We’re lucky enough to see passionate musicians discover their true potential every day. Today, we’re excited to share the story of Andrew Turner, a dedicated musician who reignited his love for music and took his bass playing to new heights with the structured guidance of Bass Lab PLUS.
"Practicing isn’t about playing fast—it’s about slowing down, getting a good tone, and building up to tempo gradually."
Watch Andrew play "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses
After joining the Bass Lab PLUS, this is Andrew playing "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses.
Clever, isn't he?
What’s your name, where are you from, and how long have you been playing the bass guitar?
Andrew: My name is Andrew Turner. I was born and raised in London but moved to Australia in 1996. I officially started playing bass in October 2023, although I had dabbled a bit as a teenager when my brother left his bass guitar at home.
Can you tell us about your musical background and what inspired you to pick up the bass guitar?
Andrew: I started with guitar as a child, performing solos at school assemblies. Later, I studied saxophone but gave up due to lack of progress. After years of dabbling with guitar and drums—where I discovered the joy of rhythm—my wife brought home a cheap bass for her band, and I decided to give it a try. It felt like a natural fit, especially with my background in rhythm and subdivisions. I was hooked from day one!
"The ‘Essential Walking Bass’ and ‘Rock, Pop, Motown Bassline Creation’ courses gave me the tools to transition between chords musically and build bass lines with confidence."
When and what made you join The Bass Lab PLUS?
Andrew: About a month after starting bass, I realized I needed a structured system to follow instead of jumping around random YouTube lessons. That’s when I found Bass Lab PLUS. It offered the methodical approach I was looking for.
Which specific lessons or features of the program have you found most beneficial?
Andrew: I started with the “Absolute Beginners” course, which gave me a solid foundation. The two game-changing courses for me have been the “Essential Walking Bass” course and the “Rock, Pop, Motown Bassline Creation” course. These gave me the tools to connect chords musically and build bass lines with confidence.
Can you describe your practice routine and how it has evolved since joining Bass Lab PLUS?
Andrew: My practice routine combines structure and experimentation. I start with fretboard exercises to build note knowledge, then focus on scales and modes related to the songs I’m learning. I also spend time improving my left-hand technique with exercises from the RPM course.
After that, I work on songs for the monthly challenge or specific lessons, always measuring my progress by playing The Beatles’ “Something.” I’ve never played it perfectly, but it’s a great benchmark for tone and consistency. Finally, I end each session by playing a few songs for fun.
"I measure my progress by playing The Beatles’ ‘Something’—it’s a great benchmark for tone and consistency, even if I’ve never played it perfectly."
What specific areas of your bass playing have improved the most?
Andrew: My note knowledge, tone, and ability to create meaningful transitions using chromatic and scale notes have improved immensely. The feedback I’ve received during live reviews has been key to building confidence.
I now play bass in two bands—one with my wife and another through a local outreach activity. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without Bass Lab PLUS.
What tips or advice would you like to share with fellow bass learners out there?
Andrew: Find what works for you and stick to it. Practicing isn’t about playing fast—it’s about slowing down, getting a good tone, and building up to tempo gradually. Don’t rush through lessons. Spend time mastering one thing at a time and focus on personal improvement and enjoyment over trying to “prove yourself.”
What would you say to anyone thinking of joining the Bass Lab PLUS?
Andrew: Join up. The resources, lessons, and backing tracks are fantastic, and James and the team truly care about their students. The monthly challenges are a great way to stay motivated, expand your musical awareness, and measure your progress. Plus, the feedback from tutors is absolutely invaluable.
Need More Help?
Do you want to experience rapid results just like Andrew Turner?
If so, check out the Bass Lab PLUS Membership where I show beginner to intermediate bass players exactly do this!
You can join FREE today with a 14 day trial by clicking this link.
Good luck!
James