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Technique Archives

What Guitar Players Need To Know About Playing Bass
Keep It Groovy

What Guitar Players Need To Know About Playing Bass

If you're looking to make the leap from guitar to bass, this lesson is for you. Yes, the fretboard looks the same, but the technique is very different.

Learn How To Play Pull-Offs: Essential Funk Bass Technique – Part 1
Keep It Groovy

Learn How To Play Pull-Offs: Essential Funk Bass Technique – Part 1

This lesson explores the pull-off technique, an essential element of bass playing. While it’s typically used in funk, this can be applied across all genres of music.

The Brown’stone: Zen & The Art of Playing Bass
The Brown’stone

The Brown’stone: Zen & The Art of Playing Bass

This week in The Brown’stone, Rich Brown wants to ensure you’re playing as relaxed as possible. So in this lesson, he gives us a few tips to stay relaxed and ready to play at our best.

Talking Technique: The Most Important Technique Exercise of All
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: The Most Important Technique Exercise of All

It’s fun to talk technique using song samples, blistering licks, and double stops. This episode of Talking Technique is dedicated to a less flashy but incredibly important topic.

Talking Technique: Wicked Riff
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Wicked Riff

In this lesson, Ariane Cap focuses on an angular riff that presents quite the string crossing challenge. It will not only shed your technique, but it will also give you creative ideas.

Talking Technique: Black Velvet – Nail That Fill
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Black Velvet – Nail That Fill

Alannah Myles’ iconic tune “Black Velvet” features a fill that is pretty challenging. Originally played with synth bass, we might be tasked to play that line. Ari covers this (and all the benefits) in this episode of “Talking Technique.”

Talking Technique: The Speed Lick Trick
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: The Speed Lick Trick

Three-note-per-string patterns offer a lot of opportunities for lightning-fast licks. In this episode of Talking Technique, Ari shows us how to get started with the idea of them by practicing a scale all across the bass in speed lick fashion.

Talking Technique: The Magic Behind “Steal My Kisses”
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: The Magic Behind “Steal My Kisses”

You probably already know “Steal My Kisses” by Ben Harper, and the excellent bass line by Juan Nelson. In today’s “Talking Technique” lesson, Ari breaks this down with a focus on “Tenths” over I vi IV V pattern.

Talking Technique: Chromatic Acrobatics #3
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Chromatic Acrobatics #3

In this episode, Ari covers another chromatic workout. These chromatic lines are really fun to play, and they’re also a great technique workout for both our right and left hands. Not only that, they’re basically the musical application of permutation exercises.

What’s the Trick to Slap Bass?
Ask Damian Erskine

What’s the Trick to Slap Bass?

This week’s “Ask Damian” column focuses on the subject of slap bass - in two parts. First, the basics, and second, the rhythm patterns. Damian expands on this to explore learning all styles in this new column.

Talking Technique: The “Alternator” Right Hand Exercise
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: The “Alternator” Right Hand Exercise

In this new episode of “Talking Technique,” Ari is giving us the ultimate challenge for our right hand technique. Can you alternate your index and middle fingers throughout this demanding plucking exercise?

Talking Technique: Chromatic Acrobatics 2
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Chromatic Acrobatics 2

Here’s another “Chromatic Acrobatic Phantasy” for you to shed your technique. Chromatic approaches sound exciting and driving. How can you use them in your grooves? Can you pull off the fast version while staying relaxed? Have a go at it, it’s worth it.