Acoustic Guitar Piano & Keyboard Recording & Production Ukulele Voice Electric Guitar DJ & Turntablism Percussion Winds Other Instruments Violin & Viola Harmonica Accordion Cello Banjo Harp Brass Lessons Mandolin Music & Instruments WonderHowTo

Hot Bass How-Tos

iOS 13 Tips, Tricks, How-Tos & News

How to Play bass: Two handed tapping technique

This video is a bass lesson that demonstrates how to use a two-handed tapping technique often used by Eddie Van Halen and others on guitar. To do this on bass, you should put your middle finger over the top of your index finger to make a more solid tapping finger, and put your hand up the neck with your thumb on the back of the neck. Land your finger to tap, and pull to pluck the string. He places his left hand on the frets in anticipation of pulling the string with the right hand. He demonst...

How To: Play "Let It Be" by the Beatles on the bass

Want to know how to play the bassline to the Beatles' "Let It Be"? See how it's done with this free video bass lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, bassists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this great (and simple) Paul McCartney song on your own bass guitar, watch this how-to!

How To: Fret and play a D sharp or E flat note on the bass

In this bass guitar lesson for beginners, you'll learn how to look sharp while fretting and playing a D sharp or E flat. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one. For more information, and to get started playing this note yourself, watch this free video lesson for b...

How To: Play the bass to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Kurt Cobain's simple but majestic songwriting for Nirvana has been perhaps the greatest boon to aspiring rock musician of the last two decades. The video from How To Play Bass details how to play Krist Novoselic's iconic bassline from the song Smells Like Teen Spirit. Even if you can't count sixteenths, this video should have you playing the song quickly and is a great way for beginners to learn to play a really fun part without needing too much experience.

How To: Change the strings on a bass guitar

Is it getting to that time? When the strings on your bass need changing & you're not sure how to replace them? Don't take it in to a guitar shop and pay a string changing fee... Learn how to change bass strings yourself! In this two-part video tutorial, learn step-by-step how to replace old bass strings with brand new ones.

How To: Drop D tune a bass

This is a tutorial video on how to play bass, brought to you by How to Play Bass, hosted by Paul Wolf. In this lesson Paul teaches you how to tune your bass guitar down to what is called "Drop D" tuning. Follow along with him, as Paul demonstrates how to achieve this tuning by two different methods. The first method is done by tuning to the 'A' string, and de-tuning the 'E' string to 'D'. The second method involves a similar process, this time using the 'D' string to achieve the same effect.

How To: Fret and play an A sharp or B flat note on bass guitar

In this bass guitar lesson for beginners, you'll learn how to fret and play an A sharp or B flat. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one. For more information, and to get started playing this note yourself, watch this free video lesson for beginning bassists.

How To: Fret and play a G note on a bass guitar

In this bass guitar lesson for beginners, you'll learn how to fret and play a natural G. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one. For more information, and to get started playing this note yourself, watch this free video lesson for beginning bassists.

How To: Walk on one chord

Extend one chord on upright bass for an extended period of time. Learn about one chord walking on upright bass in this free stringed instrument video from a jazz and classical bassist.

How To: Play bass guitar scales in F major

With this video series you will be able to learn about the bass guitar and everything you need to know to start playing. Begin by learning the parts of the guitar. Our expert will break down the parts of the bass guitar so you understand what each part does.

How To: Play "Little Wing" by Jimi Hendrix on the bass

Want to know how to perform the bass part to Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing"? Learn how to lay it down with this free video bass lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song's bass line. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, bassists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Little Wing" on your own bass guitar, watch this how-to!

How To: Play swing music on bass in G

In this video series, watch as jazz artist Ryan Larson teaches basic swing progressions on an upright bass. Learn how to find the frets and chart the scales. Get tips on simple bass progressions and melodic patterns. With these easy online upright bass lessons, you are sure to improve your playing thanks to the experts at Expert Village.

