What course after BassBuzz?

[Horgh]

Hey all,

I picked up a base 4 months ago after failing to really learn the instrument close to 20 years ago. I bought and took the BassBuzz course and finished it in 3 months. I can't say enough good things about Josh and his instruction style, it was exactly what I wanted. I'm now doing his 50 Song Challenge (which is increasingly more challenging, and that's good), but I find myself adrift otherwise. I want to learn more but doing so on my own is difficult as I'm going in different directions without a lesson plan.

I originally purchased the "Professional Bass Masterclass" by Rajiv Narang on Udemy, but it's a bit of a mess and definitely not good instruction for beginners. I stopped it about a third way in and that's when I switched to BassBuzz (and glad I did). I'm going through Rajiv's class again now and it's making more sense, but it's disorganized and just throwing information at me without much of a practice plan.

So, what would you guys recommend I take next? I need some sort of structure. I don't lack motivation, but this is a HUGE subject field and going down random rabbit holes isn't really working for me.

I've looked at a bunch of the TalkingBass content on YouTube (the free stuff) and it looks promising. I could spend some time just going through his various playlists, but I don't know if that's "structured" enough? How is his paid content? Is there a clear progression with the material building on itself, like BassBuzz? If so, which of his courses should I be considering?

I also checked out Scott's Bass Lessons (again, the free stuff on YouTube), but I get the sense he's tailored towards more advanced players. Does he offer classes you'd consider for a low-intermediate player like myself?

I've also glanced at The Bass Wizard as I like Marcelo and his YouTube reviews, plus he's into heavier stuff like I am. Not sure how his Beginner class would overlap with what I already learned at BassBuzz and/or if it would teach me enough new things?

Other ideas welcome. I'm not against spending money on something that will help me continue my growth.

 

[WrapRough]

I'm a big fan of Talkingbass. Mark is a brilliant teacher. If you join up as a free member, his site has a structured set of free resources which you will get a lot out of. His paid courses are very good, too.

I have Marcelo's slap course, which is very good.

Ari Cap's books are very good.

The best option, of course, is a real teacher if funds can stretch. They'll be able to correct any bad habits before they're too ingrained.

You seem like you have the basics down so you may want to consider focusing on specific topics and finding the best people to teach you want you want to learn, rather than a single source.

 

[Malcolm35]

Google to the rescue.

Search words - chords, "name of the song " will get you fake chord sheet music on just about any song you might want to play.

Armed with the sheet music now ask Google for - video, "name of the song". Play the video with the fake chord sheet music on your music stand. Follow the chord changes and "fake" your part.

Roots then root fives, then fill out a four note chord bassline with, let's say like R-5-8-5, or R-3-5-6, or your favorite four note bass line.

Once you know the chords that are active sing the lyrics under your breath and play notes of the active chord. This will keep you moving in time with the song.

My point, if you do not like that song ask Google for another one. The Internet is full of sheet music just for the asking.

See a chord, play its notes... For what we do that will just about cover it.

Ah, where are the notes? General instruction section then the string "getting started" has all that.

 

[Horgh]

I'm a big fan of Talkingbass. Mark is a brilliant teacher. If you join up as a free member, his site has a structured set of free resources which you will get a lot out of. His paid courses are very good, too.

I have Marcelo's slap course, which is very good.

Ari Cap's books are very good.

The best option, of course, is a real teacher if funds can stretch. They'll be able to correct any bad habits before they're too ingrained.

You seem like you have the basics down so you may want to consider focusing on specific topics and finding the best people to teach you want you want to learn, rather than a single source.

Thanks! I'll give TalkingBass a try, then, sounds like it may be what I'm looking for while I keep going through these 50 songs. I was eyeing Marcelo's slap course so I'm glad you like that one as well.

Google to the rescue.

Search words - chords, "name of the song " will get you fake chord sheet music on just about any song you might want to play.

Armed with the sheet music now ask Google for - video, "name of the song". Play the video with the fake chord sheet music on your music stand. Follow the chord changes and "fake" your part.

Roots then root fives, then fill out a four note chord bassline with, let's say like R-5-8-5, or R-3-5-6, or your favorite four note bass line.

Once you know the chords that are active sing the lyrics under your breath and play notes of the active chord. This will keep you moving in time with the song.

My point, if you do not like that song ask Google for another one. The Internet is full of sheet music just for the asking.

See a chord, play its notes...

My friend, I appreciate the feedback, that is already what I'm doing, but that doesn't really advance my knowledge of HOW to be a good bassist, it just trains my muscles to play certain patterns. I'm doing that with the 50 Song Challenge, as Josh provides solid sheet music for each song. I also have some other bass song books, including a Nirvana one that looks overall fairly straight forward. What I'm after is more theory, more technique, more insight into what makes it all tick. I realize everyone learns differently, but the approach you suggest is what made me quit 20 years ago. I need to know WHY and HOW and not just the WHAT.

