Free Beginner Bass Guitar Lesson Video - Slides

[lyesosweet]

I was looking through a bunch of bass tutorials and they were getting boring, I came to you and your accent made me smile. I think I might just have to subscribe. :]

[BassLessonsOnline]

Great - thanks for your kind comment!

George

[xler12]

is it just normal that when playing bass your left wrist starts to hurt?? mine is always like that, i wasn't able to play a guitar for 4 weeks because of playing bass and my left wrist really got hurt... it was really painful...

[BassLessonsOnline]

No, it is not normal. Apparently, the technique you use is not suitable for comfortable bass playing.

George

[xler12]

@BassLessonsOnline oh i see... thnx :D my left wrist dosent hurt anymore :D

[BassLessonsOnline]

That's great news; thanks for posting.

George

[xler12]

@BassLessonsOnline sure :) ur tutorials are great anyway, it really helped me a lot :D

[chocolateai1]

looks like my finger will bleed :X 

[BassLessonsOnline]

It has to happen at least once. On this bass I use flatwound strings, making slides somewhat easier on the fingers.

George

[chocolateai1]

@BassLessonsOnline i see. thanks :DD

[ajcrm125]

impressive. I suspect your fingers take a beating after this exercise no?

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks.

The trick is to not push too hard during the slides. Only add pressure as you come to the desired note.

George

[iamafreebird100]

@BassLessonsOnline do u have anything any problem of pick bass players I play with my fingers and pick and ai a

[LunkwillHontza]

Very useful exercise! I am amazed by your technique. Very little slide noise. How do you do it? Any tricks?

[BassLessonsOnline]

Yes, this exercise helped me a lot. Thanks for appreciating.

The "trick" here is that I use flatwound strings on this bass; therefore sliding is less noisy.

George

[metaltera86]

You actually taught me something Tonite. Thanks.

[BassLessonsOnline]

That's success for both of us - thanks for posting.

George

[BassLessonsOnline]

Hello. Thanks for your query.

Please post of video of you playing so I can take a look and comment.

George

[syndrombong]

@BassLessonsOnline

i will gladly post a video after i'll learn how to do it... :) (as you see im a bit of a technophobe, that's also the reason why i accedently removed my first comment)

until ill do that, can you please tell me what kind of playing to you want to see?

practice or playing a bass line from a song? i having the same symptomes on both...

[BassLessonsOnline]

It doesn't matter what you play as long as I can see HOW you play.

George

[monsterhunter900]

george i want to learn how to use 3 of my fingers but i cant find a lesson that teaches me how to do that plz help me

[BassLessonsOnline]

Although I usually don't use the technique, many years ago I took lessons from a classical and flamenco guitarist so I could learn how to use all fingers.

I recommend you write down a few possible finger combinations, then practice them. For example 123123123, 123212321232.

You can and should also practice these away from the bass, for example on a desk.

Good luck!

George

[neonjunglejumper]

great tutorial george & nice bass mate. & ur an aussie like me ! :)

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks mate! I'm glad you like the bass too.

George

[savasavram]

I prefer to hit only the non # and b notes (I don't know how it's called in English) so I play with more comfort scales...

[BassLessonsOnline]

The non sharps and non flats are called "naturals". Those notes are A B C D E F G, so you would be "missing" the other 5 notes.

George

[savasavram]

@BassLessonsOnline Hmm you might are right! (we call them "naturals" in Greek too) but isn't that a way to hit naturals with the eyes closed? and as a result you will know were the # is...

[neonjunglejumper]

a great exponant of this style is john taylor from duran duran check it out ! :)

[BassLessonsOnline]

Excellent - thanks for pointing this out!

George

[MJD32Jaguars]

ok what im saying is when you play a slide do you stop on a certain string like if it was a 1 fret do you slide to a 6 fret and stop on the fret or do you play the 6th fret as well so you would strum 1 slide 6 strum or strum 1 slide 6 stop is that how you do it?

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks, I gotcha now. You can do both.

1. You can stop on the note you are sliding to (as I demonstrate in the beginning exercise). Do this if you want to sustain the target note.

or

2. You can re-strike the target note (as I demonstrate from 3:25).

Happy slidin!

