Best Bass Lessons and Columns of 2024: 10 Must-Reads That Bassists Loved

We love our columns and the lessons and the people behind them. It is clear by the views, you love them too.

Ryan Madora’s “Keep It Groovy” lessons, Paul Thompson’s educational “From the Bottom” series, and Ariane Cap’s “Talking Technique” (and more) bring a lot of value to the bass playing community.

Here are the top 10 reader favorites for 2024.

1. Easy Scale Exercises For Bass: Scale In 4ths

This bass lesson features a quick technique exercise that can seriously help your mobility on the bass. It’s about developing the adjacent string toggle, or the ability to quickly play the same fret on two strings that are next to one another.

2. Celebrating Jaco Pastorius: A Look Back at His Prolific First Year as a Recording Artist

Today is Jaco Pastorius's As usual, I spent the morning listening to his music. Sifting through my collection, I was reminded of the significance of 1976. Let's look back at his prolific first year as a recording artist.

3. That Time Rush Sampled Looney Tunes

Remember when Rush worked cartoon theme music into one of their recordings? In this “From the Bottom” episode, Paul Thompson digs into “La Villa Strangiato,” and shows us how Raymond Scott will always be linked to this epic prog rock instrumental.

4. This Is a Simple Way How to Understand Intervals on Bass Guitar and Learn the Fretboard

For any beginner or intermediate bass player getting into music theory, understanding intervals is one of the basics that should be covered. This lesson breaks it down while keeping it groovy.

5. Talking Technique: Breaking Down the Bass Line on “Lost My Treble Long Ago”

In this 75th episode of Talking Technique, we’ll break down the epic Joe Dart bass line to “Lost my Treble Long Ago.” This tune has some cool dead notes, trills, and more.

6. 10 More Lines You Should Never Play on Upright Bass

It’s time to revisit the banned list! Here are 10 more bass lines guaranteed to get you kicked out of your next bass lesson! (All your favorites including Tool, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Primus, Symphony X, The Stranglers, RATM, Black Sabbath, and more.)

7. “I’m Gonna Tear This Playhouse Down”: Exploring Pino Palladino’s Classic Bass Line (and the Pedal That Made It Happen)

Paul Thompson kept the fretless out for this new “From The Bottom” episode. He digs into Pino Palladino’s classic bass line on “I’m Gonna Tear This Playhouse Down” (and the pedal that made it happen).

8. Essential Tips for Playing Bass With A Pick

Ryan Madora’s newest “Keep It Groovy” bass lesson is all about getting acquainted with a pick. Let’s dig into the mechanics of it and establish some exercises for our pick-playing journey.

9. Talking Technique: Walk This Way To Great Bass Technique

The chorus of “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith features a cool pentatonic riff with slides that we can build on for cool-sounding variations. Buckle up for fretboard fitness, finger acrobatics, and rocking riffs!

10. Bass Transcription: Jaco Pastorius’s Bass Solo on “The Days Of Wine And Roses”

Alex Lofoco dives into Jaco Pastorius’s solo on “The Days Of Wine And Roses,” including the bass transcription and the background for the solo.