lesson 1 basic form for playing bass guitar

This post was written by Scott
Posted Under: Bass Lessons Videos
How to hold a bass, setting your strap, how to position your hands, and other helpful tips

Reader Comments

I watched this video 2 years ago along with other in your beginner series. Now I’m in a very fun band. I dont care what other says but I started out with your videos and I just want to thank you.
THANK YOU, YOU’RE MY FIRST SENSEI

I carry my bass a little lower than that though

#1 
Written By Vizillar2505 on November 5th, 2011 @ 9:03 pm

thanx for helping me with my posture and form.

#2 
Written By XFinalGetsugaTenshoX on November 5th, 2011 @ 10:02 pm

thanks ive been feeling some pain in my wrist but its gone now thanks to your tips my posture is great now

#3 
Written By superbassguitarboy on November 5th, 2011 @ 10:19 pm

@bmalle12513 He will pay for playing that way later in life. I can do what you want, just there are consicounses. If you hold the bass the way you should, you will look like a dork to most people. It’s your call.

#4 
Written By Fodera4 on November 5th, 2011 @ 10:30 pm

have you ever seen twiggy ramierez play bass. how do you think of how low he plays. is it healthy to play really low or should it be the way you described it in the video

#5 
Written By bmalle12513 on November 5th, 2011 @ 10:36 pm

very good job!

#6 
Written By mikeanto44 on November 5th, 2011 @ 11:16 pm

cool!

#7 
Written By mikeanto44 on November 5th, 2011 @ 11:36 pm

@MNnice08 can you give me the link to your guitar lesson video please?

#8 
Written By Zeph100 on November 5th, 2011 @ 11:52 pm

hey dude thank’s a lot for your tips!

#9 
Written By arifrahmanilham on November 6th, 2011 @ 12:07 am

hey dude thank’s a lot for your tips!

#10 
Written By arifrahmanilham on November 6th, 2011 @ 12:32 am

@MNnice08 i dont know my ass from my elbow this guy knows atleast a little bit

#11 
Written By Brutalmusicktv on November 6th, 2011 @ 1:02 am

Dude i love this video, even though i have been playing for many years I have still learned something today…. Thanks keep it up

#12 
Written By bassmansix on November 6th, 2011 @ 1:27 am

great vid dude. gave me some great pointers for starting

#13 
Written By Slipzstream on November 6th, 2011 @ 2:23 am

@MNnice08 Let me guess, your in a band full of retired USAF SNCO’s . have fun being retired. As much as it looks like I’m in left field, I actually have been tought by a very humble and smart player named adam nitti, and I feel like some of this stuff would help others more then just me.

#14 
Written By Fodera4 on November 6th, 2011 @ 2:30 am

@Basstard22 moving your playing fingers into your fretted area will cause the strings to make loud bassy but short tones (like an upright) Some people hang up there through most their gig. You’ll see bassist play closer to the bridge when fingering faster lines or chords to have a cleaner less bassy but sharper tone. It’s all because of how the string responds from being plucked, more movement equals less highs/ less sustain.

#15 
Written By Fodera4 on November 6th, 2011 @ 2:46 am

nice Schechter Stilleto Custom 5 string you have, i want that bass to.

anyway, a question about playing the bassguitar : should i hold my thumb as much as possible behind the position markers on the neck?

#16 
Written By Basstard22 on November 6th, 2011 @ 2:56 am

This dude doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground! He should give lessons in cock sucking at liberal glory-hole parties….

#17 
Written By MNnice08 on November 6th, 2011 @ 2:56 am

This dude doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground! He should give lessons in cock sucking at liberal glory-hole parties….

#18 
Written By MNnice08 on November 6th, 2011 @ 3:52 am

This dude doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground! He should give lessons in cock sucking at liberal glory-hole parties….

#19 
Written By MNnice08 on November 6th, 2011 @ 4:28 am

Great vid man, playing my bass used to hurt like crazy and I thought I just had to get used to it but this made it a lot more comfortable, it’s a bit easier to play also.

#20 
Written By 700up700up on November 6th, 2011 @ 5:13 am

You helped a lot, thanks bro ;-)

#21 
Written By mikowal on November 6th, 2011 @ 6:02 am

One question maybe somebody could answer, ive got two shoe laces on one end of my strap. What are they for? Thanks :)

#22 
Written By SLONGJSILVA87 on November 6th, 2011 @ 6:15 am

tnx bro…great!

#23 
Written By jaydmarsian10 on November 6th, 2011 @ 6:30 am

HI! Could you post a video about the left hand, i just can’t seem to place it the right way. Or maybe an exercise,or a tip, or anything xD Help xD
By the way your videos are really useful! thanks a lot!

#24 
Written By matdark777 on November 6th, 2011 @ 7:24 am

awesome vid 5*

#25 
Written By LanceMetal on November 6th, 2011 @ 7:45 am