The Greenroom

4-String vs. 5-String Bass

Which one is right for you?

It's a personal choice so rather than tell you what you should do, I'm going to list a few benefits of each.

Setting The Tone For Christmas

Traditional songs often have really interesting, even tough changes in them. If you are playing them from a chart without any references, keep your tone warm. Just mark out the changes without trying to groove too much.

Playful Pentatonic

Improvise in your F# Minor Pentatonic

Here's a five-note Minor Pentatonic Scale for the key of A that's ready for you to dig into. Move up and down the neck on these for added interest and depth.

One String Wonder

Add this passing tone now

I figured the other guys gave you plenty of practice philosophy this week so I thought I'd give you something to actually practice! Here's a simple passing tone that can really add to your changes. I'm using Lord I Need You for this example, but you can use this in almost any song.

Oh Mercy Acoustic Guitar Tutorial by Stu G

Okay, it's cool when Jason teaches a song, but it's also pretty cool to have Stu G sit and down and run through how he would play it on acoustic. Enjoy. And your back.

Picks Vs Fingers

What's the difference?

Does that song call for an open, drivey sound or a percussive groove?  Daniel shows us what types of tone we can create when using a pick or just our fingers on the bass.

Worthy Of Your Name Groove Up

Why Walk Up When You Can Groove Up?

It's easy to walk up from a 1 to 2 chord progression.  But why would you want to when you can groove on up to the 2?  Throw this little beauty in Hillsong's Worthy Of Your Name.  

The Funk Clinic

With Gunther "Tiny Hands" Smacklightski

And this is what happens when you let Daniel loose with a camera. Not sure if we'll actually use it as an ad but it sure made us laugh.

More Spicy Bass

If A Little Is Good, A Lot Is Better

Here's a hoppy little embellishment you can add to a song with a 1, 4, 5 progression.  Daniel shows us how to add this bit of interest in Christ Is Risen that you can also apply to other songs.

Work That Riff

Up close on Fullness

Spice up the bridge in Elevation Worship's Fullness with this fun riff.  It makes for a subtle but effective moment of motion into the instrumental.  

How To Choose The Right Bass

One size does not fit all.

I am amazed by just how many people end up with a bass that is completely wrong for their application. This is usually because not only do they have no idea what they need, but bass tone can be a bit of a mystery.

How NOT To Set Up A Bass Amp EQ

Strike A Balance

Even if you're a talented bass player, an imbalanced EQ can make it sound like you have something to hide.  Here's where to start before you adjust those frequencies.  

Billie Jean Groove

Billie Jean in worship? Absolutely.

Great music transcends genre.  Daniel teaches us how to slip in a groove of one of the best into our worship set.

Active and Passive Basses

Know The Difference

From warm and wooly to bright and funky, Daniel explains just what makes a bass active or passive.  

Motown Groove

Add a little bit of soul.

If you're sticking on the one chord and it's a groovy kind of song, throw this in for a smooth Motown feel.  

Rockin' Riff

Try It On Happy Day

It's always fun to learn a new bass riff.  Here's a straightforward hammer-on with a rock feel.  Try it out on Happy Day.

Adding Double Stop Harmonies


Learn to add 10th harmonies to your bass lines to spice them up. As always don't go crazy with it but try it with the lesson for Great Are You Lord by All Sons and Daughters.

Bass Riffing

One Thing Remains

The song is building. The band is rocking and you want to throw in a sweet transition riff. Try this beauty with One Thing Remains.

3 Simple Lead-Ins For Bass

You're going to love these

For this green room post, here are some great little intros. Sometimes it’s great to get into a song with a little something before the down beat. It's like a drummer leading into a song with a fill. Here are a few simple ones to get you started.