As a bass player I'll take tips from experienced drummers any day.

Thank you for bringing up the 5 string bass. To me a 5 string is a must for worship music, because you're probably going to have to transpose some songs down and you can play the songs with the same fingerings but just drop your positioning down to the B string and you retain all the low end of the song.

I’ve got one tip that I’d say is the most important. Especially since this is the context of a worship musician. You’ve got to spend time with God. You’ve got to make sure your hearts in the right place, that you showed up to serve, you showed up to worship. You definitely have to practice, we are commanded to play skilfully before the Lord. But a lot of things actually take care of themselves when your heart is in the right place and you work hard to keep it there. If we don’t have unity offstage, we’re not going to have it on stage. Love God, love each other, have a heart of service and you will do a great job as a worship musician. By the way, great video! I really love working with drummers, locking in that groove. Less can definitely be more, especially when you’re trying to lead a congregation. I’ve been playing bass for 20+ years (maybe 30+). Both in churches and in bands.

Right on . 25 years worship drummer. Great advice to all musicians but especially our partners in the pocket, rhe bass players. Lock in with us fellas!

No way, I’ve followed you for a while as a drummer and just started playing bass, now this came out haha

As a guitarist who gets asked to play bass occasionally, I learned: - I need a 5-string bass - we need more bass players in our church…

Now do a 5 rules for Drummers....sincerely The Bassist......

Someone had to say it! The bass is a percussion instrument as well as a melodic instrument. I play drums to keep my bass playing together. Thanks Rob.

Serve the song! That’s goes for any instrument!

"Noodling way up here" lol !! I love that!

Those are FACTS, really ticks me when guys show up to Rehearsal to Practice 💯

I have been playing bass professionally for over thirty years. I play a Yamaha 6 string for melody playing. I play a NYC Sadowsky 5 string for smooth jazz. I play my custom built 4 string Precision bass more than the others, because most songs do not require low B string. Most all of worship music was written for a 4 string bass. Why would you need a 5 string? I recommend beginner Bass players learn on a 4 string before switching to a 5 string. Some of the best Bass players ever only play a 4 string. Jaco, Stanley, Victor, Marcus and so on.

I was on the music team at my church for 20 years, playing guitar. The church got a new "pastor" and it quickly went out the window. We were gone for three years, and in that time I picked up the drums! I was storing a 5 piece kit for a friend, and saw a worship team drummer show me what FUN was all about. I found this channel to show me how to set up the kit, tune the drums and get to work as a drummer. Two and a half years later, the original music team was getting back together, but needed a drummer, not a guitarist. So... I went out on a ledge and gave it a try. It was very shaky for the first few months, I soon settled in to the rush of setting the pocket and have our Pianist/Worship leader smile back at me! I'm all in, boys and girls. My wife shakes her head, seeing her 63 year old husband acting like a 20 year old(when the song is right, of course). I pay a lot of attention to my bassist and watch the pianist. I've learned So much in a short amount of time, and at the same time smiling because I'm not just "air drumming" anymore! BTW... I still wear my Orange Hoodie "MAXIMUM THUMPIFICATION" when it gets cool. Most don't get it, but now I live it! Thanks for EVERYTHING, Rob!!!

If you’re on a 4 string bass, feel free to downtune. I came from a metal context and continued playing in a Drop C tuning for worship music, and being able to hit the C-D# in the low register is so much more important than the notes you lose in the upper register.

Be careful what you wish for on a 5 string. If the bassist has bad hand muting technique you'll wonder why all your tunes have a low B drone 🙂 Love your content.

Love the book behind you, "Syncopation"! I grew so much as a drummer using that book!

I’m not a drummer, nor a bass player. I’m on the instrument most prone to endless noodling … the electric guitar! Regardless, your “bass” advice resonates and IMHO essential for anyone playing in a band. The groove is a sacred beast! It must be nurtured and cared for by every player in the band.

