Hey, James here!
Today, I'm excited to show you exactly how I learned to play bass guitar by ear. This video is the second part of our series that started with “How To Hear and Play The Bass Lines You Love.” If you missed that, make sure to check it out here!
The Four Pillars to Developing Your Musical Ear
When I first started playing bass, I was filled with anxiety about using my musical ear. However, by the time I finished college, I had developed what I like to call a professional-grade musical ear, allowing me to handle 95% of musical situations without stress. To achieve this, I identified a process I call the Four Pillars, which I'm sharing in my new course, "Hear It, Play It."
The Four Pillars are:
- Applied Technique - Exercises that connect technique with real musical context.
- Ear Development and Musicianship - Training your ear to recognise intervals, scales, and chord progressions.
- Bass Line and Stylistic Knowledge - Understanding the role of the bass in different styles.
- Song Mastery and Repertoire - Building a solid repertoire to apply all these skills.
In the previous video, I covered Pillars Two and Three: Musicianship & Ear Development and Stylistic & Bass Line Knowledge. Today, we’re diving into Pillar One (Applied Technique) and Pillar Four (Song Mastery).
Pillar One: Applied Technique
When I was at music college, I realized that traditional technique exercises were not enough. I developed the concept of Applied Technique, which focuses on building speed, dexterity, fretboard knowledge, and an understanding of harmony in a way that directly translates to playing real music.
Here’s an example: Instead of boring exercises, I focused on playing diatonic triads based on the G major scale (G, A, B, C, D, E, F#). This simple exercise will not only train your fingers but also help you recognise the major and minor sounds you’ll hear in countless songs.
Pillar Four: Song Mastery
To truly master the bass guitar by ear, you need to apply these techniques to actual songs. In this video, I demonstrate how to use the concepts from the Applied Technique pillar to build bass lines for the verse of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan or Guns N’ Roses. This involves listening to the chord changes, recognising them, and then applying the triad-based exercises to create a bass line that fits perfectly.
Why This Approach Works
The key difference with the "Hear It Play It" course is that we always lead with the ear. Before I explain any exercise, I get you to listen and try to figure it out yourself. This approach builds your ear in a practical, real-world way that helps you become a better bass player and musician overall.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re ready to take your bass playing to the next level and develop your musical ear like a pro, check out the "Hear It Play It" course. We're currently enrolling for the next session, and I’d love for you to join us!
See you next week for more lessons!