I’m a church drummer. I’ve noticed that 99% of the time MDs or worship leaders tell you to play simpler, they either mean that you should play cleaner or play to the song more (e.g. don’t play intense grooves/fills during chill moments). If you watch top musicians, they aren’t playing simple, but they’re playing extremely clean and with a highly developed musical knowledge.

@TheBbtlegit

6 ай бұрын

Exactly. I don't want to hear a thousand runs in a song.

Great advice for the intermediate to advanced players. When I was young and started getting good enough where I was bored with the routine pocket stuff, I started improvising “Too Much.” My band friends told me, “If you want to play lead guitar, switch to lead guitar, but for now, just play bass.” Best advice I’ve used for years and that helps me be the “first picked bass player” every time.

This is such a complicated topic. All the topics are a given, but being cool and easy to be around will get you on and keep you as a first call player. Im doing maybe 400 gigs a year. Great video and playing :)

Im a bass player for almost 5 years and i played boring bass so that my music director i played boring in bass and i realized that i dont know what todo in playing bass i make a lot of mistake but dont know how to get rid of it but i watched your videos it turns my mistake into a learning materials thank you for giving this to us

Just discovered this channel for the first time today... I'm loving the 'street wise' approach to bass playing! Emphasis on listening, and then using what you hear in various contexts - so not a high emphasis on the theory which many of us untrained players don't understand completely, but practical theory which we can use to play better if we have a good ear. I've been playing in church for about 17 years, with a huge 10 year gap somewhere in-between, and this is seriously inspiring me to not just practice for the next service or event, but to put some extra time in to develop the detail, fills, lead ins, etc - my arsenal as you put it. Thank you for ACTUAL USEFUL bass developing content.

Bro! I play lead guitar. Just because I love it but working with these musicians are difficult SOMETIMES. And I relate to all of your experiences on the very small level that I’m at. I wasn’t even going to watch the video because it said “bass” but you really helped me. Thank you.

@daveweed2765

5 ай бұрын

Is this a thing in megachurches or what? I've only played guitar and bass with bands. And not in Church. I would

@daveweed2765

5 ай бұрын

Screwed up on the key board but... I would think people would go to church to hear a message instead of wanting to see a show. Hell let kids learning to play do the music deal in churches. I don't think God would care if they messed up.

@LeadGenWithDarryl

5 ай бұрын

@@daveweed2765 I’m not sure, I’m only expressing my gratitude for confirming that it’s at every level and it’s not just me. I don’t play at any mega church that’s why I was careful to say “on the very small level that I’m at”.

As a church drummer this was very helpful for me as well

That "go to" lick at 9:45 is so simple, but something that I needed!! Awesome info in here!! Thanks.

The way you broke this down is really good! Thank you for this video!

Hey J, that was a super fantastic lesson that I needed to hear, a different approach to getting out, but still be in the flow and groove of the song!

Awesome lesson. I just started doing that very thing yesterday. Trial and error, do it while you practice!!!

Absolutely fantastic video man! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us! This encapsulates the balance between letting loose and staying in the pocket PERFECTLY 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Even the advice about practicing your “licks” as routine - excellent advice man. Thank you !

Absolutely right on time Bass Players Pastor The Bass Whisperer 😂 In a season of chasing greatness, your material is always packed with juicy golden nuggets.

Jermaine, thanks brother. The information is always so valuable. 👍🏿

Been a minute. You always bring weighted insight and context. Thx J,like I been knowing you for years.

Great info 💯 I appreciate your knowledge and expertise

Thanks, this really helped, getting back to it after being away for awhile

Jermaine, thanks for creating this lesson! A music mentor of mine once described the groove and approach to "fills" of a legendary gospel bassist we both admired (Joel Smith) as "very musical" and "he doesn't waste any notes". I think this relates to what you're teaching here. I really appreciate the point about "recovering".

Thanks so much for a thorough breaking down. You've exposed me to the secret of having your already made familiar licks. It is matter of putting it at the appropriate time and place...!!!

thanks for sharing! this was very helpful. Awesome teaching

The downside ive noticed from years of playing bass is everyone has an opinion on what they want from that instrument. You gotta do alot of ignoring sometimes and trusting your gut...assuming you know your stuff.

@reigniteinchrist

7 ай бұрын

In any role you must balance obedience to instinct ratio !! So true!

@JustinDAMusic

7 ай бұрын

Exactly. Sometimes the problem is not that you aren't playing well it's simply that what you're playing is not to the specific MD's taste.

@mtgjax

6 ай бұрын

Or let the spirit lead you.

@UltimaJC

6 ай бұрын

I still remember looking over at the guitar player to see him shaking his head in my old church band whenever I decided to do something a little crazy LOL I was a kid that felt like I had something to prove, though.

@TheBbtlegit

6 ай бұрын

Most professional singer's want you to play the song. Remember they hired you . People pay to see them not you.

As a guitar player who started as bass player, I understand what you're saying. The most important thing for any musician is knowing where the pocket and/or the groove is, and play within it. There's a time to be busy (a solo or written part), but when you overplay, you create musical chaos.