Rob, I’m truly blown away by your talents as a musician. I’ve been a drummer who has been involved with ministry for over 30 years as well as a drummer for Walt Disney World for 30 years. I’m very impressed with you and your channel, and I’ll continue to follow you!😊

As somebody who was a church bassist for 22 years, I agree wholeheartedly with your points. While I had the good fortune of playing alongside the same core group of musicians for almost that entire time, my minor misfortune was that that core group did not include a drummer. There were a few good drummers who came along, but it was mostly a string of inexperienced amateurs. The result was that, by default, I became the group's primary timekeeper. It's a good thing that I have a very good innate sense of timing. One of the biggest problems with so many amateur/inexperienced drummers (as I'm sure you've seen) is that tendency to speed up on the "loud" parts and slow down on the "quiet" parts. So it was my job to hold onto the proper tempo, pushing these drummers up when they were dragging, and pulling them back when they were rushing. But a lot of that was very valuable education for me, as a bassist: learning how to adapt my playing to whatever drummer I was paired with. Lesser-skilled drummer who played very simple, straightforward beats? I would take charge of the groove. Creative drummer who comes up with complex rhythmic patterns and fills? I would simplify my own playing so as to avoid "clutter".

Good words of advice from a working drummer, thanks Rob! I don't understand why these bass players don't have a good teacher or mentor, that can show them the ropes when it comes to the meat & potatoes of bass playing. I'm a drummer myself & I love to watch and listen to great bass players. I remember seeing Jimmy Johnson with Chad Wackerman & Mike Miller live at the Baked Potato. Jimmy played so tastefully and in between each song when time allowed, he was using his inline tuner to check his tuning, he used dynamics well, & never played too loud for the room even though he had the gear to play really loud if he wanted to. When he soloed he always came back to the groove & kept the bottom end all the way through the songs & set list. We all need mentors/teachers to show us the way to really excel on our instruments, as this is the only way to become your very best.

I agree with your points about making good musical decisions and practice/being prepared. Everything else is pretty much one's own opinion. Sometimes a song needs the bass to stay in the pocket, other times it gives you the freedom to express. Stay groovy.

As a drummer who has been guilty of "occasionally" committing Drummer's Faux Pas ... I'd also be interested in a companion video to this: Five Rules for Drummers! - by a bassist. ;-) These are all good tips that apply to all instruments/players in all genres and situations. Thanks for sharing!

Loved this bideo, brother. I'm a bass player whose style is "understated." Can't tell ya how much good it did my heart to hear your take on what a bass player's role is.

Right on Rob. I'll have to show this to our bass player. I agree 💯 with ya. As a worship drummer for over 20yrs the sweetest time is when the bass player and I along with a steady bass drum pattern or tribal tom groove get in lock deep in pocket. It's unexplainable but you know it down in your soul. Getting someone in the sanctuary to move without physically touching them goes to show the power of the music. Keep up the great videos Rob👍🥁

Great advice!! Especially the part about practising your instrument.

Rob, thanks for pointing out these tips that will make us all better. Couldn't agree with you more. I'd have a great time playing music with you. 👍

My main instrument is guitar, but I also play piano, bass, and drums, and I've been stopping by Rob's every now and then to get drumming tips, but I took some mental notes here for bass tonight.

I think your advice on producing yourself while you’re playing is just AWESOME!!! A great concept, I don’t play live anymore - But if I was to startup again, I’d really be putting that into action :) Thank you :)

Brother, this was reallly good, thanks for making this video. Great idea expressing your pointg of view as the drummer and how what we do as bassists affects your role in the band and vice versa. 🙏🏼

Totally agree with this video and I think it is important to find things that keep motivating you to practice your instrument every day!

Thank you, Rob for mentioning those things. I couldn't agree with you more. The only thing I would add is that when you practice please use a metronome. I've been playing professionally for 40+ years and I still spend some of my practice time with a metronome. I'm sure it's part of the reason I'm still working.

All excellent Points !!!! Practicing and developing the skills and 'taste (...) further.

Rich Brown! Nice to see you on this channel. Oh wait-

Always enjoy a different perspective thats intellegent. Cool as always

Yes! Great video and reminder for Bass players. I’ve been playing for 56 years, and I love it when the Bass player comes over to groove with me. Nothing like being locked in with a solid bass player, and praising the lord! Guy’s listen to Rob. I love how he always tells it like it is! I play occasionally in a Baptist church that holds a couple hundred people. So, I don’t even mic my kit. Just tuned well, and PLAY the RHYTHM. Practice during the week on your instrument, and know the song beforehand and know it well. When the rhythm section is locked in meaning Bass and drums it’s magic. And if you’re gonna do something out of the ordinary, make sure it’s in time. Don’t noodle to get attention. Remember, you’re playing for one person, the man above! The rest is overflow so to summarize there’s nothing like playing my drums in church with a bass player that is playing the rhythm, on time, knows the song and thus can concentrate on the reason we’re here. Thank you, Rob. You always do a great job and I look forward to your videos. God bless you!

