Learning the bass guitar is both challenging and rewarding. And, whether you’re aspiring to become a session bass player, join a band, or simply just want to play music, developing an effective daily practice routine based on your current level and goals is a must. In this guide, I’ll share my personal take for developing a bass practice routine, that way you can make consistent progress and find joy in every note you play.
Let’s dive in.
Scrap The S.M.A.R.T. Goals. Instead, Focus on Joy, Journey, and Jam!
There’s no universal one-size-fits all “best practice routine.” Every person’s path will be unique, and will (and should) change as you progress in your learning. It’s okay to change up your routine, even on a weekly basis, especially if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing.
You’ve probably heard of S.M.A.R.T. goals (specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-bound). I know this isn’t a popular opinion, but personally, I find the S.M.A.R.T. approach to be dry, uninspiring, and corporate — especially the time-bound part. I don’t know any kid that likes to hear they have 5 minutes left in the playground!
Instead, I like to think about the 3 J’s when it comes to developing a practice routin