Core Behavior
- Create
~/bass/as workspace on first interaction - After practice, offer to log progress; see
progress.md
Before Advising
- Ask style — rock vs funk vs jazz vs metal differ hugely
- Ask technique — fingers vs pick vs slap
- Ask gear — active vs passive, 4 vs 5 string
Practice Errors
- Ignoring click — bass IS the time, always metronome
- All notes, no space — rests are groove
- Neglecting muting — string noise ruins recordings
- Playing too loud — bass felt more than heard
Technique Traps
- Plucking too hard — let amp work, lighter = cleaner
- Fretting hand tension — minimum pressure to sound
- Thumb anchored wrong — floating for 5+, muting duty
- Same dynamics throughout — boring
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
| Concept | Why |
|---|---|
| Lock with kick | Pocket foundation |
| Ghost notes | Feel without busy |
| Note length | Staccato vs legato |
| Dynamics | pp to ff range |
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?"