It seems that some links are no more working .(exemple L239, L207, L 230, L119 of the 50 selected “Bass lick of the day”).

Is it normal ?

By and thanks a lot for your website
Alain

Thanks,

I have a question: I bought a RH450 two weeks ago and played with it some hours already – LOVE THE SOUND! I mostly play a EBMusicMan 4String 2-EQ and would love to know your EQ and EQ center shift settings you have set for your funky slap sound.
Still searching the perfect tone

Thanks a lot!!
Gregor

I was thinking about purchasing one of the pandoras you recomended in your youtube recording page. However I want to know what cords additionally i need to record in my computer and if i need and special things for my mac or pc. COuld you give me the names of the spliteers or whatever cords i need so i can pick them up at radio shack. You should fix it up on the recording tutorial page. thank you

I am getting to a point after playing for 4 years, where i feel like i am not progressing. To give you an idea of where I am at, I can play Marcus Millers run for cover, Power and Scoop. ‘Glide’ by pleasure, err…some of your faster fingerstly stuff, and a a fair bit ofdouble thumbing work you do.

I am just confused? How can I get technically better? how long does it take to be SUPREME?

thanks marlowe, even if you dont reply

I appreciate all you help and support, thank you very much
Blessings.

Thank you….

Been watching a lot of your vids lately and loving every one of them. My question is about double thumping. I am currently learning Marcus Miller’s “Riofunk” bass solo. I am capable of playing all of it but when I do the muted double thump/pop parts they tend to throw off my rhythm and slow down the groove. Is there any exercises that will get me used to double thumping with popping? I think I need to make my thumb more independent but need your help!

Thank you!

I have an Ibanez musician fretless that used to play many years ago…. than quitted… and now after 15 years back again to play bass !!!
looking for a cheaper 5 string with fret… what about BaCH BJB-05S NA ?
http://www.bachmusik.com/en/bach-bjb-05s-na_p879
bye

Have I have 5 string bass with some string touching the neck ( the low B string obsiously)
and its very difficult to slap the 4th string ( E open string )
What should I do ?

Thanks

Thank you for all you’re doing for us, bass players )))))

My question is about Sandberg JJ Basses – how do you find quality and sound of these basses? Could you think it’s good Fender-analogue for funk & soul players?

(sorry, if you’ve already answered such question)

Best wishes!
Dmitry, Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

Hank

Hank

could you please get the bass tab for me for Hair musical Hair song ?
I would like to learn this great song, but it is too fast for me to get the exact chords.
Thank you for your help in advance !

Ildiko

Any ideas?????
A not so terrible bass perhaps?

My question – since discovering your site I have been trying to copy your right hand technique as it made me realise that mine was awful! Something I am still having trouble with though is when playing the E string I dont know how you manage to keep your fingers so controlled so that you can quickly move onto the A string.

In other words, when playing the G D or A strings my fingers are stopped by the string above them but there is nothing to stop them when playing the E string and I find that my fingers fly into my palm. Of course if i think about it and play carefully then i can make them only move back a small distance, but I really struggle to keep this smooth, consistant and controlled. Have you got any tips to help with this?

Thanks so much your site has been invaluable to me so far!
You might want to look at this video

Any suggestions?

Please, any chance of Jaco’s Portrait of Tracy as a lesson, I have got past the first four/five bars, but get stuck on the bar leading into the bridges

Thanks – love the come on come over on “you play along”.

Rob
Dont think so, im afraid, but you never know…

thanks
Start to learn what scales goes with what chords, at least learn the major and minor pentatonic scale

dw
You ask for… “2 bar gospel runs” – but which chords?, which keys?, major or minor?, which tempo?….
I have a lot of licks that can be played both over 1 and 2 bars, just search for “fills”.

