SORRY GUYS...the video is backwards,cause I had it face,face...i'm really right handed.but can play alittle left...new world..i like it

I wasn't sure about starting to learn bass but this man has convinced within minutes, I'm sold. Love the video my man.

Johnny, your advice videos are beyond brilliant! The way you explain everything is soo cool, funny and full of good vibes. Man, you light up the days of so many people. Thanks a lot!

Thanks for the lesson Mr. Long I'm 61 year s old and been wanting to learn for along time, hope I'm not too late . Love your energy. SHADDA KAKKA!!!!!!! 😃😃😃

“Elementorary” HA! Love this guy! Watched four of your videos in a row, so far. Dude, you need a TV show! Blessings!

Your a good soul! I just bout my first bass. 50 years old & dont know a lick. Green up on Motown & have Always had a desire to learn bass. I love your videos & humor & will be watching all your videos & gonna learn how to get funky with my bass! Thank you again!

I just picked up the bass at 62 , after not touching since I was a kid. And I find you advise priceless.

My two cents on a few issues: get strap locks. I bought an official Fender leather strap and the force of almighty God was almost not good enough to get it on the pegs. When the strap was finally on, I realized I could not put it back in the case properly anymore (I have a molded case). I then switched to strap locks for the ease of taking the strap on and off and being able to put it back in the case. Few months down the road, one of the screws came undone, most probably do to all that excessive force I had been putting on before the strap locks, as to which I had to do that silly toothpick and glue repair. Not fun on a $2,200 American Professional Jazz. Also, if you know you're in it for the long hall and you have the means, don't go cheap. Invest in something good. I told my salesman that I was willing to spend whatever it took on a decent amp and he was relatively dismissive and just said I didn't need anything more than a Fender Rumble 200 / 500 combo. Haven't been crazy about the sound, especially after trying out that GK MB800 Fusion recently while on a trip to the USA. I wish he would have recommended a separate amp and cabinet so that I could mix and match, if need be, and the need / want is certainly there now. Shadaka. ✌🏾

Johnny; you are freak'in hilarious!

You show a healthy mix of humour and useful content in your videos. I really enjoy watching them.

"you so pretty ggrrrrrllll" 😂 I lost my shit when he screamed that lmao

Spent tons a money on basses and my favorite bass is a used squire I picked up for 100$. I constantly have people ask me what pickups and preamp are in it. A cheap preamp and the original pickups! Lol. You are a beautiful person and the world needs more like you!

one tip that helped me greatly with the guitar: set a goal. but don't overdo it. tell yourself you're gonna practice for ten minutes a day. start playing, but don't look at the clock. the ten minutes won't seem overwhelming going in, and you'll likely play for way longer. oh, and don't cut corners to try and progress faster. you're gonna suck at first. almost everybody does. so basically two things. keep it simple, and practice makes PERMANENT. practice wrong, play wrong. great video!

Just picked up my first bass last week and I’ve been struggling with my fingering action. I found this video and your energy very welcoming and helpful!

Dude your energy is so kind and fun that its infectious. To elaborate on tips given in video, he's right don't spend a lot! BUY USED!! There are so so so so so many people that buy one new and never do anything worthwhile with it and it just sits and collects dust, you can get a good instrument for pennies on the dollar and you want something of decent quality because a bad instrument is just going to make you not want to pick it up. I promise there are many guitars at guitar center with more mileage than many guitars on the used market. I say splurge on Elixir strings (YOU'RE NEW, DONT ACT LIKE YOU'VE GOT AN EAR FOR EXACTLY THE TONE YOU WANT) and you won't have to change these near as often(granted I know its bass and not a floyd rose but still). The rest of what he said was spot on. If you buy an effects pedal make sure it has a drum machine or a metronome. A bass player that can't keep time.......isn't a bass player, its just an annoying guy standing there abusing some instrument that doesn't have the ability to defend itself.

Dude , you are amazing , I picked up bass about 6 months ago , I started using Rocksmith and Yousician , they are great and fun for just starting out and having fun and they can get complicated but the fundamentals is what I lack , getting all my fingers working , I am doing the slide index finger thing you spoke of not because i want to but it makes it easier and i'm trying to break myself of that bad habit. These instructional simple techniques are exactly what I was looking for and I plan on doing these finger exercises daily for at least 30 minutes before i start in those programs. I'm hoping one day I can do more complex patterns like pretty much anything from Getty Lee in Rush , yeah its a very long ways off but the information here is the building blocks I need to help me get over hurdles that I am already facing. Thank you very much for this information. You will help me make this journey much easier. I bow to the knowledge sir.

I have a $30 used Rogue bass that is comfortable and works fine. I use it at places where a more delicate or expensive bass could get damaged or stolen. For a beginner , the inexpensive Rogue can be a good choice.

I’m 49 and just starting to learn bass Your videos are very helpful keep them comin ‘Johnny!

Thank you so much Jonny. I'm a old guy who is ready to actually learn how to play.

