Have you ever taken a gig you didn’t want because you think the connections are worth it?
How does that usually work out?
What’s your guilty pleasure when it comes to music?
The questions and answers in this thread are great.
What are pros and cons of 6 string bass vs 4 string?
I just wanted to echo some others in saying I would love for you to produce some intermediate lessons.
You really have a gift for structuring a course and teaching over videos. I had struggled mightily with other online lessons and rocksmith. You have special talent for instruction, Josh. Cannot wait to see you put out more courses.
Good plan. Don’t waste brainpower on trivial things!
This is true…
When learning the bass I feel like any small amount of fret buzz is unacceptable, yet despite me doing my best I’ve noticed my bass still buzzing while playing. First question is 1 - When learning bass how much attention should I focus on the buzz. And 2 - What are some easy ways to get rid of it long term
Thanks Josh, love your videos and how you’ve been able to teach me such a fun instrument
When I am fretting using my first and fourth fingers, how do I stop my second (longest) finger sticking up!
Josh, What other instruments do you play, and which one (besides bass) do you consider yourself to be best at?
Josh, do you plan to do any more step-by-step ‘how to play’ videos, like the awesome one you did for Hysteria? Perhaps for something juicy by Jamiroquai, since I think you mentioned them above?
Singing and playing bass simultaneously is proving to be tricky. Do you have any practice tips or techniques to improve that skill set?
What a terrible world it would be! I love both… I’d have to go rounds though, all flats for life would feel like living in a mud hut. Easier to darken down rounds than brighten up flats.
Ooh, a toss up between a really killer early 60’s P bass and an early 60’s J bass. Way more appealing to me than a super zingy boutique bass that wouldn’t be right for most gigs.
Mmm, maybe not exactly for the ‘connections,’ but I’ve definitely taken gigs that were a mixed bag of pros and cons. It’s all about the triangle of good music - good hang - good $$$. If all three are there, then life is good. If two are present, not bad. If there’s only one, it’s a little rough. And if there’s none… you should probably stay home!
I have no guilt, I like all kinds of things unabashedly! Random things I like that peeps around here might not know: Meshuggah, Amy Winehouse, Weird Al, the Frozen soundtrack… and I’m constantly singing either Mary Poppins or The Wizard of Oz. 
Really depends on context, to me. As a teacher of primarily beginners, I’m really on the 4 string bandwagon. Every string you add dramatically increases the difficulty of muting, string crossing, and learning the neck, and that’s all hard enough on 4 strings.
But also - if your heart tells you to play 5- or 6-string, then I say ignore me, but be prepared for some challenge!
Biggest con of 5- or 6-strings in a gigging environment: people think that they need to be ALWAYS playing the B string just cuz they have it. Ughhhh…
Eventually I’ll run out of beginner topics, lol! I think, anyway…
If it’s ALWAYS buzzing - you need a setup
If it buzzes sometimes - it’s a technique thing
The correct amount of attention to put on it is however much keeps you continually improving, bit by bit, without getting frustrated.
If the buzz comes while the note is ringing, you’re either letting up the pressure too much, or your action is too low.
If the buzz comes when you’re ending the note, you’re lifting your fretting finger off too slowly, and creating a rattly moment where the string bangs against the fret. Takes time to perfect, just keep at it!
Move your middle finger in conjunction with your pinky - if the pinky goes up, the middle goes up, when the pinky goes down, the middle (and ring) go down too. Like this:
I play a little guitar, even less keys, and even less than that drums, and I’m pretty crap at all of them!
I would like to, that was fun!
Yeah, it’s very hard! Much harder than singing while playing guitar, because the rhythmic independence is more full-on.
My move is to think of it like a grid system, here’s an example:
You need to know on every subdivision whether you’re starting a new note with your voice, bass, or both. The timing is the hard part. So I map it like this, either on paper or just in my head, and then go very very very slow, one subdivision (in this case eighth notes) at a time, and just try to make the right moves in the right order.
Once you map that out, you can relax on the bass end and focus on your singing more. Also, the more comfortable you are on the bass, the less you have to think about it, so there’s that element too!
Keep the questions coming, friends! Just a few days left before I retreat into my cave.
Any fun songs you’d play as a family growing up?
When I’m alternate plucking continuously at higher tempos (like when building up my plucking speed on Hysteria), my little finger on the plucking hand usually sticks out elegantly into the air, as if I’m delicately sipping tea with the Queen. Should I worry about this? Apart from looking a bit silly, it must be using up valuable energy! Can’t seem to relax it though.
it’s really too bad the forum doesn’t support signature lines - that would be a good one 
You know, I’ve wondered about that. It’s not just Josh, though he’s the nicest about it, but instructors keep saying, “keep your flying fingers under control to reduce hand stress.”
Really? Have you taken two 80lb dogs for a 40 minute walk? And then had to have the fine motor control to juggle a flashlight while picking up poop in the dark while they’re excited by the nearby raccoon? A little pinkie action is not that big a deal. And you don’t get poop on your hands 
*
- NB: at least while playing bass. If you do, seek professional counseling
Me too, just freaky.
Yeah, like lots of modern core of metal is so damn technical, and the players are awesome, but its not nearly as popular of a metal core or genre of music, because it is basically musicians making music for other musicians to admire their skill, but because they have the technical ability, it doesnt automatically make them good song writers.
Some of those crazy technical bass players, yeah, Its impressive, for a minute or two tops, after that, it gets boring to most people,
Its like Shred Guitar. I could never listen to even one full Yngwie Malmsteen song, let alone want to get a full record or go to a show.
Best and most Steve Vai I have ever watched, listened to and enjoyed was his part in the end of the movie Crossroads, when he gets taken down my the karate kid when he cant play the clasical line properly.
Ok Question time for @JoshFossgreen
What kind of car does a 6’7” person drive, and do you get claustrophobic in smaller cars, or low ceiling rooms?
Hell, I am only 6’0”, and every time I get in most standard cars, the seat goes all the way down, and all the way back, or I do get creeped out and claustrophobic.
Hi Josh. The only note that regularly causes me problems is the low F (first fret on the E string). It buzzes, no matter what I try to do to prevent it. Any suggestions?
You said you wanted to collab with a drummer. I’m a drummer. Probably nowhere near you, but I can certainly record.
Where did you get your blue Metallica “And Justice for All” tee-shirt that you wear in one of the earlier bass lesson modules? Your tee-shirts are all the bomb. Also, you are the best teacher ever.