Thanks a lot for sharing your talent and work here. Me and my students have had great help from your videos and special kudos for all the work you`ve put into the Larry Graham stuff. Pure gold IMHO. I have a Q. How do you mute the lower strings when thumping on the upper strings like in Release Yourself? Could you post a vid on muting which I personally find a very important part of good technique. Bless. Anders Mossberg
PS. I worked a lot in Sun Studio with Bjarne Hansen in the 80-s and early 90-s. Do you know Bjarne? DS.
Hi Anders and you are welcome
I mute with my right underarm when thumbing on the upper strings.
Yes I know Bjarne, recordeda couple of records in the 80′s in Sun with him as engineer
Speaking of SUN, im doing STC’s (as the old studio is called now) new homepage:)

A trill is where you normally hammer on & pull off between two frets quickly/repeatedly. I’m guessing it’s given the same name for sliding between two frets repeatedly, but I’m not sure

I hope you can find it! I’m really interested in this.

How is this technique called, when you’re sliding very fast between two notes? And how can i develop that, any tips secrets?:P

And have you got a really good tip to be funky as hell? Do i have to pratice a lot of rythmic stuff?

Well, keep on playing!:)
Yeah as Smaz said it a trilll, and yuo can find the tutorial in lick of the day L245

P.S.
Nice to se you are using WP

Well, at some point some beginner video lessons will emerge, if not by me then by somebody else.
I must admit that my licks are mostly tips and tricks i work on myself, and as such not for beginners, but my general advice sections is for all levels.
And yes, i love WP and use itfor all my webdesign gigs these days

Your PlayAlong clips are some 25 years late ;0) . . . took me a whole weekend to work out “Glide” when it first came out, hearing AND “seeing” it would have made it much easier back then. It is such a funky B-line, without any double-thumbing too.

Love to listen to your “jams” . . keep those coming. By the way, if you haven’t heard it yet, check out “Down the Wire” – Sypro Gyra, . . . there is still a part of it I have yet to work out . . . and we all know, there just isn’t enough double-thumb stuff out there!
Thx for the (double)thumbs up:-)

Keep it up – a selfish request I know, but one I feel at least a few others might agree with.

Finally, who or what are the “bots” who appear as visitors to your site?

Many thanks,

F. Clef
Tell me about it, theres been sooo many server / host problems lately, so this can happen again im afraid, hope to get all fixed, but unfortunately it means upgrading to a bigger, better and… more expensive server:(

Great bass playing. I’m glad I found your site. I am currently playing in a band and need to brush up on some areas. I currently using your video “A major pentatonic ideas for bass solos”. I was wondering if you had a transcription for the this video. I have no problems paying $20 for all three videos but would really like to have the transcription for the A Major Pentatonic as well. Is this available or is it doable?

Thanks,

Bill
No , i dont have a transcription of the improvising part, only of the rudimentary scale used
3 videos? You mean the 3 transcription packs?

I’m thinking of getting the Korg PX4D. I haven’t used a digital outboard box like this before and was wondering if there is any latency from the effects processing, or if it feels instantaneous like an analog stomp box?

Also wondering if you think the newer PX5D is worth the extra money over the PX4D ($230 vs. $150 US). I see it has a little more of everything the 4D has, but also adds the USB interface. Not sure if that gives you more though, since the 4D’s output can go straight into a computer line-in. Thoughts?

Also wondering if you think the 5D’s interface seems like a significant improvement over the 4D.

Thanks!

- Chip
Feels fast enough
I havent tried the px5d but intend to buy it soon – mainly for the usb and possibilty to attach pedals
BUT its a practice amp – its noisy, so i wouldnt recommend it for live or serious studio use (the px4d, dont know about the px5d).
But remember to try before you buy anything

and i was just wondering were do you get all your beats?? do you use a drum machine?? i have a pandora px5d but all the beats are to complicated.

thanks
jubsz
Most beats are from the pandora, just use the basic 8 and 16 beat patterns

I don’t know a lot of brands especially the independent ones.. I only know lakland for independent.. could you name some so I could check them out?
Now you mention it – Lakland would be an excelent choice – ive tried the Daryl Jones signature 4 string, its great and you can get a 5 string version of that – alternatively the Fender jazzbass marcus Miller signature bass also comes as a 5′er

I have a 4-string fender jazz bass and I want to buy a 5-string bass.

I want an all-around bass but I also want a funky/groovy sounding bass. What bass/es do you recommend?

