You can put your bass down for this lesson, you won’t need it. Why? Am I talking about harmony or something like that? Something like that, yes…
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- AboutScott Devine… Scott Devine is one of the most versatile and in demand bass players on the UK scene today. He has performed, recorded, shared taxis, vans, planes and boats with players such as, Adrian Ingram, Martin Simpson, Gary Boyle, Neil Brocklebank, The Drifters, The Four Tops, The Nolans, Marisa Turner (Prince, Chaka Kahn), Peter Grant (top 5 jazz artist), Spyro Gyra, Ogie Alcasid, Vina Morales, The Jeff Andrews band (Mike Stern) and has performed at venues such as Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express (London Soho), The 606 Club, The Vortex, Dubai International Jazz festival and Montreal grand prix. Currently Scott is Musical Director for platinum selling Polish artist Tatiana Okupnik. Alongside side teaching at several Universities within the UK, Scott is writing a set of Bass guitar method books covering a wide range of topics due for release in 2011. He is also busy recording his debut album, which is due for release in 2011.
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Hi Scott,
thanks for your words! Yesterday i was so down…I wanted to kick my bass out of the window, sell everything and so on!
Sometimes is so hard…I try a song from PapaNegro (I.A.M.G.O.D) i dont like this band very much but the bass line is…wish you well
Having studied at some of the most expensive music colleges for the last 10 years and having been around working musicians for about the same amount of time, I can honestly say that in 15 minutes this tutorial was more useful than anything I ever learned whilst getting myself in to thousands of pounds worth of debt. A valuable lesson very well exemplified! Scott, have you ever considered an alternative career as a motivational speaker? ;-)
Lol… a motivational speaker… maybe that should be my ‘plan B’ ;) Seriously though man… thanks a lot for the kind words, really glad you enjoyed it! Scott
I think what you’re saying here can be applied to almost all aspects of life, regardless if you want to be a bass player or a stock broker or just succeed in life on an personal, non-professional level. Wish someone had told me this 15 years ago, but better late than never and I’m grateful that you told me now! ;)
I was thinking the same thing and plan to apply it. Well said sir.
Really motivating thank you for this positive message! Its nice to hear that perseverance really does pay off. :)
Just the kick in the pants I needed to keep goping Thanks Scott.
“I started learning bass really late, at 16 or 17″…..
I’m starting at 53 lol
Wise words as always Scott! Excellent!!
i have you beat by a year.. I’m 54… lol
Hey guys, i´m the french old man 55 last year …. not too late to enjoy and i´m not alone … Thx a lot to you all for motivation …
Great Scott makes us younger ;o))
Great video. Very inspiring and motivational. I too need a kick in the pants.
Scott, I know you have covered your pedalboard setup. Sometime soon (if you haven’t already) you have to go over what software you are using on the Mac. I am not sure if you are using Band in a Box or something different? I am still enjoying the backing tracks I purchased from your website!!!
I also enjoy your posts on the talkbass forum.
Cheers!
Very important lesson. There’s a lot of “you just got it or you ain’t” thinking out there, “new” musicians can be easily intimidated by those who strut around acting as if they just picked it up and played.
Great stuff.
Scott, I so appreciate all your videos, this one was very inspirational. I plan to order the backing tracks real soon, thank you for the gift of this site and for teaching me so much. Peace.
thank u sir.
Very good insight bro, motivation is a key to unlocking doors.
thanks for everything you do keep up the good work.
Howie
Great advice for music and life! Thank you Scott!
Damn Scott, you are so right. Every day I am thinking about and trying to learn a small portion of something new. Maybe you should you write a book; “Building a bass mension” or “Baby steps to perfect bass play”. 365 pages, 1 page a day ;).
Hey Scott, i think your videos have inspired me to start learning again. I have been playing bass on and off now for about 7 years, and i feel like i have missed allot of those basic techniques. your right about taking everything a small step at a time. i couldn’t cut it a couple years ago but now i think im gunna try harder. thanks!
Hi Scott I have been playing bass for about 25 years now in bands and don’t feel like I have really progressed at all , your lessons have inspired me to start learning again , well done
Thanks so much. I needed to hear those encouraging words. I’m 45 and started playing 2 years ago, but recently got in a funk because I wasn’t going anywhere feeling like i couldn’t get any better than you ordinary basic player. I am inspired now to “get in the shed” and take little steps to be better! Thanks :) Donna
Tell it like it is, small steps lead to big gains!
Great lesson’s Scott I’m really working mentally
as well as playin the Bass both AC/EL I just play
the same stuff on both basses.
Very wise words :)
Hi Scott
I’ve been following your lessons for about tree months now, and as everyone else replying to this post i want to thank you for being a great teacher.
Very humble and inspiring words in this video, if you ever come to play in Mexico please let me know, thank you again, Dan.
Thanx for share your information with all of us, that shows you as a great teacher and person.
