Why Beginner / Intermediate Bassists Sound “Karaoke-y”
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2021
- 👉 My full beginner bass course: yeah.bassbuzz.com/karaoke
You hit the right notes... but something still feels off. Here are 5 subtle nuances pro bassists use to make it sound on.
When you use these 5 sneaky pro nuances to shape your bass lines, you can tailor the right feel and emotion for the song, and move beyond the “karaoke zone” that beginner and intermediate bassists get stuck in.
In this lesson, I’ll show you 5 bass lines from popular songs that demonstrate these nuances - plus show you how it sounds when noobs blow over the details.
First up is Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down, remember when you couldn’t stop hearing that song? Now you get to hear it again, as an excellent example of the value of connecting up your notes in a bass line.
Then we’ll tackle some Willie Nelson with On The Road Again. Simple bass lines like this are a great way to expose if you’re playing with consistent rhythm or not. (pro tip - you should)
Yellow by Coldplay isn’t just a crowd-pleasing pop song, it’s also a vehicle for some very slick bass slides. We’ll dig into why Guy Berryman added these to the chorus, and how they could affect your bass lines.
Heading back to the world of folk music, we’ll use a top-grade studio bassist trick called “cutting for the snare” to get the bass line right on Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival, plus I’ll explain when to use it in your own playing.
We’ll wrap up with Best of You by the Foo Fighters, digging into the technique Nate Mendel used to get his bass line to drive super hard. And of course, I’ll explain how to do it in your own parts. (as you probably guessed if you read all this)
And if you’re still reading even after that, you should probably subscribe to BassBuzz. You’re clearly enamored - yeah.bassbuzz.com/subscribe
#BeginnerBassLessons #NoobJoshApproved - เพลง
Poll - do you want to hear Noob Josh do more karaoke? 🤓🎤🎶
Timestamps for this lesson:
0:00 - Do You Sound “Karaoke-y”?
1:14 - Connect the Notes
4:07 - Consistent Rhythm
8:01 - Subtle Slides
10:35 - Cut For the Snare
13:01 - Downpicking
Hello
I'm a noob and it makes me cringe a bit to hear Noob Josh, 'cos it reminds me of my own bass playing 😂🤭🙈
It was entertaining and educational appricate the intel.
Yes please, more karaoke from Noob Josh, I'd feel less "all by myself"!
Hell yeah - Noob Josh is living his best life!
I'm just always amazed at how good Josh is at pretending to be bad at bass
It takes hours of not practicing. 🤓
@@BassBuzz if you don't put in the work, and avoid trying hard, you too can do the whatever
Hey josh just wanted to say I probobly would have quit playing bass if it wasn’t for your videos to help me so keep it up and thx
Glad I could help Makai! Never quit. :)
Thx josh
@@Ndlanding You have a sad, sad, life
@@Steven-rw6zb
@@Ndlanding Sort your ego out.
I like how Noob Josh is now intermediate. That’s good character development
The plot thickens!
@@BassBuzz thats one thick plot 😳
@@BassBuzz the pluck thickens! :)
My bass teacher used to say "feel the rest," and I think that was super helpful for stuff like cutting for the snare
Totally!
In all seriousness, those things are x10 more important then fancy stuff like slapping/tapping/playing fast.
Those 'non technique' techniques are overlooked by students and teachers alike (also true for guitar as well).
It's awesome that you raise awareness for such things.
100% this. Getting the feel and groove to sound consistent is WAY more important than crazy showoff skills
Everyone knows that you need to learn to walk before you learn to run, yet everyone still tries to skip right into running or at least jogging.
@Stumble.Stop.Repeat Overlooked by both, let me tell you that much.
And I call them "non technique" not cause there are not techniques, but cause people refer only to playing fast/difficult as "technique".
yeah, they're not really. Not all of them at least.
The snare thing is useful, and the "micro-slide", but the other two is purely taste.
Just as slapping/tapping.
It depends on what you want to play and how do you want to approach it.
I came to this video looking for more in-depth very technical stuff that make your "finger-tone" sound better, and I've ended up being pretty disapointed
You are 100% right.
Noob Josh is my spirit animal.
I think ghost notes is one subtle nuances that often makes bass line sounds more pro
yes! would love a video on ghost notes Josh!
totally agree; especially when slapping.
You're really good at this. I wish there was a version of you for every instrument.
Thanks Greg!
I'd consider myself an intermediate player but I always watch all of these videos because they help me find things I do that I can still improve on. Love your content man, thank you so much.
You're welcome Joseph!
Joe Dart of Vulfpeck would be a quite perfect modern example of sounding interesting without using fancy techniques other than proper muting and ghost notes, while still serving the song. This style comes down all the way from the early days of bass playing by the influence of James Jamerson.