I love your enthusiasm and passion. Gotta' love a man who says sweet things to and smooches his guitar. You make me want to go practice. I'm learning to play the acoustic guitar and what you did is what I'm gonna do ~ great picking hand exercises to learn where the strings are so you don't have to keep looking down at them (bad habit) and great fretting hand exercises to practice smooth (vs jerky) shifting up and down the neck. You're an excellent teacher. Thank you.

I play guitar rather than bass (have been for about 6 months) and I find much of your advice is applicable to both! I love your analogy with your fingers telling you what to do rather than you telling them what to do, it perfectly describes the point you have to reach before you can start really advancing your playing. I love your energy man. Much love!

Great Information! I've always had a passion to play bass. Hearing you explain the basic information on what you need to know about playing the bass was very informative and Inspirational. Thanks Johnny for being real and having such a positive outlook on life.

"That's a lazy scoundrel right there..... until you break him in, in training!" Dead.

This is advice for all levels. You're just giving the beginners a serious leg up.

I am learning to play the bass at 47, toughening up my fingers has been the hardest thing for me so far

I've been playing for over 30 years and I've never had it explained like that. Learned something today.

I’m so glad I subscribed this makes me happy 😊 I think you’re a great teacher I know why I suck right now. I lost someone special and I need to take a break. R.I.P. nefew Christian Lee Kidwell I miss you 1999-2021

Thank you!!! You are changing my days Evertime..i like your Attitude..your friendly,funny Attitude towards Life...clapping my hands for you!....or ya, like you would say IT...

Great video. I am just starting to learn bass and the info and insites you share is very valuable. Love the energy and keep up the great work.

Man you're so full of energy and I love it! Keep up the good work

Great video. Thanks for keeping it simple for us beginners

I dig your videos I like your tips I haven't played in a while I want to get back into it and your videos are very helpful thanks man

Real true god bless you

Thank you for your advice sir.

Just finished a 30hr fast with our youth group and I have a overwhelming urge to grab a bass again, I went to lessons for a year when I was 16 and quit for sports, I am 37 now and our church band does not have a bass, thank you for reminding me of finger workouts. God loves you and so do I !

I LOVE THIS MAN... GREAT HEART INSIDE THAT CHEST!!! PAY ATTENTION IF YOUR WILLING TO LEARN...

Thanks for the tips! Just beginning my bass journey today! Can't wait to check out your other instructional videos, keep them coming!

Thanks for the beginner lesson Johnny - you make it fun! I'm just starting to learn now to play my new Ibanez TMB100 (coral red - I loves her!), and having trouble negotiating the larger fingerboard. Doing the exercises you recommend is helping, and I'll stay on it. I haven't got an amp yet, but will get one soon, something low wattage and light, as you suggest (I want an Ampeg B100R though - love how they sound). I've got an old Ampeg B12X portoflex flip top guitar amp, so maybe I can use it for now, with an external cabinet so I don't blow the old C12N with original cone (great guitar amp!). I love the sound of bass, which is what I often focus on, so it seemed like I need to learn how to play it myself now. I mostly play lead guitar, melodic single line stuff, which makes me think I'll be a natural bass player....back to practicing!!

A guy on one of the piano sites bought a Roland FP90X when he already had an FP90, and I found out he could hardly play a C scale. What a waste. He could have bought a keyboard off Craig''s List and have been in much better financial condition. The only warning I have about basses is I traded a Fender Rhodes piano for a Fender bass and found out later it was a copy of a Fender bass, and the strings were too high because of the neck being out of adjustment or not beaing able to adjust the neck. I also have a Yamaha starter bass downstairs. I'm going to get that out and try to practice your beginning exercises.

Mr. Long you are a stellar performer all the way around! Great advice.

A really good brand for beginners is FGN from Japan. Well built instruments for every price category!

Hey... I'm digging this exercise... !!!!

Dang...you got a REAL WOODSHED 👍

I'd you can find the little washer strap locks they work great. Before I even gigged I dropped my bass from the strap in a garage with concrete flooring, every bass going forward has locks 🔒

If I may add one more suggestion - if you take lessons , you will progress faster and it will add some discipline to your scheduled learning path.

Thanks Johnny, excellent video, predicate it!🙃

Great advice!

So BASSically...

I love the painted headstock instruments.

Exactly the same philosophy as my own; find a bass that fits you *physically*. If the bass fits you physically, the electronics and pickups can be changed to get you the sound you're looking for.

Thanks for your help a lot 🎼🎵🎶💜💚🎸🎵🎶🎵🎬

Your awesome playing left and right handed

hiding tuners everywhere? man, you're a real bassaholic! subscribed! awesome vids.

Your practice techniques have helped me come a long way in agility... and getting that lazy scounger to go where i want with power !!

Good video. I've been an ass for a few months now, thinking I can learn all this stuff like fingering by myself, yet this video has helped me more than anything else I've seen on the web. Thanks a lot, johnny!

oh my god yall is a knucklehead! but a good teacher - i refer my little guys to yalls videos.

LOL! Johnny your to funny with the fingers, LOL. man just to funny.