George

[MJD32Jaguars]

when you perform a slide say if its a 6 to 5 on the A string do you play the 5 string or its just 6 slide to the five stop if you understand what i'm saying

[BassLessonsOnline]

I'm not sure if I understand ;-(

Please rephrase your query so I can give a "more informed" answer.

Kind regards,

George

[horserider101202]

is there a difference in bass guitar for differend music ime more interested in the rock kind of music

[BassLessonsOnline]

Essentially there is no difference.

A tip: Check out what your idols are using.

George

[marianaph17]

Do you know the name of the string but no using lise E A D G but with like LA SOL.. I play guitar but I use those names so If you know them it would be helpful to me thanks !

[marwood03]

Which video do I watch after Lesson 4 when you explain how to play route route 5 and so on?

thanks

[BassLessonsOnline]

Only videos 1-4 are sequential, plus my two slap bass videos. All of my other You Tube videos are by topic.

The only way to get real sequential, step-by-step lessons from me is via my course (available through my website).

Kind regards,

George

[mrmetalnuno]

is the highest string on a bass the lowest string on a guitar, just curious.

[BassLessonsOnline]

Just so we don't get high and low confused, the 4 thickest strings are the same as the 4 bass strings. The bass strings are one octave lower than the E A D G on guitar.

George

[doubled334]

What notes were you playing for that last riff, the "very simple backwards slide"?

[BassLessonsOnline]

The notes are C and its octave.

George

[JbHa82]

1:40

not even doing it but thats alright dont even worry about it

its just one of my OCD things

[coffeecake917]

or its more like a scratchy sound.

[BassLessonsOnline]

I assume you are touching the other strings with the undersides of your fingers. If that is the case (and it is the cause of the scratchy sound) then just make sure your fingers are sufficiently arched.

Check out this video again to view the technique.

Good luck!

George

[coffeecake917]

Hey, awesome lessons like ive said before. But i gota question, i know how to slide and all that stuff. but is there any way to avoid that kinda feedbacky sound when you slide that comes from your other strings? its kinda like..a shwang sound. lol idk. any way to avoid it?

[Ciciupipiltin666]

hey george!! some people says that its better to study guitar before bass .... is that true?! :|

Thanks :D

[BassLessonsOnline]

It may help to study guitar, but it is certainly not essential.

It is very helpful to study music theory, whether you play bass, piano, guitar, sax etc.

As a bass player, it is also very useful to "get in touch with" a chordal instrument such as piano and guitar.

If you are attracted to bass, then play bass; the other stuff will happen along the way.

George

[MiguelSoto2989]

hi george,you're an excellent teacher,thank you....escribiria mas pero no hablo ingles :) saludos desde peru

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thank you for your kind comment.

Greetings from Australia!

George

[poikujyhtgrfedwswqa2]

When I read tabs for a song a see this kind of slide, /12. Where does the slide begin?

[BassLessonsOnline]

It starts at an undefined fret.

George

[Felineah]

Thanks a lot, really helpfull. :)

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thank you too - Enjoy slidin'

George

[jlemmonmonkey]

you are an excellent teacher

congratulations!

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thank you very much for your kind comment. I trust you will learn something too :)

George

[silverbubbles01]

Gross............ But his guitar is pretty :)

[silverbubbles01]

Hi George! I have watched a lot of your videos and you have inspired me to stick with bass guitar!! Thank you man! You're video's are the most helpful I've found!! You're a great teacher!! Keep teaching George!! Rock on!

Mallory Duckeii. :)

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks Mallory

I'm happy to see that inspiration (to breathe in) still works.

Thanks for your appreciation.

George

[TheDarknessNunu]

Better than any paper book explaination I've read ^^ Thanks a heap; i've been wondering how to perform this technique for a while now. Cheers!

[BassLessonsOnline]

That's great - I'm glad I could help.

George

[hockeykid131313]

I just subscribed to your website ^_^!!!

Bass Regards,

Cole

[BassLessonsOnline]

Great - thank you :)

George

[4633437]

I really like you as a teacher. considering beginner to intermediate lessons. just need a little more info. going back to your website now!

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thank you and Happy Bassing!

George

[gwailogavin]

AHH MY FINGER!!

[maggot6665150]

no offense but guitar is more dificult then bass

[4633437]

And the harp is harder than the guitar... let's not compete.

