greghagger

You’ll get there, just try transcribing easy bass lines at first.  

To be honest, I have picked up music theory over years of playing a few different instruments. 

I have some videos on my channel that cover theory and these might be useful to you.

I also have an eBook caked The Bass Beginners Guide. This covers a load of theory including scales, arpeggios, key signatures, reading music, etc. right up to intermediate level. Here is the link if you want to have a look at that. PM me if you are interested, and I can give you a 30% discount code. 

https://gregsbassshed.com/beginners-guide

Let me know if you need any help or have other questions. Stick at it as it’s well worth learning music theory properly. 

It may help to look at scales as just part of the bigger puzzle. Chord tones (i.e. from arpeggios) will give you a better framework for harmony. Of course scales will help you understand arpeggios, but like you say, running up and down scales will only get you so far. 

Look at the wider picture. Study harmony, look at 2-5-1’s and what players are doing over that sequence. Study walking bass lines. Transcribe solos........

Don’t get too focused on scales.....

that’s my advice anyway. 

Hope this helps!

if you want free video lessons, then have a look at my website:

gregsbassshed.com/videos

Of course one to one lessons are the best, but if you can’t do that, then learning online can be helpful. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8NuE6bwYMXZxRjl8tc1QXRjwAGYgk-bk

Here is a video lesson showing you how to play chords over the 2-5-1 sequence.  

These are 3-note 7th chords, easy to learn and remember. They sound great on the bass and are also useful to help familiarise yourself with different chord types. 

These chords also give you a good grounding, if you want to start using chord tones for bass lines or soloing. 

Follow the link for the full lesson, or search for Greg’s Bass Shed on YouTube. 

https://youtu.be/X_INEdPpNHU

I suggest looking at the following scales:

Major/Minor, Pentatonic and Blues  

These are a good starting point.

Arpeggios are more handy for outlining chords, so you could look at some major and minor 7th arpeggios. Then you have a good framework for constructing bass lines or starting to solo. 

Try just using your thumb and like the other replies said, apply light pressure and it will come with practice. 

Hi thanks for your feedback and I’m glad you like the lesson. 

This is my first video, and I have sorted out volume levels since then. I am about to redo my Lesson No.3 as the bass volume is so low! Appreciate you picking that up though. 

Yeah I have noticed, surprisingly, that theory and technique videos don’t generate that much interest. Surprising, as working on these areas can give you the best results with your playing. 

Thanks and hope you enjoy the rest of my channel. 

10ths are very useful to learn, as you can build interesting fills and riffs from them. You can also use them as double stops (2 note chords) to get that unique sound that players like Jaco Pastoruis utilised. 

I teach how to play major and minor 10ths, and how to learn the two shapes.  I then go on to show you how 10ths are used in Come Together by The Beatles and The Chicken, as played by Jaco.

This is all written down on a PDF, which you can download in the video description on YouTube. 

If you are interested in more bass resources, then come and have a look at gregsbassshed.com

https://youtu.be/zmwNnd7vS48

Here is a video lesson showing you how to play 7th chords on the bass. I cover dominant, major and minor 7th chords, in two positions for each. 

I explain in easy steps, and this lesson is a great way to get into playing chords on the bass. 

The free PDF is worth getting as I have written down the chords, and also provided fret diagrams with all positions so you also have a visual guide written down. You can download this from the link in the video description, on YouTube. 

I’m happy to help if you have any questions. 

https://youtu.be/jzBvIKVKFI8

Cheers, hope it’s useful. 

Slap That Bass!

Here is an introduction to slap technique on the bass. We will cover how to get you started with slap thumb technique. 

Add instant funk with this awesome technique. Put on some fresh strings and get involved! 

Download the exercises and slap patterns down, in PDF form, from the video description on YouTube. 

Click the link for the full lesson. 

Let’s get funky! 

https://gregsbassshed.com/videos

I have two very useful free resources to help you create a structured practice routine and really target the areas of your playing that need improving. 

Start with ‘Target Three Key Areas To Quickly Improve and Progress’.

Then move onto ‘Five Step to Efficient Practicing’

Both are short PDF’s that you can download, and quickly work through. 

I am really interested in what you think of these free resources, and if you would like to see more. 

Also, let me know if you need help with them, or help setting up a practice routine.

https://gregsbassshed.com/resources

Here is a video lesson and short PDF resource with five step to help you practice efficiently . 

When you plan out your practice schedule, and systematically work on areas of your playing, you progress very quickly.

All professional musicians have a structured practice routine for big periods of their career. Learn what these common practices are. 