Great advice Johnny

4:58 you did it!!

Man, you have a lot of beautiful basses.

Thanks 🙏🏾 a lot for this vid, best video so far!!!

You are a good man, thanks for what you do!

"Unless you take your bass to a church gig and you got skulls or a witch on there or something..." LOVE IT

I have the exact same bass but in black and without a scratch guard. Shes got BOOOOO-TAY. ALL. DAY.

Johnny, I wish you were my next door neighbor!!!!! Love your videos.

I love the color of that bass

I love you bro! Your like a happy sesame street monster with blue fur! :) Great attitude!

I love your videos! Your personality is brighter than the sun. 🌞

I noticed a lot of these exercises also work for Black Metal guitar I do these often

You're so right about all this. I wish someone like you was around when I bought my first bass and learned to play. Your good advice and extremely positive attitude is really inspiring. Keep it up!

LOL! This is actually not easy. I guess this is how you teach old dogs.Great video.

Superb video for newbe like me, thanx Johnny love your channel :)

As many of you videos that I watched I just noticed you are lefthanded like myself. I'm saving for my first bass I really want a musicman ray 4.

I love Schaller tuners, and sperzels

“Elementarary” 😂 Love your videos bro!

Bro, I just discovered you and I love your energy!! So glad I found ya!

Love you sir‼️😂💯

you’re so wholesome

I've found Yamaha to be the best beginner bass. Nice scale and it's light weight.

I started playing bass in late noveber 2017, and i started out with a 20 year old squier pbass.. The thing's older than me! Man, they dont make em like they used to, thats fo' sho'. The pots are all worn out and the pickup connection is shot now, but ill fix it eventually. For christmas i got an ibanez tmb310 in turquoise sparkle, and boy oh boy is it a beauty.. For 300 bucks, its a beast and i cant ask for much more in a bass. I play bass at my high school now, and im learning to play upright bass. Im learning more every time i play. Bass is where its at! So much groove and soul in one instrument.. For all yall just starting out, it dont matter if you got a fifty dollar bass or a five thousand dollar bass. Practice makes better, and keep getting better. Peace yall and shala kaka!

Wooow... what a beautiful bass!

Problem is though a beginner isn't gonna know what "feels good" in his hand if he's really a beginner. another thing is a lot of new players of any instrument are always sheepish in the store like, they don't wanna be too loud with it cause they know they can't play anything yet so they may just like... make a decision cause the salesman sounded good on it and that's a bad way to go about it, I almost think like you should buy the instrument from someone you wanna do lessons with. A reputable place. Cause then at the very least they know you're not gonna just buy it and go away, if it's bad you'll be hearing about it one way or another like once a week at the store. lol

Hey, Johnny, I love your work! Quick question: what kind of metal strings are 'gentlest' on your fingers? I used to play bass in a band way back, and developed nice callouses that kept me gigging every night. But that's was years ago, and now I'm having to re-learn and recondition my fingers.

Bruh I just want to say thanks and I just subscribed. I'm a 50+ beginner Thanks...

Good sound advice brother

Another great video!

listening to the bass with headphones on is blowing my mind, man...

I’m a new subscriber and love your energy, excitement and knowledge about the bass. This is really inspiring for a new bassist! I reside in Charlotte, NC and would love for you to work on my bass but you’re a little far. Would you happen to know some black luthiers in the Charlotte area? Thanks

great video I appreciate you for doing what you do

Chalakaka many thanks 🙏🏿

Vids are hilarious!! New bass player subscribing!!

Hey, great vid, you did not show how to run the spider up and down.....an working on it though!

Im a lefty that plays right &codominant (left handed&right eyed.) &buck toothed &bow legged ...lol jk .i lost to theives like 5 tuners so now like pedal tuners so you can kick the guilty party.lol keep em coming brother.

Great idea fir finger training, Buddy. Niiiiiiiiice!

Johnny you kiss your bass like Puig licked his bat in the World Series , hahaha in which our Astros won , thank you very much.

Thank you for your videos Johnny. I am considering going to the bass . I started playing drums in 1963 but now peripheral neuropathy and arthritis has me limited to less than an hour on the kit. I dabbled with the bass some and I really liked it even though I didn't know what I was doing. I really don't want to give up playing cause it's in my blood. This video really answered a lot of questions for me and I thank you for it. Also, I appreciate the fact you clarified the 5 string stigma thing as I want to learn 4 string first. There is a Squire jazz bass for sale locally, looks good but I will have to try it first and there's a Fender bassman 60 amp also. I believe I'm looking at 190 bucks for both. Thank you again, Johnny, you are cool, would love to hear you play sometime when you're doing a show.

All about that muscle memory!

This dude is so weird!! But he's funny and he makes me laugh, besides giving some really good bass tips!! So, I like him!! SHADA KA-KAAAAAAA!!!!!!😂😂😂😂😂

lol this guy is talented

Im going into music soon with a bass...and that bass is gorgeous...I want a green bass O_O. Can I have it hahaha