[maggot6665150]

well we can agree 2 disagree

[0megatallica0]

difficulty of instruments depends on the person, an amazing guitar player doesn't mean he's gonna be an amazing harp player.

[giggles4563]

i have been watching these videos and i have learned alot and i dont have a bass guitar either,i have been looking for a bass guitar but i dont which kind is best for me.

[BassLessonsOnline]

There's only one way to find out - try many basses. Also consider what your idols play and if that would suit you.

George

[Swiftkillah1300]

I watch your bass guitar lessons all the time and I dont even have a bass guitar!!! I feel like I am learning alot and I dont even have the guitar yet...You are the Man!!!!!

[Malecaust666]

Grab a bass. You'll remember it alot better

[MatthewNolte]

Do all the lessons on your web site come with videos like this? (these are really helpful)

[BassLessonsOnline]

My Beginner course of lessons (two lessons per week) contains Consolidation Videos on average every three lessons.

The Consolidation Videos are more extensive than my You Tube videos and relate directly to the lessons you receive.

George

[batbagbat]

thank you for the lessons!

I've been playing bass for a couple of months, and trying to learn more, but the other lessons i've viewed aren't as thorough and organized as yours.

it's been fun and easy watching your lessons, so thanks again. :)

Priscila

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks Priscila

I am a very lazy person. That translates into economy and organization.

Bass of Luck with your continued learning!

George

[mEtaLPinCh]

George Rocks!!! i like that you are always smiling thats comfortable when i get wrong

:)

thanks!! i've learned a lot

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thank you. One of the great things about music is that it never hurts - even if we get it wrong. All is fun and worth a smile :)

George

[Theonewhoclimbs28]

Thanks. I have a few books that I use a lot, but it's great to be able to see and hear someone actually doing the techniques.

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks for your input. It is usually good to learn via various mediums such as text, audio, and visual, and of course your own trial and error.

Best regards,

George

[raph21]

thanks ive learned much with ur videos

[BassLessonsOnline]

That's excellent, Christian - Thanks for leaving your comment.

George

[mecorito]

i love you man :)

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks Sem

Happy bass progress!

George

[xidman]

im already start to play bass is about 2 weeks ago becouse i've forced(honestly i can't play any music instrument) so im is still NOOB :I,

thx for posting this video ^_^

this is helps me

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks for the info and your comment.

I'm happy to help :)

George

[EkkuZakku]

I started playing about 2 weeks ago from now lol, I used to play Trombone about 5 years ago but none of it has carried over at all lol. When I start re-learning how to read notes though it should come to me pretty quickly.

And great video as well! I was just about to start learning a song that uses sliding quite a bit (before I got sidetracked and started watching YouTube videos lol!) Thanks!

[iantokid]

hey my strings fel like metal u know wt i mean are yours like that? there like really hard

[BassLessonsOnline]

I use Thomastik Jazz on this bass - they are soft and easy to play :-)

Most other brands of flats are much tighter :-(

George

[Akagi856]

awsome video. hey i've been playing bass for almost a year.. im just wondering if there are specific genres that the flat wound and round wound should be played on? thanks

[BassLessonsOnline]

Good question.

It is - as usual - a matter of personal preference. However, flats are often used for Jazz, Country, Motown, and Reggae. They also "sit well" in recordings.

George

[Akagi856]

thanks!

[BassLessonsOnline]

You're welcome ... and Happy Slidin'

George

[iantoman]

wow! m8 doesnt it hurt ur fingers? im learning from u from ma 4 string bass but keep up the good work!

[BassLessonsOnline]

It doesn't hurt my fingers. Although, when you are new to the slide technique, you will probably scrape some skin off your fingertips, especially when using roundwound strings.

George

[adamenko89]

wow, nice sounding bass you got there!

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thank you. I have flatwound strings on this bass.

George

[adamenko89]

haha, i know nothing about basses... I was just admiring how the Bass sounded =-]

I'm just thinking about getting myself a Bass Guitar.

[shoegooguru]

ad note: flat wound strings are much easier on the fingertips, when learning. Once you get some finger calouses then rounds won't bother your fingers so much.

thanks for all these vids George. and you easy going style. It is easy to be frustrated when learning, and there's calm George!...showing us that the world has not come to an end. Thanks again.