You can download the free PDF resource in the video description, on YouTube or follow the link to my website:

gregsbassshed.com/resources 

https://youtu.be/nb1ZY0wVc0c

Muted notes give your bass lines a much more funky sound, and can make your playing a lot more rhythmic. Think Jack or Rocco Prestia. 

In this video lesson, I show you how to execute this technique, with examples, and a free downloadable PDF. 

Learn this essential bass technique. 

Let me know if you have any questions. 

https://youtu.be/Xsw497N3BFc

Want to get around the whole fretboard? Here is a lesson showing you how to do this.

I have given various exercises, to help you practice this, and really familiarise yourself with the whole of the bass neck. 

You can download the PDF by clicking the link in the YouTube video description. 

Let me know if you need any help with the lesson.

https://youtu.be/KozQupsUz34

Thanks, it’s a Tele Bass that I put together from parts. I stained and coloured the body using Wudtone, which gives a nice resonance to the tone, and a lovely colour too. 

I definitely think there is a market for a ‘Pele’ Bass though 😂

Do you know the Roadhouse version of Knocking Of Heavens Door?

If not, it’s well worth a listen, as it’s rocking!  It’s got a really great bass line, and I show you how to play it in this video lesson. 

I have also come up with a simplified version of the bass line, for those of you who need this. It’s all on the free PDF, which you can get by clicking the link in the video description on YouTube. 

Follow the link to view the lesson on YouTube or have a look at my website, for more resources:

gregsbassshed.com 

Remember to subscribe, and please like and share this post, if you found it useful. 

Have fun!

https://youtu.be/TjCwJoeRckU

In this video lesson, I show you the most important scales that will help you with the bass playing, and understanding of theory. Scales are important when you start looking at harmony, and how arpeggios are constructed. 

There is a handy PDF that comes with this lesson with the scales on it. This is useful to keep to reference the scales when you need them. You can download this by clicking the link in the description below the video on YouTube. 

Let me know if you need any help.

https://youtu.be/xH8coFNFryE

I have made a lesson to help with understanding how keys, and key signatures work. 

I cover what all the Key Signatures are, relative Major and Minor Keys, and common chord progressions. 

There is a PDF that accompanies this lesson, with all the Key Signatures, and other useful information. You can download that by clicking the link in the video description, on YouTube. 

Please ask if you have any questions. 

https://youtu.be/1Wdq8SmfXv8

Here is a lesson explaining all about, and showing you how to play the jazz turnaround. 

You will learn the theory behind it, and some practical lines to play over them. 

You can download a free PDF to accompany the lesson, by clicking the link in the video description, on YouTube. 

Check out all my other videos, and resources at gregsbassshed.com

Please ask if you have any questions. 

https://youtu.be/vBEYUaoVs4M

Get your walking bass lines together with this video lesson. 

I work through easy steps, to explain the theory behind how to create your own lines. 

All the examples are written down, and you can download the PDF from the video description on YouTube. 

https://youtu.be/YQNH4h501Pk

Here is a Jazz Blues Backing Track in A. I have played a few choruses of a walking bass line, and then left the backing track running without bass. 

You can download a PDF of my walking lines and the chord sequence, by clicking the link in the video description on YouTube. 

Jazz Blues are more often found in F or Bb, but I choose  A for this track so you can compare the chord changes with my 12-Bar Blues Backing Track, which is also on my channel. 

You might want to look at my ‘Starting Jazz’ playlist on YouTube, and also subscribe to get all my latest videos.

Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/FfP3NBI9hKA

Learn how to use the Nashville Number System. It’s a great way to write and communicate chord sequences, making transposing easier too. 

I explain all about this system and how to understand the way major and relative minor keys are related. 

Full video over at Greg’s Bass Shed on YouTube, or on my website. 

https://gregsbassshed.com/videos

Here are three Blues standards, based on the 12-bar blues sequence. All have slightly different chord changes though, and illustrate how these changes can make a memorable song.   You can use these techniques, such as substitution chords, in your own bass lines and song writing. 

There is a free downloadable PDF of these bass lines, with tab.  Click the link in the video description on YouTube. 

Enjoy the lesson, and please like and share this if you found it useful.

https://gregsbassshed.com/videos

Great, that’s what I like to hear!

Here is a lesson showing you how to play Blues Turnarounds in your Walking Bass Lines. 

We will look at the most common turnarounds you will hear in blues tunes and I will show you a turnaround that will fit at the end of any 12-bar blues. 

I have left a backing track running at the end of the video, so you can practice your own walking lines and try out your new turnarounds. 

Remember you can download the free PDF by clicking the link in the video description. 

Please like and share this if you find it useful. 

https://youtu.be/QKcCbnejhNU