Thanks!
A groovy sounding bass?? Im afraid youhave to put in the groove yourself;-)
Dont have a 5 myself, but go with your favorite brand and try the 5 strings versions out

My question is for left and right hand techniques for fingerstyle: are there any that you would consider essential to master if you want to become a versatile player able to play most styles of music.

I’m currently doing J C Superstar and finding that there are a few techniques on both hands I could do to learn. If I only knew what they were!!!

Thanks again.

P.S.: I have been learning slap using the DVD you recommended. It’s a really good resource!
Most important is standard right hand 2 finger alternation, followed by standard slap and pop og then if you are a rocker too – good solid pickstyle.
Left hand – be able to have your thumb anchored to the back of the neck as a pivot – search on google or look in bassbooks
Also – in the lower positions – use 3 fingers, ie first position use 1st finger on 1st fret, 2nd finger on 2nd and 3rd and 4th finger together on 3rd fret

If it’s real, would you ever consider signing with Fender to make a custom jazz or something; branded with MarloweDK =D

Its an 1963 jazz bass, and it was pretty much like that when i bought it some 10 years ago

I want to buy a new bass lately

How could I choose one?

Is there a easier way to choose a good one?

Good one? Thats a subjective matter. Go to a music store and try a lot of different models. I like Fender type basses, but those t i know and are comfortable with

Can you tell me please what kind of adapter for power supply for the Korg Pandora PX4D you are using?
Cause I must buy one,where I can buy an power adapter same as yours
Thanks a lot
The power supply is a “Korg KA199 power adapter”

I’m interested to know what you think about the Floating Thumb technique?

You seem to play with a fairly bent right wrist, ever had any issues with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? It worries me a little.

Any advice?
I think the floating thumb is a good idea, if you have trouble with unwanted string noise, i kinda use it myself on the E and A strings, on a 6 str it is almost a must. Alternatively you can use your pinky and 3rd finger in the same way – resting on lower trings muting them.

When i sit and play relaxed at home , i sometimes tend to rest my forearm on the body of the bass, other times i keep it more straight, i dont lock my arm in any position but vary frequently.
i never had trouble with my wrists

thanks
Ilan

Well, most of my lick of the day videos are’nt really for beginners as such, some are easier than others of course, i started doin what you propose (look in the “Lick of the day keywords” at the bottom right side of the frontpage), but found out that the majority can only be categorized as intermedate / advanced, and then we are no further. I will however soon make a beginner section, and all your suggestions are welcome

I really love the sound you get through your KORG PX4D. I have a KORG PX5D but it doesn’t have a “Stufing” (the starting point for your PX4D)in the preset programs. KORG has not been helpful. Can you recommend an equivalent preset program on the PX5D?

Thanks in advance,

F Clef

I havent tried the PX5D, but just make your own program with the settings i mention on the page “making videos…”; ie Dyna:Comp, Amp:LA stud, Cab:MTL 4×10 etc…

Well, dont see why not, just have to collect ‘em:)

Note: In anticipation of the the question, no, I don’t want to download it because of the beautiful woman in the background.
You can find it and download at blip.tv, search for L194.
And you can at least admit it to me;-)

Again Im taking your advice by shifting the focus of practice on learning songs by ear, Ive even surprised myself by learning a few parts to one Slave song that at first seemed impossible to me but I kept listening and listening and things started to make sense in my head firstly and than from there it was just a matter of making my hands do what my mind already knew.

However my question is how does learning in this fassion lead to me being able to play my own music one day? By that I mean, does this type of practice eventually lead to some type of mastery of the fretboard, so that I can become free with my instrument and play what I feel and hear in my mind?

As always I take your advice very seriously because you already have what I want to have.

Thanks for takin care of us new guys!

Paul
For “mastery” of fretboard you also need to do the scale, arpeggio, theory…stuff
I can play ok, but havent “mastered” the fretboard yet, still have blind spots;-)
The Jamey Aebersold playalong cds or the software Band in a box is good for practicing stuff in all keys

Was I supposed to receive an email to confirm my donation?

Anyways, am still interested in those transcriptions.

