Hey Josh,
This is my first post, and I want to start by saying you’re a great teacher, and I really appreciate all you do for us all. Your method of teaching, and attitude toward it, makes me want to continue and learn, so thanks!
I definitely want to learn more theory because I feel that it’s the basis for moving forward in becoming a knowledgeable, adaptable, and fluid bass player and musician. I played bass in a couple bands years and years ago but played by ear and what friends showed me on bass. My main instrument was drums but I always enjoyed playing the bass. I was thinking of taking lessons back then but life took other turns and I ended up getting away from music all together. Now at 71, I have the time and burning desire to get back into it, and really learn the instrument this time. So for me the theory would be an important part of my journey because I am starting all over again, and I believe that the theory is step one. Without learning theory, you can’t really progress on the instrument. Sure we can all learn to play tabs, a player is only going to go so far before they hit the wall. The theory teaches the meat of the instrument, and the musician how to eat it. I’ve played on stages and different venues back then with both drums and bass so I know what that feels like to walk on a stage and play music. A tab player can get by, but a musician that knows theory can kill it. I’m at a place in my life that I may never walk on a stage again but if I got the chance, I would want to do it, knowing that if I have to transpose, or read a sheet, I know I can crush it. Just saying. I also have Ari’s book on theory, and it’s a little daunting but I’m working through it. I would look forward to you giving us more on theory. Thanks again, and sorry for the book here but you asked!
I’ve been playing for about 4 years and started with B2B
I actually haven’t even learned all of the theory presented in the course, but it wasn’t my primary focus.
I was tempted to be a stinker and “answer” your question with a question.
I have really wondered about your experience and knowledge in the areas of neuroscience, specifically neuroplasticity, and the concepts of deliberate practice in the context of peak human performance.
I’ve been exposed to those concepts through my recovery and, to me, your course and the guidance you provide via this forum, practically oozes those things.
Thank you for helping me accomplish the “impossible “
You ask good questions. I’ve played bass for 58 years. I started out playing woodwinds, site reading, and came to bass with a good knowledge of theory. However, most of my career was spent playing covers. Since tab was not available until recently, and we had to learn new material quickly, we played by ear with little thought as to what war really going on on under the covers.
In 2004 I played with my son-in-law’s three-piece metal band. All originals. Scott and I invented the bass lines. Scott had already developed the lead and rhythm, and he knew what he wanted for bass. I would try stuff and the ideas were either excepted or rejected (50/50). Even during the time I wrote music, theory had little do do with the process. However, it was good for practice.
I will also add that I’d specifically love to get music theory lessons from Josh and Bass Buzz. B2B is seriously one of the best organized and presented learning courses that I have ever taken.
I already knew a fair amount of music theory, but a lot has “clicked” while going through B2B that did not when learning piano in high school. There are other factors probably contributing to that, but the quality of instruction certainly helps.
I am motivated by the way you teach theory in the context of practice and examples. I had more than a few music classes years ago when I was in college, so I have been exposed to music theory. However, it didn’t fully click with me until I took B2B and it started to make more sense.
I have been playing bass for a little over two years. (I have been playing electronic music on and off for over 40 years.)
More theory please…
Personaly I hate tabs! I would rather fight and cry with theory that lose time with tabs.
To become better at sight reading and understand building block of music is much better time investment.
That’s my opinion.
But sightreading is struggle for me. Every day struggling
i think there is a huge need for a concise bass specific theory course that focuses on what is really useful in the real world. and is entertaining enough for people to actually not want to hang themselves by chapter 3. sounds like something right up your alley.
edit: ok just for more context i love adam neely, and it’s fun to watch his videos where he takes deep dives into high end music theory. do i understand what he’s saying, umm no. maybe 5%. but i realize he isn’t talking to me, he’s talking to other music college jazz nerds. which is cool but it’s not going to help your average joe bassist at his next band practice. and that is what is missing i think. enough theory that it can be used in practical application (along with HOW to use it in practical application) to be of use to a great majority of players. anyone wanting to level up to a higher plane of theory is free to do so, but so many theory courses just get bogged down and become a slog.
More theory please!
Been playing for 48 years. Been more serious about learning and skill building for the last 3 years. Finished B2B and loved it. I wish there was a B2B Advanced so I could keep learning there!
