All of the techniques in these grooves are taught in the previous tutorials. Click in the following links to get a refresher course.

• Slap Bass 101: Part 1

• Slap Bass 101: Part 2

• Slap Bass 101: Part 3

Welcome to Slap Bass 101:Part 3.

If you’ve missed part two then click here. Triplets are super fun and can impress the ladies. I’ve used these bass triplets in a lot of my bass solos and now you can too. Start off slowly and pick up the speed and soon smoke will start to appear. Just be careful not to burn a hole in your bass neck.

Disclaimer: Many times as egotistical musicians we like to jump ahead and usually we end up getting frustrated and don’t understand the lesson, so we end up quitting. If you’re a beginner and that’s you, then you need to pick up your big boy pants and click on the link below and start from the top…Please. =)

http://thinkingmusician.com/basic-bass-exercises

Click on the audios

S=Slap  P=Pop  H=Hammer  PO= Pull Off  X=Ghost Note

Ex 1: Thumb, Thumb Octave Pluck 

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/235053464″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ex 2: Rapid Fast Triplet Thumb Ghost Octave Pluck

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/235053461″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Welcome to Slap Bass 101: Part 2.

If you’ve missed part one then click here. Hammer ons and ghosts notes will bring a whole new world to your funk playing. There exercises can be a stretch, literally. Just put in the time and you’ll see progress, instead of watching Jersey Shore. (Oh gawd, Mike and Snooki are so annoying.)

Disclaimer: Many times as egotistical musicians we like to jump ahead and usually we end up getting frustrated and don’t understand the lesson, so we end up quitting. If you’re a beginner and that’s you, then you need to pick up your big boy pants and click on the link below and start from the top…Please. =)

http://thinkingmusician.com/basic-bass-exercises

Let us begin. Click on the audios

Ex 1: 1-3 Hammer On Up the Neck

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/235049690″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Finally!

I get to teach slap bass. This is the fun stuff for bass players, it’s all snickers and pringles from here on in.

Disclaimer: Many times as egotistical musicians we like to jump ahead and usually we end up getting frustrated and don’t understand the lesson, so we end up quitting. If you’re a beginner and that’s you, then you need to pick up your big boy pants and click on the link below and start from the top…Please. =)

http://thinkingmusician.com/basic-bass-exercises

Shall we begin?? Click on the audios

How to Slap and Pop

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/235049521″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ex 1: Open String Slap and Pop.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/235046995″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ex 2: Finger Funk Stretch using Slap and Pop.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/235047174″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ex 3: Chromaticism using Slap and Pop.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/235047896″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ex 4: Octave Jump using Slap and Pop.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/235047895″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

S=Slap

P= Pop

Ex 5: 3rd Finger Release using Slap and Pop.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/235047893″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Thanks friend for participating. Remember to take action on each of these exercises. It’s as easy as spending five short minutes on each exercise. That would equate to about one episode of Ninja Turtles.

Do this daily and you’ll soon have strong slap happy hands and you’ll be slapping everything in sight. Just don’t slap your momma. =)

Stay tuned for the next lesson and feel free to ask any question in the comment section below.

Last tutorial was a great start to get you grooving, and if you missed it click here.

If you’re a green horn and just stumbled into this tutorial then click here to get you started.

I have for you three cool bass slides that you can use as fillers in between bass grooves or turnarounds.

Just click on the audio tracks for instructions.

Bah – Woosh Slide:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218646720″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Boom Bass Slide:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218646712″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Zippy Bass Slide:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218646710″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Before the end of this tutorial I’d like to give you a few more exercises for your fingers to complete the exercises for all five lessons. Click on the audio track to receive full instructions. You can also share and download the track.

Bass Octaves Exercise:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218646713″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Bass Box Pattern Exercise:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218646717″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Minor Pentatonic Exercise:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218646711″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

We have arrived at the end of this entire bass tutorial. Whew!

It’s been a good ride my friend and don’t leave without leaving a comment and letting me know what I can do to improve further.

Missed any previous lessons? Then click below.

1. Bass Lesson 1
2. Bass Lesson 2
3. Bass Lesson 3
4. Bass Lesson 4

Thanks buddy, It’s late and I’m gonna go crash.

Is the basis of today’s popular music. Without groove you won’t dance, tap your foot or bob your head. What provides the groove?

You guessed it, the BASS!

I have for you five great bass lines, all different styles ranging from jazz to funk. Enjoy them and practice smarter not harder.

If you’re a newbie and have not checked out the previous tutorials then click here.

It’s All About the Bass Grooves

I have got five new grooves for you. There is also a play-along with just the beat. You can also download it if you’d like and jam with the homies.

Black Eye Groove

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218637554″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Black Eye Groove Play-Along

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218652554″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Carry Cursor

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218637552″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Carry Cursor Play-Along

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218652555″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Miss Jelly 

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218637549″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Miss Jelly Play-Along

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218652556″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Nudgey Feet Groove

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218637548″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Nudgey Feet Groove Play-Along

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218652557″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Straight Outta Gardena

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218637545″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Straight Outta Play-Along

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218652558″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Now go annoy your friends with these hip grooves.

Don’t forget to leave a comment below and stay tuned for the last installment of this bass series.

Peace

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218628456″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ugh!  I hate to practice!

That’s what I use to say, but when I realized the greats like Parker and Coltrane practiced their ass off, I had to make a decision whether I would take it seriously or not.

There is no such thing as God given talent! I’m going say that again. There is no such thing as God given talent! If your religious than I’m sorry if I have offended you. But there are only several instances where God gave grown adults gifts in the Old Testament.

It only happens to about .00001% of our entire world population that an individual is bestowed with so called “God given talent.” Michael Jackson, Mozart, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, and Charlie Parker all had to work their butts off to achieve their level of talent.

With that said let me show you all the basic steps for proper rehearsal.

1. Find a place where there are zero distractions. No texts, phone calls, Facebook, Twitter, emails, or annoying neighbors.
2. Find a time where it’s convenient and consistent. Maybe before work, school or before bed time can be an ideal time to practice.
3. Visualize the music in your head before you play a single note. Studies say 10-15 minutes of visualization can equal to about an hour of practice.
4. Gather all proper tools for practice: metronome, recorder, timer, sheet music, and your bass of course.
5. Focus on 2-3 practice objectives max! Any more than 3 things can be overwhelming, if you can focus one thing than that would be best.
6. Take it one chunk at a time. Break every exercise, riff, or groove in chunks and focus on that  chunk only. Move forward to the next chunk once you have mastered it. When you’ve mastered every chunk, then you can tackle the whole piece.
7. Stir that motivation by watching or listening to your favorite bass players. Zig Ziglar states,
   

   “Motivation is like bathing, it doesn’t last very long.”

These are just the basics for your own personal practice time. I’ve written a book that is more in depth and covers everything you need to know about practicing. It’s called the “14 Commandments of Music Practice” get a free sample by clicking on this link.

Before we leave here’s another groove to get you exciting.

Funky Socks Groove

Here’s a cool little ditty that I cooked up. Click on the audio to hear the example and follow the tab. It may look tough on the tab, but it really isn’t. Provided is also the beat, which you can also download. Have fun.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/218647979″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

If you haven’t check out part one then click here to get a step ahead.

Let’s move on to the second part

I’ve been a professional working bassist and instructor for almost 15 years as of this date of this tutorial. Now it’s time to share my knowledge with you guys. Shall we begin.