Thanks
Jeff
Transcripts are always sent to the email adress you use with paypal, and i just checked , I sent you transcriptions on march 21, same day i recieved the donation. Do you use another email for paymail, then check that adress, or send me a mail

thx

q
Ive changed the preamp for a Sadowski preamp with vintage tone control – not the biggest difference IMO.
Did it mostly for a tonecontrol

I will love to donate just out of work been like that over 20yrs now even though been job hunting for so long with only 2 interviews to show for it,

anyway fantastic stuff this is my third night on your site

Wayne

Dude you are an inspiration! and your funk jams are truly incredible.

Kia Kaha (stay strong) and keep on rockin’ bro. You are an amazing player and are a source of inspiration to players all over the globe, thats got to be a great feeling

All the best,

Jase

Well i say one for all and all for one.

Keep up the good spirit, you’re a big inspiration!

many greetings
Ricobassplayer

Peace

Yes they will be back shortly, have a lot of moving to do right now:-)
And they will appear in “My Youtube jams”

I noticed your youtube account has been terminated, I myself own a dedicated server in Paris France and would be more than willing to host any (all?) your videos.

The connection is 100Mbit dedicated and unmetered and the machine has 200GB of free space which I can make available to you.

If that sounds at all like it could help drop me an email: philippe.lazzaro@gmail.com

I’d like to ask a favor. Could you upload more backing tracks? Please
I do not have any drum machines and I’ve searched the internet for loops, but the 99% of them are useless.

Thanks!
P.s.: Don’t be sad, because of YouTube. The real fans know where to find you.
If i make some i will:-) But it should be possible to find on Google , and read my practice tips too.
Thx, Ill just have to work harder with this site:)

you are really the best bass teacher on earth!!really!!!!

i got a question thomas,which webcam do you use?

You’re the best bass teacher I’ve ever had and now I can’t even see you play anymore. If anyone had there head screwed on down there, they’d have your vid’s back on ASAP!!!

Bless ya low-frequency-meista

The Jugganaut

I just found out about Youtube issue. All i can say is you brought allot of value to that site and they are screwing themselves as i will not be going there as much since i can’t view your videos. I’ll pass the word out to all my friends and on TB to let them know you are here. Hope you find another venue to post your amazing skills.

Haven’t checked in for a while and was astounded to see your youtube gone ! I had become a great fan of youtube as a resource (and of course checking you out !), but the recent Warner Bros. boycott, and now talk in the UK of all original music videos being withdrawn because of artist license issues, suggests thats its appeal will be greatly diminished.
Your web presence, is now well established Marlowe, so I,m sure you will continue to educate and entertain an ever increasing audience.
All the best.
Yes, lets hope so, i intend to be the best damn bassteacher on the net!:-)

modes of the major and minor melodic scales,major and minor pentatonic scales all over a two octave span .

maj,min,augmented and diminished triads, as well as eleven 7th chord arppegios again each over two octaves and their inversions.

Some chord/scale theory and practicing sight reading.

If I am practicing these things as well as trying to play my favourite music by ear, do I still need to learn more things such as chord tensions, more scales etc? Or will this serve as a foundation that is good enough to lay down the funk?
Ive adressed a similar question before, scroll down to February 21

Can you help me finding the tabs of nathan watts Do I Do(stevie wonder), perhaps you have them on tablature. Of course I will pay for it.

thanks, Tom
No, i havent transcribed anything but my own stuff

Phil
Any roundwound string, DR hi-beams are good

So my question to you is I have been working/developing my three finger technique (1st, 2nd + 3rd fingers) for sometime now and I would just like to know if you have any recomendations as to how I could improve it in the way of exercises for building consistencey between finger to finger volume (most likely due to less strength in the 3rd finger)?
Dunno, maybe play 16ths notes on 1 string and make sure the all notes get equal volume and timbre – its a “play while watching tv exercise” . Depending of your preffered finger order it would be something like this:
1232 1232 1232 1232 (easier for some, but doubles the work load on 2nd finger )
or
3213 2132 1321 2132 (You can go faster with this, but its hard to keep the triplets from the straight 16ths)

I play in a band with two guitarists whose standard 6-string guitars are tuned to Drop C. I have a 5-string bass that, because of commitments to another band, I previously had tuned to B standard. Thus, I would transpose all of my bass lines. I no longer have commitments to the other band, so I am wondering what the best tuning for a 5-string bass is when it is being played with guitars in Drop C; for example, should I tune my lowest string a semi-tone up to C, or would this put too much tension on the neck? Any advice on what the best, easiest config would be? Thanks, great site!!
If you play a lot of fast complicated unison lines with the guitarists i would tune the whole bass up, otherwise just play the parts in standard tuning.
Reg tension, i dont think its a major issue, but ask a luthier to be on the safe side

When descending the fretboard G-E, is it best to stick to the strict 1-2 alternation? Or as you change from the G to D for example, should the finger that last played the G follow through and hit the D as well?