 

[Malcolm35]

Why and how come from a good understanding of theory and your fretboard. Google music theory for dummies - no pun intended. The book with shipping should not run over $10.

Good luck.

Why and how can come from a garage band. Friends helping friends. Get with musicians that play better than you do will force you to learn what is necessary. You know enough to play in a good ole boy band now.

 

[WrapRough]

Thanks! I'll give TalkingBass a try, then, sounds like it may be what I'm looking for while I keep going through these 50 songs. I was eyeing Marcelo's slap course so I'm glad you like that one as well.



My friend, I appreciate the feedback, that is already what I'm doing, but that doesn't really advance my knowledge of HOW to be a good bassist, it just trains my muscles to play certain patterns. I'm doing that with the 50 Song Challenge, as Josh provides solid sheet music for each song. I also have some other bass song books, including a Nirvana one that looks overall fairly straight forward. What I'm after is more theory, more technique, more insight into what makes it all tick. I realize everyone learns differently, but the approach you suggest is what made me quit 20 years ago. I need to know WHY and HOW and not just the WHAT.

I hear you man. I was self taught for ten years. Had great chops but had no idea what I was playing really. Now I know what I'm playing but have crap chops. At some point in the future I'll have both hopefully!

Had about 8 years away from the bass and when I started back I knew I didn't want to be flying blind again. Found a great teacher on this site and things are really starting to make sense. You're right, it's such a vast subject that it's really hard to know what to learn, let alone how...

 

[CallMeAl]

TalkingBass is fantastic, very logical and linear, and so much good stuff with just the free content. My short simple answer is try that first.

I really like Scott’s energy and attitude, and how he presents things. I tried out the membership looking for some specific content, but couldn’t really find it. What I didn’t like was the lack of a pathway, just seemed like lessons a la carte. It possible what I wanted was in the Players Path, but that was an additional cost. (Another turn off).

I really like the Scott and Ian podcast, and Scott has talked about SBL being born out of a distaste for academia. An Everyman’s bass course, if you will. I think SBL works really well for certain learning styles, and I definitely think it’s worth checking out the free (2 week?) trial. I also think there’s material in there for your level, not all advanced, and Scott (and the other teachers) have a good way of inserting the necessary theory into the lessons.

The other thing I think worth some time is walking bass lines. Even if you don’t play jazz, this is a great way to build comfort of the fingerboard, Harmonic knowledge (how to spell and play chord tones) and a sense of steady time. Great free course here:
Walking Bass Lessons – More Than Jazz Lessons

Agree with WrapRough, human teacher is best but you can also piece together a comprehensive curriculum from various sources (many of them free!)

good luck!

 

[Horgh]

TalkingBass is fantastic, very logical and linear, and so much good stuff with just the free content. My short simple answer is try that first.

I really like Scott’s energy and attitude, and how he presents things. I tried out the membership looking for some specific content, but couldn’t really find it. What I didn’t like was the lack of a pathway, just seemed like lessons a la carte. It possible what I wanted was in the Players Path, but that was an additional cost. (Another turn off).

I really like the Scott and Ian podcast, and Scott has talked about SBL being born out of a distaste for academia. An Everyman’s bass course, if you will. I think SBL works really well for certain learning styles, and I definitely think it’s worth checking out the free (2 week?) trial. I also think there’s material in there for your level, not all advanced, and Scott (and the other teachers) have a good way of inserting the necessary theory into the lessons.

The other thing I think worth some time is walking bass lines. Even if you don’t play jazz, this is a great way to build comfort of the fingerboard, Harmonic knowledge (how to spell and play chord tones) and a sense of steady time. Great free course here:
Walking Bass Lessons – More Than Jazz Lessons

Agree with WrapRough, human teacher is best but you can also piece together a comprehensive curriculum from various sources (many of them free!)

good luck!

Thank you for the informative reply, that is also very helpful. I went ahead and signed up with TalkingBass and I'm starting to check out the content. Also, the Walking Bass Lessons seems like what I've been after as well, I need those kinds of exercises in my daily routine. Now to find more hours in a day

 

[fretlessman71]

Practice with a drum machine. Here's a free one I use a lot:

https://www.onemotion.com/drum-machine/

 

[Flatwound]

I signed up for a year of Scott’s bass lessons. He seems to have plenty of rudimentary stuff. I didn’t do players path, because I’ve been playing for ~40 years and have a pretty good grasp of the basics.