Hi Jermaine, I want to express my gratitude for sharing your amazing gift and talent with us. Your teachings are valuable even for intermediate bass players like me. Although I'm not at the top of my skill level, I'm always eager to learn more. Your ability to break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand parts is incredibly helpful. I pray that God continues to bless you with more opportunities to share your talents and gifts, so that we can raise more believers for his Kingdom. Thank you for everything you do, and God bless you.🙏🏾

These are some GREAT tips! I’ve been playing at a church every Sunday for several months now. I’ve been getting the songs transcribed for me, but I still remember enough music theory to be able to analyze what the bassist is doing and why.

Very well explained sir! I haven't played since 2011. This was so encouraging and instructional.

Man this helped me so much!! I really appreciate your content.

Such a great teacher. Thanks brother!

This was a great lesson, it's like you said all the things I was thinking. Nice to have a plan of action, thank you

Hi Jermaine! Man, thank you for sharing with as you knowledge… it makes a lot of difference for us. God bless you!

I like your approach in this lesson. Blessings.

Soooooo timely, so helpful, can't thank you enough!!!❤

J8st found you and subscribed. Great video (honest, practical and insightful) and looking forward to other lessons :)

Bruh, Jermaine - EVERY time I check in with you/you're video's I step away with even more knowledge, insight and wisdom than before; Thank You Brotha Man, Much Appreciated.👊🏾

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

My pleasure 🙏🏽🙏🏽

Always looking forward to your videos cos I'm always constantly learning from each and every one of them. Thanks a million sire

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

@64jazz

7 ай бұрын

^THIS^!! Jermaine is the Truth! 👊🏾

Hi Jermaine - thanks for this. Really helpful for me.

This was excellent! Thank you

Thanks Man for time informative lesson for growing..

THIS IS SO ON POINT!!! KEEP THIS COMING!!!

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

💪🏾💪🏾

Wow! just subscribed. Great lesson.

Really well organized & presented vid without much wasted talk!! Nice fat, warm sound w/round strong bottom! Really like that kind of warm fat(but clear, not muddy) tone! Keep grooving! Thanks!❤

Jermaine Morgan thaaank yoooouuu sooo much!! I'm a beginner bass player and you taught this well. This is very good info!! God Bless you!!

That groove was wild! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

👊🏾😎

Great lesson Jermaine. Thank you

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

My pleasure 🙏🏽

Recovery, never thought of that!

Thanks for this premiere. I know it gonna be helpful to my bass life.

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

Happy to help!

@bhanana2023

7 ай бұрын

Thank you very much. You're my mentor and I would plead with you to help and train me through my bass learning journey 🙏🙏🙏

Great teaching ...Blessings

Playing bass 11 yrs in church. I play less now but more notes in the groove and pocket. Run when song is running and groove in the pocket. Play more with 4 members and less with 10. Also depends if we have a cello or keys plays a good left hand... jmo. Great video

First time here, Thank You for sharing I subscribed

Thanks man 💯

Great information bro🎶🎶🎶🎶

You are my new best friend,. Thank you for the honest video.

Well put from the intro

Create your own exercise out of your own lick that’s a amazing tip ‼️🔥love this content Jermaine. Great to see always my brother

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

My guy 👊🏾😎

@mcdeepend

7 ай бұрын

That's an old well-known Chick Corea exercise.

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

@@mcdeepend Wow! That’s great to know. Ironically, I’ve never heard it. Like I stated, I just played a simple pentatonic scale. Hopefully you enjoyed the content.

@mcdeepend

7 ай бұрын

@@JermaineMorganBass I did man, I just meant he would create his own exercises out of his licks/phrases.

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

@@mcdeepend Ok cool! gotcha

Thank you!

Thank u so much

Thanks Bro!👍

LOL Jermaine must have been sitting in my congregation....I've been playing bass for 2 churches for about a year and didn't realize I was hearing the music and not listening to the music....Thanks Jermaine

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

😂

This is a W video thank you so much

Teach me both ways!

I like that Bass this sounds great

Great advice, nice topic 👌🏿 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

👊🏾😎

I'm fairly still new to Bass playing, but back when I started I always wanted to go mad crazy on the bass cause I've been seeing videos of cool bass players doing their thing. So during that time and I remember it vividly, our keys player (which he is our music band leader) will always take me to the side and tell me to stop doing all that movement, stay calm and listen to the music, I was actually sad because I thought people liked it, he also added you'll know what i mean the more you play. So during my bass playing journey lol, I started to get what he meant and it's exactly what you just did in this video, but I also added a bass players domain is in the praise songs, leave the worship to the keys and elec/acou guitar, but add your bass touch to the mix. Trust you'll be recognized, just the way you'll play soft, but adding that extra groove to the worship songs will be ear/eye catching

Great video. I just got my first bass, so I practice more at home and went with an Ibanez SR505e, but wow, that Fender looks and sounds amazing! I hope this 505 lasts a while, I want something that will last and that I grow into.

@lawrencerogers8823

6 ай бұрын

Great bass. I sold mine and regretted it so I’d say hang on to it

Amazing lesson mate!

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Practical and relevant lesson, as always with J Morgan.