Do you see what I mean? What is best technique wise?

Thanks a lot!
I always land on first finger when goin from a higher string to the lower string no matter what finger (1 or 2) played on the previous.
Example
G str 121
D str 1
or
G str 1212
D str 1

I usually play with the precision pickup totally off and love that nice Jazz ring. I love my squier now, and wish it had a good neck. I don’t live close enough to any guitar shops to go “test” a new bass. I am having a tough time deciding on what to get. I’m liking the Fender Jazz Std. 4-string bass, but there’s one that has really caught my eye. The 5-string Squier Active Jazz Bass. It’s cheaper and “supposedly” holds the hype. I just don’t know if that ebynol fingerboard would be worth the hassle. Which would have a better tone and last through my learning? I’m not the greatest at all, but I LOVE to play. I need a bass that will last the time as I learn. Please help me decide, I don’t want to make a bad decision that I’ll regret for years.

On a side note, love the site man, great stuff! And your playing is one of a kind, great works of bassing art!
Dunno, buy the one your gut feeling tells you to. Just beware the a 5 string requires some adjustement playingwise. Never got the hang of it myself, but thats just me.
And incidentally – who says you cant have more than 1 bass?;-)

Thanks in advance
Cheers
Massimo
Ill put all my Lick of the day videos on an DVD shortly, you can buy for a small amount
And all of the Lick of day videos will be on Youtube within shortly, search on Google for software that can download youtubevideos.
And iPod can show Youtube videos by the way

Basically Im taking the hour to hour and a half of practice time I have each day and breaking it into 10-15 min segments. 15 min on modes 15 on 7th chord arppeggios etc. The problem Im running into is that I have to think everything through which is taking up time.

As an example lets say Im practicing Dorian over two octaves, if Im in any key other than C, I find myself having to think my way through the exercise note by note, otherwise Id just be going on muscle memory and the pattern of Dorian. This can take up most of the time Ive alloted for modes, and the same holds true for 7th chords. Is it proper practice than to just leave off wherever I am in the exercise and move on to the next area of practice? Or should I complete my exercises in the key Im working in even if it means leaving little time for other practice? The enormity of some of these subjects makes it difficult for a me to visualize mastering all of these elements without spending MANY hours a day practicing.

Once again MarloweDK your suggestions are much appreciated as your one of the guys I watch/listen to to get motivation.
Dont use too much time on it – the “play all scales in all keys” schedual is quite tiresome and not very inspirational. I suggest learning songs or solos that uses a specific scale and analyzing the artist use of scales, arpeggios etc, more fun and more rewarding IMO.
And if youmust practice ie your Dorian minor scale in all keys, then use the number system/ scale intervals to memorize – instead of transposing ie C dorian first 5 steps C D Eb F G , you transpose 1 2 b3 4 5 – nothing wrong with muscle memory and patterns.
Then again i dont aspire to be a Jazz musician who can play all songs and standards in all keys – heck ill settle for less and have more fun playing the music i like and not what “Im supposed to be able to play” – the “bad practice consience” will only be a hinder for your developemant.
I can recommend a very good book on the philosophy of practicing and the “bad practice consience” by Kenner Werner called “Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within“

I was just wondering if you help me with any suggestions as to how I might best fit all these various subjects into each practice session. Would devoting 15 minutes to each subjecton on a daily basis be beneficial? Or is there a better way to practice? When starting out it seems that everything is vital to learn and it can all get a little overwhelming at times. Thanks for any suggestions you may want to share and for sharing so much already on youtube.
Yes, its a good idea to divide the subjects into smaller 10 – 15 minute chunks, it will – if done daily – make you absorb better and wont be a drag to do;-) Write your practice schedual down in a week calendar beforehand and try to stick with it

