4 Quick Tips for Church Bass Players

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Күн бұрын

Playing bass in a worship team is a joy! Here are some ideas to think about the next time you play at church:
1. Don't Play
2. Start High then Go Low
3. Use Space!
4. Lead the Lyric
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Mike O’Brien has served as a worship pastor, speaker, record producer and songwriter for over two decades. For over 18 years he served one church (VCC Marietta GA) training up hundreds of worship leaders and musicians. He holds his Masters of Worship Studies from the Webber Institute of Worship and is currently serving the church at large in worship team training and worship leader mentoring. Mike, his wife Susan and their son Ezekiel live in Atlanta GA. You can find out more about Mike at www.themikeo.com

Пікірлер: 142

@JWu-jt7fz 5 жыл бұрын

Also additional tip, as a bass player, if you can, try to support the keyboardist. Instead of playing random riffs in between chords, play the riff together with the keyboardist; not the entire riff but just a short part of their riff. So technically you're following the drummer's beat for most times, then when the opportunity comes, latch on to the keyboardist's melody, then go back to following the drums. As a bassist you bind the band by playing both the beat and the melody simultaneously. Therefore, use the melody to your advantage. When you've successfully pull off a short melody with the keyboardist, don't forget to smile. All eyes will be on you because that hardly ever happens and when they see that you're happy, they'll get the same vibe.

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

great reply! thank you

@losely451 3 жыл бұрын

Er yeah but some keyboard players love to play the bass keys which can end up swallowing you in the mix, which makes you sort of redundant and pointless for even being there.

@JWu-jt7fz 3 жыл бұрын

@@losely451 if the keyboardist plays the low octaves when you're playing the bass, throw a rock at him 😂🤣

@losely451 3 жыл бұрын

@@JWu-jt7fz Believe you me I have wanted to multiple times but I can't. So for some of us playing with the keyboard player just doesn't work.

@JWu-jt7fz 3 жыл бұрын

@@losely451 if they're playing the bass keys, then you should move higher on the fret on the bass

@aceofbass8710 5 жыл бұрын

I've played bass for over 2000 worship services and numerous concerts (and still learning). Your "4 quick tips" are perfect! Thanks for the post.

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

thanks so much Ace - super encouraging.

@Seize_The_Karp 3 жыл бұрын

I’d actually argue that modern worship music heavily underutilizes bass. There’s a reason it is the meme instrument. Melodic bass lines can and do fit very well into worship music

@threestreamsworship 3 жыл бұрын

all good brother! Lot's of ways to approach this - I prefer the simple, less is more approach in my context.

@INbassman78 3 жыл бұрын

@Nathan Smith you’re absolutely right in many instances. These are good tips he gave but most contemporary groups way underutilize the bass.

@toddburanen8414 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! Dead on!

@threestreamsworship 3 жыл бұрын

@@LeeKobe1 thank you sir!

@maraviyoso8473 2 жыл бұрын

Modern worship music is too. . . "WHITE." And bass is not a "white" instrument and sound.

@1AndAQuarterBlokes 5 жыл бұрын

I've been playing bass at my church for about a year now and I've only just realized how powerful finding the space is. "Way maker" is one I used to struggle with but this really helped me. Thank you God bless

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

Pappa Zappa - great encouragement! Find that space

@cbpeddie1 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant! All good stuff, but my favorite line is, “there are 50 to 60 to 100 inches of space just dedicated to your instrument.” Yeah, baby!

@thaddeusfields4360 2 жыл бұрын

A tip I give to my daughter is to explore her bass lines and chops in practice and play in her comfort zone during live sets.

@alecwesterbur2977 4 жыл бұрын

Recently switched to bass guitar on my church's worship team. Thank you for these tips. It really is much simpler than I thought.

@fitnessbyray417 5 жыл бұрын

Wow I’m am amazed, I am a drummer learning bass and this helped so much God Bless You 🙏❤️

@wcvalentine5996 4 жыл бұрын

support of the song is very important . know the melody, what the message and lyric of the song is in the arrangement so you can choose your notes accordingly

@teymyneytor 4 жыл бұрын

hi everyone ,if anyone else needs to find out about christian music guitar lessons try Worship fixer formula (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? Ive heard some incredible things about it and my mate got cool results with it.

@oseirabor1467 3 жыл бұрын

These are very great tips and the importance of space cannot be overemphasised. It’s something I struggled with cause I always want to play but the more I recorded myself play the more I knew how much I needed to give space . And that brings me to an important tip, which is record yourself. It helps identify your weakness and strengths. Another important tip is when tuning your bass, try to use a tuner. Yea it’s good to use your ears to play and tune but when you want to play in church, you need the bass giving you the optimum tune and key. You don’t want to be playing and some notes are sounding flat. And cause we’re in church at times playing with other instruments, you may not realise one string of the bass is sounding flat. So it’s important to use a tuner with our bass.

