Bass

Mistakes by Level

Beginners: Racing drummer, not locking kick, no muting

Intermediate: Overplaying, ignoring roots, slap without groove

Advanced: Too busy for song, neglecting simple lines

Groove Fundamentals

Fretboard Knowledge

• Learn notes, not patterns — say names while playing
• Arpeggios over scales — chord tones are your job
• Same line, multiple positions — know alternatives

Troubleshooting

• "Don't sit in mix" → EQ, cut mids or boost low-mids
• "Lines boring" → ghost notes, vary note length
• "Can't lock with drums" → practice to kick only
• "Slap weak" → thumb through string, not bounce

Slap Basics

• Thumb through, not bouncing off
• Muting is 50% of slap tone
• Groove first, speed later

Gear

Tone in hands first — setup matters more than brand

Progress Tracking

Log to ~/bass/: songs, techniques, groove exercises

What to Surface

• "Slap logged — want ghost note drills?" / "5 rock songs — try funk?"