As a bassist, I often think about what I'm playing as a partnership with the kick drum. I provide the pitch and the kick provides the punch. We work together and are nearly 100% in sync. This isn't true all the time, depending on the music, but it's true more often than not. I, btw, totally disagree on the 5 string. A lot of churches either don't have adequate subs to handle notes below low E, or they have a high-pass filter that won't let them through. I play a 5 string a lot of the time, but there are plenty of times 4 is all that's needed.

Good info Rob! Thanks for sharing!

I’m blessed to be playing with an amazing bassist. IMO he could be playing professionally. I have nicknamed him Metronome because his timing is flawless. I’m responsible for all our AV in church. It is no coincidence he’s right beside me on the platform. Before any asks, the answer is NO, you can’t borrow him.

Like Nathan East said, every note you play is important. Give importance and meaning to every single note you play.

This is good advice for any style of music

Excellent points !!! Thank you !!!

great start to learning the track Piroska, great song from a great band

Thanks for the advice!!

I appreciate your input, I've been playing since 2009.

Wow... I feel better about myself as a bassist now 🙂 Thanks!

Thank you for the insight... Im a bass player guilty of all of the above ! Forever a process

Nothing you said do I have a problem with as a bass player for 50 years well said 👏

Man, this is the greatest advice ever! Most players think that drummers are one dimensional but you've proved that wrong..this is advice the whole unit can benefit from...thank you for this...yours truly a longtime church bass player!

Great advice bro!!!

Next up on The Browns'tone: 5 rules for drummers. Sincerely, a bass player

Thank you very much sir, great advice God bless you 🙏

Solid advice and all valid points.

As a bassist I agree 100%

Bassist here...this is SPOT ON regarding all points. I watch your channel to learn more about drummers and your perspective, so I REALLY appreciate you taking the time to speak to us directly. I certainly need to be reminded of these things. But hey, leave the P Bass out of this 😋. It's not the P Bass's fault that it produces the perfect low midrange, sweet highs, and it's a simple instrument. Kidding aside, I let the song dictate my choice of bass; your point is well taken. I just had to weigh in as a member of the P Bass cult lol.

I'm a (now semi-retired) bass player with 40 years of gigs behind me and I agree pretty much with everything you said. I played mostly rock covers, but the points you made apply to most genres. I'm a traditional player- it's the song that's important, not the ability as you so eloquently put it, noodling way up here. Why buy a bass if you just want to play up at the dusty end? There are guitars for that. I'd also add another essential thing: learn more songs! Each new song you learn will teach you something. Tone is less vital for basses than guitars- in my experience, nobody (except possibly other bass players!) listens to the bass- as long as it's there, you're doing your job right. My Number One piece of advice is LISTEN! Especially listen to the drummer- if you regularly play with the same drummer, listen to their breaks and fills and learn to recognise them so that when he or she starts one, you can follow what they're doing a play along with it.

4 vs. 5 strings....hmm, ask Stanley Clarke, Bootsy Collins, Entwistle, McCartney, Geddy Lee, Jaco Pastorius, and, well, bunches of others. I'm not knocking 5 stringers, but 4 seems adequate for a lot of elite players. But I totally agree with what you're saying about bass and drums. Thanks.

It's uncanny how on time this video is

this is great advice, not only for church bass players but for any bassist!

When I was younger my drum teacher told a drummer is like a good host. Leave room for everyone.

Thanks man. The drummer is brother to the bassman. ✌️

Exactly the same principles I appreciate with good drummers. My favourite drummers I play with have a producer in their head. I try to do that too.

Rob must have had that ONE gig that led to the making of this video 😂😂😂

Thanks Rob! 🤟

Thank you for laying out what I call are the fundamental points good bass players should be aware of. Also may I say at times playing for space is a powerful tool as well. WORSHIP IS WORK. Peace and Blessings brother.

Great video, as usual! 👍🎸

Love this channel

Great info. Thanks.

Thanks for THIS.

I would like to say, as a drummer coming up pre-internet, I was able to borrow a like hot licks type bass vhs that taught me more about drums than any drum video I had watched up to that point. Granted, there wasn't near as much content as now. But, that vhs was Allen Woody from the Allman Brothers, and Gov't Mule. And, he had Matt Abts on drums in the video. I would say check it out as a drummer or bassist.