It's very simple, yes... But with incredible technique, fret mastery, groove, stamina and creative note choices - all reached with incessant practicing. 😂
The guy's a damn beast.
I thought joe dart was an example of fancy techniques, thats why ive been studying his fancy techniques.....
My guy, Joe Dart is a masterclass in fancy technique.
i feel so bad for noob josh, he was so happy being intermediate josh and now he's back down... #justiceforjosh
this sounds too familiar ...
I've been playing bass for over 20 years, and I have never really intentionally cut for the snare drum. I think I do it sort of thoughtlessly but I will keep an ear out for it now! Thanks for the tip. You're never too experienced to learn something new.
Glad that was helpful Isaac! There's a good chance you've been doing it instinctively without thinking about it, I think a lot of experienced players do.
When I played bass in bands, I always tried to stand on the hi-hat side of the drummer, having visual cues to reinforce what you are hearing really helps to "lock in" with your drummer!
Through various cultural cues, Josh communicates that newb Josh is a real dork:
- "square" hair style
- unfashionable button down white shirt with cardigan
- silly bow tie
- 1950s style thick glasses
- nasal voice
- ridiculous banana tattoo
Oops that Warhol Banana is real and Pro Josh wears it too!
@@judih.8754 -- yeah, I know -- I was just ribbing him by including that on the list.
Yeah it probably isn’t an album cover or anything like that, especially one from some cool band. Doubt it.
As a beginner I just wanted to say thank you for all these videos that you make. Very glad they're so beginner friendly, I've been playing for 5 months now and would certainly get stuck and not know what to learn/do if it weren't for your videos.
You're welcome Jurica!
Yeah, your videos on this channel as well as your other channel are absolutely some of if not the best bass videos on here.
that last bit about finding the subtleties that make it challenging even if it's simple is huge, and humbling
I just can't imagine how much work is needed to make such kind of video. So many details. So many jokes. Awesome!
I've been leaving a hole for the snare as long as I can remember. It never occurred to me that it's bass wisdom which should be shared and passed along. I'll get right on it. It's worth noting at the same time how Charlie Watts pulls the hats on 2 and 4.
R.I.P. 🌹
Like Icarus, Intermediate Josh flew too close to the sun and melted his chocolate medal, along with his dreams
But he's tasted the true power of bass now...
Josh your lessons are memey, dorky, informative videos that keep me glued. Your skill and teaching ability is excellent and It is really helping my bass game. Keep it up!
Thanks Jesse!
Ok - I just got the beginner to badass course - I’ll be recording the progress and let you know how it goes!!
Great video. I figured out the down-picking thing after watching Peter Hook play live; I was like "woah he does that?" and then started copying him! Really makes the Joy Division bass parts sound better and more accurate to the record.
For joy divisions Peter hook mainly did downstrokes it really does make a heavy feel that contrasts nicely with the more light feels of the songs over all. In new order I’m pretty sure he uses alternate picking Ik for a fact he did for perfect kiss cos you can see him doing it in the video. Very cool bass player very inspiring.
It's rare to see such good "wrong takes" in a video. Often, if other teachers try to show how not to play, they exaggerate extreme. I can relatate with Josh so well.
Wow as a drummer learning bass, I realised I subconsiously already played this way because it just sounded right to the ear
Yes cos synchrony makes a difference. Between a good sound and a bad sound
After playing for two years now…and one year with Beginner to Badass…I CANT listen to music anymore without analyzing! Is the bass hitting it on the one? Is the bass following the kick, snare, it high hat? Is the bass being played with pick, fingers, downstroke or both?……ughhhh LOL JOSH …my wife said you have created a monster…I say you are making me a bassist ;)
Haha yep, hard to turn those critical ears off. Sometimes the secret is just keeping your mouth shut around significant others. :PPP
11:42 This is the first time the term "muddy" not only make sense but also gives you the mindset to fix a muddy mix. Glorious success.
Wow amazing! I started my music practition as a drummer and started to pick up bass a little later. I found myself instinctively doing all of these things like one finger plucking and cutting for the snare without realizing it. Its so cool to see this instinctive knowledge get put into words and not only that but also in graph form with the audio visuals. Its almost like you can feel the "correct way" to play it but its so cool to see an explanation for why that is.
One song that I found excellent for practicing to cut for the snare is Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz. The bass line is pretty simple so you can concentrate on that, and it is essentially what you do for the whole song: Every second note is a long one, and you stop *just* before that snare.
I was about to go to bed but you mentioned that song and I don't know how to play that and I can't believe I haven't learned it yet
I looked it up, learnt it and played it. Thank you
I absolutely love the amount of detail you have in your videos. (Unlike other videos). Your videos have helped me so much and I just want to thank you so much.
