How to Be an Amazing Bassist

This challenge will touch up on the techniques you can use to be a great bassist.

Challenge Steps

Think about your reasons for playing bass. If you intend to play bass because you want to just play an instrument or you want to join your friend's band, then the chances are you will be an average bassist. However, if you play bass solely because of interest, how music makes you feel, etc, then you'll most likely be great bassist in time.

Research bassists and study different types of playing styles. This step is a basic, yet important step in playing bass. Research different types of bassists and what style they use will aid you in becoming a great bassist, a few examples include, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Entwistle of The Who, John Paul of Led Zeppelin, Cliff Burton of Metallica. All these great bassists separated themselves from the typical bassists and that was due to their style of playing. Not only that, but they understood when to hold back or take a giant solo. The true key to being an amazing bassist is to know how and when to solo and jam etc. They also had a lot of soul that they put in their music, for example, they used to jump around the stage and play with spirit. Just express yourself and make yourself noticed.

Create your own comfortable playing style. The key of all bassists is that they created their own style of playing. Now, don't go copying people because you can't make your own style that you like, just keep jamming and you'll find your style of playing.

Work on creating a solo. This is a no-brainer, all the great bassists express and show that they are amazing by creating amazing solos.

Understand jamming and improvisation. Creating solos and learning a great style of playing is one thing but it really comes down to jamming and improvisation. Without understanding and the ability of jamming then you won't be a great bassist, you need to jam/improvise well to be great. (Don't worry if you can't it's perfectly fine and natural, if you have any friends who plays drums/guitar practice with them just jamming, or join a band to build up experience.

Enjoy playing. The title says it all, just have fun playing bass you never know, you may appear on front of Time magazine!