Many thanx
Pablo
I taught myself some 85% of everything I know, and recently I extensivly started to search the Internet and other sources in order to expand my knowlegde and myself as a musician by learning from others. It preety much got me nowhere. Large mass of information with very little context. I found myself practising this and practising that while actualy detiriorating as a musician. I think I really hit a wall with the modes and applying them. Tons of basically useless informations. Then I stumbled on your videos, especially the one on modes and it made a HUGE difference. I saw that I have nothing to learn technically, only practical application. Thanks for pointing the right way for me. Enjoy playing! (I know I will).
Because of your videos, my way of playing have change, you feed the empty space I used to fill with”moroseness”, because my way of seeing music change, my plays have change, my way of seeing things around me too, my way of living, as my way of feeding myself with more healthy food “organic” from my garden… You, mister Devine change my life and I just want to thank you for… I don’t know, thanx to be what you are, a great human being…
Hey Scott, Really great stuff. It could not have come at a better time for me. I just was recently verbally abused by a so called friend of mine regarding my talent level and the purchase of a new bass that he strongly believes was a waste of my money. I have only been playing for a year now, but I struggle with patients and assessing myself as to where I think I should be. Your video totally makes sense and helps me realize it actually is baby steps and hard work, but anyone can achieve their goals in music if they apply those concepts. It can be rather frustrating when you see others play so effortlessly, not taking into account how long they have been playing themselves. Too many judgmental critics out there! Thanks for sharing your hard work and experiences, I am looking forward to watching all your videos and learning.
Time to trade in your friend for a new one lol! Great to hear you’re enjoying the tutorials man! Scott
Ha! I agree, that was the last straw! He is just an arrogant drummer that has been playing for 30 years and he knows it all. I’m sure you know the type..LOL Thanks for the response. On another note, I recently purchased the 1st series of play along tracks via your site for $17 and I can’t get the PDF info that goes with these tracks to download. I get an error box indicating there was an issue during the upload. Any ideas on how I can retrieve these or fast track method to pull them from your site! Thanks Scott any help will be appreciated. Scott
Thank you so much for your words.
I’ve been a bass player for about 4 years now, but the most important part of my life is being a graphic designer and an artist in general. And you have just inspired me in that precise area. I also have been rejected from my dream school – the art academy and since then I’m doing everything I can to reach my goals anyway. I aim high, have a plan for myself and work hard, but lately I had this terrible thought – looking at artwork of people I will someday have to outgrow, I suddenly felt completely unable to do it.
Your words were exactly what I needed to hear.
Because I never let myself be fully proud of my own work. Never look at the mirror, saying ‘You’re doing well, keep going’ instead of ‘it’s not enough, you should already be awesome’. I keep pushing myself, looking at the ticking clock and think I’m not yet as good as I wanted to be.
Now I will try to appreciate every little step I take and just be patient.
And what’s the biggest innovation you may have introduced to my life – I will be thankful and proud for what I have already achieved and keep telling myself that if I could get that far, I can go farther as well.
Once again, thank you very much.
You’ve made my day and I will spread your message to every musician and artist I know.
Keep being such a good guy :)
Kate from Poland
My absolute pleasure Kate! Great to hear from you… and great to hear that you’re on the right track! Baby steps all the way and you’ll get there! Over and out ;) Scott
thanks for sharing. you put in focus very important aspects of being a musician. your lessons is a lot of hope for me.
thank you buddy:) kepp it up.
Thanks for your words Scott, this message really touched me.
Hi Scott, thank you for these valuable words. I’ve been playing bass for quite awhile but I don’t have much theory background and I was wondering if you could give us some tips on book names or something like that. I’ve been looking for books online and also on book’s stores but most of them are related to piano and guitar only.
Thank you again and sorry for any language mistake.
What bites me so much is how many years it has taken for me to take in these tiny bits of musical info and the mounds of hours and hours of practice to even get to the level I am and then to see some young phenom who started at age sixteen and by the time their 20 are touring with the likes of Jeff Beck and Chick Corea. I reference Tal Wilkenfeld who has surpassed me by years before she was at legal drinking age. Dont get me wrong I am glad for these kids who have not had to go through the blood sweat and tears that I have but…… its just….. well….. #*$&%@ it I’m jealous! I realize that some are born with natural talents that allow them to excel and then there are those of us who have cigar fingers and only a dream to acheive.
Thanks Scott for the pep talk! I needed this!
Lol… I get ya man! I think we’re seeing a lot of young players tearing it up these days simply due to the HUGE amount of free and readily available info available on the internet now. When you or I were young we had to grab tiny bits of info when we had the chance… fast forward to the new ‘internet lifestyle’ and there’s masses of great info available 24/7/365 at the touch of a button. I can only imagine how things will progress even further in the future!
Saying that… now all that great info is available to us too… so lets get in the shed and make great use of it lol! Have a great day man. Scott ;)
Hey Scott, I stumbled across your site recently and am so grateful for the gifts you have sent out for all of us to share. I am completely hooked and devouring the lessons…
This lesson is as brilliant as it is inspiring. My day gig involves travelling the world with one of the world’s top “Peak Performance” coaches (read: motivational speaker) & nothing he has said in 7 years has made me believe in the possibility of me becoming a competent bass player the way this lesson has. Thank you for doing what you do.