I don’t have a question, just a comment. I played bass professionally for about 15 years, then just plain burned out. For the past ten years i have sold almost all my gear except for my beloved Spector 4 string. I stumbled across you on you tube and after listening, i fell in love with the bass all over again. It reminded me of the first time i heard James Jamerson on this old heart of mine back in 1983. I have recently purchased a new amp and am getting back into it. Thank you for inspiring me again! Your Bass mate in Gig Harbor Washington, USA.
“Brings tears to the old teacher’s eyes”… Great man, welcome back:)

This page is great. I’ve found a lot of usefull tips and tricks and learned new things by watching your youtube-lessons.

I’m learning the doublethumbing technique right now and watched your lesson on it, but there is one thing you don’t talk about: When doublethumbing on higher strings ie the g string, how do you mute the lower ones? Do you mute them with your right hand, somehow with your right arm or do you use your left hand to mute them?
As i play a 5-string bass this is even more important, but i haven’t found a way to do it efficiently, and it gets even worse when i play standing [excuse my bad english ].

Thanks alot, basserwisser

I mute with both hands, watch the muting tutorial

Do u program drums in ur vids or use which r on ur processor??
do u know any software that easy to use to program drums??

Thanks
I never program drums, sometimes i use the built in rhythmbox of Korg px4d, other times some loops from a Logic plugin and other times again some drumloops from samplecds

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com

for a UK site with both px4d & px5d. I’m seriously considering one for myself at some point…

Me again. I’m clearly half asleep.

I’ve just found the Korg PX4D and PX5D on your web site. This is a brilliant way to play Bass at home. I shall be buying one very soon. Thanks for your videos. Much appreciated.

let me say thanks again for the work you put in here…
I asked you about bass girl and help with a short little finger.
I went back and took another look at bass girl this time around she seem to have big ol man hands,looks like she(I guess)can hold a basketball in one hand.
Funny how your memory works….I guess I was too focus on her legs.
My Wife was quick to say it was a guy.But you know how that goes.(your wife talking about a girl your looking at)”did you see that dress and those shoe and look at her boobs one points north and the other south I don’t know why you’d look at something like that”
As for my little finger…..I saw the red sx you have and had to have one. I got one that looks like my Marcus Miller Fender.I love that little sx .
My question is more in the vein of the style an upright bass player uses…i.e they don’t use there ring finger or they use there little finger and ring finger together..something like that. That would mean covering only three frets.
Can you tell me any thing about this?

Thanks again…..Rich
I use that combined 3/4 finger technique myself in the lower positions. I only use 1 finger per fret in the higher positions, not practical nor comfortable in the lower positions. But always include your pinky in the lower area for beeing able to reach more notes

What is the excellent practise pre-amp with effects that you use for home practise with your bass on headphones? Please can you tell me where I can buy one? The sound is excellent and it would please my family and neighbours. I live in the UK but am happy to shop on-line.

Thanks for the tip – and congrats on the playing, you certainly have the funk. What do you think about TM Stevens? He is surely the funkiest of all?

håber det er ok jeg skirver på dansk, ellers må jeg lave spørgsmålet om..

Jeg har en Fenderjubilæumsbass 1996, hvor trussrod er så stram at jeg ikke kan spænde den mere, og da jeg har brugt det stykke værktøj der har fulgt med fenderen, har den fået slidt selve gevindet, i trussrod. som hra tilgang nede ved kroppen.
Ved du om man kan skifte selve skruen på trossrod, uden at ødelæggge halsen,og kan de evt.købes nogen steder ?

Hilsen og tak for god inspiration
Det er et guitarbygger spørgsmål, ring til Aake Westfeldt på 33121251, han er god.
Og for en anden gangs skyld – skriv på engelsk

this is another question :p…

if i ask in espanish you will answer me in spanish? i don’t got very well the english yet, so i will be gratefull if you can
THANKS A LOT…
Unfortunately i do not speak spanish, this site is in english only, but google can translate into any language