How To: Play the bassline from the Beatles' "Come Together"

Want to know how to perform the bass part to the Beatles' "Come Together"? Learn how to lay it down with this free video bass lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song's bass line. This tutorial is best suited for beginning players. For more information, and to get started playing this classic Beatles song on your own bass guitar, watch this how-to!

How To: Boil vigor into your bass guitar strings for a "brand new" tone

This is an old school trick to revitalizing your bass playing skills— on the cheap. If you're in desperate need of some new bass guitar strings, but can't afford the cost, then there's a solution to bringing new life into them for that "brand new" tone— boil them. Boiling bass guitar strings is a great trick to restoring your sounds, but you can only do this a couple times or it will stretch them out too much and break.

How To: Fret and play a G sharp note on a bass guitar

In this free video bass guitar lesson, you'll learn how to fret and play a G sharp note. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one. For more information, and to get started playing this note yourself, watch this guide for bassists.

How To: Play "Every Breath You Take" by the Police on the bass

Want to know how to perform the bass line from the Police's "Every Breath You Take"? See how to play it with this free video bass lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song's bass line. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, bassists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this classic Sting song on your own bass guitar, watch this how-to!

How To: Play bass guitar for beginners using open strings

In this tutorial, we learn how to play bass guitar for beginners using open strings. Get used to look at written notes. To do this, look at open notes on a piece of paper and work on your right hand technique. You won't be pulling straight up, your finger should be resting on the string. Pull it slightly backwards and feel the string vibrate. A nice and eve stroke will be perfect, do this for all the notes to get them to all sound the same. Then, combine looking at sheet music with your right...

How To: Play "Le Freak" by Chic on the bass

Le Freak by Chic is a popular song from the 70's and the epic bass player on the track was Bernard Edwards. The song for bass players is all about sticking in the pocket and grooving hard when it calls for it. In this excellent lesson you will learn how to play each section of the song from the intro, through the extended bridge, and more!

How To: Fret and play a C sharp or D flat note on bass guitar

In this bass guitar lesson for beginners, you'll learn how to fret and play a C sharp or D flat note on the bass. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one. For more information, and to get started playing this note yourself, watch this free video lesson for beginnin...

How To: Play "Decode" by Paramore on the bass

Interested in learning how to perform Paramore's "Decode" on the bass? See how it's done with this free video bass lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, bassists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Decode" on your own bass guitar, watch this how-to!

How To: Play Earth, Wind & Fire's Let's Groove Tonight on bass

Looking for a quick video lesson on how to play Earth, Wind & Fire's "Let's Groove Tonight"? It's a pretty easy tune (and consequently one well suited for budding bassists) - there are only two parts to the song and this video provides a thorough breakdown of each. For more information, and to get started playing the bass line from "Let's Groove Tonight" yourself, watch this free video bass tutorial.

How to Play bass: Double stopswith tritones

How to Play Double-Stop Boogie with Rich Appleman and Danny Morris When you play double-stop, you have two techniques to choose from, like strumming two post strings at the same time. You could also play this by strumming 2 adjacent strings. Tritone means three tones. Try to slide in and out of the tritones to make a nice sound on the base coupled with an open string. Couple it with a nice chord, you can now play the double-stop boogie.

How To: Play basic walking bass lines

If you are looking to begin playing the bass then this how to video is the place to start. This is a short demonstration lesson detailing the basic principles of walking bass lines. You will learn some easy scales and how to play a walking bass line for whatever song you are playing. With this tutorial you will learn tips to improve your walking bass technique.

How To: Bow an upright bass

Bowing an upright bass is a technique that diversifies the sounds and music that can be made by the instrument. Play with a bow on upright bass with tips from a music teacher in this free stringed instrument video series.

How To: Change Strings on an Upright Double Bass

In this video, I describe and show how to change strings on an upright double bass instrument. Several important thing that should be considered: First of all, don't change all strings at once, as this could damage your instrument if the sound post falls or changes position. So please, only change the strings one after another. Secondly, mark the position of the bridge; it may change position during string change, but it shouldn't. Thirdly, apply some graphite to the slots of the bridge and s...

Prev Page