If your goal is to make real progress on bass in 2026, the biggest thing you need isn’t more hours — it’s a clear, balanced plan.
To kick off the year, I’m running my 2026 New Year Bass Course Sale, and it’s the perfect time to get organised, focused, and consistent with your playing.
What follows isn’t a strict routine you must follow. Think of it as a framework — four core areas that, when practised regularly, will move your bass playing forward noticeably.
C Major Harmonised - An Incredible Bass Exercise!
Download this exercise, along with the shapes and a drum loop, to work on your timing.
Block 1 – Technique
Technique is your foundation. Without it, everything else feels harder than it needs to be.
This block is about building clean, relaxed, efficient movement in both hands. That might include fingerstyle control, fretting-hand accuracy, muting, stamina, or speed — depending on your current level.
The key here is quality over quantity. Slow things down, focus on correct movement, and build good muscle memory. When your hands work efficiently, speed and confidence follow naturally.
If you’re short on time, even a few focused minutes on technique pays dividends across everything you play.
Block 2 – Fretboard Knowledge & Harmony
This is where bass playing starts to make sense.
Fretboard knowledge and harmony help you understand what you’re playing and why it works. Instead of guessing, you start making informed musical choices.
In this block, you might work on:
- Scales and arpeggios
- Chord tones and progressions
- Understanding keys and harmony
- Connecting shapes across the neck
This isn’t about memorising theory for its own sake. It’s about giving yourself options — so when you’re jamming, learning songs, or writing bass lines, you’re not stuck in one position or one idea.
Block 3 – Timing & Groove
Great bass playing lives and dies on time and feel.
This block focuses on locking in with the pulse and developing a strong internal sense of rhythm. That could mean practising with a metronome, drum loops, or playalongs — anything that forces you to stay honest with the time.
Work on:
- Subdivision and counting
- Groove consistency
- Different feels (straight, swing, shuffle)
- Playing simply but solidly
You don’t need complex lines to sound good. A simple bass part with great timing will always beat a flashy one with a shaky feel.
Block 4 – Learning Music
This is where everything comes together.
Learning real music — songs, bass lines, grooves, standards — turns practice into musicianship. It reinforces technique, theory, and timing in a way exercises alone never can.
Use this block to:
- Learn songs you love
- Read charts or chord progressions
- Transcribe bass lines by ear
- Analyse what other bassists are doing
This keeps practice musical and motivating, and it’s often the most enjoyable part of the session.
Make It Your Own
You don’t need to hit all four blocks perfectly every day. Some days you’ll lean more into groove, other days into harmony or technique — and that’s absolutely fine.
The important thing is that, over time, all four areas are being covered.
At the end of this post, I’ve included a playlist of lessons you can dip into and rotate through these blocks, depending on what you need most right now.
Ready to Start 2026 Strong?
If you want structure, clarity, and guidance across technique, theory, groove, and real music, now’s a great time to jump in.
My 2026 New Year Bass Course Sale is live, and it includes courses designed to support every part of this practice plan — from fundamentals to more advanced playing.
I’ll leave the links below so you can explore what best fits your goals.
Stay consistent, keep it musical, and let’s make 2026 your strongest year on bass yet.