You're welcome!
Another thing that has quite a big impact on the feel: the same notes sound different on different strings.
Usually the lower string is better for a steady and full sound, and the same note on a higher string is more defined and you can hear it better in the mix, but loses some of the low-end rumble.
I just wanted to thank you for these amazing videos!! I just bought my first bass and watching your videos has helped me a lot. Your videos are not just educational but entertaining and fun to watch!
Great and practical tips. These are absolutely the foundations that you need to focus on and make up the vast majority of bass lines that you'll actually play. Just because it may be 'simple' doesn't mean it's boring. If it grooves, it grooves.
Mate, thanks to your videos im still picking up new things after over 14 years of loving the four strings. Thanks so much for all this interesting, deep and well thought out material. Also really love the personal style you add to it, it's all so watchable. See you at the next one!
Thanks for the kind words! :)
Thanks a lot.
Nice advices, amazing quality as usual !
Thank you for using a variety of music in your examples. I feel like over in guitar world there's this heavy reliance on what I guess are supposed to be required guitar listening that aren't the songs that actually got me interested in guitar.
Always great instruction Josh, clear, concise, accessible, relevant and fun.
Thanks Peter!
Thank you for updating! Your videos are my favorite to watch and work on my bass with, I just started and you are such an inspiration.
Glad I could help!
Great video man. Excellent breakdown of technical nuances!
Wow! Great advice! THANKS!
You're looking and sounding great Josh. I love the dark background in this video. I've been waiting for another video. Connecting the notes (when appropriate) is what I still struggle with. I'm happy to see you use a pick as its easier for me to play with one.
Thanks Judi!
I like fingerstyle, but I'm playing a Mötley Crüe tune for my school band and a pick is mandatory for that one. Upstrokes on the in-between sixteenth notes, otherwise all downpicking 🤘🤘
i struggle with cutting my notes too early and this really helped me figure out how to fix it :-) thank you !!
Thanks Josh from Noob Jan. Great tips for spicing things up!
I really loved the snare tip, thank you, I never noticed it before.
These are great tips presented in a very entertaining way. I love your channel for those reasons. The cutting for the snare thing is something I never even thought about, but this video made me realize that I do it all the time. I picked it up from a teacher that played a lot of small combo gigs on upright. He taught me that sort of slap mute kind of technique that makes a nice snare like sound for when you don’t have a drummer. I love the feel of it so much that I have to stop myself from doing it sometimes when I have a drummer and it really isn’t necessary.
The tommy the cat slide was a perfect addition
Love this lesson Josh sooooo helpful ! Great humour too !
Thanks Josh!!! another amazing video to help me.
bass is all about those little details that makes basslines tasty 🤤
This is gold. Thanks for this.
so much terrific advice here. Thank you.
JOSH!!!! finally, another video, you are helping me a lot with the bass, thank you very much......love you!
You're welcome!
Great video, Josh! Always excited to learn from your channel :)
Dude, Josh!! That explanation on consistent rhythm is amazing! ...I wish I could upload it matrix style to some of the groups I'm playing with...
Ha! Thanks Brendan!
You’re making perfect videos, everything is easy to understand 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 thank you, man!!
You're welcome!
I've started to play bass one year ago. I've been paying attention to most of all these tips instinctively from day zero. I feel well today :)
Also, to not sound karaoke-ish, pay attention to your tone! Play around with your mics, volume levels, tone controls, amp settings and most important, where in the string you're picking or plucking! And use palm muting when needed. Feel the bass!
I love bass... after half a century of existence, I've found my instrument.
This was so helpful & informative. I am a guitar player (playing many years ) and I recently bought a Bass, and I am really enjoying it. I have a Whole New Respect and admiration for bass-players. With guitar or keyboards you can get-away-with more imperfection, but with Bass you need to be Spot-On . . . all the time. oNe LovE from NYC
Another great Bass Buzz video. Simple, helpful tips to improve my sound. Thank you!
You're welcome Barbara!
I look forward to every new video, excellent work!!!
Thanks Levi!
this is an amazingly well-timed video for me, I play guitar and I just picked up bass specifically to play in karaoke band in november lol
Hey did Josh get a new Bass? Always good to see new content. It's true, "the devil's in the details"! Kudos! 👍😊♥️
Josh is doing gods work!!!!
I had 4 guitar teachers growing up. 3 of them taught me songs, 1 taught me how to PLAY the songs and ultimately, the instrument. When I went to learn bass the first time a decade ago I thought I already knew how so I didn't take lessons. Thanks for teaching me how wrong I've been these past couple years and showing me how to not sound like a guitarist with a bass in their hands. You're one of those special teachers that has a real gift for it. I appreciate you and the fact that you haven't ignored your talents to sell out and make reaction/gear videos.
