What if you’re the worst one in the band? That might be good news. Playing with better musicians can make you listen harder, learn faster, and raise your game. Watch the video and see why that can work in your favor. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #LearnBass #ForBassPlayersOnly

Playing the right notes but your bass line still doesn’t groove? Try singing it. Your voice can help you find the phrasing and feel your fingers may be missing. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #LearnBass #ForBassPlayersOnly

Think you’re too old to play bass? I’ve had students in their 70s, 80s, even 90s, learning and having fun. Here’s a funny story about getting older—and a small first step toward playing. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #LearnBass #ForBassPlayersOnly

Think you’re not good enough to play bass at a gig or jam? Being nervous doesn’t mean you’re unprepared. Watch this before you rule yourself out. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #LearnBass #ForBassPlayersOnly

Linda May Han Oh followed an extraordinary line of bass players when she began playing with Pat Metheny. But Pat wasn’t looking for her to sound like any of them. #BassGuitar #LindaMayHanOh #PatMetheny

Jason Scheff spent more than 30 years playing bass with Chicago—and he admires Peter Cetera’s playing. So how closely should you stick to those classic bass parts? Here’s what Jason told me. #BassGuitar #JasonScheff #Chicago

If a song already has an iconic bass line, should you play it note-for-note—or make it your own? Ardy Sarraf of the Fab Four weighs in on one classic Paul McCartney bass line. #BassGuitar #PaulMcCartney #TheBeatles

Mike Inez stepped into Alice in Chains after Mike Starr. How much time did he have to worry about playing the bass parts exactly the way they’d been played before? Here’s what Mike told me. #BassGuitar #MikeInez #AliceInChains

When you’re playing a song with a great bass line, how closely should you stick to the original? Bob Lizik talks about playing those classic Beach Boys songs with Brian Wilson—and one bass line in particular. #BassGuitar #BeachBoys #BrianWilson

Bass players are taught from day one: Play the root. But do you always have to? Sometimes another note can actually make the music sound better. Here are a few ways to make it work. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #ForBassPlayersOnly

My favorite Paul McCartney bassline is on “I Saw Her Standing There.” But you don’t have to play every note Paul played to make the song work. Here’s how to simplify it while keeping the feel and groove intact. #PaulMcCartney #TheBeatles #ForBassPlayersOnly

Ever find yourself way up in the “illegal” part of the bass and need to get back down FAST? Here’s a simple trick that’ll get you home in a hurry. #bass #bassplayer #BassTips #ForBassPlayersOnly

Some of the most valuable lessons you learn as a musician have nothing to do with technique. Here’s one worth remembering. #bass #bassplayer #learnbass #ForBassPlayersOnly

One essential bass groove lesson from Bootsy Collins. If you've never thought about "the one," this simple concept can make a huge difference in your groove. #bass #bassplayer #groove #BootsyCollins #JamesBrown

Do your hands hurt when you play bass? Here's a solution you may not have considered. 🎸

One unexpected discovery completely changed the way I think about the bass fingerboard. If you've ever felt stuck playing in the same areas of the neck, this lesson may help unlock new possibilities. 🎸 #BassGuitar #BassLessons #LearnBass

Ever hear someone say, "Play it clean" on the bass? One of the keys to cleaner bass playing is eliminating unwanted string ring. Here's a simple right-hand technique that can make an immediate difference.

Most bass players overlook this simple concept—but it can make a huge difference in the way you sound. What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

In this 2015 From the Vault interview, Rocco Prestia talks about recovering from major health issues, playing bass, and his long career with Tower of Power. Check it out. tinyurl.com/soundcheck-x

What makes a bass line memorable? In my latest "Essence of Groove" video, I talk about why some bass lines seem to survive distance, noise, and distractions better than others. Check it out. tinyurl.com/soundcheck-fb