I can site read sheet music, play tabs, play from a chord chart, and have recently become proficient playing from NNS charts (which I love). I am most comfortable with finger plucking but can also play with a pick fairly well. Just getting into slap more seriously and am still very much a novice there.
In my quest for more theory, technique improvement and music style expansion I’m working through SBL’s content too. I’m also finding that to be very good. I consume everything I can on YouTube on music theory (as it relates to bass guitar) and am slowly wrapping my head around that. oh… modes too… just starting to get into the modes and trying to figure out how to actually apply them.
As sort of a beginner, I’m not sure. Depends on what you mean by theory. I know some parts of music theory but there is a lot I’m only aware of as buzzwords. Being able to apply the theory you are teaching is important, just like you’ve been doing in your course.
I don’t know if you’re aware of it but there are a couple of websites that rank online bass courses. BassBuzz was pushed down because it was “light” on theory. The implication is more theory is better.
EDIT: Re-read some of the reviews and they don’t say that. Maybe I read it on TalkBass or someplace else. My error.
I played a double bass decades ago in the high school orchestra and was able to sight read sheet music. But have forgotten most of what I knew. Just picked up an electric bass a few months ago and just completed Module 3 of B2B. So you can estimate where I am from that.
I think that the problem with the word theory is that it counjures up ideas of turning practice into a bit of a grind. However I`m sure that there is a neat package of theory essentials that will suffice for most part time bass players. Learning to read a bassline score and time signatures, note length is pretty much essential.
I’d really like to learn more about how to integrate the theory into my own compositions. For example, knowing the pentatonic scales is great but I’d like tips about how to use them while improvising, fills, and general song writing.
Same with triad inversions, I’d love to learn how to better use them to connect the chord progressions.
A way to practice those type of things would be super helpful!
Yes-I love theory and want to learn it even though I’m a slow learner-I’m slowly learning it and I love it. My goal for 2024 was to sight read-and now I can read fairly well-1st 5 frets anyway-and I am thrilled that I can look at a piece of sheet music in bass clef and read it and visualize how to play on my bass. Next is moving off of 1st 5 frets-which I haven’t done yet.
I want to learn more theory to advance my musical acumen to someday play in a band.
B2B was the catalyst for me to get where I wanted to be. I did take some lessons but that was only to satisfy my desire to understand music & notation a bit. So as awesome as the B2B course is, wanted to go on my own and didn’t actually complete the entire course.
I don’t feel at my age I want to learn more music theory. I’m definitely not going to teach & probably will never write music. I don’t feel it actually makes me want to play but it did give me a better understanding of music.
I’ve been playing now for a bit over 3 years since originally starting with the B2B course and had never touched any musical instrument in my entire 60 year life before picking up a bass. It was something I wanted to do however since I was 14, so it only took 50 years. Lol.
I’m motivated by being able to accurately play the music I love & the satisfaction that gives me os hard to explain. I play along with soundtracks at family events that have the bass removed & my talented niece sings.
I just wish I had the natural talent like many players & the finger dexterity, speed & accuracy to play much more difficult bass lines. But I’m grateful for where I am and the satisfaction playing bass gives me.
After taking the course, I’m hungry for more.
I’d be happy to learn more theory in the upcoming…“Badass to Journeyman” course?
And I’m “jonesing” for a BassBuzz t-shirt.
At first words like Chromatic, Mixolydian etc, gave me the whole ‘rabbit in headlights’ glazed look, but I am starting to see the value in some theory. I haven’t finished your course yet, but found it to have enough theory to get by on without getting too bogged down with it.
I am keen to learn more now, surprisingly.
I’m near the end of module 9 and was about to dive into Feel Good Inc so I started by making sure my bass was i tune. Then for a few seconds I noodling a bit higher up (part of the bass I wouldn’t have touched before the last improv lesson) and played something that sounded fun…
And then I said “wait. That works because it’s Am!” That was the type of breakthrough that I was hoping to achieve with B2B in the first place… to answer “why does this work” or “what would work here”.
Also well done on B2B @JoshFossgreen since I put together naming notes on the fretboard, minor scales, and patterns for that “Aha!” moment. Thank you!
For me (picked up my first bass when I was 16, didn’t make any progress and was done by 18… bought my second base at 45 and started B2B last month at 46) the difficulty with theory has always been the “so what”. The practical examples mixed in with the concepts really help.
