How I Would Learn Bass (If I Could Start Over)

If you could time travel back to when you first started, what advice would you give your younger self?

Josh my man, you are such an inspiration. I had not touched a bass guitar for 44 years until I purchased one 4 weeks ago. I am 64 years old and loving the bass again and all the 'newness' now available especially from people like you buddy. Keep up the great work and thank you!

This isn't a bass tutorial video. It's a life tutorial video ❤

Just a word of encouragement for everyone; I have always wanted to play guitar but it never clicked. A few year ago, at almost 40, I started to play bass and it just clicked! In the last year and a half I have learned how to read music, play scales, arpeggios, modes and music theory. I never thought I would come this far. And if some random, almost 40 year old woman from the midwest can do it, so can you!!! ❤❤❤❤

Embracing the suck and Jordan's quote remind me of a quote in Zen Buddhism: "The master has failed more times than the student has ever tried".

I started at 13 (my friend's band needed a bassist), stopped at 22 (life), and finally started again at 38 (joined a dad band)

I admit I'm at a really low point in my life, even considering therapy and shit. Decided to pick up bass again instead, and this was the video waiting for me... exactly what I needed. Thanks Josh :)

Josh Fosgreen, bass badass, life coach. Who knew? Absolutely fantastic video my friend.

After 41 years on the bass and the ups and downs I can say this . When you see another bassist that is super good and you feel like you are crap just remember that there are plenty of bass players that see you and think the same. After gig chats and meet and greets cured that for me when great bass players would come up to me and say "damn dude great tone and playing". It's ok to be humble as a bass player, we are a humble bunch. Eat ,sleep and drink bass playing was my methode in the beginning and it worked for me. At 61 I still play, can join in on any jamm with confidence and ease and it is still a huge part of my life.

I am in my 30s and my therapist suggested bass as a nice hobby. I am enjoying it so much I am not comparing myself to anyone but my goal is to learn "Peg" by steely dan in a years time.

I find this applies to most of life, no matter what our interests are. As a drummer I can say that the struggle is real for most of us. But if we truly love what we are doing we will go through many different phases. Change can be hard and is why most avoid it.

Great video! One of my hobby is painting little soldiers, with many many professional miniature painters on the Internet. A couple of years ago, an article started floating around by a journalist explaining that he started a new hobby and « it’s OK to suck ». This article had lots of popularity within the miniature painting community. And he somewhat changed me. I am still annoyed to suck at bass, but each time I look at where I was 6 month earlier, I am reassured and my will to grow as bass player is reinforced.

as an artist (non musician), this video is so important even beyond bass. everyone can learn something from this

I’ve just turned 70. Picked up the bass for the first time 18 months ago. Completed B to B last year thanks to your inspirational teaching method. I pick up the Bass most days now and challenge myself with different songs on YouTube. Billie Jean has now been ticked off😂. Had great difficulty with The Power of Love, Huey Lewis but can nail it now after 3 months trying. When do we get B to B part 2 ? 😂

Josh, thank you!!! This was right on time. I am 60 years old and haven’t played my bass in about 2 years because I moved from my own apartment (with a music room) into living with my 96 year old Dad in a small room to take care of him. My bass is in storage because of no room in my room. After listening to your video (this can be applied to anything in life that you want to achieve), I can create a very small space in this room to pull my gear out of storage to start practicing again. Thank you! This will be my gift to me for my B-Day next month! Thank you for the motivation! 💖🎸

Started playing bass two years ago. And this is the best advice I’ve heard.

Thank you for making this video. “Embrace the suck” is something I’ve really needed to hear for years now because I can be so hard on myself. It’s easy to put yourself down and get discouraged. It’s not easy to embrace your failures, laugh them off, and keep going.

"and the lion will kiss the lamb!" lol that got me... the wolf will lie down with the lamb tho.

hi Josh, at 42 I bought a bass guitar and signed up for your course. I think it is the only thing possible for me, because you are one of the very few people who don't feel the need to "flex" their skills but instead try to instill positive messages. I think social media on the one hand offers a lot of very useful resources, but on the other hand it can have an unhealthy effect on people who feel insecure, because for every person who flaunts their talent/beauty/etc. there are thousands of people who feel incapable or inadequate. As an adult you are less flexible, but it is certainly easier to understand the importance of method and consistency, even a little at a time. It is more difficult to devote time to hobbies but surely one has less desire to "rush" the goal, whatever it may be. Thank you for what you do, but especially for how you do it.

Started watching your videos a few months ago, I've always loved the sound of this instrument and wanted to learn how to play it. Finally bought myself a bass last week. Can't wait to learn it well so that I can and jam with my guitar friends.