@adamclark9588 2 жыл бұрын

That was super helpful. Reminded me of alot of things I learned playing bass at my old church. Thanks!

@busterfoxx Жыл бұрын

We do not have the keyboard/bass wars in my church. The keyboard player's instructions are to play the chords in his left hand and the lead lines on his right hand. It's so much easier to find my pocket and also come through the mix without needing to turn my volume up. We do soul, funk, rock... many genres..

@heidiedelman6840 5 жыл бұрын

The tip about creating space used the same song Great Are You Lord that really demonstrated the power of intentional rests to me. One of my favorite songs to play now as my church’s bass player:) good stuff, thank you!

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

heidi edelman thank you so much!

@spencergroup 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips. I will try to incorporate them into my worship bass playing.

@hertzclydedezir2891 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Those tips were helpful.

@johnjerickportillano159 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this, as a beginner I now know what adjustments I need to make.

@edisonsilaban4965 4 жыл бұрын

MERRY CHRISTMASS... GOD BLESS YOU 🔥

@joedipento579 3 жыл бұрын

Much appreciated. Be a leader but also lean back to let the music count ! You're a great mentor

@derekdauchan2741 5 жыл бұрын

These are great tips Brother Mike ! I'll be using them this Sunday ! Appreciate you !

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the love Derek!

@RyanWright 4 жыл бұрын

Tip 2 can definitely have an effect, but the flip side would be for some songs, I find it works better to start low, and then go high when it begins to build up to a crescendo and as that peaks, you can go back low...

@threestreamsworship 4 жыл бұрын

good word! That's a great thought.

@SilverStarSeven 5 жыл бұрын

Wow. That. Was. Awesome. Some of this I felt intuitively but some of it was new. I enjoyed how you backed up how the techniques you talked about work and why to do them.

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the love !

@jplaytoday Жыл бұрын

Playing seldomly, Finding space, starting high, taking leading tones, all very great tips, thank you so much

@SubaruDave Жыл бұрын

Great tips I’m a lifelong guitar player just going bass player for the church, and I think these will be very useful. Thanks

@hoseajireh4408 2 жыл бұрын

This is really helpful.

@paulb8587 5 жыл бұрын

I've just found your video. I had not thought about the "Start high and go low" so gave it a go on "Man Of Sorrows" - wow what a punch it provides when I drop down on the third verse! Thank you for that idea.

@tonymitchell2257 5 жыл бұрын

Again Just found the video. Very good advice. Love your work Mike. From New Zealand

@Scorple1 4 жыл бұрын

Mike that was very helpful for me as a beginner. I like how you shared some concepts and strategies and then immediately demonstrated what it sounds and feels like and the purpose behind the actions. Thank you and God bless!

@threestreamsworship 4 жыл бұрын

thank you so much!

@Sannypowa Жыл бұрын

I've started playing bass in a worship band and I'm having a lot of fun doing it. I play mostly Giuseppe Tranchida and Gen rosso's songs. It really adds a lot of depth to the music.

@hartbrekid 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome tips, Thanks Bro!

@threestreamsworship 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Dennis!

@leenewsted9484 5 жыл бұрын

Great tips! Thanks!

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Lee!

@michaelfuria4257 2 жыл бұрын

great advice.....

@terryp12345 5 жыл бұрын

Just found your channel. I was just talking to a friend about "less is more" when it comes to bass. It really makes it more powerful when we wait until the right moment and then hit the bass at that right spot instead of just muddying up everything. I never heard the tip of starting high. I am going to work on that! Thanks for all the tips!

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the love T. :)

@Mr.C573 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you that was so helpful 👍

@threestreamsworship 4 жыл бұрын

thanks Ray!

@cdub3088 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks brother. I kinda got thrown into a role with barely any experience before playing regularly in front of 120 people. I'm still learning every day but every service is getting better and I'm having a blast doing it. Worship Online tabs are great, but when they're lacking I find that just listening to the song and letting my own expression come through is much more in line with how our band plays. Learning when not to play has been the hardest for me, but you're right.. sliding in or up an octave right before the chorus and adds more than just following the keys.

@Bassplayer_1981 3 жыл бұрын

Agree with everything you are saying. Some great advice. Also your bass has a lot of fret buzz. I know it’s been a while since you posted this video and I’m pretty sure you realized that. Again great advice.

@threestreamsworship 3 жыл бұрын

thanks Ryan!

@pjnguyen90 5 жыл бұрын

Great tips, brother!

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Phillip!

