It's great to learn bass lines via video but watch out for this
When you watch a video to learn bass songs you may sometimes get turned around. Well, it’s because you are watching everything mirrored. Yes, of course, duh. But I don’t fault you for getting a bit cross-eyed when it’s all new to you!
When you are struggling to figure out how and where to place a finger of the fretting hand (also, what finger?), pluck the string you are actually fretting (I know!), all the while trying to figure out whether it’s the buzz that makes it sound off or whether it’s because you actually ARE off… also flying fingers and rhythm something something… 🤪
Take a breath. I can help.
First of all, make sure you are plucking the string you are actually fretting. Trace the string with your eyes. OK. We got drills to help with this, but for now, just keep an eye on that.
When watching a video tutorial or another player to learn bass songs, you have to mirror what you see in your mind to translate it to your bass. And you are mirroring two ways:
vertically & horizontally!
Take a moment to take this in. Our Cohort Student Walter is demonstrating for us:
But for you, when you are looking down from above, it will look like this:
When Walter looks down on his fretboard, he will be plucking the third string from the top (“top” meaning closest to him!). The left/right (vertical) mirroring is intuitive for most, but it’s easy to forget about that horizontal mirroring where up becomes down!
Look at this again, side by side:
My view on vertical diagrams to learn bass lines
Some diagrams try to “help” by standing up the fretboard/angling it by 90 degrees, like so:
I experimented with this layout for a bit and while some students initially preferred it, it would not take long until the drawbacks of this view became apparent:
- This is not how you hold the bass.
- If you are used to reading language from left to right, reading from top to bottom is counterintuitive.
- And the main reason: This is not what it looks like when you look down on the fretboard.
- Even proper TAB works sideways:
- For best visualization practice and good technique, sideways is the way I recommend!
Tips to learn bass lines from videos
- Don’t forget to mirror up/down, not just left/right! Look for the thickest string and count from there!
- Get used to reading proper diagrams. Drawing out your own is one of the best ways to learn!
- When reading TAB look for sideways versions and avoid vertical diagrams.
- You can download our pattern paper for four/five/six string basses below, for right-handed as well as left- handed players! Our Resources page has even more options!
- If you get confused when looking at the diagrams, imagine the paper sliding off your music stand straight under your bass. Match up the thick strings.
Left-handed?
Here is the view for you:
Kudos to our left-handed players! We have noticed that they do exceptionally well, especially in our Pattern System, where you write out a lot of diagrams for practice. They excel at this because they have to do this constantly anyways so they get really fast at this!
Promised downloads
* Both Vincent and Walter have Marleaux basses that have a “zero fret”, in case you are wondering about that extra fret underneath the nut.
Here’s a solid tip for learning bass lines: “Chunking”
You may also be interested in tips on learning how to sing and play
Last, but not least:
- Get our books (US) and wallcharts! We teach theory and the fretboard via thought-out diagrams. We do mental practice, prepare you to read sheet music, play Jazz and so much more.