Thank you!
The bass world is so very fortunate to have instructors like you. I only wish more old guys like me had the technology and you around in the 60s and 70s when we started playing.
Thanks Russell!
Another great video Josh. Would be great if you could do a video of the circle of 5ths in your style and how it applies to bass
Check out the cycle of 3rds....very helpful
Been playing bass for 20 years. I didn't know how to explain most of this stuff from a technical perspective, but it's all things I do intuitively all of the time, and absolutely necessary if you want to sound like a pro. Great video. The fast single finger plucking technique to get a downpicked feel is something I learned a few years ago, and I use it all of the time now when I want that feel. I don't see many other finger style bass players using it, but it's a great tip.
Same. It's mostly about the feels.
One of the most important things is playing a line in the right position. He plays Kryptonite in the first position almost the whole time. So 2nd fret A string for B, 3rd Fret G, then Open A- makes it connect so much better. You are working 10 times harder to get the same effect.
Dude such a great concept for a lesson! Nicely done.
Thanks William!
Always look forward to your videos. 👍
Thanks Phil!
I feel attacked.
.
.
.
But no, I needed this so badly. Thank you Josh!!
Ha, you're welcome Sharon!
Well I hope you'll sustain the bass territory.
New camera? You look so pristine and professional. I love it!
Thanks Tyler!
@@BassBuzz the new lighting looks cool! You should at a backlight to make it pop!
I just got my first bass today and I’m already better than I was an hour ago!Your videos are really helpful and I thank you for this!
Such a great teacher and content so good as always. Thank you very much.
You're welcome Sebastian!
Solid info as per usual! Good job man!
Thanks Adrian!
Thanks for the tips, I've been improving mi bass playing with them 🤘
always a good day when josh uploads
As a Pick player I find myself preferring downpicking over alternate picking a lot lol. I have to break my habit to try and be a consistent alternate as well.
I feel the same way. I only like alternate picking if playing slower, and if I’m playing slowly plucking sounds better anyway.
Another one I like is sliding into a note, like Tim Commerford does in parts of "Be Yourself." He slides from a D# to E on the first high E of each verse. It really accentuates the "peaking" in each verse before it resets.
amo estos videos, me ayudan un montonazo. aparte con las ediciones que meten se hacen hasta divertidos para mirar.
Gracias Vicente!
@@BassBuzz you answered me lolll
A new Josh video makes my whole day! Yay!
You’re so right. Didn’t really learn much advanced techniques on bass until I started listening to Motown/funk/rnb music in 2020
Great! Best explanation I've seen and heard so far :) well done
Thanks Luca!
Hey Josh, I love your videos they always provide me with tons of insight and help me to improve my playing, I'd love to see a video on ear training/interval and chord recognition!
Thank you! Yeah I'd love to talk about that more, ear training is so important.
What an excellent lesson. I think I am going to watch this once a week until I get to be intermediate (and then once a month), thanks Josh
I love this new slightly more serious presentation. The perfect blend of information and laydbacknessness.
Thanks Tomislav!
Really enjoyed the video, great tips! Also, I gotta say (not to sound weird or anything) - that haircut is 🔥
Thanks Eva! 💇
Awesome as usual Josh!
Thanks Pam!
I learned bass by playing Rocksmith and it does an amazing job on on showing how long a sustain needs to be held something that can't be done on paper tablature
Awesome lesson! Thank you.
Thanks Michael!
your tips are very usefull thank you for your time. Its nice of you.
You're welcome David!
Good to see ya Josh. I enjoyed the vid.
Thanks James!
This was so cool and informative. Luckily I have a tuba background and am used to "locking in" with the percussion but I am happy to see that I've already been implementing these subtleties like note length, volume, plucking style, and adding some slides/variations to songs. (Going from tuba to bass means trying really freaking hard not to overdo it with slides)
Great vids thanks so much have learned a lot
You're a gift to many, am about to quit even as a dreamer to be a bass player at 40's..u shared without conditions..thanks a lot.
I really agree with this video. My main instrument has always been guitar, but I also took up bass seriously. I migrated to bass in the 3-piece band I'm in since the lead singer is on guitar, and I've always focused on locking in with the drums (always paying attention to kick and snare) to really make us sound huge as a 3-piece.
What a USEFUL video, thank you
Awesome T-shirt man!
I'm definitely no pro but are the nuances I always looked for that are making me enjoy original music. I can finally express myself and being proud of where I can bring the sound of the band I'm in.
You are the best teacher at YT, thanks!
Thanks Stefan!
Thanks. Juicy stuff on this lesson.
Great topic and teaching!
Thanks Jason!