Elton John bassist Matt Bissonette talks about playing the part and knowing your role in the band. Watch the full interview here: forbassplayersonly.com/matt-… #MattBissonette #BassGuitar #learnbass

Waiting until you’re “good enough” to play with better musicians? Don’t. Playing with better players can help you learn faster and raise your game. Watch this video and see why. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #LearnBass

Playing the right notes—but your bassline still doesn’t groove? Try singing the line first, then make your fingers reproduce the phrasing you hear in your voice. Watch the video and hear what a difference it can make. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #LearnBass

I didn’t expect a football halftime show to make me feel old. 😂 But it did—and it got me thinking about something a lot of bass players wonder: Is it ever too late to play bass? Watch the video. I’ve got a story and a suggestion for you. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #LearnBass

Have you ever turned down a gig because you didn’t think you were good enough? Some of the gigs that scared me most helped me move forward. Watch this video. You may be selling yourself short. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #LearnBass

When I talked with Linda May Han Oh about playing with Pat Metheny, we discussed the extraordinary bass players who had come before her. But Pat wasn’t looking for Linda to sound like any of them. #BassGuitar #LindaMayHanOh #PatMetheny

When I talked with Jason Scheff about playing bass with Chicago, there was no mistaking how much he admires Peter Cetera. So how closely should you stick to those classic bass parts? Here’s what Jason told me. #BassGuitar #JasonScheff #Chicago

If a song already has an iconic bass line, should you play it note-for-note—or make it your own? I asked Ardy Sarraf of the Fab Four about one classic Paul McCartney bass line. #BassGuitar #PaulMcCartney #TheBeatles

When I talked with Mike Inez about joining Alice in Chains, he told me what it was like stepping into the bass role after Mike Starr. Sometimes there’s no time to overthink it. #BassGuitar #MikeInez #AliceInChains

When you’re playing a song with a great bass line, how closely should you stick to the original? I talked with Bob Lizik about playing those classic Beach Boys songs with Brian Wilson—and one bass line in particular. #BassGuitar #BeachBoys #BrianWilson

Bass players are taught from day one: Play the root. But do you always have to? Sometimes another note can actually make the music sound better. Here are a few ways to make it work. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #BassTips

My favorite Paul McCartney bassline is on “I Saw Her Standing There.” But you don’t have to play every note Paul played to make the song work. Here’s how to simplify it while keeping the feel and groove intact. #PaulMcCartney #TheBeatles #Bassline

Ever find yourself way up in the “illegal” part of the bass and need to get back down FAST? Here’s a trick I’ve used for years to get back where a bass player generally belongs. #bass #bassplayer #BassTips

I learned this lesson pretty early in my career, and I’ve carried it with me ever since. It had nothing to do with technique. #bass #bassplayer #learnbass #ForBassPlayersOnly

Groove isn't just about what you play—it's about where you place it. Here's a timeless lesson from Bootsy Collins on the importance of "the one." #bass #groove #BootsyCollins #JamesBrown

I've recommended short-scale basses for years. Here's another option that may be even more comfortable for some bass players. 🎸

One unexpected discovery completely changed the way I think about the bass fingerboard. If you've ever felt stuck playing in the same areas of the neck, this lesson may help unlock new possibilities. 🎸 #BassGuitar #BassLessons #LearnBass

Ever hear someone say, "Play it clean" on the bass? One of the keys to cleaner bass playing is eliminating unwanted string ring. Here's a simple right-hand technique that can make an immediate difference.

In this 2015 From the Vault interview, Rocco Prestia talks about recovering from major health issues, playing bass, and his long career with Tower of Power. Check it out. tinyurl.com/soundcheck-x

What makes a bass line memorable? In my latest "Essence of Groove" video, I talk about why some bass lines seem to survive distance, noise, and distractions better than others. Check it out. tinyurl.com/soundcheck-fb