Our bass guitar lessons are divided into sections and progress from beginner basics to more advanced instruction. If you’re new to playing bass, we recommend starting with Section One – Beginner Basics, and then move through Sections Two through Four.
Section One – Beginner Basics
If you’re new to playing bass start with this section. We cover the basics and essentials that you need to know before getting to more advanced instruction. Topics covered include:
- Essential Materials
- Parts of the Bass Guitar
- Related Lesson “Parts of the Bass Guitar” Video Lesson
- Related Lesson – How the Bass Works by Roy Vogt
- Related Lesson – How to Set Up & Fix Your Bass Guitar
- Notes on the Bass
- Related Lesson – How to Tune Your Bass – Part 1
- Related Lesson – Tuning Your Bass With A Tuner
- Correct Positioning and Posture
- Related Lesson –> How to Hold the Bass by Billy Sheehan
- Correct Bass Plucking Technique
- Related Lesson –> Right Hand Technique by Freebo
- Proper Fretboard Finger Placement
- Bass Guitar Fretboard Hand Technique
- Related Lesson –> Sliding & Slurring Right Hand Techniques
- Related Lesson –> Hammer Ons & Pull Offs
- Related Lesson –> Playing Notes on the Bass
- Related Lesson –> Bass Guitar Lesson – Intro to Tapping
- Related Lesson –> Bass Guitar Strength Drills – The Spider Technique
- Warmup Exercises for Bass Guitar
- How to Memorize Notes
Section Two – Common Bass Patterns
This section focuses on learning the most common patterns used when playing bass guitar. Learning these patterns will help you understand the fundamentals of bass line construction. We provide an overview of common patterns, how they are played on the bass, and how they are used to construct bass lines. Topics covered include:
- Introduction and Overview of Bass Patterns
- Root Notes
- Octaves
- Root and 5th Pattern
- Root, 5th and flat 7th Pattern
- Root, 5th and 6th Pattern
Section Three – Scales
This section covers the most common scales used when playing bass. Learning scales increases your ability to play notes and patterns over the right chords at the right time. Understanding scales will allow your mastery of bass to occur much faster. We provide an overview of the scales, how they are played on bass, and how they are applied to construct bass lines. Topics covered include:
- The Major Scale
- The Major Triad
- The Major 7th
- The Dominant 7th
- The Major Pentatonic
- Two Octave Major Scales
- The Minor Scale
- The Minor Triad
- The Minor 7th
- The Minor Pentatonic
- The Minor Blues Scale
Section Four – Intermediate & Advanced Lessons
This section is for those ready to move into more intermediate and advanced aspects of learning and playing bass. The focus is on learning specific skills and techniques that will help you improve and grow as a bassist. From ear training, to learning to master bass grooves, these lessons are designed to help you perform better in any playing situation.
- 3 Ways to Play Solos on Bass Guitar Lesson
- Hammer On / Pull Off Bass Lick Lesson
- Bass Lessons – Playing To the Kick Drum
- How To Practice and Memorize the Pentatonic Positions
- How to Play Reggae Bass Lines
- Bass Guitar Lesson – Building Bass Lines
- Why Do I Need to Know Modes on Bass Guitar?
- Two Octave Major Scales
- Metal for Bass! Bass Guitar Lesson
- Motown Bass Guitar Survival Guide Lesson
- The Double Thumb Technique
- Advanced Styles & Techniques
- Six Steps to Learning Bass Songs By Ear
- 30 Groove Master Bass Lines You MUST Know
- Pop and Rock Bass Guitar Lesson
- Creating Original Bass Lines Lesson
- Bass Groove Creation Station Lesson
- 50 Blues Bass Licks You Must Know
- Learn Metal Bass Guitar Lesson
- 30 Beginner Bass Grooves You Must Know
- Funk Bass Lessons with Larry Cook
- Walking Bass Lines Lesson With Andrew Ford
- Pentatonic Playground for Bass Guitar Lesson
- Bass Guitar Lesson – Warming Up & Timbre
- Funky Triplet Lick Bass Lessons
- Modes Made Easy – Bass Guitar Lesson
Bass Guitar Tips, Tricks & Exercises
Additional bass guitar tips and tricks provided by professional bass instructors – for free at Bass Player Center!
- Warmup Exercises for Bass Guitar
- Bass Lessons – Playing To the Kick Drum
- Bass Guitar Lesson – Funk Bass For Beginners
- Bass Guitar Rock Grooves for Beginners
- Bass Guitar Tip : Fakin’ It
- Bass Guitar Lesson – Chicago Blues
- Bass Guitar Lesson – 3 Finger Plucking Technique
- Bass Guitar Tip: Shuffle Funk
- Bass Guitar Tip – Maximize Play With Minimum Motion
- Bass Guitar Tip – How to Play Double Stops
- Bass Guitar Tip – The Pivot
- Chromatic Practice Exercises
- Tuning Your Bass With A Tuner
- Tuning Your Bass With Harmonics
- How to Play Slap Bass Guitar
- Bass Guitar Lesson – Chromatic Workout
- Bass Guitar Lesson – Practice Routines
- Beginner Bass Lesson – How To Play Harmonics
- Bass Guitar Lesson – Intro to Tapping
- Bass Guitar Strength Drills – The Spider Technique
Supplementary Materials:
- Songs for Beginner Bass Players
- Bass Scales Wall Charts
- Essential Bass Theory Wall Chart
- Bass Instruction Books & Downloads
Online Bass Lessons Reviews
We hope you find Bass Player Center to be useful for helping you learn to play bass guitar. Our lessons focus on getting you started on bass by providing the foundation needed to build and grow your playing ability. If you’ve reached a point where you’re interested in a more comprehensive & professional level of instruction we offer reviews & recommendations for several online premium bass lessons sites…
Bass Guitar Lessons