r/basslessons

I've been learning to play bass for little over a month (Fender Player II Mustang Bass) and I'm looking to get started with solid fundamentals - plucking/fretting technique and basic rhythm etc.

I do have Hal Leonard's Bass Method and have dipped into the BassBuzz YouTube videos but I think I'd prefer a clearer step-by-step structure rather than jumping randomly between the book and random videos. I want to feel as though I'm building on each thing I learn if that makes sense.

What structured free courses or YouTube series would you guys recommend for a complete beginner?

Any advice on building good habits from day one would also be massively appreciated!

Hello,

I play a five string bass and have been trying to learn how to use a pick with it. I have searched all over google, YouTube, and Reddit threads trying to figure out how to keep the lower strings muted while using a pick. The majority of people seem to say that you’re supposed to use the pinky side of your palm to rest on the the strings lower than the one you are picking and to use your left hand to mute the higher strings.

I have tried several times and I just don’t see how you’re supposed to do this. I’m not sure if the way I pick is really messed up, put if I rest the pinky side of my palm on the lower strings, the thumb side of my palm ends up pressing into them as well when I pick.

I also don’t see how you can do this while keeping your picking hand relaxed since if I’m holding the pick in the “claw” position, my pinky ends up resting on the muted strings as well, but if I extend my fingers while keeping them relaxed, they end up gliding against the higher strings.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

thank you

When I started teaching myself bass I was happy enough to remember what fret to fret and the shape of the scale I wanted so I let good technique go to the wayside. Now I have a problem with buzz because I just press anywhere between the two frets when I should be pressing ON the fret. What are some good practices to correct this? I’ve started doing spider walk stuff. Any other good ones?