[adamenko89]

lol thanks for the advice... but i've been playing guitar for around 2 years now.... and just curious about basses =-]

[bigman1475]

I just bought a nice used 5 string bass guitar, i want know what is the best step that i can take in lessoning how too play the bass. I know the notes of the strings and fretting scales of the string.

[BassLessonsOnline]

There are not many specific 5-string bass lessons on You Tube, so how about a few face-to-face lessons with a qualified bass teacher?

If that is not possible, try to copy songs off recordings (your favorites) where the 5 is used.

Good luck!

George

P.S. You can learn lots of 4-string stuff and just transfer that to the 5.

[Weltar]

Thanks! I play guitar, but i will get a bass too =)

What is this song caled you played?

[BassLessonsOnline]

Its not any song - I just made it up to display the slide technique with a few target notes.

Thanks for checking in!

George

[Jackaldoublenine]

you rock. can you post some licks?

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks. There are heaps of licks on You Tube. Try Marlow DK for some classics.

George

[sweetnssssssssssss]

thx

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thank you too - Happy slidin'!

George

[elilly29]

this video is quite helpful [thank you :) ], but i have a question.

when i attempted to do the slide on my bass, it made this weird sound whenever i went over a different fret. and i heard your bass making the little noises too, so i was wondering why it does that and is there anyway to make it not so, i guess, loud?

[BassLessonsOnline]

The sound is the metal-on-metal clicking of the strings on the frets.

You will reduce the click somewhat when you slide very fast.

The only way to eliminate that completely is to play a fretless bass.

Good observation ;-)

George

[foz48]

hi there

just wondering i have a son with autism who loves the drums. hes ask me to play bass along side him. now ive never picked up a guitar but have my olders brothers bass he gave me now i really wont to play along side my son but do you think 48 is to old to learn

[BassLessonsOnline]

My short (and only) answer is "No", 48 is not too old to learn bass. Generally, the older we are, the slower we learn. That should not be a hindrance, however. As they say "It takes what it takes."

I see you have favorited a few of my You Tube videos; so you can judge your "learning" through them.

If you want to lean properly and step-by-step, I highly recommend my Beginner course, available through my website (link above right) or a qualified private bass teacher.

Best regards,

George

[Thozef]

Whats easier to learn bass or guitar?

[BassLessonsOnline]

Bass - in my opinion - although the role of the bass player can be a more responsible one that that of a guitar player.

Ease of learning should not be the reason we choose to learn anything.

Ask yourself what you gravitate toward.

Make sure you choose from your heart.

Good luck!

George

[Thozef]

Ts m8. I play guitar for about 3 months. But then something happened so i was kinda dissapointed. But then i found out that can do only few ppl. ( A shape bar chords(Not to mute high e string)). And then i was happy again. I choosed guitar just like u sad from my heart. But i thought if i be unable to learn staff like that il start with bass. But it is ok now. Ty for suporting me m8. And yeah i looked for ur bass lessons without any reasone. And u are a good teacher. Cya

[Thozef]

Without anyreason i mean i was just surfing arount utube and found ur videos.

[LAPP0804]

Thanks for the free lessons and videos, I'm beginner, this is what I need.

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks for your response. I have dedicated my You Tube channel predominantly to beginner bass players.

It is great to see you get what you need.

Enjoy your progress,

George

[rhcpgoodtimeboys]

thanks for the help, your lessons are really good!

there's any video on youtube when you play bass?

and what you think about fender jaguar...

i want buy it

thanks!

[BassLessonsOnline]

It's a pleasure!

There is no video on You Tube (that I know of) of me playing with a band. I do play through a jazz blues in one video and improvise in another - just browse all my vids.

I am EXTREMELY interested in getting a Fender Jaguar myself, but have not had an opportunity to test one yet. (I live in a village but will get out someday :)

Regards,

George

[AntZZombie1]

Thanks for the help.

[BassLessonsOnline]

You're welcome.

George

[AntZZombie1]

Hi, I am looking forward to learning the bass but i was wondering what is the best bass for Heavy Metal/Nu Metal. Can you give me any advice on what type to buy?

[BassLessonsOnline]

This is always a difficult question to answer, simply because a lot depends on what YOU like ... the looks, the sound, what your idols use, etc. Here are some suggestions for you to at least begin your search - Fender Precion ... plus various models of the following manufacturers: Warwick Yamaha Ibanez B.C. Rich Charvel-Jackson ... the list does go on. Remember, the sound is in your hands :) Good luck! George

[haydenmartz]

the best part about your videos is after you teach a technique, you show how to use it in the real world. and how to apply it....its great.