@quaysonjanice4480 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks alot next week is my first time to play bass guitar at church 🙏

@sergeanttibs6345 4 ай бұрын

These are good tips for playing bass in any genre

@hudsonhancock 5 жыл бұрын

Space. So true.

@octabass86boyd34 5 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU FOR THE TIPS ....MUCH NEEDED

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

thank you so much!

@octabass86boyd34 5 жыл бұрын

@@threestreamsworship I subscribed 🙏

@charlesjolicoeur9770 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks bro

@daniellargosalinas 2 жыл бұрын

THANKYOU SIR FOR TIPS! IT ACTUALLY HELP ME TO BECOME BETTER BASS PLAYER

@threestreamsworship 2 жыл бұрын

yeah man! Thank you

@losely451 3 жыл бұрын

I would also add that if you don't want to get swallowed up in the mix by the keyboard player that likes to play the bass keys, play your bass with a pick and a chorus pedal. It adds a unique texture and resonance to the overall sound that helps the bass stand out. This is especially helpful if the keyboard player doesn't know that there is actually such a thing as a bass guitar.

@christopherdavis2037 6 жыл бұрын

Good vid! Let the spirit move.. less is more when playing.

@threestreamsworship 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind comment Christopher!

@cliffordsolomon3884 3 жыл бұрын

Be more blessed.

@user-ys1mb9ho2m 3 жыл бұрын

I want to join my praise team and just funk it out

@LeeKobe1 3 жыл бұрын

Actually great points for all bass players.

@threestreamsworship 3 жыл бұрын

thank you!

@dotnineteen.1962 5 жыл бұрын

good tips

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

DOTNINETEEN .19 thank you!

@romeou4965 2 жыл бұрын

Tip #3 to make space and pocket can be accomplished by a plucking dry/staccato notes that overlaps exactly with the kick drum

@DH-zs8cu 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! Will be playing in Church next week for the first time!!

@threestreamsworship 4 жыл бұрын

thanks DH!

@kenjohnston8173 Жыл бұрын

Keep it simple at first, dont try to complicate it w flowery stuff, just stick to root, 3rd,5th 7th, octave

@DH-zs8cu Жыл бұрын

@@kenjohnston8173 Hey man! 2 years later and it has been a journey. Turns out I learn pretty quick, i am now playing a lot of gigs as well as in church.

@allghilliedup21 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing tips! Bottom line is, a bassist should be locked with the kick drum always. It sounds the best when both of them are in sync with one another. The fills, licks, and other stuff are just complements but bassists should never forget their foundational role.

@threestreamsworship 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! You speak wisdom :)

@allghilliedup21 3 жыл бұрын

@@threestreamsworship I didn't mean to one-up you or be condescending! I'm sorry if it might have came out like that. Tip 1 actually is the hardest thing any musician can do in a band and I'm glad you stated it right off the bat. :)

@malcolmlindley4465 4 ай бұрын

I agree - was it Nick Mason from Pink Floyd who said a band consists of bass and drums, with a few novelty acts thrown in?

@ericpiette2315 5 жыл бұрын

Not your typical bass guitar tips... Brilliant. Creating dynamic should always be priority

@threestreamsworship 5 жыл бұрын

thanks man! my favorite compliment so far :)

@sumgpein9652 2 жыл бұрын

how do you play riffs? or how do you create one? im a bassist on our worship team and im self learning.

@StephenMcLoughlin262 Жыл бұрын

Hi Mike, loved your video - your passion shines through! I look after a worship team in a cathedral close to Belfast in Northern Ireland. How would you zooming in to do a training session some time with the team?? Would love them to share your passion!!

@threestreamsworship Жыл бұрын

hey Stephen, would be honred to serve your team. send me an email and we can discuss. I do zoom training for worship teams often.

@StephenMcLoughlin262 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! Will keep in touch. 👍

@maximus3035 2 жыл бұрын

How do u structure up the riffs

@SanNjig 5 жыл бұрын

If you dig in I believe you would have too much fret buzz. I would raise my action for a worship setting.

@nsalaza 4 ай бұрын

Starting out high is a great tip. However, the fact is that most FOH engineers in churches seem to be oblivious to the bass guitar. Rarely do I ever hear the bass, much less feel it, in most church sound mixes. Therefore, in playing mostly the highs, you are at a big disadvantage because you lack the low end of the low notes. Couple that with a poorly mixed bass at the FOH and you get completely buried and/or decimated in the mix. As bass players, our job is to provide the low end and provide that foundation to the entire band. What I do is that I will play double stop octaves if I want to hit the high notes. That way, I keep low end and still get highs. Then, if I need to play just the low notes, I make sure I emphasize how hard or soft I want to play the low notes so that I give myself room to build tension and really bring some serious lows during certain build-up moments.

