If I read a book or listened to a podcast in the genre and gleaned just one piece of useful information that helped me, I deemed it a success.
As you get older, it's easy to forget that you can improve. I was thinking about this, and Stephen Covey's famous book when I thought I'd come up with today's lesson.
So much of bass playing is how you think about it; how you set your goals (do you even have any bass goals?), how much time you dedicate to bass, how much a part of your lifestyle does the bass take up.
Once you think about this, it changes your relationship to bass and to music. You get more serious about it (or you decide it's not for you and move on to something else - that is also okay!).
I hope the ideas in this lesson help you to improve your bass playing.
7 Habits of Advanced Bass Players
1. They Structure Practice Instead of Just Noodling
Successful bassists practise with a purpose. They decide what they want to improve, work specifically on it, and track their progress rather than simply playing whatever comes to mind. If you need a practice journal, I made one:
The exercise I mentioned in the lesson is great. Here's one you'll love even more:
2. They Learn Real Music and Absorb Vocabulary
Learning songs gives you the vocabulary of great bass playing. By studying real bass lines, you naturally absorb rhythms, note choices, techniques, fills, and musical ideas that you can use in your own playing. You copy, emulate, and then develop your own unique voice through the filter of your own experience and tastes.
3. They Practise Slowly and Isolate Weak Spots
Good players don’t repeatedly play something badly at full speed. They slow difficult passages down, isolate the exact problem, and work on weaknesses until they become strengths. Try it out with this lick:
4. They Put Themselves in Growth Situations
Improvement often happens when you’re slightly outside your comfort zone. Playing with better musicians, learning harder material, recording yourself, or taking on a challenging gig forces you to develop. Join a band or play with another musician.
5. They Prioritise Time, Feel and Groove Over Flashy Chops
Your primary job as a bassist is to make the music feel good. Great players develop rock-solid time, consistent note placement and a strong sense of groove before worrying about impressive techniques. It's also a good antidote to the constant flash we're bombarded with on social media.
6. They Maintain Clean, Efficient Technique and Timing
Advanced players make difficult things look easy because their technique is economical and controlled. Good fretting, muting, and plucking techniques eliminate unnecessary movement and help you play cleanly and in time. This must be maintained, though, and that's where a consistent practice routine deliberately focusing on good material comes in.
7. They Listen and Serve the Song First
Great bass playing starts with listening. Instead of thinking about what they can play, good bassists listen to the drums, vocals, and other instruments and choose the part that makes the whole song sound better.
If you want top-class practice material that focuses on technique, feel, time, groove, and more, or you're looking to improve your bass playing, I have these courses that will help.
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