[BassLessonsOnline]

Yes, that's definitely part of my teaching system.

Thanks for commenting on this fact :)

George

[angelrobertojr]

Hey, I am into alternative/grunge type of music and I want to buy a bass, what brand do you recommend me to buy for that genre of music?

[BassLessonsOnline]

Take a look at what your "idols" use. The Fender Precision bass is a good all-rounder and works well for alt/grunge.

If budget is an issue, look at the Squier P Bass, some Yamaha, Ibanez and Charvel-Jackson models.

Bass of Luck!

George

[coffinhead912]

Hi i am new to learning bass and i find your vids quite helpful. I actually got it today its a brownsville 5 sting bass for 184. out the door. with a serious budget you do u think that it would be good to start off with that or wait till i can buy a better bass. I am left handed so its extremely hard to find left handed basses. and this was the only brand that had lots of left handed ones.

Thanks for posting videos.

(P.S) account is not mine, it my cousins.

[BassLessonsOnline]

Although I had not heard of Brownsville basses before your message, I took a look around the net (which, of course is no substitute for the real hands-on approach) and was surprised to see so many models and reviews.

Enjoy your progress!

George

[coffinhead912]

thanks u sir.

[ichygooch]

hey qustion? is "Seven Nation Army" by "White stripes" easy to learn???? (easy) (medium) (hard) (pro)???? thanks

[BassLessonsOnline]

Hello Kenny

Thanks for your great comments on my other You Tube videos.

Seven Nation Army is very easy to learn and play. And its fun too!

Enjoy!

George

[dontxmatter]

i might add that jack white plays 7 nation army with a guitar. not to say the song cannot be played with bass.

[cornflakesnwater]

thanks again.... say hello to Hillsongs!!! for me... love there ministry

[nedisadon]

lol very good lesson..

and dont think i didnt see the little smile at the end there after that sweet funk slide!!

it had to be done!

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks Ned

It is fun!

George

[Anchors]

Thanks for sharing some knowledge.

I've been playing about two months now and your vids definately helped.

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thank you. I believe it is our duty to share knowledge ... and I love doing it too.

[dannyboy342]

G'day!

Good job on your videos

I have been playing bass with a pick for about 4 years, but now i am starting to get into the real fundamentals of the different picking techniques. your lessons are thorough but not too complex for absolute begginners :)

thank you for posting

greetings from England

Danny

[BassLessonsOnline]

G'day Danny!

Thanks for your comments. I originally started on pick and still use it when the style/song/mood calls for it.

Regards,

George

[beepit95]

Now that you've done a video on plucking (or striking) and slapping, could you do a video on picking technique? That way you could cover all the basic bass playing styles.

Thanks in advance!

[BassLessonsOnline]

That's a great idea! I've looked around You Tube for such vids (to avoid duplication) but have not found anything detailed enough for my taste - so I'll put one up soon.

Thanks for your suggestion ;-)

[Revooolt]

you talk waaaaay to mutch!

[Ramon90003]

your awesome thanks alot this is heloing me alot woohooo!

[BassLessonsOnline]

Thanks, Ramon, for checking out a couple of my bass lesson videos.

I am always happy to help.

Best regards,

George

[513605]

i have been playing the double bass in orchestra and i am going to start playing the bass gutair.

is it easy?

[BassLessonsOnline]

I, too, have played in orchestras (for over 15 years :)

You should find the switch to bass guitar quite easy with only minimal technique modifications, mainly related to the "plucking" hand.

Bass of Luck!

George

[shooz4u]

I was just asking to see what sort of lessons u had! If u had a lesson I thought I could learn, me paying 4 it wasn't an issue! Amazing!!

[ashton0wns]

thats awesome dude you rock im new to bass but i hope someday i can be as good as you.

[BassLessonsOnline]

New to bass - how exciting! I love it now as much as I did when I first started.

[ashton0wns]

so far i love it.

[mastervaderm16]

i luv slides

[BassLessonsOnline]

Yeah ... I did a groovy gig tonight where I used slides heaps of times. Lots of fun!