylwe superspeed metal // i know notes but //on level where i know what a half vs quarter look and //comparing to tabs//i can get ssong ,,but for me it is muuuuch eaasyer if some just show me what /approx/ i should play and it is no time i got it //or do my line to go with that // so //ok i feel theory is usefull a lot but again depend what you want// if your dream is to play in madness revival band //no other needed than play bass get sound and style u want to play some parts be consistent // so theory here is like a weapon training for boxer //no harm if he s a weapon specialist,, but if his goal is no to get to sas or seals it is useless in sport of box/AGAIN IF YOU KNOW SOME/AND DIG NOTES /ARE NATURAL TO YOU //GO SOME TIME IN THAT WAY,, IF YOU ARE AS ME //WHO JUST CAN NOT GET NOTES TO WORK FOR ME // OK I CAN READ PLAY SOME SIMPLE RIFF,, BUT THAN KEYS , CONTRAPUNCT ETC FOR ME WOULD TAKE ME AWAY FROM MUSIC
AND I WAS PRO MUSITION 20 YEARS/LIVED OF IT ,, I HAD A PAUSE NOW I M BACK //SO MANY PEOPLE MANY WAY ,,AND TO ADD IF THERE IS INSTRUMENT WHERE YOU CAN BE ,,PRO ,, AND NO NOTE READER ,IT IS BASS/ OK DRUMS AND BONGOS TOO // ON GUITAR IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE
Where do you live, sir? Maybe i can plan to take a few one on one lessons, ?
hey thanks for the lesson. i have been playing bass for about 3 years now but not consistently. i struggle to work out a good practice schedule especially after an 9 hour day at work. to make matters worse there are no good teachers in may area and i need someone to guide me how to apply the things i have been learning. youtube is grate for lessons but i need that personal feed back and couching. lessons over Skype could be a good compromise.
Which lesson do you start with?
Yeah. It is hard to find time.
5:17 this perfectly describes davie504 🤣
. . .Oh yeah, and should I use rose-petals in my warm-up water?
study music first bass second. that was huge
Best Eva
So, if you got no job and no kids,….😂😂 That one made me laugh.
Oof I was watching davie504 then fell asleep then woke up to this Imao
what bass is he using
+mr. numud It's an Ibanez SR1000 I bought in about 1992.
This guy is cool! Music psychiatrist right here....
he has a baby face.
cute.
やっすい音
talking talking talkin bass jeeez
Are we talking about bass playing are you talking about lifestyles which is it too much chatter
Don't watch then.
Ti much talk...
Are we talking about bass playing are you talking about lifestyles which is it too much chatter