You are awesome. I needed to hear every word. But for a different reason. Bass playing is something I’m trying to learn on the side. Dance choreography is what I’m passionate about and trying to turn into a career. Your words applied to me perfectly in my own field. Thanks for what you do!
Thank you Scott! Thank you so much for the bit about gratitude! Thats something I need to be reminded of over and over again.
thank you for making this video it really opened my eyes!
It’s babysteps allright! If 17 is already very late to start, I guess I shouldn’t be aiming for becoming the best bassplayer around starting out at 46. But I can still become the best bass player in our band. These vids sure help me out there :)
Thanks Scott. that really resonated with me. I feel inspired to carry on. Been playing bass for years without much progress, I do thoroughly beat self up if I don’t get something which has been counterproductive of course. Slow, patient and bite size.
When the student is ready the teacher will appear!
Thanks mate, really relevant words
Your videos are really helpful and will leave a legacy
Thank you so much, Scott. Great words, so true. I’m just starting out as a bassist and now I am armed with the right attitude and motivation for learning. Thanks for what you are doing.
Hi Scott and all the low end lovers, I watch this lesson about once a week love it, am. a joiner / builder and the small pieces make a lot of sense to me,and the effort and hard work we need to put in to something we love doing to get the results we deserve, am back playing after a long time away from my jazz this was due to some very bad hand injuries when working my trade, needing micro surgery on my left palm to get my fingers to move again, I had lost the passion and desire to play so I started building my own jazz bass about 2 years ago and I love it ,pracitice every day and do a lot of finger exercises for left and right hand, so the way I see it is if I was as good a bass player as I am a builder my middle name would be JACO but its not, it will take me a few more building blocks or a few more houses built to get there but thats where am aiming many thanks for all the lessons scott cheers Andy
great lesson Scott
Scott
Had to comment on this video, absolutely brilliant advice, and has really inspired me to push further, not just with music, but with my degree too, which I have been in danger of letting slide intp medocrity.
Consider yourself to have gained a huge fan of this site.
George
Scott,
Enjoying the tutorials really inspiring me to be better. I think I was just lacking structure to my playing. I know what you mean about the distractions. I have a room full of instruments, drums included it is so easy to move from instrument to the other. That said it is bass playing that I really want to do. I play bass for the local praise group – I have only been playing for them for 2 months and I am applying different techniques to my playing style. The lesson on triads was particularly good. Even advancing from route notes to this is positive progression. Thanks for all your support and good luck with your own playing and ventures.
Dave
Scott,
Just saw this page now, cause i’m having a hard time finding a site that teaches bass passionately. I’m still learning how to play guitar and i started when I was 10 now i’m turning 18 and I just started learning to how play the bass. And I learned through the internet :)
Thank you sir for the motivation! it was really inspiring :). Please! don’t stop posting new videos here :). more tips please :)
I would recommend this site to everyone if they want to learn “true” bass :)
Thanks for the video Scott. So you started rather late at 17 eh? So at 60 years of age, I’m really late in life… LOL! thanks again..
Great talk, Scott, but I think you’re missing one very important thing: making playing and practicing fun. AFAIK this is the main reason why great bass players (or great stuff-doing guys/gals doing their stuff) are big now – they just enjoy playing for the reason of playing itself, not just for the future greatness. It was fun for Jaco to play, so he played almost all the time, that’s how he’s legendary dexterity came into being. If practicing is just routine, keeping patient and hard work, you end up bored and frustrated waiting for SOMETHING to happen (and it could not happen soon enough for you to persevere – patience isn’t infinite).
I never really achieved anything, that could be called “success” – few demo recordings, few gigs, never really got payed for bass playing (being around something like 15 years now, so things go slow for me, as you see). Nevertheless, along with some amateur band playing, I practice almost every day (even when I’m depressed, that I did nothing special in my life), because it’s so much fun for me.
NOTHING will keep you doing something for a long, long time, unless you REALLY enjoy it.
Cheers! :)
Totally correct man… you gotta have fun doing what you love! Scott ;)
Thank you Scott. I needed to hear this today..
Awesome video…incredible words of encouragement! I’m a “late-starter” as well, I’m 23. I played piano for a few years when I was younger and never quite caught on to it. My husband bought me a bass after I expressed an interest in learning another instrument…love it! Keep up the great work and thanks for making these videos available…they have been an amazing help to me!
This is a wonderful video. I’m just starting out with bass playing and came across your material. I’m actually a brass and voice teacher in a high school in Australia, and I’ll definitely be sharing this video with my students.
Kudos for being an effective communicator and inspiring teacher. I’ll keep practising my bass :D
THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH! Great words!!! And I learned something today ;-)! It´s great to learn!!!
thanks so much, am a Nigerian and our method of rhythm is different from the western way but this has been really helpful, was about to give learning this instrument
Thank you very much for this video. my life for this year was not something you could be proud of. And the only thing that chears me up is my bass when I’m playing it with my band. and today at one moment i wanted to brake my bass apart because i thought that i suck at playing. but you showed me, that anything is posible if you only put some work in it…. your awsome i wish i knew you some time ago. You truly changed my point of view to a bass :) thanks a lot :)