Try This Finger-Busting Arpeggio Exercise for Bass Guitar
If you already practice scales by harmonizing them with arpeggios, here’s a simple way to make that exercise much more challenging. Instead of playing each arpeggio straight up or…
How to Practice Walking Bass Time Feel by Playing With the Masters
I recently transcribed Ray Brown’s walking bass line on “Teach Me Tonight.” But after learning the notes, I…
Strong vs Weak Beats in Music (And Why Beat 1 Isn’t What You Think)
You’ve probably heard this before: “Focus on beat 1.” And to be fair… that advice works. Your playing…
Change the Key Before You Get Comfortable: An Ear-First Bass Practice Tip
For a long time, practicing in different keys was a separate part of my routine. I’d transcribe a line. Lock in…
How to Improve Time Feel on Bass by Focusing on Note Duration and Space
I didn’t practice anything new today. I practiced not rushing. That realization came while playing along to…
How to Pull Drum Stems in Logic Pro and Use Them to Improve Your Time-Feel
Simple Guide + Screenshots + Real Practice Example Practicing with isolated drum tracks has become one of my…
What Tower of Power’s “What Is Hip?” Taught Me About Right-Hand Accuracy on Bass
I spent an hour with Tower of Power’s What Is Hip? groove, and it taught me more about right-hand accuracy than…
One Hour, Four Bars: What Practicing “Southwick” Taught Me About Groove
When I was in my twenties, my hands were fast, my time was steady, and my mind could lock into even the simplest…
Why Thinking Like a Drummer Transforms Your Slap Bass Groove
Most of us hit a wall with our slap bass grooves at some point. You start out learning the basic root-and-octave…
From Switching to Landing: How I Practice Clean Chord Changes
I used to think practicing chord switching was enough. Just move between shapes, faster and faster, and…
3 Wrist & Forearm Resets That Helped Me Keep Playing
Just three years into playing bass, I was mid-set at a dance-party gig when a sharp, shooting pain tore up my…