Ian O'Reilly Bass Tutor

A fine way to spend a Saturday learning- learning a new set list for The Time Stealers ready for my first gig with them on the 2nd April at The Hinds Head.

One recent phenomenon that wasn't around when I was learning is the endless of supply of amazing and mind-boggling bassists online. TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are full of musicians ready to blow you away with their funky grooves with incredible dexterity or playing slap across the fretboard at 180 beats per minute.

The big mistake is to look at this and think that this is what makes a great bassist. As awe-inspiring as they are, this isn't it. Here’s a secret: it’s not about how fast you can slap or how many notes you can squeeze into a bar. The best bass players listen and serve the song.

When you focus on locking in with the drummer, supporting the melody, working closely with the guitarist and keyboard player, and creating a solid groove, you become the foundation of the music. A bassist who plays what the song needs - even if it’s just a steady root note - is far more valuable than one who’s flashy but risks disrupting the flow.

I remember one gig when I was younger where I was asked to stand in on the bass. I was anxious to impress and during the rehearsal I pulled every trick to show how great I was on the bass. The singer/guitarist eventually turned around and asked to calm down a bit and just play normally. Lesson learned, and it was a good one.

Great bands thrive on synergy, and bassists who know when not to play are the ones who get called back for gigs.

Unless your ambition is to become the next big bass influencer - and that market is already pretty full - focussing on solid technique, listening to the song, and developing a good repertoire is what will make you, one day, a great bassist.

If you want to learn how to do this, drop me a message - I offer a free 30 minute introductory lesson.

New cards arriving this week to hand out!

😭