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching

We got the same bass Brother! Cheers!🎉

You are God sent. God bless you.

We have something in common man... like damn!! 💯 Thank you very much for sharing your skills, understanding, and the context of how you play the bass in-a-pocket or out-of-pocket. Now, I understand that a lot of people play bass "aggressively" wherein they're just repeating the same chord progression of course.. but they're like out of the groove to that particular song.. and what happens next is they're told to go back to what was he/she was playing to not "ruin" the vibe/groove of what was he/she supposed to play. We don't have CMD. I am the MD myself. Hahaha 😆

Great great pedagogy

Taking this lesson to the drums and hopefully in a year I'll be one of the most called drummers in my area

I just saw your video. Thank you

I enjoyed your breakdown of that track. I'm a non-singing Bass Player who free lances for gigs and on many of them I'm subbing for someone. There are so many factors that determine why you may or may not be getting the 1st calls. My own formula is to always try to play what makes the song sound it's best, but I also listen to the other Band members and especially the guy who's paying me if he wants me to do something different. If it's a close decision talent wise, the player with the most personality and positive energy will probably get the 1st call.

I had the same experience couple of years back 2019 even last year when I was playing for a new church.

Thanks Jermaine. You're all in my head musically lol

Thank you very helpful

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

🙏🏽🙏🏽

I've just arrived at your channel. Great content 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I don't know if you already talked about it but could you help us beginner/intermediate bass players to get a tone so loud, strong and clear as yours? Thanks

I enjoy the bassist who don’t do the typical bass player thing

Thank you brother, I was listening to you on Thanksgiving day and I’m exactly where you are talking about trying to stay in the pocket but not getting the first chair. I will definitely implement these skills. You were blessing to me today. Richard.

I don't go to church, but I appreciate the lesson dude.

I like your bass tone. Do you mind taking me through your amp and bass pre amp settings?

I'm an admirer of church/gospel bass, but I had a similar conundrum. My solution is to meet in the middle. I "play the bass" and then I add bits of melodic phrasing inside the bassline. It's not exactly a walking bassline, but it allows me to create more variation between songs, especially if the writer didn't use very distinguishing progressions between songs.

All this valuable advice is appreciated brother!! One thing I like to do is record my practise sessions while I experiment over a track then listen to it a couple days later. When you hear it back, you hear it in "third person" from the outside with the rest of the mix. You learn and feel how well your ideas fit the groove 🔥... or kill the groove 😅. Often, ideas/runs/licks/changes that seemed real simple at the time end up sounding more magical than the advanced stuff you've laid down 🤷🏾‍♂️

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

Exactly 🎯

Great💎💎💎

I played bass in my old church's southern gospel band from when I was 15 til I was 18 and yeah that first part sounds extremely familiar LOL

Love your direction as it’s giving me a lot to consider as I’m considering coming out of retirement to play bass again. Nice guitar strap. Any data on it? Thanks 🙏

@JermaineMorganBass

5 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏🏽 jermainemorgan.net/jm-signature-straps/

Brother you should have more subscribers. You put together incredible content, trust ill be paying for your assistance shortly.

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Very good 👍

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

Thank you

This content is 🔥

@JermaineMorganBass

7 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏🏽

what's the name of the church and Md you was referring to? Great stuff here....

Wow! That intro is real.

I''m ole and new school so I grew up around Andrew Gouche here in L.A. and Louis Johnson, Larry Graham and Verdine White. Listening to the gospel cats and fusion cats and jazz cats and R&B cats Neo Soul cats its just music just listen to music and play from the heart.

Step 1. Learn the song correctly. Step 2. Show up to the rehearsal/gig on time and do what was learned in Step 1. It’s crazy how many talented musicians can’t complete these two steps.

🔥🔥🔥

#1 piece of advice: Be nice. That's how you get called back.

@RoadKing-ky2bs

7 ай бұрын

You're right, and a lot of people don't realize this. It's just like a job interview: people who may have lacked a bit of skill and knowledge would get the job offer because they had a great attitude and sunny, pleasant disposition. No one likes an arrogant Ahole or someone who has a negative attitude.

Praise God ❤

Im not a worship player, i am actually not welcome in most churches because i am trans. But i am watching a ton of worship bass content recently and it is very insightful. Your videos specially. I really dig what some worship musicians are doing, even thought i find that the music and its genres can get a little pasteurized and cliche from time to time

Ive always been a funk, jazz, and R&B bassist, but these past couple years I started playing in the church, i originally was trying to be super busy like a lot of modern gospel players, but I recently started working at an old school style black church and they always get mad at me when I go crazy on it 😂

I am thinking about trying bass. Would I need an left handed one. For picking and slaping and right hand for the tabs. Since I am right handed.

Transcribe move noted❤

I am getting called a lot lately for gigs and I am getting frustrated, when I don't have enough time to fully transcribe all the songs. Then the band mates are like: "Just play root notes, it's fine." But I know, I got the gig because I am not just playing the root. I occasionally tell the keyboard player or even the guitarist what to play and when, because I know how the song goes. Critical listening and accurate transcriptions are the reason, why everyone wants me to play for them.