On the Seventh Day, God heard what Rob said, and it was good! Peace and Blessings!

I play with a really top lead guitarist. He never says anything against playing in the high register. He just encourages me to go for it. As long as I keep the groove timing going

Great stuff.

Great rules and agree!

As a *Worship Bassists* I approve of this message! 👍 *Kudos!* 😎

Thanks for the great understanding! I play both drums and a beginner Bass player I'll try better. 😊

Thanks Rob ❤

Now if that drummer will establish a consistent kick pattern. :)

Put in the work. Amen.

Great advice… hammer hits the nail on target… that practice thing is a thing for any instrument..

Pretty solid advice. One more suggestion. The bass role in a lot of CCM is vocal anchoring as much as rhythm. Let the drummer do the busy stuff. Think of the bass as the walkway of a suspension bridge.

Well received bro 😊

I’ve played bass on the worship team at church for 18 years, and I never knew how important that the bass player was until I transitioned to electric guitar. Now when I play bass I’m much more mindful of keeping things solid, and serving the song. The bass is very important, though overlooked a lot of times compared to melody instruments. Great tips in this video. I subbed 👍

Thank you. As a bassist

One idea that will help bass players & drummers, is to have a separate rehearsal with just bass & drums. The bass & the drums working together on the songs, without any distractions will help 100% to improve the rhythm section, and if time permits you can jam afterwards, on things that would help you both to develop better timing, feel, dynamics, interpretation of songs, working on intros and endings...etc!

Love this vid, you’re great, but coulda used some examples of what to do vs not to do. Maybe an idea for future would be to collab with a CCM bassist on do’s and don’ts? Maybe you do your top 5 and his/her top 5 (advice for drummers from a bassist). Love your stuff, keep it up!

Thank you 👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Sans a 5-string, a pitch shift pedal is super helpful in my experience. I use one a lot on my modeler when playing both bass and guitar, and gives you a lot of flexibility for transposing if you’re more of a beginner.

Yes our last two bass players got there practice in between the songs then the end always an extra note or two

Thank you

PREACH.....

Awesome vid. This is great can you play some basic examples. As a beginner bass player it would help

As a drummer starting out with bass and playing in a band setting with a bass player, I desperately want to share it so my bass player can watch it but I dint wanna call him out.

Real talk!

All good points, keep the noodling for home practice.

Maybe your most important video yet

Played bass from age 12-40.. Finally when I was forty I learned sax and flute.. Now when I play bass I play bass! (usually.)

As a drummer, I found this video very informative. However, Rob left out a couple very important things that I've experienced with a bass player I played with at church and in a jazz quartet. My bass player had a nasty habit of getting lost during a song and would just STOP playing altogether for sometimes as long as 3 bars. Finally he would find where he was suppose to be and start playing again. He would also get in the habit of completely ignoring me (not getting locked in) and would instead go his own merry way by either pushing the tempo, or in most cases dragging. Instead of getting locked in with the drummer (me), he would focus on staying with the piano or trumpet players. As is quite common, during their solos they would play behind or on top of the note. My head would just about explode everytime he did this. On the two occasions I tried to talk to him about these issues, he would have a temper tantrum, completely shutting me out. Now I always tried to be polite when approaching him on these issues, but no matter, he would have a melt down, refusing to accept responsibility for his poor performance. I finally had had enough and decided to leave both the worship team AND the jazz quartet. While I really do miss playing, I don't miss playing with him. The man is 63 or 64 years of age and dealing with him is like dealing with an impudent, childish 8 year old child. What angers me more than anything is that this guy forced me to give up two things I really enjoyed in life, playing worship music AND jazz music. BTW, I was the one that started the jazz quartet and he forced me to leave because of his childish behavior. WOW, I already feel better getting this off of my chest. And YES Jerry Leonard, I am talking about YOU!!!!!

Probably the most important advice you shared was showing up prepared. This tidbit would take care of most of the other deficiencies. Preparation and commitment to the gig and to each other because they have most certainly worked and come prepared as well. The only mild disagreement is with using written music as a reference especially if the song is new and the form isn’t yet established but if the song is one we’ve done for years the my eyes are up and I’m in the moment.

Dig it!

Gracias