@JWu-jt7fz 5 жыл бұрын

4:34 Glad to know a fellow experienced bass player plays the wrong notes sometimes 😂 The struggle man.

@scotthall9098 Жыл бұрын

Solid advice and appreciate it, but man, your bass needs a setup real bad 😅 Cant provide that bottom end with so much buzz

@fr8ghtrain 4 жыл бұрын

No truer words have been spoken. Excellent advice!

@threestreamsworship 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind works Frank!

@rdgipson 2 ай бұрын

How is playing the bass in church different than playing it anywhere else???

@sonkaldo 3 жыл бұрын

STRYPER.

@bolt4694 3 жыл бұрын

Good points. Fret buzz is painful to hear.

@actionfigureflix2787 4 жыл бұрын

All true! Restraint is something us bass players have to keep in mind when it comes to worship songs. It’s fun to play a bunch of fancy stuff, but that messes with the feel of the song. That’s why I try to never do more than hammer-ons and pull-offs. It’s just sad when that puts people under the impression that bass is easier than guitar. 😣

@wcvalentine5996 4 жыл бұрын

space is the final frontier! not how much you play but what you don't play (miles Davis)

@thaddeusfields4360 2 жыл бұрын

If I have to listen to the Yousician commercial again I may start chewing concrete.

@miketabb8318 2 ай бұрын

Keep it simple.....

@walterkersting6238 3 жыл бұрын

The Spirit of the Lord inhabits the praises of his people.

@DanielGarciaArchitect 5 ай бұрын

you're killing it Mike! Now get rid of that fret buzz! arrrgh!

@zaazazza6555 3 жыл бұрын

I’ll just take tip number one and leave it there.

@bolt4694 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. But too much string rattle.

@marchangel7462 3 жыл бұрын

Outer space has no sound. Musical space has a sound.

@adammartin8026 3 жыл бұрын

Set up yo bass

@tarasbulba3190 4 жыл бұрын

Most important...Don't play Black Sabbath in the house of God!

@MarcG7424 Жыл бұрын

Don't play and start skinny and get fat later are the usual tips when playing in church especially when it comes to CCM

@wcvalentine5996 2 жыл бұрын

Learn to groove, lock with the drummer. That should be #1

@simonverhoeven9059 3 жыл бұрын

Quick tip from me: mute your bass while talking

@threestreamsworship 3 жыл бұрын

Dude, start a channel!

@mchenryjeremy 3 жыл бұрын

He's talking while playing goofball... it'd actually be more annoying if he was muting and unmuting every 3 secs...

@bolt4694 Жыл бұрын

Your string spacing is way off. Horrible fret buzz.

@walterkersting6238 3 жыл бұрын

Not play is an excellent tip.

@HeadCannon1776 5 күн бұрын

basically don't play or spend money on good equipment or learn how to actually be a good/great musician. might as well get a cardboard cutout of a bass guitar and stand there as a cheerleader. so much for make a joyful sound unto the Lord.

@threestreamsworship 5 күн бұрын

no way! buy the best you can. playing with discernment is the goal.

@HeadCannon1776 5 күн бұрын

@@threestreamsworship discernment is often one of those things missing from a lyrical perspective in "modern worship music". even in the original recorded versions the bass is all but present and mixed out, and whole is over produced.

@cashmandrummer2917 3 жыл бұрын

Hey! Jesus loves you! He died for your sins on the cross and rose again 3 days later! All you need to do to accept Gods gift is believe in him and what he did, And you need to repent(turn from sin and follow Jesus) and ask him for forgiveness in prayer. And remember that Jesus is God! He is three in one, the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit! Have a good day:)

@eliseolozano8236 Жыл бұрын

3d and 4d tips are Great. Church musicians sadly think they are in a show. The music guides people to intimate with God . I know the feeling been in front of hundreds, but is not about it. is ABOUT GOD. BLESSINGS

@m.hughes2521 3 ай бұрын

As a preacher's kid, I had to choose between playing churches or roadhouse blues. I chose the latter and became an adequate bassist after 1500 road dates. I go back to my church and can't get a gig to save my life, everybody is a wannabe bass-player. They lock the drummer in a soundproof lighted booth and only use the wannabes that can kiss the most ass.

@zany0945 3 жыл бұрын

Jesus Christ is coming repent from sins. ..

@toddburanen8414 3 жыл бұрын

Ridiculous. So don’t play. Just play your 4 notes. Every song sounds the same as the last. I’ve played bass for 30 years, worship for 12. This is just another dumbing down of the bass and from someone who doesn’t play bass. Better information out there. Move along and don’t be discouraged by this video.

@threestreamsworship 3 жыл бұрын

Todd. Dude. There’s lots a great bass playing that utilizes space and silence. Why the demeaning and hurtful language? Are we both believers in Jesus?