The a la carte method works for me, since I can find short courses on stuff I want to learn. Some of it is very mind-expanding, at least for me.

 

[Snipehunter]

TrueFire has a lot of good bass courses. Not a huge catalog like the guitar courses but still quite a few. They put on a lot of good sales over the holidays.

 

[ACRock]

+1 for TalkingBass

 

[Bass4Brkfast]

Practice with a drum machine. Here's a free one I use a lot:

https://www.onemotion.com/drum-machine/

Yes!! Bookmarked. Thank you brother!

 

[Horgh]

These two tools were written by a BassBuzz member, but I don't know if they were posted here, but they're very simple to use, well written and just useful.

Drum/beat machine: https://grooveful.io
Interactive note/chord/freboard: https://fretful.io

 

[Corigan]

Mark from talkingbass is very good. his bass fundamentals course is very good. Ive done his slap bass courses as well and learned a ton. He just had an end of summer deal, but what you can pick up from one course is well worth the money.

 

[Horgh]

Mark from talkingbass is very good. his bass fundamentals course is very good. Ive done his slap bass courses as well and learned a ton. He just had an end of summer deal, but what you can pick up from one course is well worth the money.

Yeah, I just bought Bassic Fundamentals as it seems it'll overlap with BassBuzz a bit, but also fill some holes for me. I think the courses after that will be all new to me. Having said that, I have no way of judging how my skills are progressing. For example, "The House of the Rising Sun" in 6/8 time is killing me a bit because of the variations of the quarter, dotter quarter and eight notes across the measures. Should I be able to get it easier at my level? No idea. I think this is where an in-person teacher would help for sure.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

TalkingBass and Scott’s Bass both work for me.

TalkingBass is more step-by-step, with lots of free material. Buy a course, and it is yours forever.

Scott’s Bass is more voluminous, lots of instructors, with full access to most everything as long as you subscribe. Scott has a great sense of humor. On Scott’s Bass, I especially liked courses by Phil Mann.

At present, I am using TalkingBass. Mark Smith strikes me as an awesome bassist, and great teacher. Currently working on slap volume 2.

 

[N4860]

Hey all,

I picked up a base 4 months ago after failing to really learn the instrument close to 20 years ago. I bought and took the BassBuzz course and finished it in 3 months. I can't say enough good things about Josh and his instruction style, it was exactly what I wanted. I'm now doing his 50 Song Challenge (which is increasingly more challenging, and that's good), but I find myself adrift otherwise. I want to learn more but doing so on my own is difficult as I'm going in different directions without a lesson plan.

I originally purchased the "Professional Bass Masterclass" by Rajiv Narang on Udemy, but it's a bit of a mess and definitely not good instruction for beginners. I stopped it about a third way in and that's when I switched to BassBuzz (and glad I did). I'm going through Rajiv's class again now and it's making more sense, but it's disorganized and just throwing information at me without much of a practice plan.

So, what would you guys recommend I take next? I need some sort of structure. I don't lack motivation, but this is a HUGE subject field and going down random rabbit holes isn't really working for me.

I've looked at a bunch of the TalkingBass content on YouTube (the free stuff) and it looks promising. I could spend some time just going through his various playlists, but I don't know if that's "structured" enough? How is his paid content? Is there a clear progression with the material building on itself, like BassBuzz? If so, which of his courses should I be considering?

I also checked out Scott's Bass Lessons (again, the free stuff on YouTube), but I get the sense he's tailored towards more advanced players. Does he offer classes you'd consider for a low-intermediate player like myself?

I've also glanced at The Bass Wizard as I like Marcelo and his YouTube reviews, plus he's into heavier stuff like I am. Not sure how his Beginner class would overlap with what I already learned at BassBuzz and/or if it would teach me enough new things?

Other ideas welcome. I'm not against spending money on something that will help me continue my growth.

If I were in your shoes, I would probably go the SBL route. There is so much content, and it is not just focued on advanced players. I've played casually and mostly self instructed and there is a lot to learn there. The way they break things down might seem a little slow at times but it really does work, at least the course that I have done.

 

[Yonni]

Yep, you’re looking in the right places. Talking bass is good. Scott now has a lot more beginner stuff, including the players path which is good. Ariane Cap (who also teaches with Scot and is on here occasionally) has some great bite sized (waffle free) videos and excercises that I wish I’d seen when I was starting out. Pick whichever one you like to watch. These three are all sound.

 

[Corigan]

My problem with SBL is how long winded Scott is. He will ramble for 20 minutes to make a 30 second point. I dont have time to listen to someone ramble. While I like Scott and think he is a great bass player I just can't handle the excessive neurotic rambling. Just my 2 cents.