• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Beginner bass lessons

Scratchedvinyl

Scratchedvinyl

Oct 17, 2023
12
4
#1
Hi…I’m a beginner bassist looking for a lesson plan that starts at novice all the way through to advanced level….preferably in the form of video. There are lots of online sources but I am yet to find a comprehensive plan in level order. Suggestions? Thanks.
 
#6
Great stuff. I looked into Talking Bass before I posted here and, although Mark is a great teacher that seems to really take what he’s doing seriously, his comprehensive vids that aren’t for free are very pricey.

Thanks for the suggestions. Seems like a lot of great free content out there.
 
#8
Zoltan’s bass lounge has a decent share of free stuff and their paid courses are much cheaper than some of the other options

Online Bass Lessons And Courses - Zoltan's Bass Lounge

truefire.com is also having their rocktober sale right now. I recently switched to double bass and got the upright bass handbook course for like 75 percent off. Quick glance they have quite a few bass courses on sale right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gramski
#9
There are many good resources online, but I would suggest trying to find an actual person to teach you in your area, even if it's just for a few lessons. They can give you feedback on any technique issues etc they may see as well as answer specific questions. You can't really get live feedback from an online source. I am kind of self taught, but I did take 4 or 5 in person lessons at the very beginning and there is no doubt it made it much easier for me to progress as a player. I strongly recommend this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PBO Blues and Bruiser Stone
#10
NorthTexasBass said:
There are many good resources online, but I would suggest trying to find an actual person to teach you in your area, even if it's just for a few lessons. They can give you feedback on any technique issues etc they may see as well as answer specific questions. You can't really get live feedback from an online source. I am kind of self taught, but I did take 4 or 5 in person lessons at the very beginning and there is no doubt it made it much easier for me to progress as a player. I strongly recommend this.
Click to expand...

+1
Starting out, it’s worth the investment of $ and time to meet in person with someone. They don’t have to be a virtuoso. Just someone with some credibility teaching others so they can see your initial progress without the filter of a screen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF and NorthTexasBass
#12
DaveB in VA said:
Teach Me Bass Guitar by Roy Vogt worked for me. I highly recommend it.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
This is probably the best single step by step approach out there. It costs less now than it did when I first went through it about eight years ago. I was an “intermediate” player when I started it, but picked up a lot by starting at the beginning.

I also find Greg’s Bass Shed Online Bass Lessons - Greg's Bass Shed quite helpful. He has free and paid content. His YouTube channel is excellent. I find that his demeanor and approach make sense for me. YMMV.
 
#14
Bruiser Stone said:
+1
Starting out, it’s worth the investment of $ and time to meet in person with someone. They don’t have to be a virtuoso. Just someone with some credibility teaching others so they can see your initial progress without the filter of a screen.
Click to expand...
I mostly agree. But finding the right teacher is tough sometimes. When I started back playing after a long hiatus, I went with someone highly recommended by the best music store in town. It wasn’t fun. After two sessions, I figured out he was a guitar player who “also played bass.” Just not very well.

There are great teachers out there. But it takes time and persistence to find the right one for you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bass, BOOG, NorthTexasBass and 1 other person
#15
Explore the free content on Talkingbass. Many of the lessons have all the support materials and drum and backing tracks at various speeds.

Scott’s bass lessons can be overwhelming, but they recently revamped the site for a more organized experience. Honestly, I don’t think you can do better in person, and not for the price of the monthly. Try the free trial. The players path alone is a great feature.

It’s not sitting in a room with a live person, but it’s also not sitting in a room with a live person. You can do it whenever and wherever, stop, rewind, slow it down….no driving, no rambling stories (though Scott’s has a section for that) no time limit….

If you live in the sticks, like I do, these resources are a gift. Downside is, sitting at a computer you are one click away from getting off track.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF
#16
MCF said:
I mostly agree. But finding the right teacher is tough sometimes. When I started back playing after a long hiatus, I went with someone highly recommended by the best music store in town. It wasn’t fun. After two sessions, I figured out he was a guitar player who “also played bass.” Just not very well.

There are great teachers out there. But it takes time and persistence to find the right one for you.
Click to expand...

Yep. I contacted and met up with with someone who has been mentioned in this thread. He seemed to mean well but didn’t really have time for me, and I drove 4 hours round trip to meet with him just for him to be late or miss our appointments altogether.

Then I had a buddy locally (where I lived at that time) who gave me a fair rate for 5-6 lessons, and it got me started on the right path. Nothing mind-blowing, but I trusted his critique, and he showed up…unlike the very esteemed teacher I referenced in the first paragraph.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MCF
#17
singlemalt said:
Explore the free content on Talkingbass. Many of the lessons have all the support materials and drum and backing tracks at various speeds.

Scott’s bass lessons can be overwhelming, but they recently revamped the site for a more organized experience. Honestly, I don’t think you can do better in person, and not for the price of the monthly. Try the free trial. The players path alone is a great feature.

It’s not sitting in a room with a live person, but it’s also not sitting in a room with a live person. You can do it whenever and wherever, stop, rewind, slow it down….no driving, no rambling stories (though Scott’s has a section for that) no time limit….

If you live in the sticks, like I do, these resources are a gift. Downside is, sitting at a computer you are one click away from getting off track.
Click to expand...
I like Talkingbass. There is good content there. Thank GOD I can slow Mark down down through YouTube. At normal speed, he is, like Scott, too frenetic.
 
#18
Bruiser Stone said:
Yep. I contacted and met up with with someone who has been mentioned in this thread. He seemed to mean well but didn’t really have time for me, and I drove 4 hours round trip to meet with him just for him to be late or miss our appointments altogether.

Then I had a buddy locally (where I lived at that time) who gave me a fair rate for 5-6 lessons, and it got me started on the right path. Nothing mind-blowing, but I trusted his critique, and he showed up…unlike the very esteemed teacher I referenced in the first paragraph.
Click to expand...
That is disappointing. Was it Roy?
 
#20
Wow, I had no idea there was THIS much good bass lesson content online…thanks for narrowing it down for me.

I agree that in-person lessons have certain advantages over online lessons but considering the cost and, in my case, the inconvenience of traveling to a lesson (I live deep in the Jersey Pine barrens), I think learning through video tutorials with associated lesson plans is the way to go.

It also helps that I am not new to playing music…just new to bass.

Thanks again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back